Leslie Avril Champagne & Desolation

Price: $29.95

Champagne & Desolation is her debut album from 1994, produced by Gerry Hale of bluegrass exponents Uncle Bill, Paul Kelly's "other" band. The 15 tracks include five co-written by Avril. Desert Sky, the opening track with its distinctive didgeridoo, creates an Australian country rock feel that weaves through the whole album. Prowling Around and Maria Muldaur's I'm A Woman are typically saucy, crowd-pleasing Avril. The standout is the title track, emptied straight from a bottle of scotch. A candid reflection on loneliness, desperation, and life in a revolving door oiled by booze. With its sparse arrangement -- the singer on piano and a haunting harmonica -- this number also revealed Avril's early potential as a lyricist:

Desert Sky (Avril/Field/Urban), Cowgirl's Heart (Hobbs), I Want You Back (Gadsby), I'm A Woman (Leiber/Stoller), The Station (Parlane), Prowling Around (Stringer), Looking Everywhere (Burt), Don't Come The Cowboy (MacColl), Cowboy's Sweetheart (Montana), Lay Your Burdens Down (Avril/Field/Urban), Firewoman (Avril/Field/Gillard), Raining So Hard (Neville), Single Girl Again (Troxel), Superwoman (Avril/Field/Gillard), Champagne & Desolation (Avril/Field)