Monthly Archive for April, 2009

In 2006, Neko Case released the album that has defined her career so far—“Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.” This album was critically acclaimed (it landed on almost every year end best of list), was adored by her current fans, and turned a whole lot more people onto her music. She toured extensively in support of the recording.

In 2009, however, Ms. Case had the very difficult task of releasing a follow-up album. This was no easy task. The result of this work is “Middle Cyclone,” which was released just over a month ago. The release got a lot of attention and she started promoting it heavily. She was fortunate and landed a spot on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. In addition, she work the blog circuit by offering to donate $5.00 to the Best Friends Animal Society for every blog that posted the first single, “People Go A Lotta Nerve,” on her or his site. All of this promotion paid off. “Middle Cyclone” debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Album charts, marking the first top 10 release in her career.

We here in Ithaca were very fortunate that Dan Smalls booked Neko Case to play at the State Theatre last year. In addition to being one of the best shows of 2008, it was one of only 6 concerts she played to road test material that would go on “Middle Cyclone.” It was an amazing show and a treat to see her on this mini-tour. In my review of her concert last year I wrote, “Listening to Neko Case’s voice on her records is great. To get to hear her live was fantastic. She could really fill the room with her voice. It almost seemed as though she didn’t need a mic. She proved she’s the real deal—no Auto-Tune for her. In addition, her band was rockin’! What a great group of musicians. The band was made up of Tom V. Ray on bass; Paul Rigby on electric and acoustic guitars; Jon Rauhouse on pedal steel guitar, banjo, and guitar; John Convertino on drums; and Kelly Hogan on backing vocals. She’s been playing with this group for several years, and it shows. Each musician’s part was integral to each song. And as a testament to the great sound of the show, you could clearly pick out each part in the mix. It was perfectly balanced.”

Since Ithaca is really blessed; and Neko Case now loves playing here, April 20 brings her back to the State Theatre with her killer band. Let me just say this simply. This is most definitely one of 2009’s must see shows—without a doubt. If you don’t go you’ll regret it—because you didn’t want to stay out late on a Monday night or for some other reason—when you’re waiting to get a cup of coffee the next morning and hear folks talking about the show. Stay out. Be tired. It’ll be worth it.

As for “Middle Cyclone?” It’s a really great record. And while it’s no “Fox Confessor,” it is impossible for it to be. It would have been exceedingly difficult her Neko Case to release another album that had the impact of its predecessor. This is not just about the tunes and the performance. There’s something less concrete and more spiritual about a record like “Fox Confessor Brings the Flood.” The whole of the recording becomes greater than its parts and it takes on a life and meaning of its own beyond that of most recordings. But that’s what great music does.