The cradle does rock

Shawn Colvin`s new album is as lovely as a dozen roses and sweeter than a bottle of Chanel No. 5. Lyrically, it`s more like a strong mug of French Roast with an espresso chaser. It is called "Whole New You," and it honors the side of motherhood that Hallmark forgot.

"You know, it`s not head-turning to write about a breakup or an addiction or a tragedy, but nobody knows what to make of parenthood, and everyone starts worrying because they`re afraid you`re going to write a Barney song," the 45-year-old singer/songwriter said. "I think that`s why I chose to put these songs out there, because this record is not a Barney record."

Her daughter, Caledonia, is almost 3 years old, but while 2 a.m. feedings are a thing of the past, Colvin`s postpartum anxiety is still alive and squalling.

Like most parents, Colvin - who lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband Mario Erwin - says having a baby was the best thing she ever did. It was also the hardest thing she ever did, and if admitting that to herself was tough, writing about it was a white-knuckle experience.

"I was certainly aware that to say anything negative about being a parent, to say anything that could even be construed as being negative, was frightening," Colvin said from her record company`s Los Angeles office. "There is a fear of speaking about anything dark, which is kind of too bad, because it puts people under a lot of pressure to be a perfect parent. They feel like they can never have a bad moment and never feel regretful about it or question themselves.

"But all those things happen, and I think if that were more accepted, possibly we would have less abandonment or less abuse. Possibly."

With worried moms and doubting dads in mind, Colvin`s seventh album features songs that capture parenthood in all its mood-swinging mania. For those "What have I done?" moments, there is "A Matter of Minutes," in which our heroine goes from panic (I can`t find my way to stay and I can`t see my way to go ... ) to acceptance ( ... and I can`t give up without a fight) in less than 60 seconds.

To soothe your guilt pangs, turn to "I`ll Say I`m Sorry Now," which makes the inevitable parental screw-ups sound normal (For everything I do/That will tear at you/Let me say I`m sorry now) and surmountable (Through the rush and the roar/You just call `em like you see `em).

And for those times when you just need a sympathetic ear, there is "One Small Year," a portrait of love and confusion that even the most bleary-eyed colic survivor will recognize. "One small year," Colvin sings, "I wonder where I`ve gone/It shouldn`t seem so long or so weird/And I was always here."

"The first song I wrote for the record was a `A Matter of Minutes,` and that was the door that opened it all for me, because I was able to write a song that was musically beautiful but also described my ambivalence in a way that didn`t sound like I was complaining," Colvin said. "It was a longing for something that was gone, and I could live with that. I was not condemning where I was, I was just mourning the fact that it seemed like there was a whole part of my life that was gone. I remember thinking, `If people can`t relate to this, then I`m crazy.`

"Motherhood was certainly a source of inspiration, but you don`t need to be a parent to appreciate Colvin`s new musical arrival. In many ways, "Whole New You" is not a huge departure from 1996`s "A Few Small Repairs," which included the Grammy-winning single, "Sunny Came Home." Longtime producer and co-writer John Leventhal still surrounds Colvin`s creamy vocals with an arresting mix of acoustic guitars and atmospheric keyboards and strings. Colvin still sings with captivating intimacy.

And from the pep-talking title track to the exuberant "Bound to You," Colvin`s songs tackle the thorny business of being human with humor, intelligence and endless supplies of empathy. Kids or no kids, there is room under this musical security blanket for everybody.

"This record isn`t all one thing," Colvin said. "None of my records are all one thing. Rather than put people off and have them be afraid that it`s going to be some kind of parent-child record, I hope to talk about the music in such a way that people will become curious and understand that, even though the record is called `Whole New You,` it`s the same old me.

"There is conflict on this album. There is the desire to run, and there`s the urge to stay. There is fear of failing and delight at being surprised. Life is confusing and paradoxical, and I think everybody is looking to be comforted about that."SIDEBAR: Hidden treasures

More than 12 years and seven albums, Shawn Colvin has buried music lovers in an embarrassment of songwriting riches. Here`s a guide to the gold mine that keeps on giving.

- "Steady On" (1989, Columbia Records): It may be her debut album, but thanks to Colvin`s years on the coffeehouse and club circuit, this is not the work of an ingenue. Between the barbed confessions ("Shotgun Down the Avalanche") and the wary ballads ("Diamond in the Rough"), the Grammy-winning "Steady On" skips the baby steps and sprints straight to songwriter heaven.

- "Fat City" (1992, Columbia): With its fleet of high-priced backup musicians and producers, Colvin`s second album sounds alarmingly slick on the surface, but it`s packed with gritty drama underneath. "Set the Prairie on Fire" is one of Colvin`s sexiest songs, and her version of Warren Zevon and Jackson Browne`s "Tenderness on the Block" does those songwriting veterans proud.

- "Cover Girl" (1994, Columbia): Colvin loves singing a great song almost as much as writing one, and this collection of cover tunes is bursting with playful energy and palpable joy. Highlights include a giddy version of the Police`s "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic," Tom Waits` sultry "Heart of Saturday Night" and "Killing the Blues," a dark beauty by Chris Isaak`s bassist Roly Salley.

- "A Few Small Repairs" (1996, Columbia): "Sunny Came Home" was the Grammy-winning hit, but it`s just the tip of Colvin`s artistic Matterhorn. From the slow-burning "Get Out of This House" to the achingly vulnerable "If I Were Brave," this album is worldly, wry and bittersweet.

- "Live `88" (1998, Plump Records): Recorded during three concert dates (two in 1988, one in 1990), this solo acoustic album features live-wire versions of tracks that turned up on the "Steady On" album. With its emphasis on Colvin`s furious but fluid guitar playing and nervy vocals, "Live `88" proves that working-musician sweat has a sparkle all its own.

- "Holiday Songs and Lullabies" (1998, Columbia): The world does not need another celebrity interpretation of "Silent Night," but Colvin`s delicate renditions of such non-traditional gems as "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and "Christmas Time Is Here" (from "A Charlie Brown Christmas") make up for a few musty chestnuts.

- "Whole New You" (2001, Columbia): Motherhood provides the inspiration for an album that examines all kinds of love from all sorts of angles. John Leventhal`s atmospheric production gives Colvin`s songs a moody depth, and her prickly insights will tickle thinking music fans of all stripes.

(c)Copley News Service

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Author: Karla Peterson