Trax
Carlene Carter, Son de la Frontera, Allison Moorer
By Bliss 02/28/2008
CARLENE CARTER, Stronger (Yep Roc): On her first proper album in more than a decade, a triumphantly sober Carter trades in youthful spunk for mature grit. While "Stronger" isn't as stormy as stepsister Roseanne Cash's "Black Cadillac," it's similarly cathartic, inspired by the loss of mom June Carter Cash & stepdad Johnny Cash, Carter's ex-boyfriend and younger sister Rosey. Rollicking country-rockers like the remade "I'm So Cool" ("Hanging out with the boys is where it's at/ 'Cause they've got the balls and I've got the bat") express hope in newfound love between reflective ballads such as "Spider Lace" and "It Takes One to Know Me," the moving title track and "Judgment Day" ("In the cold hard truth I taste my bittersweet wasted youth/ ...True love never dies/ It just walks away"). Should appeal to Carter-Cash clan followers as well as commercial country fans of Martina McBride and Faith Hill. www.carlenecarter.net
SON DE LA FRONTERA, Cal (World Village): In the vanguard of bands invigorating flamenco for the 21st century, founder Raúl Rodríguez's energetic ensemble bridges diverse worlds -Spain, north Africa, the Caribbean - ultimately connected by flamenco. "Cal" is a dynamic (and, on "Soleá del Amor" and "Bulería de la Cal," hypnotic) set punctuated by stomping feet, fierce handclapping, Cuban tres and guitar. The vocal ululations on "Un Compromiso/Toda una Vida" and "En Mi Balcón" may be a bit much for some, but the constant exchange and layering of rhythm is impressively, dizzyingly intricate. At the EchoPlex tonight. www.worldvillagemusic.com
ALLISON MOORER, Mockingbird (New Line): Moorer's past albums showcased her songwriting as much as her voice, but here she strives to prove her interpretive mettle with songs by women artists like sis Shelby Lynne, Jessi Colter, Julie Miller, Cat Power, Ma Rainey and Gillian Welch, plus the self-penned title track. Always a stunning vocalist, Moorer's best with earthier material; she teases every drop of sultry soul from Nina Simone's "I Want a Little Sugar in My Bowl," and utterly reinvents June Carter Cash's "Ring of Fire" and Patti Smith's "Dancing Barefoot." The only dud is Joni Mitchell's deservedly classic but overdone "Both Sides Now." Skip that and savor the rest. www.allisonmoorer.com
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