‘oh! From the Girls’
is worthy of attention
Even though the Lilith Fair concept is on hiatus (ready to spring forth when the feminine muse can be successfully marketed again), here's a compilation by the label whose management backed the fem-centric tours, with the help of Oprah Winfrey's Oxygen Media Corp.
Proceeds from the sales of "oh! From the Girls" will go to Build Your Own Business, a public service program of the Oxygen-run charity foundation oh! Get the Money, to help give women the tools and funds they need to start their own businesses.
"oh! From the Girls"
Various artists
Nettwerk America
The compilation is front-loaded with familiar female artists, some with their hits and other with previously unreleased or exclusive tracks. Dido's "Thank You" kicks things off, followed by Sixpence None the Richer (the band's version of the Crowded House classic "Don't Dream It's Over"), Avril Lavigne ("I'm With You"), the Pretenders ("I'll Stand by You") and Sarah McLachlan's quiet and lovely "Angel."
Another selling point for the collection is two live tracks from the cable network's Custom Concert series: Tori Amos and her band with "Cornflake Girl" and a rousing "Come Together" from Macy Gray.
Two artists just on the fringe of the mainstream include the superb Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Aimee Mann, who contributes "Calling It Quits," from her "Bachelor No. 2" album, and Kathleen Edwards, with the leadoff track from the Ottawa artist's acclaimed "Failer" album, "Six O'Clock News."
There's a decided Up North (and label roster) bias with the remainder of the more unfamiliar women found in the last third of the compilation, but hey, they're all worthy of your attention, especially when represented by stronger tracks from their respective albums. Highlights include "It's Not Happening" from Vancouver folk trio the Be Good Tanyas, Erin McKeown's catchy and tuneful "Slung-Lo" and Toronto-based Martina Sorbara's somber "Withered on the Vine."
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