Customer Reviews

Drag Queens In Limousines

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

This album was one of my great discoveries of the past year, a really pleasant surprise. For fans of really basic music, boiled down to brilliant traditional songwriting and a voice that hides nothing from you, this is a terrific purchase.

The sound is great: light guitars, stripped-down country backings all force Mary's great voice front and center. Good thing, too, because the words are often stunning, full of honey in their heartbreak. From relationships that appear to wear down like the nub of a pencil, to bleary nights spent holding up bar counters, Gauthier's lyrics plumb the depths of the dark and come up smelling sweetly of either gentle resignation or light laughter. Like Mark Eitzel, but without the near-constant self-flagellation, Gauthier seems to sing her way into self-discovery on each and every song. "Fish swim," she sings, and then, as if shrugging her way casually into her own true talent, "I drink."

The only bad thing I can say about this CD is that some of the songs sound a lot like each other, and that's only partly bad when songs sound that good.

One final thing: some of the publicity I've seen for this CD (including Mary Gauthier's website) has gotten into the annoying habit of trying to sell her life story rather than her music (ran away from home, big bad city, drink, drugs, yada yada yada; I have visions of Vanilla Ice screaming he's from the streets). The music speaks more about what Mary has been through/put herself through than any she-walks-the-walk marketing copy on a website is going to say. And Mary says it all better.

I heard Mary Gauthier perform in Boston and after hearing her live I had to have this Cd. Her lyrics are so brutally honest and they are underscored with enough simplicity that they are the forefront of the recording. Each song is a new poignant story that pulls you in and pulls you apart at the same time. She dares to touch upon subjects most songwriters avoid and can provoke even the most cold heart to feel empathy. The songs "Karla Faye" and "Lifetime" are highltights for me, but the whole CD has such an even quality to it that I am sure my favorites will shift with each listen.

Every now and then someone comes down the pike with something different to say. An artist that has found their own voice. One that speaks from the heart. Mary Gauthier is such a person. One listen to "drag quuens", "i drink", "different kind of gone", "evangeline", "lifetime" and "karla faye" are all it should take to hook any music junkie. Unfortunately, most folks need comparisons to know what to expect. If I must...take a pinch of John Prine, a dash of Terry Allen, a smidge of Tom Waits, add a little Lucinda Williams, some Toni Price and a heepin' helpin' of "twang". If Mary "Go-Shay" doesn't whet your appetite you better stick to what Nashville jams down your throat. Mary Gauthier has found the recipe for success. I hope she keeps cookin' like this.

Last night I saw Mary Gauthier in concert, opening for John Prine. I'd never heard of her. As soon as she was finished with her set I went to the merchandise stall and bought this CD.

Drag Queens in Limousines is spare, stark, visceral, honest, gritty-all the things an honest folk music excursion is supposed to be. While many compare her style and substance to more contemporary musicians, who she reminds me of is a young, dynamic, angry and eloquent Bob Dylan. Her style is spare in the extreme-usually a guitar and some harmonica riffs make up the sum total of the musical support of these song. Her voice is also Dylan-esque-low and gravelly and charged with emotion. On the other hand, Mary has a knack for developing a light tune that enhances the story without detracting from it.

Charged with emotion would also describe most of these songs. "I Drink" is the unapologetic anthem of a feisty alcoholic who is aware of the disgust and opprobrium her habit and mere presence evince among those she encounter but who clearly doesn't give a hoot. Drag Queens is a tale of a runaway. Karla Faye the tale of a murderer.

This is gritty country-ish folk album. The characters and stories it tells are people on the margins and the woe that befalls them-and the innate spirit they have that keeps them going, head up, fighting to the end, all obstacles in their paths notwithstanding.

One senses that Ms Gauthier is not all that different form those she sings about. This lends an aspect of honesty and angst that permeates the whole exercise. This is a virtuoso performance and an extraordinary album. One can only hope that there are many more to come.

Mary Gauthier writes songs in the vein of Lucinda Williams, and tells tales of life on the dirty boulevard in even rougher terms than Lucinda.
The CD contains songs about broken relationships, topless dancers, junkies, and misfits, and makes you wonder how much of it is autobiographical. Some might consider this subject matter depressing, but as you listen, a yearning for love and redemption emerges, and there's a sad sense of beauty in it all. In reading some of her road diaries on her website, it sounds like she's found at least some of the things she's been looking for, so don't be surprized if by the next CD, we'll hear more uplifting lyrics. Regardless, she's a great storyteller, something which isn't likely to change.

The self-described "country noir" of Gauthier (pronounced go-SHAY, by the way) plumbs emotional bareness you'd find at the core of country, from the perspective of society's misfits and outcasts. It's sometimes hard to imagine country's prom queens and hunka-hunks being credible with such emotion, but Gauthier's tangy/earthy voice leaves no doubt she could walk the walk. Gauthier's music is frank and unvarnished, and she has a knack for keeping the listener engrossed in the world of each song, whether charming or bleak. "I Drink" has an I-know-what-I-am reality, and the tale of former Texas death row resident "Karla Faye" and the marvelous lessons of "Lifetime" are must-listen songs. I'm also partial to "Lucky Stars," a song about reaching an impasse that sonically echoes Linda Ronstadt's "Long Long Time," and to the wonderful title track that talks about finding your people when you don't fit in where you are.

I have not been able to take thus CD out of my deck. I'm not sure that is a healthy thing, as this music is not uplifting, and it's not pretty, it is down right brilliant poetic blues with understated accompaniment. Cut to the bone lines like "The truth is...hard to know so we go with points of view, now I count my lucky stars; (I used to count on you). If you are in the mood for some butt kicking self pity, by proxy of course, this is an album to get and er, enjoy, dark, dark dark.

try this one. Think Bruce Springsteen "Nebraska" or anything John Prine, or Willie Nelson.... Heard "Drag Queens" on Boston radio WERS and had to own it. The rest of the album is terrific. Great lyrics, haunting melodies.

Fine lyrics, beautiful melodies, and sensitive insights. An original talent. Buy this cd!

It's probably all been said before. A finely balanced collection of songs. Vocal style probably not for everyone, but if you like Lucinda Williams (early stuff), Eliza Gilkyson and, dare I say it, early Tom Waits - this is for you.

Absolutely first class.