Caron Vikre

Caron Vikre is a prime example of a regional star, the kind of artist who makes quality records for years but never quite makes that leap into national prominence. She certainly writes good original material, and her voice has a throaty presence that lies somewhere between Joan Armatrading and Carly Simon. It’s strong, albeit occasionally strident. This, Vikre’s long-awaited sixth record, contains 11 songs; the ones that work best have a haunting, Beatlesque quality, like in “Sitting in the Big Chair” and the remarkable “The Button Pushed.” On the latter, Vikre strings together the assassination of John F. Kennedy, 1960s local TV personality Captain Delta and the 1972 plane crash into a Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor on Freeport Boulevard to comment on how people confuse the flickering images they see on television with other, more tangible memories. It’s a poignant moment. Welcome back, Caron.