Redbird
Kris Delmhorst · 2003
54 min · 17 tracks · traditional folk music
A serene blend of traditional folk melodies and intimate storytelling, enveloped in warm, acoustic instrumentation.
Top tracks — play these first
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Buckets of Rain — This cover of Bob Dylan's classic transforms the original into a poignant reflection on love and longing, showcasing Delmhorst's unique interpretive style.
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I Gotta Get Drunk — Delmhorst's playful rendition of this Willie Nelson song combines humor with heartfelt sincerity, illustrating her ability to balance lightness and depth in her music.
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Redbird Waltz — The title track encapsulates the album's essence with its gentle waltz rhythm and vivid imagery, embodying themes of nostalgia and solace.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Delmhorst's songwriting shines with strong melodies and storytelling, though it follows familiar folk templates.
What we noticed
- The album features a consistent use of acoustic guitar and soft vocals, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere throughout.
- Several tracks incorporate layered harmonies, particularly in the choruses, enhancing the emotional resonance of the lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gentle storytelling for quiet moments
- warm melodies for cozy evenings
- reflective tunes for introspective days
- easygoing flow for casual listening
- short tracks for focused attention
Maybe skip if you
- seeking high-energy excitement
- prefer standalone anthems
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time Kris Delmhorst released 'Redbird' in 2003, she had already established herself within the folk music scene with previous albums. This album served as a follow-up to her 2001 release, 'Strange Conversation', showcasing her evolution as a songwriter and artist while cementing her place in the contemporary folk genre.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Anaïs Mitchell· Laura Veirs· The Civil Wars
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
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Hold On
The narrative shifts from despair to resilience through an uplifting refrain that encourages perseverance.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Ships 3:02
- 2 Moonglow 2:55
- 3 Patience 3:18
- 4 Buckets of Rain 3:41
- 5 The Whole World Round 2:22
- 6 Ithaca 3:30
- 7 Lovely as the Day Is Long 2:58
- 8 Moonshiner 4:22
- 9 Redbird Waltz 2:26
- 10 Lullaby 101 3:00
- 11 I Gotta Get Drunk 2:01
- 12 Lighthouse Light 3:02
- 13 You Are the Everything 3:09
- 14 Down by the Sally Garden 2:28
- 15 Redbird 2:26
- 16 Drunk Lullaby 5:16
- 17 Hold On 4:38
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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