Several smart critics have reviewed Nashville singer-songwriter Mercy Bell’s 2019 self-titled full-length as a modern country album, with Bell fulfilling a post-Linda Ronstadt role. I think Mercy Bell — which is one of the more significant pop releases of 2019 — bespeaks Nashville, where the confusion and disagreement over what constitutes country just plumb fascinates this old country boy. Sure, there’s a country-like narrative concision you can hear throughout Bell’s album. But Mercy Bell documents the work of a canny songwriter who would have been at home turning out AM-friendly hits in New York’s famed Brill Building 60 years ago. Bell reminds me of Laura Nyro and Carole King far more than she does Ronstadt, even though Bell is a fine singer. I file Mercy Bell on the shelf with fellow Nashvillian Nicole Atkins’ brilliant 2017 soul-pop album Goodnight Rhonda Lee. Opening at Bell’s vinyl-release show will be songwriter Jasmin Kaset, who’s also known as half of punk duo Birdcloud, along with alt-blues singer Gran Cavallo. 8 p.m. at The Basement, 1604 Eighth Ave. S. EDD HURT
Mercy Bell Vinyl Release
