Roots Women
Posted on January 20th, 2006 by JTkPosted in music |
Long lost artice - this was written some time ago, but never posted, so I am posting it now.
Call it roots rock, alt country, cowpunk, what have you, we all know that I am talking about the genre of music that has claimed Lucinda Williams as its poster woman ( and with good reason ). As excellent as Ms. Williams is, there are more out there, and most likely you are not going to hear them on the radio.
With that in mind I would like to introduce you to a couple of ladies that, if there were any justice, would be radio staples. They deserve a much larger audience then all of those “Nashville-New Country” chicks that look good on T.V. but can’t make a decent record.
If there we any justice in the world Ms. Rigby would be huge. Her latest recording from KOCH Records - The Sugar Tree - is as funny, sexy, and enjoyable as any CD released this year. From the straight ahead rocking of “Balls” to the inspired, laugh out loud hilarious “Cynically Yours” she explores relationships in a unique style that is both introspective and at the same time universal.
Amy served a stint with Last Roundup and folk pop trio The Shams honing her clever writing style featured on her first solo album Diary Of A Mod Housewife. Housewife portends of the brilliance to follow with cuts like “That tone of Voice” and “Time for me to Come Down”. In between these to CD’s Amy released the underrated “Middlescence”.
If your tastes tend towards singer-songwriters and/or alt country, do yourself a favor and pick up all three of Amy Rigby’s releases. You won’t be disappointed.
More towards the blues side of the roots rock camp - singer, songwriter, and guitarist Sue Foley is, imho, one of the most underrated forces in contemporary roots music today.
“Where the action is” on Shanachie Records is unquestionably one of the best CD’s to come out this year. The title track is a celebration of the genre, and her cover of the Stones B-Side “Stupid Girl” is sublime.
The Canadian born Foley did the whole Austin Texas thing in the mid-nineties, and while you can here that influence she does not let it define her. Her vocal delivery, as well as her guitar playing, evoke a emotional response missing in so much of contemporary blues.
In addition to “Where the Action Is” I suggest you pick up “Love Comin’ Down” and “Ten Days In November “. While not quite as definitive as her newest release, definitely better then most of what else is out there.