Does one genre of music *have* to continue to another generation? That question presents itself to two performers who, at one time or another, have been linked to the folk songs of days gone by: the Indigo Girls and Shawn Colvin.
Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, the duo from Georgia known as the Indigo Girls, have partially shed the folk tag. From the breakthrough self-titled album (including the hit "Closer To Fine") and the opening slot on R.E.M.'s tour as two women with guitars, the pair have expanded their music to include drums, bass, and probably the premier cello player for "alternative" music today, Jane Scarpantoni (R.E.M., Bob Mould). Their latest release, 1200 Curfews, consists of 26 live tracks (and one studio track, a cover of Buffy Saint-Marie's "Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee") recorded at various times over the last 13 years.
Fans of the duo will be instantly familiar with many of the tracks, which include all their radio and commercial singles as well as covers of Bob Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue" and Gladys Knight & The Pips' "Midnight Train To Georgia". The highlight for die-hard collectors is probably the previously unreleased track, "Back Together Again", which was recorded in Amy's basement in 1982. And, as someone who saw them live back in 1989, at Madison Square Garden - and walked away disappointed because the sound just didn't carry well in such a huge setting - it's a pleasant surprise that the Indigo Girls have produced such a solid live double CD.
While the Indigo Girls have graduated to mainstream success and can guarantee a solid level of sales with each release, Shawn Colvin still hasn't broken out of the "promising artist" level, despite her 37 years of age. The former backup vocalist for Suzanne Vega has a live reissue, Live '88, which was just released on Plump Records (Email: plumprec@aol.com).
This eleven song compilation shows an even rawer side of Colvin than most fans are familiar with. It's pure Shawn, on guitar, with what appear to be very little remastering. Seven of these songs appeared on 1989's Steady On, with two others showing up on 1992's Fat City.
A standard of Colvin's concerts is to include a couple cover songs in each performance. A complete album of these appeared in 1994's Cover Girl, but on Live '88, Shawn offers up a beautiful version of Simon & Garfunkel's "Kathy's Song".
The only quirk here is that three of the tracks - "Kathy's Song", "Something To Believe In" and David Ball's "Don't You Think I Feel It Too" - are actually taken from a 1990 show. However, they still capture the feel of Ms. Colvin, live, in an intimate setting. Jackson Browne expressed that "her singing and guitar playing...are compelling and complete". I couldn't agree more.
If Colvin and the Indigo Girls are still considered 1960's folk, those attaching the labels should take a harder look. Gather round your friends, some coffee, and create the cafe' setting with either of these CD's.
