Confessions Of An Indiegirl by Bari Koral

Venturing onto turf that could have been disastrous, "Midnight Train To Georgia" is a soulful, slinky, jazz-pop remake that distances the standard from Gladys Knight's version just enough for Koral to lay claim to the song. Another radio hit in the waiting, "Give Me Life," is a Pretenders'-tough demand for more of everything married to a brilliant Aimee Mann-does-George Harrison hook; while, practically bursting from the speakers, "In Time" is a Hot 100 dance hit with a Madonna-Britney-Duff update of Taylor Dayne and a bubbling Evanescence effervescence.

Although getting past the lyrical coupling of hassle and castle on "One Room Castle" may prove difficult for some, there's no denying the moody Stevie Nicks-meets-Sarah Mclachlan swirl and Kate Bush-intense imagery of Koral's take on Maria McKee's "Breathe"; the heartbreaking loss and longing that hangs over the deceptively gentle "Choices"; the radio potential of "The World You Call Home"; or the yearning for escape and new beginnings on "Sue's Mood."

"It's been an awesome experience making the album," the former head researcher for Court TV's Jeffrey Dahmer coverage said of Confessions..., "I really do think that it's my best work yet."

Financed, for the most part, by hundreds of campus, corporate center, cafeteria and coffee shop gigs she's performed in such off-the-beaten-path places as North Dakota, Iowa, Wyoming and Idaho over the last four years, Koral's persistence and constant touring paid off as her fan base grew, new songs were inspired, and new friends were made.

Produced by Pete Caigan, Koral and Jimmy Bralower, a few of the new friends appearing on Confessions of an Indiegirl include most of the Jayhawks, drummer Jerry Marrotta, Bill Dillon, Tony Levin, Rhett Miller (Old 97's), Jeff Mattson (Zen Tricksters), Jason Hart and Matt Johnson (Rufus Wainwright).

Another benefit of four years on the road is Koral's semi-autobiographical book, Confessions of an Indiegirl. Centered around Lucy Bonner, "a Jewish, happy, miserable, neurotic and man obsessed rock-star-in-training." "Lucy," according to the author, "is always in love and always with the wrong guy." Confessions... is a sharp and sometimes hilarious account of Lucy's personal and professional struggles in and outside of the music business.

Bari Koral opens for Blue Country, Friday, Jan. 21, Emilie K. Asplundh Concert Hall, West Chester University, West Chester, PA; and performs at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 25, the Lion's Den, 214 Sullivan St., NYC. Bari is at: barikoral.com. You can read excerpts from Confessions of an Indiegirl at: womanrock.com.

-AL MUZER- THE AQUARIAN

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