Vecchione’s version is sung a cappella with magnificent harmonies provided by Nicole Nelson and Wanda Holland Greene, whose talented voices are found elsewhere throughout the album.
That includes Vecchione’s own N’awlins-flavored contribution, “Fly Home Flag Boy.” The jaunty anthem highlighted by Michael Rojas’ honky-tonk piano and rollicking organ makes on-the-mark references to “shotgun houses,” “Iko, Iko” and a town “covered in mold.” Vecchione isn’t resigned to just telling the tale, though, adding, “We can fix those levees with the money we owe.”
Fixing those levees that broke and contributed heavily to the destruction of New Orleans remains high on Vecchione’s to-do list. During her performances, she urges anyone who will listen to check out levees.org and her CD bears the popular post-Katrina phrase, “Make Levees, Not War.”
Political activist and humanitarian are just two of her personas, though. While her soft side might not be her strong suit (a couple of ballads, particularly the Steve Goodman cover “A Lover Is Forever,” fail to make the grade), Vecchione capably handles other genres.
Her Southern Belle demeanor comes out on “Magnolia,” a country song that provides Southern comfort. Along with "Fly Home Flag Boy," it has been featured recently on the Holly Hunter TNT vehicle “Saving Grace.” She’s also a solid rocker on the opening “How We Choose to Hold,” a crooner in love with more than Boston on “This Town,” which “won’t let me let you go,” and the voice of Women’s Empowerment on "Don't Come Creepin."
And while Vecchione hasn’t made Louisiana her home yet, her current state of mind resides there, particularly in “The City That Care Forgot.” She recently wrote most eloquently on her blog about the “place where the precarious nature of life is intimately known ... where the people have an amazing resilience, grace, and fortitude.”
Vecchione’s dear heart is clearly in the right place. So whether it’s the singer or the CD, this Girl in the Band deserves to be heard.
Extras
•Tracks from Girl in the Band can be heard at her official website.
•Read what Laura has to say about New Orleans and other blog entries on her MySpace page.
•See the “Girl in the Band” video in the media section of her website.
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