With her third record, Asking for Flowers, making many critics’ “Best of ’08” lists, Kathleen Edwards can finally relax a bit and enjoy the fruits of her labors. Yet this Canadian singer/songwriter still can’t wait to get to her next show in the next town.
Edwards, an Ontario native, has quietly been strengthening her reputation as one of the finest AltCountry songwriters this side of Lucinda Williams. With her unvarnished voice, a balanced blend of twang-rockers and grainy, Folk ballads and her third acclaimed record release in five years, Edwards is primed to be a longstanding contributor to the Roots Rock canon.
For the first time, Edwards now struggles to write concert set lists that reflect the breadth and quality of her three records. It’s a challenge to include all her best material, though, as conundrums go, it’s a nice one to have. Kathleen Edwards should be adding to her exceptional repertoire for years to come. See her play the 20th Century Theatre.