Sharp Notes January 30 2002

Wild woman blues. Francine Reed has been nominated for a prestigious W.C. Handy award as Soul/Blues Female Artist of the Year. It's especially impressive since her 2001 album I've Got a Right to Some of My Best was recorded on the local indie CMO and features old songs.

Spreadhead gold. Widespread Panic's first home video release Live at Oak Mountain, which debuted on Billboard's video charts last October at No. 1, has just been certified gold. The video chronicles the band's Aug. 12, 2000, performance at Alabama's Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, in its entirety.

Becoming acoustic. Indigo Girls unplug for a promotional tour to support their upcoming eighth studio release, Become You. The project was recorded in Atlanta with a full band, but they will play as a duo for a month's worth of shows starting Feb. 11. Look for an Atlanta date Feb. 25 (venue TBA) with a second local show at the relatively tiny Echo Lounge on the new album's release date, March 12.

Got the itch? Turntablist/producers Faust and Shortee have some of their scratches featured on "Rockit 2.002," an update of Herbie Hancock's "Rockit" to be included on the soundtrack to the DJ documentary Scratch. The duo is also briefly interviewed in the film, which will be released Feb. 15, preceded by the soundtrack Feb. 12.

Boo! Ghost Town has scared up a few new members. Bassist Darrell Bush and keyboardist Billy Gewin round out the twang rocker's lineup. In other band news, former Pleasantdales' frontman Mike Schmeelk has started a new outfit called Bachelor Red. The group's debut EP was produced by Billionaire's Rick Beato and is available at their website, www.bachelorred.com