Amy Lavere isn’t a household name. But she should be. Really, you should go out and knock on your neighbor’s doors and when they open, just say “Amy Lavere” and run off to the next house. Eventually you will be arrested, possibly tased, but it is all in a good cause.
Before hanging a genre label on Lavere, there should be a great deal of thought. The rather meaningless label of Americana (aka country music by Yankees or people from big cities who have never seen a decent sized patch of grass, let alone the country) might be applied. Lavere is from Louisiana so no need for that Americana crap. You could then move on. But for some reason Lavere, in her subtle defiance of genre, almost craves some label, some box to place her in. Is it swing? Nah, not nearly dancy enough. Sometimes there are hints of “jazz combo” but isn’t dust covered, hidebound and mind numbingly mathematical. It isn’t revivalist Old Time Country. It is all sorts of things brought together with skill and excellent playing and, on her record, production.
Her new record, Stranger Me, has a Captain Beefheart song, Candle Mambo, on it. Think of a swing cum country cum Americana (ugh) cum jazz band playing THAT. Lavere also cannot be compared to the plethora of other--often good- women singer/songwriters out there. Sometimes in ability but not in unorthodox musical choices that are not limited only to covers.
You know…there may even be some rockabilly in there but the non-terrible kind. Maybe Zydeco? She is from Louisiana. So how about swingoldtimejazzcountryzydecorockabillybutnotreallyanyofthatstopwiththelabels. It is a cumbersome name for a new genre but it may catch on.
Before hanging a genre label on Lavere, there should be a great deal of thought. The rather meaningless label of Americana (aka country music by Yankees or people from big cities who have never seen a decent sized patch of grass, let alone the country) might be applied. Lavere is from Louisiana so no need for that Americana crap. You could then move on. But for some reason Lavere, in her subtle defiance of genre, almost craves some label, some box to place her in. Is it swing? Nah, not nearly dancy enough. Sometimes there are hints of “jazz combo” but isn’t dust covered, hidebound and mind numbingly mathematical. It isn’t revivalist Old Time Country. It is all sorts of things brought together with skill and excellent playing and, on her record, production.
Her new record, Stranger Me, has a Captain Beefheart song, Candle Mambo, on it. Think of a swing cum country cum Americana (ugh) cum jazz band playing THAT. Lavere also cannot be compared to the plethora of other--often good- women singer/songwriters out there. Sometimes in ability but not in unorthodox musical choices that are not limited only to covers.
You know…there may even be some rockabilly in there but the non-terrible kind. Maybe Zydeco? She is from Louisiana. So how about swingoldtimejazzcountryzydecorockabillybutnotreallyanyofthatstopwiththelabels. It is a cumbersome name for a new genre but it may catch on.
When you first hear Lavere’s voice live you might thing it sounds sort of “baby doll" almost fragile but keep listening. She could probably sing everything from death metal to Chinese opera. It is likely she won’t. But she could.
Some folks will compare her to Patsy Cline. It isn’t totally apt nor totally wrong but Lavere has a better voice, a voice capable of more (let the country music purist death threats begin!).
But the point isn’t to belittle an icon and a legend. Lavere can sing and the impression of fragility is a fitting counter-point, using the non-musical sense of the term, to that moment in the show when the audience hears the power in her voice.
Some folks will compare her to Patsy Cline. It isn’t totally apt nor totally wrong but Lavere has a better voice, a voice capable of more (let the country music purist death threats begin!).
But the point isn’t to belittle an icon and a legend. Lavere can sing and the impression of fragility is a fitting counter-point, using the non-musical sense of the term, to that moment in the show when the audience hears the power in her voice.
The latest from Amy Lavere
Another issue is this; Lavere is an attractive woman. There is a tendency (and this is true of women as well as men) to have a prejudice against attractive female musicians—at least in the “take them serious” way. It is as if a woman can be TOO pretty to be good. This is stupid. She is good. She is better than good. She can play like a no one’s business and she doesn’t miss a note when she sings. And she is playing a stand up bass. So if you have this in your head, get it out. If you didn’t? Good or you (seriously, good for you).
Now, that said, there seemed to be a large number of smitten men in the audience—of a wide range of ages. Before one song she said “There is a very cheap trick with this song and it requires whiskey.” She got her drink and she could have likely asked for the bottle. Half the audience would have left their wives (or husbands) right then, even if they were with their wives. Some of the wives/husbands would have said, “Ok. I totally understand.”
Now, that said, there seemed to be a large number of smitten men in the audience—of a wide range of ages. Before one song she said “There is a very cheap trick with this song and it requires whiskey.” She got her drink and she could have likely asked for the bottle. Half the audience would have left their wives (or husbands) right then, even if they were with their wives. Some of the wives/husbands would have said, “Ok. I totally understand.”
Lavere’s tour continues. You can find out more about her on her website, amylavere.com. If you are on the West Coast? Her tour picks up there in September, 2011. Well, it starts CLOSE to the West Coast in Arizona. Get out to see her.
David Cousar Opening The Set Solo
David Cousar (more on Cousar HERE) played with Lavere and opened the set with three solo songs. He demonstrated that he has a right hand like a metronome but a metronome with soul. A solo set by Cousar would be something to see as well. Shawn Zorn (drums) and Krista Wroten (violin/keyboards) round out Lavere's band. Wonderful musicianship.
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