Raise Your Head a Retrospective
As the Poozies move on to their third lineup, it's a good time to look back over three albums and an EP, only one of which,Infinite Blue, saw American release. One consistent factor in their music has been a ladylike delicacy, which can make even a bawdy ballad like "The Widow" seem genteel. But there's also been a marvelous eclecticism about the material, pulling from traditional sources to something likeTownes Van Zandt's classic "Poncho and Lefty," as well as other contemporary material. The instrumentals shimmer, mixing the harps of Mary MacMaster and Patsy Seddon, Karen Tweed's accordion, guitar and fiddle (from either Sally Barker orKate Rusby) in nimble fashion, but it's the songs that create the most lasting impact, especially "Another Train" and the stunning "Ma Plaid." Where the Poozies will go in the future remains to be seen, but this is evidence that the trip so far has been glorious.--Chris Nickson