Thursday, February 23, 2006

CD review: Shawn Mullins

Grade: A

CORKY SIMPSON

Tucson Citizen

Shawn Mullins

"9th Ward Pickin' Parlor" (Vanguard)

And we thought they didn't make 'em like this anymore. Occasionally, though not often enough, a singer-songwriter comes along with a sound so pure and a talent so rare the listener can scarcely believe it.

Shawn Mullins is such an artist, and his latest CD, "9th Ward Pickin' Parlor," is brilliant. He chose for the title of the album, the name of the New Orleans home-studio where most of the acoustic tracks were cut - before the structure was demolished by Hurricane Katrina.

The studio, owned by friend and musician Mike West, was at the corner of Jourdan and Dauphine streets in the heart of New Orleans' Ninth Ward, by the levee. "Mike made it out of the city before Katrina hit," Mullins said, "but the studio was a total loss."

The 36-year-old Atlanta native has dedicated the album "to the musical spirit of New Orleans." And the artistry makes that an honor, indeed.

Mullins' voice has been compared to those of John Prine and Guy Clark. His "Lay Down Your Swords" is an anti-war song reminiscent of Woody Guthrie.

"House of the Rising Sun" is the only song Mullins didn't compose or help write on this CD. And, by the way, his rendition of that anthem is the best I've ever heard. Mullins was assisted by Matthew Sweet and Pete Droge in writing the leadoff ballad, "Blue as You." Droge, Glen Phillips and Marshall Altman helped write "Beautiful Wreck." The rest are the poetry of Mullins alone.

The rising of lower expectations in entertainment these days may amplify that which is pretty good. But Mullins is so gifted, and so honest in his work, that he would have been good - make that great - in any time.