Pop Music Reviews : Exene Cervenka: Defeated Liberal

Given the current state of national politics, is there a place for a liberal folk-rock singer? Liberal folk-rock singer Exene Cervenka seemed to be wondering that too as she headlined the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Thursday (kicking off a national tour by Cervenka, Steve Wynn and Gregson & Collister).

Cervenka was an often eloquent and poignant voice of committed but utterly defeated left-liberalism.

She also excelled on a series of songs about sexual politics that opened her set. But Cervenka’s show suffered when she lost sight of the internal, psychic impact of politics and started launching broadsides.

Wynn, the former Dream Syndicate leader, was breaking in a new band, which proved capable and well-rehearsed, but tentative at times. Extra grit and swagger is needed, and one senses that will be within reach when the band becomes more at ease.

Clive Gregson and Christine Collister played the most satisfying set of what is billed as the Rhino New Artists “Real Music Revue.” The passion and energy that the British folk-rock duo put into their 40-minute show made it as real and immediate as anyone could wish.