Scene and Heard: Laura, Nef and Ana Play Out

It's fitting that in her review this month of Laura Thomas's new CD Slow, Carrie Crespo draws a comparison to Nancy Sinatra. It was the latter's 1966 hit These Boots Are Made For Walking that sticks in my memory, and it was the boots that Laura was wearing at her recent Knitting Factory gig that were similarly memorable. Laura herself made reference to them and was clearly pleased with the new knee high, titanium-healed purchase, for which she had shelled out nearly a month's salary.

The Knit evening - which Laura had put together including her friends LadyBug, Mahogany and Spacecake - had Laura performing with a band that she's only recently put together. And while she can hold her own as a live soloist, the backing brings out not only her powerful voice, but also a more brazen stage presence, of which those boots are a perfect prop.

On record, the new CD continues to showcase Laura's Jazz-influenced style that was debuted on 2002's On My Sleeve on songs with honest, sometimes defiant, lyrics that reflect experiences of her settling down in New York City after several years of travels.

With the title song of the CD being written about her soldier boyfriend (who has recently returned from a year in Iraq) it's not too surprising that, more recently, Laura has turned her attention to political music, expressing her take on the current administration in Blind Trinity. A live recording of that song can be downloaded at www.laurabama.com.

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"I've got a drum up my ass," was how the sweet smiling Nefertiti Jones light-heartedly described the cramped conditions onstage in the Old Office at the Knitting Factory. Fortunately, the close quarters to her band (and audience) didn't affect the power of her performance for June's WOMANROCK showcase there, as she kept the party going with a string of catchy numbers.

Watching Nef perform songs like Scream and Anybody Else, one can't help but make comparisons with the raw stage and musical styles of Alanis Morrisette and PJ Harvey. That Nef grew up in New York's Alphabet City before the trendy types moved in assures one that the rawness is no put on act too.

A former finalist in the American Music Awards New Music category and Lilith Fair performer, Nef spent time playing around the San Francisco music scene before settling back in NYC and recording her CD Missing the L Train, with Steve Addabbo (Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega) as producer.

Now, as well as playing the local club scene, Nef's also to be featured in an upcoming documentary on black rock musicians, called Electric Purgatory, which includes footage from Nef's music video for her song Alphabet City. Check out her latest news at www.nefjonesmusic.com.

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There are some musicians that are accomplished self-promoters, who do a great job of reaching out to their fans and spinning every baby step into a reason for an email blast of pure hype. Then there are others that just quietly get on with making music, touring, and making more music. Ana Egge falls into the latter category, and as such is a something of a secret. But a secret who totally rocks.

A quick look at the tour page on her Web site confirms this assertion, noting her August dates with Shawn Colvin to be followed by a tour in September supporting Dar Williams. No doubt she'll be playing some tunes from her upcoming CD Out Past The Lights, which she co-produced with Jason Mercer, longtime bassist with Ani DiFranco, and now performing similar honors for Ron Sexsmith (who plays on the album, along with Chris Brown and Tony Scherr).

Born in Saskatchewan, Canada, Ana broke into the music scene when she won a songwriting competition in Austin, TX. Gigs supporting the likes of Richard Thompson, Joan Armatrading and Jane Siberry followed, as did a fair share of awards and an appearance at Lilith Fair.

Now a resident of Brooklyn, NY, with two studio and one live album in her catalog, she's been playing local clubs like the Living Room, Café 111 and the Parkside Lounge, while shopping her new CD to labels. Find out more about this best kept secret at www.anaegge.net.

Photograph of Ana Egge and Nef Jones courtesy of www.mebeeb.com.

Pete Harris founded Harris Radio as a response to the music being played on corporate-controlled mainstream radio. He is also a partner in WOMANROCK. Check out Scene and Heard artists on www.harrisradio.com.

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