These Four Walls (CD - 2006)

Personnel: Shawn Colvin (vocals, acoustic guitar); Shawn Colvin; Teddy Thompson (vocals); John Leventhal (guitar, dobro, mandolin, keyboards, percussion); Antoine Silverman (fiddle); RIck DePofi (horns, organ, percussion); Shawn Pelton (drums, percussion); Marc Cohn, Patty Griffin (vocals).

Audio Mixer: John Leventhal.

Liner Note Author: SLC.

Recording information: 12th St. Studio, New York, NY; Bismeaux Studios, Austin, TX; Cedar Creek Recording; NY Noise.

Photographer: Traci Goudie.

2006's THESE FOUR WALLS is Shawn Colvin's first studio album in five years, and the results reveal that Colvin was working hard during that time. The album boasts one of the singer-songwriter's finest batches of songs (co-written, for the most part, with John Levanthal, who produced and also plays on the disc). Honest, pensive, and shot through with yearning, these folk-pop tunes are meticulously crafted with a keen melodic ear and a sense of elegant sophistication. Neither in the subtle, lovely arrangements nor in Colvin's lyrics or performances is anything overwrought or strained. As a singer-songwriter album, and--moreover--as a personal statement from Colvin, THESE FOUR WALLS is pitch-perfect. minimize