Dual NatureThose of you who follow local music (especially on Indianapolis' East side) have doubtless heard of Audio Diner, consisting of the core musicians Kevin Friedly and Dave Newman and their rotating cast of fine "guest" performers. Doubtless part of the reason these guys are still going strong after 30 years is their willingness to experiment with the lineup, preventing the performances from becoming rote and stale.Like many bands, AD has occasionally spun off members into side groups or "projects", though in this case without negatively affecting the integrity of the full band. The first of these projects to see a CD release is the pairing of Kevin with young vocalist Michelle Haddix. Michelle's arrival in the band a few years ago revitalized the band's dynamic and ensured that they would be able to add to their repertoire from the huge selection of songs which required female vocals. Working with Kevin on guitar, harmony vocals and other instruments created a more sparse and yet intensely emotional atmosphere which is a fine complement to the primarily electric-driven vibe of AD. If you've already heard the band's recent live shows, the power and delicacy of Michelle's voice will come as no surprise. If you have only heard the previous AD studio album, or not heard them at all, you will be awed and delighted by her steadily maturing vocal talents. Regardless, her handling of this carefully chosen material will surely impress you as a talent wise and capable beyond her meager years. The previous AD album hinted at the dichotomy - a set of vocal cords strong enough to handle the grittiest blues ballad, yet with an inherent sweetness suitable for a serenade or even a lullaby. The new effort - called Dual Nature by the collaborators - treats a variety of songs, old and new, to this remarkable gift. Not to obscure Kevin's contributions, though - his confident guitar and inspired arrangements focus and illuminate Michelle's skillful handling of the lyrics at every turn. Careful counterpoints and the occasional judicious use of multitracking insure that the music is not lost in layers of hazy production artifacts. Likewise, his much underrated baritone meshes well when used in harmony - again, sparingly - and is a comfortable instrument when he handles the occasional lead part. The songs were well chosen as favorites of the performers, though one could hardly have found better examples to show off their instincts for emotional content. Examples range from the classic folk of Dylan's "Knockin' On Heaven's Door" and the beautiful Dixie Chicks lullaby "Godspeed" to vocally interesting but more pop-oriented tunes such as Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time". But it is with the truly demanding material that the pair come into their own. Michelle's reading of classics like "Summertime" and "Stormy Monday" evoke hot summer nights and hazy, dim bars with uncanny sympathy. But the true show-stoppers in this reviewer's opinion are her breathtaking renditions of Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia" (sweetened by Kevin's counterpoint clarinet) and J.D. Souther's "Prisoner In Disguise"; the latter getting better with every listen. I've skipped a few tracks in the interest of brevity, but this in no way overlooks their contribution to the album. It's a wonderfully representative compilation, and sure to impress. Negatives? It's certainly hard to criticize either the performances or instrumental arrangements, which have the taste of meticulous preparation. My only concern is that some of the tracks seem over-generous with reverb on Michelle's voice, blurring her delicate timbre while adding a bit more "space" than seems appropriate. Maybe I'm just greedy in that I want to hear every nuance of the emotion that went into the preparation of this disc; or maybe it's because the added effects threaten to tip the equilibrium of an otherwise brilliantly produced recording. Regardless, it's really my only cavil. Bottom line: if you like the track list and want to hear these classic tunes carefully interpreted for vocal and guitar, Dual Nature hits the bullseye. I'm tempted to say that a few of the tracks surpass the originals; but whether you agree or not, you'll surely appreciate the sincerity and passion with which Kevin and Michelle imbue these carefully-selected songs. Enjoy! |
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