POP MUSIC REVIEW : SYD STRAW ON HER OWN: CHARISMA, WIT, WARMTH

Big things are predicted for singer Syd Straw, but let’s hope she never loses the inclination to give the kind of informal concert she did with dB’s guitarist-singer Peter Holsapple at McCabe’s on Sunday night.

Though Straw projects considerable star quality, idiosyncratic charisma and even a certain witty, uncalculating artiness, the strongest element of her stage persona is her earthy, outgoing warmth.

Los Angeles native Straw came to public attention as featured vocalist with the Golden Palominos, the new-rock supergroup from New York. With that band here earlier this year, she established herself as an original vocal stylist whose country-tinged mannerisms stood out in the Palominos’ hard-rock context.

On her own Sunday, Straw demonstrated the instincts--and talent--to move far beyond the path she has traveled with the already eclectic Palominos. At every turn, she proved to be a powerful singer with as much accessibility in her phrasing at times as Linda Ronstadt and as much character as Chrissie Hynde. The material ranged from two tunes (by Van Dyke Parks, who joined her on piano and vocals on both numbers) that fall in the musical theater tradition to churning rock.

Straw alone would have made for terrific entertainment, but Holsapple was a considerable bonus. The two performed both solo and duet spots through two hourlong sets, ably backed by bassist Ilene Markell. Most of the songs were Holsapple compositions, but highlights also included beautiful renditions of Tom Waits’ melancholy “Downtown Train” and the Pretenders’ wistful “2,000 Miles.”

Still, Straw--who is frisky enough to sing Petula Clark’s old hit “Downtown” to Straw’s own taped, multi-voice backing--is the one to watch. With both arty leanings and commercial-seeming talents, Straw could add much to the pop landscape.