BY ED CONDRAN
Tribune correspondent

Rebecca Pidgeon admits that she is not the hippest singer-songwriter on the circuit. “I just found out who Tricky is,” Pidgeon said during a phone call from her Los Angeles home. “I was completely bowled over by him. That’s how it’s been for years. I’ve been preoccupied by my family. I’m a wife and a mother. That’s why I’m ignorant.”

The stylish entertainer isn’t just a married mother of two teenagers. She’s a bit out of the sonic loop due to her impressive career as an actress.

Pidgeon, 48, has impressed in a number of her husband’s films. She has appeared in a number of lionized writer-director David Mamet’s movies, such as 1997’s “The Spanish Prisoner,” 1999’s “The Winslow Boys,” and 2000’s “State and Main.”

“I’ve had some opportunities that I’ve had to turn down, but I’ve enjoyed being part of Dave’s movies,” Pidgeon said. “Making movies certainly takes up time. I’m doing my best of late getting back into music.”

Pidgeon, who will open for Mason Jennings on Friday at the Orpheum in Tampa, is making up for lost time in the studio. She has crafted 2012’s “Slingshot” and her latest, “Blue Dress On,” out in October.

Each album features elegant, honest and melodic tunes, which range from jazzy to folky to pop. Pidgeon receives a huge assist from her longtime producer Larry Klein.

“Larry has been terrific,” Pidgeon said. “Without him, I have no idea what I’m doing. If something is a little bit out of tune, I would be like, ‘OK.’ ”

Pidgeon is being humble, but she relies on Klein, who is adept at adding atmosphere to her deep, poignant love songs. “I can’t express how much I’m indebted to Larry,” Pidgeon said. “It’s great to have him because when you’re not supported by a record company, you have to work fast. I like working fast. I like producing more and more material. I’m the kind of person who likes to get it out there and not labor over it.”

Pidgeon is old school when it comes to music and film. “I like the way things were made way back when,” Pidgeon said. “I think there is too much CGI in movies today. I think there will be a backlash in the world of cinema and music. I like to go back. My present for my son (who will turn 15 next week) is a portable record player. That’s my idea of heaven, and he has no idea what it is.”

Expect Pidgeon to continue working on each discipline. “I love both worlds,” Pidgeon said. “I’m really excited about my two most recent albums. But I look back at most of my work, and I’m proud of that too, particularly the movies I made with Dave. He’s a wonderful filmmaker. I’m proud to be part of his collection (of actors). My favorite film he did was ‘The Winslow Boys.’ It took me back to England, which is my old acting stomping ground. I also have a special place in my heart for ‘The Spanish Prisoner.’ Toward the end of the movie, I flashed that goofy smile. That was Dave’s idea. That look I gave to (‘Spanish Prisoner’ star) Campbell Scott was, ‘Yes, I tried to kill you. I am a psychotic.”

But Pidgeon is a laid-back mom in real life, dealing with mundane issues. “Right now, I have these people in our house, helping us with mold,” Pidgeon said. “It’s all over our books. It’s horrible but that’s what a mother has to deal with. But that all changes when I go on the road.”

Article Source:  tbo.com