May 13–20, 1999

disc quicks|roots

Stacey Earle

Simple Gearle

(Gearle Records)

You can just see Stacey Earle sitting on the porchof an old rickety farm house, curved around her guitar, tellingstories of heartbreak and redemption. Singing in a clear, twangysoprano, strikingly reminiscent of Nanci Griffith, Earle's brandof straightforward country music is refreshingly simple. A ramblingmix of guitar, mandolin, light percussion and upright and electricbass make Simple Gearle a sweet, melancholy beaute. Admittedlyautobiographical, each song on the album contributes to her taleof small-town life: from a too-early marriage ("Wedding Night")to a joyous excursion, possibly to save a marriage ("WeekendRunaways"). Separated into sides A and B, the album startswith the crackle of a needle dropped onto a vinyl LP. Side A ismostly sorrowful, with lonely weepers like "Tears That SheCried." On side B, she realizes the strength from her painin the angry funk of "Cried my Heart Out" and the assured"In My Way." A Nashville songwriter for other acts,and an occasional background singer for big brother Steve, thisis Earle's first solo effort—and it makes you wonder what othermusical talent is lurking in the family tree.

-Margit Detweiler

Stacey Earle will play Thu., May 13, 8 p.m., The Point, 880 W. Lancaster Ave., BrynMawr, 610-527-0988 and also Sun., May 23, with Richie Havens,at King of Prussia's Upper Merion Twp. Bldg, 175 W. Valley ForgeRd., 610-265-1071.