Martee LeBow
LeBow, 29, is a Binghamton, N.Y. native who recorded her first album in 1977 and has been a New York City club fixture for years. So when she sings Hang On (to My Reckless Youth), she can knowingly add touches of irony to the charged-up rock foundation of the tune. Her whole approach in fact has a wily, lived-and-learned tone, as if she has been paying attention all this time. That attitude, coupled with a voice that recalls Janis Joplin, Bonnie Tyler, Bruce Springsteen and Pat Benatar, makes for a gutsy, penetrating sound. The aggressive back-up band is sparked by keyboardist Danny Stein, saxophonists Rick Bell and Lou Cortelezzi and guitarist Bobby Messano. LeBow wrote many of the songs on the album, and their titles—such as Learning the Hard Way and Fallen Angel—suggest a slightly dismal view of the universe. She makes it all tolerable though in the manner of the best blues singers; if you've got to suffer you might as well have a good time doing it. (Atlantic)
Your Reaction
