Paradise for me

My town -- the town where no music ever comes -- has become musical paradise lately. In June alone I have tickets for Nickel Creek whose accompanying act is Ben Lee. Then just a few days later, I'll be seeing John Hiatt along with the North Mississippi Allstars. And then (yes there is more) in September the woman I've always wanted to see, Bonnie Raitt, will be here with Keb' Mo'. I've always managed to miss Bonnie Raitt when she's been close to this area, and now she will actually be here -- with Keb' Mo'!

New Music for Me

Neko Case: Fox Confessor Brings the Flood. Neko Case is, as Poppy reminded me, a member of The New Pornographers. This is her latest solo project and it's well worth the listen. I was hooked from the very first song, Margaret vs. Pauline, and Neko's voice kept me hooked until the last note of the very last song.

Bruce Springsteen: We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions. This is the most effecting Springsteen album in ages. Shenandoah and Mary Don't You Weep stick with me long after I've quit listening to the album. I've always enjoyed Springsteen's more folky albums and here, with interpretations of Pete Seeger's versions of traditional folksongs, he is brilliant.

The Dixie Chicks: Taking the Long Way: The reviews I've read of the Chicks' latest cd all love it. I think it's boring and the song that gets the most air play -- Not Ready to Make Nice -- is a rehash of the what happened to them after the comment Natalie Maines made about Bush. Sometimes things change after repeated listenings though, and I hope that happens here. Their last album, Home, had songs that had me singing them all day -- White Trash Wedding and Tortured, Tangled Hearts -- and songs that made me cry with every listen -- Travlin' Soldier. Taking the Long Way is no Home but maybe when I've listened to it more, I will discover that it has its own treasures.

Wilco: A.M. : I know this is not new but it's new for me. I've kindof approached Wilco in a backass way. First I got Summerteeth which I loved but rarely listened to, then I got the Mermaid Avenue albums which I love and listen to all the time and I went backwards with Wilco from there. I like A. M. ; I Must Be High makes me laugh.