THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 15, 1996 TAG: 9608140026
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: By David Simpson, Virginian-Pilot
LENGTH: 35 lines
Michael Lille, ``Middle Child'' (Downstream)
Michael Lille is on a roll. Having won a couple of major songwriting prizes, the former Hampton Roads resident, now based in Nashville, has released his third solo album.
His low-key approach fits firmly within the tradition of such sensitive, guitar-plucking singer-songwriters as Dan Fogelberg. And while Lille's voice could use more muscle, his lyrics are frequently fresh and occasionally dazzling.
The title cut, a bluesy piece of psychoanalysis co-written with Pierce Pettis, has the verbal spark: ``The face of danger wears a crooked smile, so mama don't you worry 'bout the middle child.'' So does ``Big on Big,'' a small-town tale of adolescent sex and violence, co-written with Don Henry.
On the same record as those threatening tunes are the spiritual, even reverent ``That's the Spirit'' and ``The Blessing of His Birth.'' Bluegrass star Alison Krauss sings backup on the latter.
``Christopher and Freddy,'' the catchiest tune of the lot, is your basic boy-meets-car story. Driven by a delightfully greasy acoustic guitar riff, it recalls the vehicular odes of David Wilcox.
Hey, what do you expect from a guy who's on a roll? MEMO: In performance: Speidel, Goodrich & Lille, 7 tonight at Norfolk
Botanical Garden. Gates open at 5:30. Tickets: $5 to $7, kids 5 and
under free. 441-5830. ILLUSTRATION: FILE PHOTO
Former Hampton Roads resident Michael Lille shows promise on his
third album. by CNB