MELORA A LA BASILICA (AS MELORA CREAGER)

The first thing you need to know about this CD is that you'll probably not get your hands on a copy unless you already have one. Melora Creager aka the driving force behind Rasputina recorded this live to an empty auditorium at Basilica Industria, an artsy-fartsy pavilion on the waterfront in Hudson, New York. She released it on her own Filthy Bonnet Recording Company label in a limited edition, 1,000 copy release packaged in an aluminum case along with an authenticity certificate (my copy is number 986) and reportedly delivered personally to the Hudson post office for home delivery. Very chic.

I've not had the pleasure to see Rasputina live yet, but from what I've read this is basically a summary of the setlists she and new 2nd-chair cellist Daniel DeJesus tried out on a tour around the time this was recorded. The collection is interesting and extremely well- engineered even if several of the tracks are simply pop and show tunes set to stringed arrangements. But that's what the band is all about anyway, so fans of the band shouldn't be surprised (and actually should be thrilled) by the fare.

Creager and DeJesus open with a cover of Goldfrapp's "Clowns" that barely sounds like the original thanks to the low register of the pair of cellos and Creager's voice which is just as distinctive as Alison Goldfrapp's but much more engaging and original. This is followed up by a fan favorite and another cover, in this case Tom Petty's1977 hit "American Girl". Creager shows a keen insight into the lyrics of this song and delivers a touching performance that unfortunately is far too brief. This one would benefit tremendously by a solo bridge before the closing verse, but that's just my opinion.

"Wicked Dickie" is listed as a 'traditional' tune but I've no idea its origin. I know it first appeared on the band's 2004 release 'Frustration Plantation' and features some typically overstated vocals by Creager that nonetheless are quite charming.

"I Want to Marry a Lighthouse Keeper" has an interesting past, having appeared in the Stanley Kubrick film 'A Clockwork Orange' but which was written by Erika Eige and first recorded by her band Sunforest in 1969. I have that old album too and kind of prefer this version, although it's a pretty light tune.

Creager manages to squeeze in her Rose Kennedy tribute "Rose K." on a lot of her recordings and this CD is no exception, but it's still a great tune. Same goes for "Why Don't You Do Right?", the Kansas Joe McCoy 30s blues standard which gets an interesting treatment sung by a white woman and set to paired cellos.

"Rusty the Skatemaker", "Girl Lunar Explosion" and "Identity Tokens" are the remaining original songs here, and all of them are fairly true to their original studio versions recorded under the Rasputina name.

Which leaves "Green Finch/Johanna" from Sweeney Todd (the play, not the glam band) and of all things a Pearl Jam cover in Vedder's signature tune "Soon Forget". Both are delivered with enthusiasm, the first in the bombastic and slightly garish style of most Broadway show tunes (DeJesus sings the "Johanna" parts like he's auditioning for 'Cats' or something). And "Soon Forget" qualifies as one of the album highlights, sung completely a capella by Creager just before she launches into the extended and closing "Identity Tokens". Beautiful.

For progressive music fans this stuff is sort of like candy ? tasty and addictive but not something to be desired as a musical main course. But despite that the high recording quality, personal packaging touches and obvious artistic pride that went into the recording are well worthy of acknowledgement. On musical merits alone I'd probably limit this one to three out of five stars, but Ms. Creager charm and creative interpretive style on the numerous covers deserves one more star for effort. If you can find this it makes for a great addition to just about any occasion, and for that reason I'll say is highly recommended to dreamers and the open-minded.

peace