www.stavemagazine.com/liveperf.htm
May 6th, 2007
Ann Klein
"live at the lakeside lounge" & "the hope street sessions"
www.ann-klein.com
by Christy Claxton
Klein belongs on the girl slingers’ honor roll along with folks like blues/rocker, Carolyn Wonderland and world pop master, Erika Luckett. An artist who can handle ALL of her own guitar work. Someone who doesn’t need that extra player on stage. All she needs is her drummer and bass player, and she’s doing better than 95% of the players out there. Honestly. I can’t wait to see this player live. Her voice is reminiscent of Kate Bush. Almost too sweet to belong to such a crack player. And like Bush, she can write a great tune.
Ann Klein and Band are currently out there promoting a double CD that includes “the hope street sessions” and “live at the lakeside lounge.”
People this takes balls… to package a studio recording with a live one. It says this woman is extremely confident in her playing ability and she is not reliant on the tricks of the studio. It also says she knows her live performance is energetic and strong enough to sleep in the same package as a studio creation.
So, let’s start with “live…” The Ann Klein band is click track tight. Austrians Robert Kainar (drums) and Klaus Kircher (bass) are superior support for Klein’s guitar work. Certainly, they’re one of the primary reasons she can move so easily from rhythm to lead guitar within a live song performance. I can’t help but make the comparison to Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble. Seriously good band. I’d say any hard core live music fan needs to catch these guys live. This is good rock n roll. It has many flavors that that sometimes feel a little country, sometimes a little poppy, sometimes trippy and always like “just one beer before we go.”
What can I say about the “hope street sessions?” I can’t say the playing is better or tighter because the live CD is just as tight. However, producer Tim Hatfield (who also recorded “live at the lakeside lounge”) gives us a clean, well-recorded listen. The luxury here is that Klein can invite some side players into the mix, and it’s a lovely listen because of the extra layers. My only unsolved mystery is why this outfit isn’t better known throughout the U.S. As usual, c. claxton falls all over another power artist that seems to glide right past the greater listening public. Therefore, I really encourage you to put Ann Klein on your “to do” list.
