Straw: Loony Librarian Works Without a Net

Syd Straw is like a trapeze artist without a safety net--she takes lots of chances swooping and diving between pathos and the kind of self-parody that threatens a fatal fall. The singer’s natural exuberance kept Straw airborne at McCabe’s on Friday as, supported by guest guitarist Dave Alvin, she mugged her way through everything from a Western-tinged “Blue Shadows on the Trail” (featured on “Stay Awake,” the all-star compilation of Disney songs) to an emotionally frenzied version of Prince’s “The Cross.”

Straw’s loony librarian image might lead some to dismiss her as some kind of novelty--a post-punk, female Pee-wee Herman. But Straw’s act is not mere exhibitionism--she deals with the dichotomy between fantasy-world playfulness and romantic disillusion, and her throaty, heady vocals, combined with a taste for the work of witty, crafty songwriters, make Straw anything but a hayseed.

Second-billed Lucinda Williams’ vocal power may be more consistent, but she could learn a thing or two about loosening up from Straw. Still, Williams’ husky, Southern-fried vocals lend an authentic stamp of experience to her country-flavored ballads. Even better are Williams’ blues: Without excessive histrionics, Williams has the snap and snarl to nail those suckers down.