Laurie Anderson Live at Town Hall, New York City September 19-20, 2001 Nonesuch by David Chiu

It is hard not to listen to this live recording by the famed avant gard composer/artist taken from a concert in New York City, and not to think about the September 11 attacks. After all, these shows took place just a few days after the day that changed the whole city and the world. Anderson's work has always examined the impact of technology and other complex issues and trends that affect society, but with what happened on that fateful day further adds to the performance's chill and mood. With that aside, this recording showcases Anderson's impressive and ever-changing visionary work including the heavy and haunting Here with You, the electronic-minimalist "Statue of Liberty," the funky, clattering "Progress," the subtle and moody Animals, and the allegorical "Broken". Though best known for using a vocoder to electronically treat her voice, Anderson shows herself a very good singer like on "Strange Angels" and "Life on a String", and her violin work furthers that elegance away from her keyboards. Of course, "O Superman," her fluke breakthrough hit is here and still got it after 20 years. Granted the events surrounding the performances may be too much to take, but it also provides a much needed antidote and proves that art and humanity are closely intertwined.

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