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Personnel: Shawn Colvin (vocals, guitar); John Leventhal (acoustic & electric guitars, bass, percussion); Tommy Malone (electric & slide guitars, background vocals); Jeff Pevar, Steuart Smith, Richard Thompson (guitar); Greg Leisz, Larry Campbell (steel guitar, citern, fiddle); Larry Lunetta (flugelhorn); John Magnie (accordion, background vocals); Bill Payne (organ); Kenny White (keyboards, background vocals); Johnny Ray Allen (bass); Larry Klein (piano, organ, keyboards, bass, percussion, programming); Jim Keltner, Vinnie Colaiuta, Denny Fongheiser (drums); Steve Amedee (tambourine drum, background vocals); Richie Hayward, Alex Acuna (percussion); Sammy Merendino (programming); Valerie Carter, Fonzie Thornton, Curtis King, Milt Grayson, Robin Batteau (background vocals); Bela Fleck, Mary Chapin-Carpenter, Booker T. Jones, David Lindley, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Hornsby. Producers: John Leventhal, Shawn Colvin, Kenny White, David Kahne, Larry Klein. Shawn Colvin's performance of the song "I Don't Know Why" was nominated for a 1994 Grammy Award as "Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female." Shawn Colvin, the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter, brings her sophisticated brand of folk-rock a step further with her sophomore release, FAT CITY. Produced by bassist Larry Klein--the husband/producer of Colvin's idol, Joni Mitchell--it is obvious that his involvement affected Shawn's music, bringing an airy jazz sensitivity to the mix. He provides FAT CITY with a sound similar to Joni's latter works. "Polaroids" swings and sways buoyantly, both lyrically and musically. The driving "Tennessee" features guitarist Richard Thompson, and his signature contribution is obvious and effective. She covers Warren Zevon and Jackson Browne's "Tenderness On The Block," which also features Booker T. Jones on the Hammmond organ. "Monopoly," a slow-tempo folk ballad, expresses regret over the loss of a love, and not fully appreciating the song that came from that loss. Mary-Chapin Carpenter and Bruce Hornsby join in on the upbeat "Climb On A Back That's Strong." "I Don't Know Why" is a simple, yet emotionally delivered love song to both her lover and her muse. "Set The Prairie On Fire" boasts a beautifully erotic and low-key vocal which, along with a tart instrumental, builds dramatically. The production is crisp, the songs are more diverse than on her debut, and her vocals remain breathy and fluid. Colvin's is an intelligent voice, richly textured and full of good effects.
