CONCERT REVIEW: Leah Andreone, Arlene's Grocery, New York

- Bob Gajarsky

On a recent Thursday evening, Leah Andreone was singing at New York City's Arlene's Grocery. That someone performed on an evening was no surprise at the free admission Soho venue; after all, Arlene's typically has 4 or so bands displaying their wares on any given night. But to the limited few who have heard her debut record, Veiled, it remains a shock that Andreone is still, unfortunately, playing 100 people capacity clubs.

Veiled was this critic's favorite album in 1996 and one year later, still receives its fair share of listening time. While Andreone has been exposed to larger audiences as part of the Lilith tour, much of the country has heard, at most, only one song from this album - the leadoff single "It's Alright It's OK".

During this brief weeknight set, Andreone whipped through seven songs from her debut record (and one for a compilation to help fund breast cancer research) and displayed a fiery passion in each song. A master storyteller with lyrics that speak *through* the eyes of others and actually mean something, Andreone displayed the unique ability to put harmonies with words and keep everyone focused solely on her.

The content of Andreone's songs comes from all angles; an abused child who feels *they* are the problem in "Problem Child", a neglected child from her re-married parents ("It's Alright It's OK), those who only help to achieve points in the afterlife ("Hell To Pay"), and a woman suffering from breast cancer ("We're Not Alone"). She elegantly performed each of these, whether with an impassioned plea for help, or as an angsty rocker.

For those who haven't been able to capture Andreone's live shows - or her singles - imagine Jewel, in a rock setting, with farther-reaching vocals. Andreone tosses in the occasional yelp (and almost yodel) for maximum effect throughout her songs as an added form of emphasis. And when she notices something that interests her - such as two loyal fans who came across from New Jersey - she was genuinely impressed that they had travelled across the Hudson to see her. Even as she is on a major label and garnering airplay, Leah manages to keep a down-to-earth feel to her set.

It seems like a matter of bad timing that there seems to be a quota on the number of female AAA performers who can get radio airplay - and Leah might be one over that number. Her cover of Carole King's "I Feel The Earth Move", which seemed like a great idea to add to a movie soundtrack, had the misfortune of being included on one of the worst Die Hard imitations ever - better known as Speed 2. Although the latest single, "Mother Tongue", isn't likely to turn the tide and make Leah Andreone a household name, it can continue to slowly draw in more fans to the Andreone camp. And with continued impressive performances like that at Arlene's Grocery, it's only a matter of time - like a good wine - for her talents to be recognized on a wider scale.