Christine Lavin, Patty Larkin, Megon McDonough, Sally Fingerett
Live at the Birchmere (Philo) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR) 1/2
Subtitled ”Life According to Four Bitchin` Babes,” this album is the result of a joint tour last year by four first-class singer-songwriters. Performing both solo and-occasionally-as an ensemble, the collective wit, intelligence and talent displayed by these four women ought to be force-fed to Neanderthals like Andrew Dice Clay. Lavin is the joker of the pack, contributing ”Prisoners of Their Hairdos” (”What do Crystal Gayle, Dorothy Hamill, Don King and Lyle Lovett have in common?”) and ”Sensitive New Age Guys” (”Who like to talk about their feelings? Who`s into crystals, into healing?”). A top-notch guitarist, Larkin is the group`s principal instrumentalist, and contributes such gems as the sardonic ”Not Bad for a Broad,” while Fingerett`s subtle ”Home Is Where the Heart Is” is the album`s most poignant tune. The golden voice belongs to Chicagoan Megon McDonough, whose exquisitely sung ”Painless Love” is another highlight. So what do four bitchin` babes do for an encore? ”These Boots Are Made for Walkin`,” what else?
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