Folk singer kicks off music series

Folk musician Lucy Kaplansky gives the inaugural concert of the Montana Radio Cafe Music Series on May 14 in the KM Theatre at 7:30 p.m.

The series, with Scott Johnston of KXZI radio and Marshall Noice at the helm, continues the tradition started by Pat Bailey's Mountain Aire series of bringing prestigious musicians to the KM Theatre.

Kaplansky's most recent release is "The Red Thread," 2004, following the commercial and critical hit album, "Every Single Day," awarded best pop album of 2002 by the Association for Independent Music.

"The Red Thread" is a riveting blend of rock, folk, country and pop that perfectly complements Kaplansky's gorgeous, evocative vocals. The album features six original songs, as well as covers of songs written by Bill Morrissey, James McMurtry, Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale, and the late Dave Carter.

"Every Single Day" is also a mix of originals and covers - The Louvin Brothers, Julie Miller, Paul Brady and Steve Earle. Love and longing, guilt and sorrow, promises and lies, and hope and redemption are interwoven throughout her lyrics, illuminating the vulnerability of the human condition.

Kaplansky's early career soared easily as one third of the folk supergroup, Cry Cry Cry, along with Dar Williams and Richard Shindell. Her growth as a musician continued to bloom; her sumptuous voice keeping her in demand as a duet partner with Bryan Ferry (of Roxy Music fame), Cliff Eberhardt, Bill Morrissey, John Gorka and Suzanne Vega. With her flair for harmony, she ultimately landed with Shawn Colvin.

Kaplansky left the musical fast track to pursue a doctorate in psychology, then taking a job in a New York hospital working with chronically mentally ill adults.

Kaplansky resurrected her musical career, singing harmony on Colvin's Grammy-award winning "Steady On," two of Nanci Griffith's albums and four of Gorka's, also landing soundtrack credits, singing with Suzanne Vega on "Pretty in Pink," and with Griffith on "The Firm."

She went solo with two highly reviewed albums, "The Tide" in 1994 and "Flesh and Bone" in 1996, receiving significant air-play and establishing herself as a soloist.

Tickets for Kaplansky's Kalispell show are $14 and are available at the downtown Whitefish and Kalispell locations of Montana Coffee Traders and the Noice Gallery in downtown Kalispell.

Seating is limited to 90. If the first show sells out, an additional performance will be added at 9:30 p.m.

Call 755-5321 for more information.