| In Greek Mythology, Dido, also known as Elissa, was the founding Queen of Carthage, who offered hospitality to refugees at the end of the Trojan War. Listening to the commanding voice of Dido on her debut CD No Angel from Arista, it is easy to imagine her being soothingly, calmly, yet unmistakably in charge of things.
 Dido has been a musician since she was five years old, starting with the classical recorder, violin and piano. Dido's recorder makes an appearance on "Thank You". She toured in England for two years with the band Faithless formed by her brother Rollo in 1995. Her first shows to the general public in the United States were with the Lilith Fair concert tour of women's music.
Dido continues to collaborate with her brother Rollo on much of the production for tracks on No Angel. The album's production seems to subtly combine elements suggestive of classic British invasion albums with overtones from Petula Clark, the Beatles and Renaissance. There might even be traces of Gerry and the Pacemakers. However, there is nothing at all overtly retro about the album, and No Angel comes off as eery and mysteriously fresh, like opening an ancient queen's tomb and finding ripe strawberries and hot tea.
Perhaps it is neither an invasion of Trojan warriors, nor British Pop Stars that we should be worrying about with No Angel, but those pesky hypnotic visitors from outer space. After all, "Here with me" has been featured as the anthem of alien romance on WB's Roswell.
Coincidence? I don't think so!
We're not sure when she plays Area 51, but Dido will be playing The Orpheum in Boston on December 7, 2000. Abduct yourself and a friend.
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