Chick musicians are not a rarity these days.

We see them in every shade and variety after the "woman can be successful artists too" movement of the mid-"90s. As a result of this, many talented and not-so-talented women gained national recognition in all fields of music.

Many would pigeonhole the four women, Erin McKeown, Jess Klein, Rose Polenzani and Beth Amsel, who make up the group Voices On The Verge, as typical chick singer-songwriters. However, there are a few things that differentiate them from the norm.

The idea behind Voices On The Verge is it is a touring group that performs altered versions of solo songs of the women in it. Each member of the group backs the others up on stage.

The group released Live In Philadelphia in October of 2001 and will be playing a show in its support at The Ark on Sunday, Feb. 24.

The album stays fresh and diverse by constantly alternating between the songs of the four different women but remaining unified in harmonies and arrangement style.

One might say that the songwriting of Erin McKeown is what buoys the album. Additional voices and instruments on her songs like "Blackbirds" and "Didn"t They" defiantly change and possibly enhance the original solo recordings. Some other highlights on the album include Polenzani"s "Heaven Release Us" and "You Don"t Know" as well as Amsel"s "Louise."

As a group, the styles of each individual artist are blended extremely well in Live In Philadelphia. Additionally, the album captures a natural and organic onstage presence of the project. Any fan of folk will surely not be disappointed by the efforts, live and recorded live, of Voices On The Verge.