Though
Wendy Bucklew made this album back in 1989-1990, it was available only at her concerts for years because record labels couldn't figure out who would buy it. The music on
Rage in the Ring is smart, lively, and difficult to pigeonhole.
Bucklew plays guitar in a fairly standard folksy style, but her powerful voice swoops around her lyrics in a way that is more typical of a jazz diva. The music has the directness and intimacy of singer/songwriter fare but a whole lot more sophistication than is typical for that genre. Add in the fact that
Bucklew writes really good songs that cover a wide emotional and stylistic ground and you have an album that is worthy of seeking out. ~ Richard Foss