fine line: jolie holland

Saturday night I paid my first visit to the Fine Line to see Jolie Holland. I listened to her album a few days ago, but otherwise knew very little.

Battling a cold and some sound problems she put on an above average show, satisfying my craving for live music.

At her best, her rich voice overcame the din in a venue that filled gradually during the opening act. Holland’s music strikes me as a synthesis of Neko Case’s heavy, seductive songwriting and a drawling, thicker voice akin to Lucinda Williams.

She’s certainly competent enough. Alternating between a guitar and a keyboard, she handled multiple instruments with ease and experience. The same could not be said of the Fine Line. Holland was accompanied by a violinist for several songs, but the violin’s microphone drifted in and out throughout the evening.

An enjoyable show, but Holland isn’t doing anything new here. She’s good, not great in a genre of music of which I’m not the biggest fan. I’d see her again, but wouldn’t go out of my way to do so.