When acclaimed singer-songwriter Shawn Colvin, one of the leading lights of the so-called “new folk” movement, performs Friday at the Riviera Theatre, expect to hear a few “borrowed” tunes. Her latest Columbia Records album, “Cover Girl,” consists entirely of songs written by some of her favorite songwriters.
“This was something I told the label I wanted to do when they signed me,” said Colvin of the collection, which includes cover versions of songs by Sting, Bob Dylan, Tom Waits, Robbie Robertson, Greg Brown and Steve Earle, among others. “I had all this cool material culled from all the years I spent not writing my own material. It was the label, in fact, who suggested doing it now.”
Those with long memories might recall that Colvin was a popular attraction in the college bars of downstate Carbondale in the mid-’70s, before trying her luck in Austin, Texas; San Francisco; and, finally, New York City. In Gotham she blossomed as a songwriter and a solo act and was signed by Columbia, which released her Grammy-winning debut album, “Steady On,” in 1989. Her follow-up, 1992’s “Fat City,” received two Grammy nominations, while high-profile fans/friends like Richard Thompson, Mary Chapin Carpenter and David Crosby championed her cause in the press.
For Colvin, the years of following her muse have certainly paid off.
“Success has crept up slowly,” she said. “Winning that Grammy for `Steady On’ made me feel like, `Maybe this record really was as good as I thought it was.’ It wasn’t an immediate success, though. You wouldn’t believe the stuff I did to promote that record, like playing in front of 15 people in a 300-seat club in Tempe, Ariz.!”
Colvin never had that problem in Chicago, playing increasingly larger venues starting with the old Orphans and graduating to Schubas, the Park West and now the Riviera. A couple of summers ago she opened for Crosby, Stills and Nash at Poplar Creek. Crosby introduced Colvin there as “My favorite new singer-songwriter of the last five years,” and he and Graham Nash sang backup on a few of her songs.
“If there’s anything that’s been an unexpected reward, it’s been meeting people that I admire who like what I do,” she said. “That’s the best feeling you can have.”
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Having frequently played as a solo in Chicago, this time around Colvin will be backed by ace guitarist Steurt Smith, who co-produced “Cover Girl,” and bassist Larry Klein, who produced “Fat City.” Klein, incidentally, is the husband of Colvin’s key early influence, Joni Mitchell.
“For people who have seen me before, it’s worth coming again just to hear Steurt and Larry play,” said Colvin, who will mix the “Cover Girl” material with self-penned standouts like “Steady On,” “I Don’t Know Why” and “Diamond In the Rough.” “I have two wonderful musicians with me, and there’s something sympathetic that goes on between us when we play together.”
Opening is singer-songwriter David Gray, whose new “Flesh” album presents him as a Welsh Bob Dylan.
Other concerts of note
The Pale Saints and Lisa Germano, Friday at the Double Door: The departure of former Pale Saints leader Ian Masters has shifted the band’s balance, but guitarist Meriel Barham has more than capably taken over on the U.K. band’s new “Slow Buildings” album, which ought to appeal to fans of Lush and the equally dreamy-sounding Cocteau Twins. Former John Mellencamp band member Germano will perform material from her deeply personal (though not particularly accessible) new “Geek the Girl” album. Also appearing is Chicago’s Dolly Varden.
The Cramps, Friday at the Vic Theatre: If schlock filmmaker Ed Wood was still alive, chances are the Cramps would be his favorite band. For years the psychobilly band led by vocalist Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy has been cranking out cult albums filled with a bizarre but rockin’ mix of rockabilly and surf music, with subject matter and titles borrowed from Grade Z movies. The Cramps’ new album, “Flamejob,” features a cover of ’50s rockabilly star (and Chicago resident) Hayden Thompson’s “Blues, Blues, Blues.” Live, it’s great stuff.
Beau Jocque and the Hi Rollers, Friday and Saturday at FitzGerald’s in Berwyn: The eclectic Beau Jocque is Louisiana’s latest zydeco sensation. Reportedly an incendiary live act, whose contemporary sound borrows from everyone from James Brown and Bob Marley to ZZ Top, it’s hoped the vocalist-accordionist will come through with the goods in his Chicago-area debut.
Eugene Chadbourne, Friday and Saturday at the Lunar Cabaret: Oddball cult guitarist-vocalist Chadbourne, late of Shockabilly, has been known to include everything from vintage Merle Haggard material to Jimi Hendrix’s “Purple Haze” in his shows. Our favorite Chadbourne original? “The Shah Sleeps In Lee Harvey’s Grave.”
The Jesus and Mary Chain, Mazzy Star and Velvet Crush, Saturday-Monday at Metro: The Jesus and Mary Chain’s “Sometimes, Always,” an uncharacteristically commercial-sounding (if inane) duet between the band’s sneering-voiced Jim Reid and Mazzy Star’s Hope Sandoval, is all over alternative rock radio. Expect Sandoval to join Reid and the Chain for the song. Opening popsters Velvet Crush, though, may actually provide the night’s most uplifting fare. Tickets remain for Monday only.
The Cranberries, Sunday at the Aragon Ballroom: The acoustically challenged Aragon may not be the best possible venue for Ireland’s charming Cranberries, whose subtler nuances may be lost here. Vocalist Delores O’Riordan is a sort of Sinead O’Connor minus the bad attitude, and the band’s new “No Need To Argue” album, currently entrenched in the Billboard Top 20, is a joyful collection of pop treats. Also appearing at the sold-out show are M.C. 900 Ft. Jesus and the Gigolo Aunts.
Seal, Sunday at the Arie Crown Theatre: With his scarred cheeks and gangly frame, Seal is no poster boy, but his soulful pop music is gorgeous. As evidenced by the single “Prayer For the Dying” from his self-titled second album, it’s a lush sound that mixes danceable grooves with haunting melodies and, of course, Seal’s majestically soaring vocals. Opening is Des’Ree.
Bryan Ferry, Monday and Tuesday at the Arie Crown Theatre: It’s been six years since the ever-suave Mr. Ferry released his last album of original material. His fans should be satisfied with the long-in-gestation “Mamouna,” a typical Ferry mix of smooth pop and gentlemanly funk. While Brian Eno and several other fellow veterans of Roxy Music guested on the album, don’t expect a Roxy reunion onstage. Combustible Edison opens. Monday is sold out.
Jeffrey Gaines and Paula Cole, Wednesday at Schubas: Despite a collective shrug from radio so far, Gaines’ recent “Somewhat Slightly Dazed” album reveals the Philadelphia singer-songwriter as a talent to be reckoned with. While his stylistic debt to the Beatles and Elvis Costello is apparent, Gaines is probably only one more album away from stardom. Former Peter Gabriel vocalist Cole opens.
Diamanda Galas and John Paul Jones, Thursday at the Vic Theatre: While former Led Zeppelin partners-in-crime Robert Plant and Jimmy Page are busy unplugging, Zep bassist John Paul Jones is touring with banshee-like vocalist Diamanda Galas. The two have collaborated on Galas’ new “The Sporting Life” album, which deals with such upbeat themes as thrill killings, sadomasochism and insanity. Cool!