Caroline Herring Brings Roots Music Home on "Lantana"

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By Georgianne Nienaber (about the author) Page 2 of 2 page(s)

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Herring is also willing to take the bold leap to explore the darkest side of a woman’s psyche. No one in recent memory has been able to craft a southern gothic tale as well as she does on Paper Gown. Has any writer ever been bold enough to tell the truth about motives for infanticide in a compassionate manner? The fact that Herring not only takes the risk, but also comes through with flying colors and a punch line that leaves the listener gasping, should qualify her for Grammy.

Paper Gown tells the true story of Susan Smith, the young mother from South Carolina who drowned her sons in the hopes of cementing a bond with a lover who did not want her “ready made family.” Herring describes Smith watching as her boys “ride the incline down” while she stands, with “her lovers sweatshirt wrapped around me (her).”

Who was Susan Smith? Herring offers the universal answer.

“Long ago I used to be—a little girl on my Daddy’s knee. Dreams lie like diamond rings, babies and pretty things.”

In Lover Girl, Herring brings hope and understanding back into the picture. All little girls eventually grow up, some become mothers and “take their turn” by bringing new life into the world. I would venture to bet that every mother has, at one time or another, written a love letter to her child. Most efforts stay tucked away in drawers or hope chests, and sometimes a very brave mother will offer these missives of fear, longing, hope and the purest of all loves to their grown child on graduation day.

“Go and close the drapes I made. Put your little hands together— and pray for your mama. My lover girl.”

Songwriting does not get any better than that.

Viva Santa Caroline Herring! Viva La Pucelle d'Mississippi!

What:
Lantana
Audio CD (March 4, 2008)
Original Release Date: March 4, 2008
Signature Sounds

If you are anywhere near Austin, Texas this week, here is Caroline Herring's full SXSW (until March 16) schedule from her website: www.carolineherring.com

Thursday, March 13th Propaganda Media Party Austin Enchanted Forest 1412 W. Oltorf 8:30pm Friday, March 14th Red House Records Party Mother Egans 715 W 6th St 12:20pm Café Mundi Party E. 6th St. 4pm Saturday, March 15th GreenHouse Concerts presents . . . SXSW Songwriter Extravanganza! 700 Graywood Cove, Austin Featuring In-The-Round: Caroline Herring, Danny Schmidt & Nels Andrews 4pm Official SXSW Showcase! St. David s Church 304 E 7th St midnight

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Georgianne Nienaber is an investigative environmental and political writer. She lives in rural northern Minnesota, New Orleans and South Florida. Her articles have appeared in The Society of Professional Journalists' Online (more...)

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