Kathleen Edwards

Last night I made a spur-of-the-moment trip across the river to see Kathleen Edwards at the Paradise. I started trying to remember when was the last time that I went to a club to hear a band and I couldn’t remember. I’m not sure whether this reflects more on my sad social/cultural life or my lousy memory. I thought the last time was probably in Missoula, meaning Spring 2002 at the most recent. And this would have been one of the local dance bands, not a touring act. I now remember that I went to Johnny D’s to see Boy with a Fish last fall, but this was a band two of whose members I know, so it’s a little different. Anyway, yesterday while waiting for the dentist, I read an interview article with Kathleen Edwards related to her show last night. The name didn’t ring a bell, but the way she was described sounded up my alley and the musicians she mentioned as influences made her sound even better. And the price was under $20. Amazing. I went. Turns out she has a song on the radio that I have heard and noticed, but her name hadn’t registered. The show was great. Her band was excellent, and she is quite a fireplug. Her songs are sincere and engaging, and she has an incredible stage presence. It’s hard to take your eyes off her, actually. Her biggest and sweetest smiles were for the roadies and band members. She follows the band members’ solos with such intensity and interest, as if she’d never head them before, and coaxes more out of them with almost disconcerting sexuality-qua-musicality. I enjoyed the show immensely. I’ve seen her described as the next Lucinda Williams, a pretty inapt comparison, in my view, although this could be applied to the opening act, Mary Gauthier. She has the same dark and raw stuff that Lucinda produces. Kathleen is much too happy and polished and confident.
Added 5/22/05: Ok, now I get the Lucinda comparison, after listening to both of K.E.’s albums. Must have been a live thing.