Now I know my star may hang a little lower
My voice is ragged and my coat is far from new
But like the shimmer of a Caroliner rainbow
Between the cracks the light is coming through

From the anthem “If you’re Willing” these lyrics bring hope to everyone who has anticipated the next Penelope Houston album. On Market Street celebrates the musical re-emergence of a unique creative voice.

On Market Street celebrates the musical re-emergence of a unique creative voice. Penelope and her co-producer Jeffrey Wood (Housemartins, Luka Bloom, Giant Sand) worked closely with longtime collaborator and guitarist, Pat Johnson, to shape these personal songs into epic musical narratives. With the rock solid foundation of drummer Dawn Richardson (4 Non-Blondes, Tracy Chapman) and the gilding Hammond B3 organ of Danny Eisenberg (Tiff Merritt, Ryan Adams, Jonathan Richmond), they created a sweeping backdrop for “If You’re Willing,” “You Reel Me In,” “Missouri Lounge” and Johnson’s hymn to forgiveness “Come Back to the Fountain.” These tracks make up On Market Street’s folk-rock backbone with natural reflections of The Band, Let it Bleed-era Stones, and an Americana edge recalling Lucinda Williams by way of Memphis.

Stepping a little to the left of the familiar, Penelope enlisted the stalwart Steven Strauss to compose Van Dyke Parks-ian string quartet parts (led by Julian Smedley who has played with Vivian Stanshall, Anthony Braxton, and Dan Hicks) to burnish the poignant “Meet Me in France” and “Winter Coats.” Strauss, unafraid of Penelope’s sometimes-unorthodox musical structures, adds grace to these dark, poetic and complex heartbreakers. It’s not all gloom and doom, though. Giving us some lighter moments are the frisky “Scrap” and “USSA,” a humorous wordplay on Cold War era consumerism.

Lush and literate On Market Street is the ultimate Penelope Houston album, a pinnacle of songwriting, performance, and fidelity that secures her place in the hearts of her fans and music lovers around the world. Teaming with Glitterhouse Records is an obvious and celebrated move towards reuniting her music and her European audience. Her message to these fortunate listeners: “Your ears are required but your heart is what I desire.”

180g vinyl