Rolling Stone (p.74) - 3.5 stars out of 5 -- "[I]t is Griffin's voice -- its clear, natural force and her disciplined way with vibrato -- that hits you first..."
Entertainment Weekly (p.72) - "The most breathtaking son is 'Trapeze,' a harmony-rich Emmylou Harris duet that's a paradigm of Griffin's empathic alt-country." -- Grade: A-
Q (p.125) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "Griffin's voice is a startlingly expressive instrument, pitched somewhere between the feather-light intimacy of Norah Hones and the gospel-tinged populism of Eva Cassidy."
Uncut (p.82) - 4 stars out of 5 -- "[H]er songwriting here...demonstrates a depth and majesty previously absent from her work."
Dirty Linen (p.72) - "These songs are well sung, the lyrics are smart, and they're set to attractive arrangements....A thoughtful, carefully delivered contemporary folk album."
No Depression (p.82) - "CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH is all about Griffin reveling in the suddenly -- startlingly -- enormous power of her singing."
Personnel: Patty Griffin (vocals, guitar, acoustic guitar, piano); Doug Lancio (acoustic guitar, electric guitar, autoharp); Mary Vonosdale, Pamela Sixfin, David Davidson, David Angell (violin); Chris Farrell, Kristin Wilkinson (viola); Kirsten Cassel, Jane Scarpantoni, Anthony LaMarchina (cello); John Mark Painter (strings, horns); Jim Hoke (harmonica, tenor saxophone, baritone saxophone); Ian McLagan (grand piano); J.D. Foster (acoustic bass, electric bass); Glenn Worf (upright bass, electric bass); Michael Longoria (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Emmylou Harris (vocals).
Recording information: 2006.
Part of the same New England coffeehouse singer-songwriter scene that spawned Dar Williams and Lori McKenna, Patty Griffin has stayed comfortably in the margins between rock, folk, and country for a number of years while developing a reputation as a songwriter's songwriter. Her material gets covered by superstars such as the Dixie Chicks, but on CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH Griffin makes a strong case for herself as her own woman. A solid collection of tunes ranging from the Bonnie Raitt-like strut of "Stay on the Ride" to the country-rocking "Getting Ready" to the tender "Someone Else's Tomorrow," CHILDREN RUNNING THROUGH is one of Griffin's strongest albums. A particular highlight is the gospel-infused celebration "Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)."