Direct from Erin McKeown‘s publicist:
After five full-length albums, two EPs, hundreds of shows every year, reams of critical praise, and an incalculable number of fans served, where is Erin McKeown to go? She heads to Lafayette.
Named after the address of New York’s much-loved Joe’s Pub, Lafayette is the acclaimed songwriter’s first official live album and an on-record invitation into her other world, the stage, where she spends more than half of every year knocking ’em dead nightly. Over 13 tracks, Lafayette captures the energy and musicality of McKeown as a bandleader and entertainer extraordinaire.
Lafayette is one night in the life of a performer at the peak of her powers. With a singer’s natural gift and a guitarist’s serious chops (often overlooked on her studio albums), McKeown leads her band through their paces on songs new and old, fast and slow, boisterous and reflective. And the group returns the favor, playing the bandleader on and off stage like the elegant entertainers of yesteryear.
The album is also a return to Erin’s roots and Western Massachusetts neighbors, Signature Sounds, the exceptional imprint who last worked with Erin on 2000’s Distillation. A national tour is in the works for the Fall, with dates to be announced shortly.
I assume this album was recorded at the McKeown gig I heard earlier this year, in which case it will be stupendous.
UPDATE: I just got an advance copy in the mail. It was, and it is. No street date yet–I’ll keep you posted.