Melissa Ferrick - +1 (1997)

Having started and built her career primarily by touring, it's only fitting that Melissa Ferrick release a live album and +1 is it. Just a girl and a guitar, this collection finds Ferrick in all her vulnerable and raw glory with nowhere to hide. Few artists are bold enough to release such a warts and all portrait, yet here she is. The songs are culled from her first two studio albums, some new material which would appear later on, and some tunes that would never be heard anywhere else. It's not a pretty album, quite frankly. Much like the artist herself, the edges are rough and ragged, almost difficult to listen to. That's part of the point, if not its entirety. The subject matter on a number of the tunes are meant to go down easy. "Heredity" and "Frog Named Freddy" in particular warrant special contemplation as they deal with the effects of alcoholism and abuse on a life. Then there's the standard Ferrick fare of self-doubt, romantic longing, and personal inquiry to take to soften the bite. Ferrick's impassioned vocals and percussive guitar work are reminiscent of both David Gray and Ani DiFranco. Not bad folks to be in the company of, and she sits there rightfully so.