Broadcasts Vol. 9

Broadcasts Vol. 9

(107.1 KGSR Radio Austin) Number nine, number nine, number nine ... Number nine in KGSR's annual compilation of live recordings from their broadcast studios is notable for its numerous bull's-eyes on the musical year that will be recorded as 2001. 'Tis the season for Best Of lists, and when all the votes and dented ballots are tallied, a bunch of boys with guitars -- Bob Schneider, Alejandro Escovedo, Pete Yorn, Ryan Adams, John Hammond, and Ray Wylie Hubbard among them -- will take a few humble bows. Lucinda Williams had a good year, too -- tip the straw hat, Lu. That this Class of 2001 all contribute choice cuts to Broadcasts Vol. 9 distinguishes this year's treasure chest of three dozen or so local and nationally renowned singer-songwriters from previous collections. Better still, if the ladies of 2001 had a relatively quiet year in the LP category, you wouldn't know it from BV9. Seesawing unevenly at the outset, Steve Earle makes up for Sara Watkins/Nickel Creek's bland opener on "South Nashville Blues," the ol' coot's acoustic deadpan blowing down some big city back alley on a winter's holiday. Next, Kasey Chambers continues to be too precious, but k.d. lang is the female Sinatra -- the Chairwoman. Worse for some than Chambers will be beat woman jazzbo Rickie Lee Jones, who is never better than on the too short and sweet "Youngblood." Taj Mahal at the piano and slim Shelby Lynne follow to strong effect, all three performances from KGSR's holiday taping at Austin City Limits soundstage last year. Joan Osborne, who had a disappointing comeback in 2001, is in fine form on "Raglan Road," backed by a couple of aged and wise Chieftans (Paddy Maloney on tin whistle), while Lisa Tingle holds her own with help from Double Trouble. The Texan SS, Rodney Crowell, Schneider, Slaid Cleaves, and Escovedo leave it all at the Alamo on the end run of first disc. Disc two is even better, blasting off with SXSW 01 highlights, the Holmes Brothers, then moving quickly through no small number of goodies: Michael Fracasso & Patty Griffin, Williams, Adams, Yorn, Stephen Bruton out in front of the Resentments, Robyn Hitchcock's jewel for Sophia "I Saw Nick Drake" Hammond, Willie Nelson, and on and on. Nanci Griffith and Eliza Gilkyson toward the end are a natural tag team. The boys may top the polls in 2001, but the girls, as always, have a monopoly all their own. Sale proceeds benefit the SIMS Foundation.