There is something incredibly comforting and warm about Krista Baroni’s take on “Old Shirt” by Connecticut-based songwriter Kerri Powers…and I am not talking about the fact that it was freezing cold on the day that we tracked and Krista wore her jacket and scarf during the session. While the original is dotted with steady bass lines and percussion, harmonies on the chorus, and the worn and crackled character of Powers’ voice, Baroni took a different approach.
we came apart at the seams, that hold an old shirt together
Just her own voice and an acoustic guitar transformed this song into a totally different vibe from the original and the dynamics, from a strictly arrangement standpoint, are near polar opposite. Yet, the meaning and the depth of the song still somehow finds a way to remain the same. The hurt and sorrow mixed with the hope and genuine light of the song are present in spades.
I think it is truly beautiful what Krista did with Kerri’s song here. It is a testament to the very obvious respect and appreciation that Krista has for Kerri as an artist, contemporary and friend. And that is what this project is all about. Check it out: Krista Baroni’s session for Locals Covering Locals Volume 3 covering “Old Shirt” by Kerri Powers.