05/09/03

Catch These If You Can:
Daniel Lanois is famous mostly as a high-profile producer, but his solo albums have always been quiet, under-appreciated gems. Shine (Anti) is the latest, and indeed it does. He plays at the Echo Lounge on May 15th.. One of Atlanta's rising stars is Mimi Holland, whose current album, Simple Words (Retractive) is her most accomplished work to date. The title describes it well, though the music on this record is hardly simplistic. Holland plays at Smith's on May 17th, so try to see her if you like good songs sung well. The Sadies bring their singular brand of laconic-devil-may-care-Western roots-rock to the Earl on May 28th. I have it on good authority that their live show is every bit as good as their new record, Stories Often Told (Yep Roc).. Another worthy singer is Dar Williams, whose new album is called The Beauty of the Rain, (Razor & Tie) and who will play at Variety Playhouse on May 30th.

New Music Roundup:
I just went to see Richard Thompson perform again, for the umpteenth time, and he is never disappointing. He is a consummate musician, and we were treated to some new material from The Old Kit Bag (Cooking Vinyl).. Thompson has much in common with Ry Cooder, who has been making interesting, eclectic music for decades, and Cooder's forays into Cuban culture have, in recent years, elevated his profile considerably. The latest is Mambo Sinuendo (Nonesuch / Perro Verde) and it features the venerated guitarist Manuel Galban, who adds his own unique take to this lovely pastiche.. These two also appear on a great new Hear Music compilation called Souvenirs, along with the likes of the Frames, Coldplay, Damien Rice, Aimee Mann, Joseph Arthur, Nickel Creek, David Gray, Pieta Brown and Liz Phair, who has an album of her own coming soon, after a long absence..

Kathleen Edwards is, frankly, wonderful. She's also profane, sensual and brutally honest. I hope the current hype doesn't overwhelm her, or alienate potential listeners. Her album Failer (Zoe / Rounder) gets better with every listen. David Lettermen liked her so much he asked her to come back on his show a second time, something he seldom does. Paul Weller continues to improve, a laudable achievement considering his long career. Illumination (Yep Roc) is a soulful, rocking new album, and there is a DVD as well, although I haven't watched it yet, and will review it in the next column. If only the man would grace us with his presence.. The Forty-Fives pull no punches. Fight Dirty (Yep Roc) is gritty, tough, and unafraid, as the title suggests. Strictly guitars, drums and throaty vocals, (with a nice bit of organ thrown in) these guys deliver without compromise. Chantal Kreviazuk, who I have been known to drool over in the past (well, sort of) is back with What If It All Means Something (Columbia), which, as you may surmise, poses some interesting existentialist questions, and is a tougher effort than what we're used to hearing from her. She is one of Canada's best current imports, by far. Beauty and brains, what a wonderful thing.