Neko Case

Let’s drop the façade of being dispassionate, jaded scenesters for just a moment. How fucking cool is Neko Case — and by extension how cool is this live record? Gee, take a woman whose voice continues to blossom into one of the most powerful I’ve ever heard in concert or on record (I mean ever), and add to that Canada’s most smoking live band, the Sadies. Invite two stunning singers in their own right, Bloodshot’s Kelly Hogan and Neko’s Corn Sister cohort and Canada’s best party host, Carolyn Mark, along for songs, drinks and banter. Pull a song selection that includes some choice covers (Buffy Sainte-Marie’s "Soulful Shade of Blue,” Loretta Lynn’s "Rated X”) as well as a couple of new Neko songs. Stir. Even that delectable stew doesn’t do justice to a woman who, let’s pull out a chestnut, could sing the phone book. It’s not about Neko’s pipes (although, wow) and it’s not about who her friends are (don’t forget steel guitarist Jon Rauhouse, Jim and Jennie and the Pinetops, and Brian Connelly). It’s about great songs, and Case’s confidence to bring the very best along with her and know that the only thing that will upstage her is the prospect of where she goes from here.