| Spring 2003 |
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Spring 2003* brought a flood of great music. I placed an order with Amazon for 11 CDs of various female singer/songwriters and got 11 GREAT CDs, including six artists that were new to me. The 11 CDs are listed below with notes on each and my selection of the best cuts from each. |
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- World Without Tears (April 8, 2003) Lucinda is one of country/rock/pop's best and most enduring artists. Anything she releases is worth a listen. Her latest, World Without Tears, continues the growth, evolution and duration she has shown over the years. Almost every new album she has release in the last few years has been her best, topping the last.
Dar Williams is a "home town" girl from Chappaqua. She is alleged to have been a member of the Greeley High School women's a ccappella group, the Quaker Notes. This new album continues her excellent work combining evocative lyrics with supurb music.
Joan Armatrading's best know album was her 1977 Show Some Emotion containing the hit Love And Affection. Though she has released almost a dozen albums since then, none have been as good - until now. Tender Trap has the potential to eclipse her previous hit.
The second album from this Canadian folk/bluegrass female group while not quite as good as their first (Blue Horse) is still excellent.
Despite having released ten albums before this, I had never heard Rosanne Cash's music. Rules of Travel clearly shows she is not just the daughter of the late and great Johnny - or maybe it proves there is something in the genes. The recent death of her father adds poignancy to the already heartfelt Last Stop Before Home and duet with Johnny on September When It Comes.
This has to be one of the best first albums by any artist. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill she has been playing in the area for the last four years but has waited until she felt she had the experience and material for a good album.
On her first two albums, Griffin seemed to searching for her musical identity, moving from the acoustical folk style of Living with Ghosts to the hard rock style of Flaming Red. With 1,000 Kisses she has found her mark.
On her third album, Moorer makes the move from twangy (twangy being relative) more traditional country music to contemporary pop folk much as her sister did with her album I Am Shelby Lynne. While some consider this a sell out to Nashville's commercialism I think it is a positive and successful growth of Allison as an artist. The sixth track, Steal the Sun, is one of the best songs of 2002.
Hailing originally from Oklahoma, Kelly moved eventually to Austin where she was "discovered" by Nanci Griffith who help get her signed with MCA. A bit more country than some of my other selections, she still has the lyricism and melodic voice of many of my other favorites.
The debut album from this Canadian singer/songwriter shows her potential. While I only slected three songs as outstanding, the whole album is good listening.
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* Four were actualy published in 2002 but I had not yet discovered them. I "date" my music by when I buy it, not neccesarily the release date. |
