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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 6, 2006)
JANUARY 6. 2006 jUStjOUt 35 music Thanks for the Melodies Dyke favorites return to the recording studio by Kathy Beige from the viewpoint of a soldier’s live. In concert she builds each loved one. song to a crescendo of guitar, Etheridge has always written bass and vocals that takes you about her life experiences, so over until you have no choice naturally she includes two songs but to tap your feet and groove about cancer. She was commis along. This album comes close, sioned by Ford to write "I Run for but it can't match the energy of a Life" for Race for the Cure. While live Toshi Reagon show. her earnestness is to be admired On the opening song, "Have and the tune is catchy, the song is You Heard,” Reagon’s sweet about as deep as a Ford truck voice calls for peace over a commercial. The ballad "This Is driving acoustic Not Goodbye” shows us that Catherine Etheridge’s voice is as pure as vocals. ever and that personal pain brings out her best songwriting. guitar and Russell’s backup Reagon, daughter of Sweet Honey in the Rock matriarch Bernice Johnson Reagon, has Have you Heard been influenced by diverse artists and genres. The Beautiful is no exception. It’s the kind of album to sit Toshi Reagan • Righteous Rahe opening electric guitar and bass line of "Building and listen to on your headphones with a glass of wine Blues" sound like early Pink Floyd, and "Down to the to really ponder the nuances of her lyrics. Folk blues goddess Toshi River” shows her gospel influence. Reagon even Who else has the courage to write a 7 1/2-minute Greatest Hits: The Road Less Traveled Reagon’s sixth album, her first on Ani DiFranco’s Righteous Babe label, might be the one that finally Listen to Reagon’s album, but if you really want to Ferron's lyrics paint emotional pictures with deep and Melissa Etheridge • Island propels this talented musician/ producer/songwriter experience this cute butch musical prodigy—and multiple meanings: “I dreamed of you in a red car into the mainstream spotlight. trust me, you do—don’t miss the chance to see her coat, you were smiling and so alive. You waved to me live in concert. from that other dusty road and I knew you have After Melissa Etheridge’s yearlong battle with can- To really experience Reagon, you must see her covers Elvis Presley’s "Heartbreak Hotel.” arrived.” cer, we’re happy to see anything from her now. Turning into Beautiful A greatest hits album seems appropriate at this point in her career. These 17 tracks spanning 17 years include many ballad. “Goat Path." a tribute to a deceased loved one? ö 1 ' Perron • Cherry wood Station “Souvenir" is reminiscent of Shadows on a Dime, Ferron’s 1984 classic. Shelley Jennings’ slow electric guitar and Ferron’s relaxed tempo speak to appreciat ing what you have and letting go of the things you have of Etheridge's timeless, tortured love songs. Classics When they name the geniuses like “Similar Features" and "Bring Me Some Water" of our lifetime, Ferron should be are included alongside her later mainstream hits included. The Boston Globe Ferron is forever searching for life's answers. She "Come to My Window" and Grammy winner "Ain’t It claimed, “Someday, they will call sometimes takes herself too seriously, like on "In the Heavy.” The one song that’s noticeably missing is I Bob | Dylan the Ferron of the Mean Time": “I have wept upon the mountain, I have 2004's "I Want to Be in Love.” ’60s." After more than Hl years walked upon my knees. I have crawled along the rub If you’re afraid this album is simply a recap of every away from the studio, Ferron ble of broken promises and unmet needs." Melissa CI) you already own, she’s included a few returns with a strong CD that’s previously unreleased tracks. I love it when lesbians true to her folk roots. cover love songs written by straight men. Etheridge’s gritty remake of Tom Petty's “Refugee" is a treat. no power to change. If there's one criticism of Ferron, it's that her music is never as interesting as her lyrics. Her sound The album opens with "More can be cyclical and redundant. But don’t let that stop Than That,” with ly rics proclaim you from savoring one of the best lyricists of our time. O the ing, appropriately: “Hello my Grammy Awards last year was one of the best rock friends, I feel so happy to be performances I've seen in years—period. The live back. To feel so clean and on the Portland free-lance writer K athy B elge dishes out recording of Janis Joplin's "Piece of Mv Heart” is track.” queer advice and humor from a hutch perspective Etheridge’s bald-headed appearance at worth the price of the album alone. Also included is Ferron’s music has never “Christmas in America," a poignant composition sung been light, and Turning into for Curve magazine. Visit her online at www. lipstickdipstick, com.
