Iris Dement
The 500 Greatest Songs of the 1990s – 270 to 261
it came out just exactly as it is now. It was just there, and it was my first song
Country Music History – Essential Releases of 1992, Part I
DeMent’s declaration to believe in love while alive
10 Songs: Friday, December 25th, 2015
Rhymes “glory” with “purgatory”… what more do you need to know?
Oldies But Goldies: Iris DeMent, August 2009, Songs Of Family and Faith
This was the first of the three times I’ve seen Iris DeMent, and though I think she has been better, I certainly don’t think she has been more fun
Iris DeMent At Hearst Plaza, Lincoln Center, Sunday, August 9th, 2015, Review
At Hearst Plaza, it is the Familial that comes closest. The reason it worked better for me here than at City Winery was because the environment was conducive for songs about home and family and nature, -whether or not the songs were specifically happy, they were of a place and a way and time, compassionate and sharing.
Be Here Now: New Album Releases Reviewed 8-7-15 – 8-13-15
The late Russian poet Anna Akhmatova’s words are translated, put to music, and then made to rhyme, leaving you twice removed from the originals. Though with an adopted Russian daughter, Dement has more reason than most to change though respecting Anna’s words -she could hardly do a crib sheet. Which she does, on an album that while a relative disappointment, and slow, thoughtful, and did I mention slow?, has enough songs with the brilliance of a “Broad Gold” and “Listening Is Singing”, to make it more than rewarding enough. Or would you rather listen to Luke Bryan? – ALBUM OF THE WEEK – B+
Iris DeMent, Kessler Theater, Saturday, February 15th, 2014, Reviewed
There is a timeless element to DeMent, given her universal themes and the bedrock simplicity of her musical accompaniment. Beyond those aspects, it is her bravery – her emotional honesty and intelligence and passion – that makes DeMent a major artist. She is genuine and moving and a truly gifted songwriter.