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Singer/songwriter Kathleen Edwards recently released another stellar set of songs titled Asking for Flowers. Edwards has this knack for creating vivid portraits of fractured individuals which includes murder victims (Alicia Ross, Oh Canada), draft dodgers (Oil Man’s war) and discarded lovers (Asking for Flowers).
this remarkable album is a true joy to listen to from beginning to end. each song is distinct and memorable for the storylines and tuneful melodies. one of the many highlights on this record is the title track, Asking for Flowers -
..Every pill I took in vain, every meal for you I made, every penny I put away,
asking for flowers is like asking you to be nice
Don’t tell me you’re too tired, 10 years I’ve been working nights
you can just feel the heartbreak, the regret and the sadness in the song. the song just floors me every time I hear it. It’s an amazing talent to be able to convey in song an intimate moment like that and keep the truth, detail and emotion intact. Edwards also includes unique touches in her songs like on the first single, The Cheapest Key where she defines each note on the musical scale. she’s bitter and she’s angry but the song also conveys wit and cleverness that makes the song go down well. Co-producer Jim Scott made a smart choice of reigning in the instrumentation to keep the focus on Edwards’ vocals and the well written lyrics. but when key instrumental passages do kick-in like in the song Goodnight, California, the resulting effect is significantly moving and transcendent.
Asking for Flowers is a true gem of an album and will easily land on this year’s list of best releases.

watch the promo video about the new album on youtube:

and be sure to catch Kathleen Edwards on tour:
March 27 – Portland, Maine at The Big Easy
March 28 – Boston, Mass. at Paradise Rock Club
March 29 – Northampton, Mass. at Pearl Street
March 31 – Burlington, Vt. at Higher Ground
April 5 – Chicago, Ill. at Metro
April 6 – Detroit, Mich. at Magic Bag
April 8 – Pittsburgh, Pa. at Rex Theatre
April 10 – New York, N.Y. at The Fillmore at Irving Plaza
April 11 – Annapolis, Md. at Ram’s Head
April 12 – Philadelphia, Pa. at The Fillmore at TLA
April 14 – Alexandria, Va. at The Birchmere
April 16 – Asheville, N.C. at Grey Eagle Tavern
April 17 – Louisville, Ky. at Headliners
April 18 – Birmingham, Al. at WorkPlay Theatre
April 19 – Nashville, Tenn. at Mercury Lounge
April 30 – Indianapolis, Ind. at Music Hall
May 9 – Boulder Col. at Fox Theatre
May 13 – Tucson, Ariz. at Club Congress
May 14 – San Diego, Calif. at Belly Up
May 16 – Los Angeles, Calif. at Troubadour
May 17 – Santa Barbara, Calif. at Lobero Theatre

Asking for Flowers TrackList:
1 Buffalo
2 The Cheapest Key
3 Asking for Flowers
4 Alicia Ross
5 I Make the Dough, You Get the Glory
6 Oil Man’s War
7 Sure as Shit
8 Run
9 Oh Canada
10 Scared at Night
11 Goodnight, California
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1. The Neal Schon Band – live dates in March 2010
2. Spinal Tap – Unwigged and Unplugged – 2009 Tour
3. recent reviews
4. Goldfrapp tour dates
5. updates from Asia

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music, reviews by retroDan