Fiona Apple - Bad Girl

All Music Guide

When one listens to Billy Strayhorn's world-weary lyrics to "Lush Life," ait's sad to think that they were written by someone so young. Similarly, the disturbing thing about Fiona Apple's dark, sadly introspective work of the late 1990s is the fact that she was only in her late teens and early 20s at the time. This isn't to say that the singer/songwriter is in a class with Strayhorn -- few 1990s artists could make such a claim. But here's the point: at 19 and 20, Apple was sounding more wounded and battle-scarred by life than one should have to be at 45. If you're searching for fun escapism, you won't find it on Bad Girl, a bootleg that was recorded at the Phoenix Concert Theater in Ontario, Canada. Obviously a soundboard recording, this riveting CD boasts excellent sound quality and finds Apple in fine form on "Criminal," "Sullen Girl," "Shadowboxer" and other gems from her debut album, Tidal. The bluesy pop-rocker is equally convincing on interpretations of Bill Withers' "Use Me," Ji...mi Hendrix's "Angel" and Jimmy Cliff's "Sitting In Limbo," all of which she approaches in a very personal way. Those who savored Tidal will be equally appreciative of this bootleg if they can find a copy. - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide Read more Less