Same Girl, But Completely Different

Three years ago, Boston-based songwriter Tracy Bonham, released her third, and quite possibly, best album to date with Blink The Brightest. Since its release, the accomplished violinist hasn’t slowed down. Read more

High Notes, Vol. 3

News & Notes:
While I know posts have been infrequent lately, it’s not for a lack of trying. Despite irregularities, there has actually been a lot going on.

Firstly, Womenfolk turned two on June 7, 2006. That’s ancient in blog-years. So thank you to everyone who has supported the site with your comments and suggestions. Believe it or not, it helps keep Womenfolk alive.

Last year during our first anniversary online, I featured a ‘best of’ batch of songs previously featured on Womenfolk during that year. This year, I’m taking things one step farther.

Coming in late July/early August, Womenfolk will be releasing its first compilation! This is the real thing, folks. Many remarkable women submitted music for this set and I’m very proud to see it to completion. The CD will be for sale exclusively through www.womenfolk.net. I’ll definitely provide more details soon.

Now on to the music:

Lisa Germano
In The Maybe World
Without a doubt, Lisa Germano is a favorite of mine. Her underrated music seeps with a strange beauty, initially dark, but slowly exuding a sense of warmth and light. Germano’s voice is soft and low and her lyrics often carry the occasional smirk of sarcasm.

Featured below is ‘Into Oblivion,’ a fine example of Germano’s signature sound. Also featured below is ‘Offering,’ a rare, unreleased gem from a compilation Germano self-released in 2003 entitled, Rare, Unusual Or Just Bad Songs. You can presumably order a copy from Ms. Germano herself by following the instructions on her official site.

Germano’s seventh album, In The Maybe World, is due out July 18 on Young God Records.

Ani DiFranco
Reprieve
One of the hardest working women in music today, Ani DiFranco has created 15 solo albums (excluding collaborations and live compilations) since 1989. Reprieve is her latest, due out on August 8 on her own Righteous Babe label.

This time, it’s only DiFranco and her bass player that can be heard on the record, as she continues her trademark guitar-picking and lyrical left-hooks.

Featured here is ‘Half-Assed,’ one of the album’s standouts.

Crooked Still
Shaken By A Low Sound
Shaken By A Low Sound marks the second album for the country/folk/bluegrass band, Crooked Still. Here the group perform a collection of songs, largely covers of American standards, and create a nice, pleasurable result. Aoife O’Donovan’s voice floats effortlessly through the music, slightly reminiscent of Alison Krauss‘ angelic vocals. This is a sweet, no frills record which displays the band’s extraordinary talents.

Shaken By A Low Sound is due out on Signature Sounds Recordings on August 22, 2006.

Georgie James
Demos At Dance Place
Formed after his previous band (Q And Not U) dissolved, drummer John Davis and his friend, singer-songwriter, Laura Burhenn formed Georgie James. The pairing is quite remarkable, as Davis and Burhenn take turns with lead vocals and use their individual talents to create some truly smart, rock/pop.

Demos At Dance Place is a 7-song EP that features the duo’s first songs recorded together. Released toward the end of 2005, the band is currently working on their first record together and are currently set to tour the United States with indie-fave Camera Obscura.

Nina Gordon
Bleeding Heart Graffiti
Nina Gordon was arguably, the better half of the rock outfit, Veruca Salt. But in 1998, Gordon left the band to embark on a solo career and shift in a more ‘pop’ direction.

In 2000, Gordon released her debut solo record, Tonight And The Rest Of My Life. Six years later and her follow-up has arrived in the form of Bleeding Heart Graffiti. This newest set, with its lead-off single, ‘Kiss Me ‘Til It Bleeds,’ is scheduled for release on August 8, 2006 on Warner Bros.

Downloads:

Lisa Germano - Into Oblivion

Lisa Germano - Offering

Ani DiFranco - Half-Assed

Crooked Still - Little Sadie

Georgie James - Long Week

Nina Gordon - Kiss Me ‘Til It Bleeds

Cover Girls, Vol. 10

Pop chanteuse Holly Palmer (previously featured on Womenfolk: The Way Your Soul Find Its Groove) completely re-invents The Supremes’ ‘You Keep Me Hangin’ On.’ Palmer’s is a slowed, gut-wrenching swirl of emotion that no one could ever confuse with Kim Wilde’s popular version from the 80’s.


Londoner Siobhan Lynch’s eerie rendition of the Bee Gee’s ‘Stayin’ Alive’ is just one of many songs worth owning from the soundtrack to Jackie Chan’s 1996 action-flick, Supercop.

What’s particularly interesting here is not only the programmed arrangements, but Lynch’s gender-reversal in the line: Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk / I’m a woman’s man, no time to talk. Also noteworthy is Lynch’s layered, dark purr of a voice which brings the song to life with an aggressively sexy, techno twist.

Considered to be one of the hardest working women in the music business, folk-singer extraordinaire, Ani DiFranco has created her share of cover songs, but one of those most notable is surely her rendition of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Used Cars.’

Released on Badlands: A Tribute To Bruce Springsteen’s Nebraska, DiFranco approach is effortless and serves as an echo to Springsteen’s original.


A decade after releasing their breakthrough debut album, It’s Better To Travel, Swing Out Sister released Shapes And Patterns, which featured the late Laura Nyro’s ‘Stoned Soul Picnic.’ Theirs is a bright, pop effort reminiscent of their original songs.


Downloads:

Holly Palmer - You Keep Me Hangin’ On
Siobhan Lynch - Stayin’ Alive
Ani DiFranco - Used Cars
Swing Out Sister - Stoned Soul Picnic