Kathleen Edwards "Asking for Flowers"
I love when I get unexpected musical crushes, when I can't wait to gobble up an album again and again. It makes me dig my job even more. It makes me realize I'd be miserable doing anything else.
I'm currently infatuated with Canadian folk-rocker Kathleen Edwards, whose new album is called Asking for Flowers. (Thanks to the reader out there who goosed my interest in her. I listen to you guys more than you think.) Edwards, the 29-year-old daughter of diplomats, is proud to strut such influences as Neil Young, Bob Dylan and Tom Petty. She can reference Marty McSorley and John Fogerty in the same song. Bet she could drink me under the table, too.
A curious colleague asked for a comparison, so I said Edwards sounds like Tanya Donelly covering a rollicking Bruce Springsteen song. Or, at the very least, Nanci Griffith fronting the Counting Crows. I dunno. I'm still trying to peg her. See for yourself with these two music clips...
Sean Daly is the pop music critic for the St. Petersburg Times. His CD collection -- from Journey to Dylan, Prince to U2, Public Enemy to Stan Getz -- is much bigger and better than yours.
THIS WEEK'S SHOW: Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers rock Tampa Bay. To hear the latest "Stuck in the 80s" episode now, 
I hope this isn't more girl shmoopiness. I like something I can sink my teeth into.
If you do take our suggestions from time to time, I guess this means you'll be getting more emails with links to 'new stuff' as discovered by moi.
Did you EVER listen to Poe as I suggested about 100 times? She's not new, though.
Surely you've heard of these kids ... they are from Tampa.
I'm sorta kinda diggin' them ... a lot!
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Posted by: Marissa | March 07, 2008 at 10:33 AM
YAY! She's not a whimpering "I can love you if you just let me whine enough" sort of singer.
Posted by: Marissa | March 07, 2008 at 10:52 AM
I was hoping you'd give this disc a spin -- and glad you dig it. To me she's kinda like a wisp-ier, rootsier Mary Chapin Carpenter. Nanci Griffith is a good comparison as well.
Off to iTunes... la la la.
Posted by: jane | March 07, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Good Disc. If you can put Marty McSorley in a song - you get a spot on my iPod!
Since we are in the alt-country arena: Sean have you listened to Tift Merritt's new release "Another Country"?
Posted by: DoctorDrew | March 07, 2008 at 11:20 AM
Miss Riss, if you like this (hey! I'm a poet) I can also recommend Tift Merritt -- she's got more recent material out, but I'm hooked her older album "Tambourine" -- and Shelby Lynne, whose latest disc, a Dusty Springfield tribute -- is on HEAVY rotation here at chez jane.
Posted by: jane | March 07, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Hey Jane
Don't steal my recommendations! LOL
I like Tift's new disc but I kind of feel it would sound "better" if I had it on vinyl. That's the vibe I get from the album.
Posted by: DoctorDrew | March 07, 2008 at 12:00 PM
DoctorDrew -- I prefer to think of it more as great minds think alike than stealing. We had the same thought at about the same time.
Great analogy about having in on vinyl -- I've only heard snippets of it, but I can hear where you're coming from.
Posted by: jane | March 07, 2008 at 12:15 PM
The Tift Merritt album is terrific. It's not as upbeat (musically or thematically) as her previous two albums, but it's better in terms of substance and quality.
Posted by: DG | March 07, 2008 at 01:27 PM
OK, this is from left field, but has anyone else heard anything more about a Tom Waits Southern US summer tour?
The last I heard the closest site was Atlanta. Sean pull some strings and get a Tom Waits show at Tampa Theater.
Posted by: DoctorDrew | March 07, 2008 at 02:25 PM
I'll see what I can do, Doc.
Posted by: Sean Daly | March 07, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Jane, I love, love, love the Shelby Lynne CD too. Her sister, Allison Moorer, just released a CD that I may check out.
Posted by: mrstreme | March 07, 2008 at 06:04 PM
mrstreme, I had a feeling you were a woman of good taste ;-)
I think I'm a little addicted to the Shelby Lynne disc -- can't go a day or two without listening to it. I'm also going to check out Allison Moorer's CD as well -- don't know all that much about her. Yet.
Posted by: jane | March 07, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Being that I LOVE Dusty Springfield, I have contemplated d/l Shelby's latest. I don't know why I haven't yet. I'm weird, I guess.
I'm hoping to save enough Pepsi Points to get it for free on Amazon.com lol
Posted by: Marissa | March 07, 2008 at 06:48 PM
Jane (and anyone else, for that matter) What do you think of Sophie Milman? I first heard of her thanks to a free download of the week on iTunes quite awhile back. Her voice reminds me of a Sunday drive in the country on a cool Autumn day.
Posted by: Marissa | March 08, 2008 at 10:17 AM
After running to iTunes to check Ms. Milman out, I can say that I like what I heard from the snippets on there. Great voice -- rich and resonant. And such that there didn't seem to be any need for extra theatrics (like runs and over-singing) or production. I'm a sucker for really good jazz vocals, especially from women -- I'm gonna check her out in more depth.
Posted by: jane | March 08, 2008 at 10:28 AM
You're so right about those dreaded runs. It's a skilled singer who can add those and not make us feel they're covering for something. American Idol chicas take heed.
I'm no connoisseur of jazz, but I know what I like when I hear it.
That being said, songs such as, "La Vie En Rose," remind me that it takes a true artiste to emotionally connect with the listener when they, the audience, can't understand one phrase being sung. My francais is tres limited. lol
Posted by: Marissa | March 08, 2008 at 10:43 AM
A few weeks ago I reviewed the new Shelby Lynne album. (Loved it -- that's the real Shelby, even if she's covering the real Dusty.) I then followed that up with an interview with Phil Ramone, who produced the disc. He said before they started anything, Lynne had to "understand" who Springfield really was. He unearthed all these old demos. Anyway, great album...
Posted by: Sean Daly | March 08, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Actually, I think it was your review that tipped me off to the existence of the Shelby Lynne album, Mr. Daly. I figure that if you like it, chances are it's worth checking out...
Posted by: jane | March 08, 2008 at 01:33 PM
I also downloaded Shelby Lynne's CD after reading your review. I think it's a great collection - I hope it gets Lynne more "mainstream" popularity and critical acclaim. She has one heck of a voice.
I downloaded Kathleen Edwards' CD yesterday. Enjoying it so far. "Sure as S**t" is a great track.
Posted by: mrstreme | March 09, 2008 at 07:26 AM
Mmm, I've liked Edwards since her first album......which I decided to take a chance on from my local public library!
She's really matured on this CD, I'm liking it so far. "You Get The Glory", I love it......so many inside Canuck jokes in that one.
Good for her......hope she continues to make pretty darn good music.
Posted by: Al | March 10, 2008 at 11:27 AM
P.S. Where are my manners?
Thanks Sean. I didn't realize Kathleen had a new album out. I really appreciate this blog of yours.
Posted by: Al | March 10, 2008 at 11:31 AM