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Four years prior to "A Few Small Repairs", Shawn Colvin released "Fat City"- a gem so rare and exquisite that just about every other release in her portfolio merely twinkles by comparison. Yes, there is magic in every recording she's put out, and certainly "Repairs" is a masterpiece which finally brought her some well deserved critical acclaim and accolades, but if you haven't listened to "Fat City" you have not yet been introduced to this woman's depth and ability to stir the soul. Listen to "Monopoly" if you want your heart ripped out. It is undoubtedly one of the most devastatingly beautiful love songs ever written. Her voice is raw, and brazenly naked in the throes of passionate love and agonizing loss. Listen to "Set the Prairie on Fire". Talk about sultry and sexy and hot! "Polaroids" is, of course, quintessential Shawn- it's a perfect example of why we love her music so much. If Anne Sexton was a songwriter her lyrics would sound like this: "Please no more therapy, Mother take care of me, piece me together with a needle and thread." Confessional, irreverent, honest, weary and triumphant all at the same time.
"Tennessee" just plain rocks. And Shawn does "Tenderness On the Block" better than Warren Zevon could ever dream of doing it (sorry, Warren, rest in peace). "Round of Blues" will have your feet tapping, your hands drumming and your throat humming, despite the almost popishness of it. Shawn doesn't do pop, so don't get me wrong. Shawn does what gets her going, and it works- always. Who else can refer to vibrators ("Object of My Affection") in such a way that you don't ask yourself if she just said what you think she said, instead, you ... laugh because, well, of course, she means what you think she means.
Sure, there are some weak spots on the album- most notably the excessive length of "Orion in the Sky" which starts to feel like a flamboyant relative who overstays their welcome. On the whole, however, this is Shawn quite possibly at her best. I say "quite possibly" because you never know what she will do next. I admit that I haven't heard the 2006 release yet (won't be long now!!!). For all I know she may just finish me off with the latest round of blues- after all, she's already ripped my heart out.
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The Captain
I Love Shawn Colvin But.......
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 8, 2013