Someday Never Comes

"Ma'am. Ma'am, did you just purr?" Brandi Carlile, Solo at The Vogue

Alright, I know in my last Brandi Carlile review I said that she loved Kent, Ohio. Well, I think she may love Indianapolis more. I love Indy more. I've seen BC in 10 different cities. With the exception of Again Today's Raise The Roof in Seattle, shows in Kent and Indy are the only two cities where I feel that the love and appreciation is completely reciprocal.

Brandi is on her first-ever solo tour. No Ali on drums. No Josh on cello. And most unusual, no Hanseroth Twins on guitar and bass. When the tour was first announced, my initial reaction could probably be categorized as negative. I love the simplicity of some artists playing solo in an intimate atmosphere of 100 people or less. However, when you have an artist on a large stage in front of hundreds, he or she can get lost in the surroundings. I should have known better than to ever think Brandi Carlile could get lost in the surroundings.

Brandi was surrounded by pre-tuned guitars waiting to be played. The setup helped to fill the stage and keep her from appearing so alone. With Brandi's interaction with the audience, she was anything but alone. There were a few obnoxious people in my area, but for the most part, the Indy crowd is the right combination of rowdiness and respect, attentive and engaging.

I've been to several shows at The Vogue in Indianapolis. I like the venue, with one exception. It is also a dance club after shows. I feel like shows are probably shorter at this venue because they rush everyone out so they can convert it into the club. Brandi was on stage approximately 80 minutes. I can't help but think we could have heard another couple songs had it not been for the curfew.

The set list:

• Follow
• Dreams
• Throw It All Away
• Closer To You
• It's Over (Roy Orbison cover)
• What Can I Say (unplugged)
• Looking Out
• Raise Hell
• Keep Your Heart Young
• Red and Gold (Gregory Alan Isakov w/Brandi)
• Moon Song (Gregory Alan Isakov w/Brandi)
• You Belong To Me (Brandi and Gregory)
• Turpentine
• Lovesick Blues (Hank Williams cover)
• The Story
• Tragedy
• Pride and Joy
• That Year

The opener was Gregory Alan Isakov. I like Gregory. I've seen him open for BC several times. I've seen him headline once. I plan to see him again. However, I obviously love Brandi more. So, I was somewhat disappointed that so many slots in BC's set were oriented around Gregory. I was pleased to hear them do "You Belong to Me" because that duet is absolutely beautiful. I would have preferred more BC though in place of "Red and Gold" and "Moon Song".

With a guitar and a stomping boot, Brandi still filled the space of The Vogue. She sounded fantastic. I think the solo show allows you to feel more connected to the lyrics of the song. Before she sang "Looking Out", she explained that she went back and listened to original demos of songs she'd written and wanted to present some of them to us in that way. "This is how it sounded before it left my bedroom," she said. This is the comment that brought a purr. BC laughed and said "Ma'am. Ma'am, did you just purr?" She loved it.

The solo version of "Looking Out" was amazing. I thought for sure it was going to be my favorite song of the night. As beautiful as it was though, she topped it. She played "Tragedy" with the electric guitar. I've always appreciated "Tragedy", but it's never been one of my favorites. After she played it, I whispered "Wow." I don't even know what else to say about it.

Before singing Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues", she explained that she just had her Grand Ole Opry debut the night before. Seeing the joy of her talking about it clearly portrayed just how special the night had been for her. She said during sound check Little Jimmy Dickens came up to shake her hand. She thought how amazing it was to see Little Jimmy in his fancy show clothes with a sequin guitar on his pants. Then she saw him during the actual show and realized... no, he was just in his regular sequined clothes earlier in the day. Brandi also explained that 74-year-old rockabilly Wanda Jackson commented on her red suspenders and then slapped her on the ass. Hard. Full contact. I would have loved to have been in Nashville for BC's Opry debut. It must have been a truly amazing dream come true for her and for her family.

In addition to a great show, it was fun catching up with so many good people I've become friends with over the years. Pre-show meals and drinks, queue socializing, post-show skating in the parking lot... you know, just the usual good times I've come to anticipate with my fellow BC-fan friends.

 

Oh, P.S. I caught a pick. Well, I didn't actually catch it, but it hit my hand and I found it on the floor after the show. I've gotten a leftover pick from the stage before, but this is the first thrown pick I've aquired. :)

Jennifer Knapp - Inside Out Faith & Canal Street Tavern

Sunday afternoon I attended Jennifer Knapp’s Inside Out Faith event at Christ Episcopal Church in Dayton, Ohio. This event is a combination of telling her journey in faith and performing a few songs she has written over the span of her musical career. For about an hour, she spoke and played about 4 or 5 songs. Then after a short break she did a half-hour of Q&A.

Jennifer gave a brief history of her initial introduction to faith and how she combined her life and faith. I was tempted to summarize Jennifer’s message here, but I’m afraid of misconstruing her words through my interpretation.

One point that seemed to be common from both Jennifer and from a few who spoke during the Q&A was to not let others confine you in your own personal faith/relationship with God. Don’t let them make all the “rules” (dress a certain way, no drinking, no swearing, etc) while you just follow along. A church should be a two way street, a symbiotic relationship. You should share your life experiences in your walk of faith with the congregation and they in turn should share theirs with you.

More was discussed but I’m struggling with how to put it into words. I strongly suggest keeping an eye out on Jennifer’s website and facebook to catch this event in your area. Not many are currently scheduled but there will be more.

Later that evening, Jennifer had a show at Canal Street Tavern. I've been to this venue several times and I love it's intimacy. Between the small venue and Jennifer's fantastic stage presence, it felt more like a friendly gathering or house show than a bar show. Jennifer's interaction with the audience and humor make the time between songs just as entertaining as the music itself.

Admittedly, I did not discover Jennifer until shortly before the release of her latest album, Letting Go. Her previous albums were/are marketed as Christian music. The current album is simply labeled as a rock album. Letting Go is an album that I can play repeatedly and never tire of hearing. I've found personal meaning in each song. Because of the connection I have made to the songs, Sunday night's show basically had me on an emotional roller coaster. A ride I would certainly stand in line for to experience again and again.

It would be next to impossible for me to pick a favorite from from the album Letting Go. Before Jennifer's encore on Sunday night she played "Dive In". This song is one I've found multiple interpretations for in my life. I actually had a few tears roll down my cheeks by the end of the performance. Below is a video I found on youtube of "Dive In". Before the song actually starts around the 2:12 mark, she tells a story which gives you an idea of some of the chatter that occurs between songs.

 

Find JKnapp online:

Official Website

Facebook

Twitter

In the player below, listen to the entire Letting Go album. If you're only interested in listening to a song or three, I suggest "Fallen", On Love", and "If It Made a Difference".

 

Edited to add:

Jennifer posted a vlog and a blog today for National Coming Out Day:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8fHzviIq7M

http://www.jenniferknapp.com/archives/1491

 

Brandi Carlile at Kent Stage (October 1, 2011)

I’m certain that Brandi Carlile loves playing at the Kent Stage in Kent, Ohio. Saturday was her third appearance at the venue and third time selling it out. Kent Stage is a seated venue, but it's not conducive to the atmosphere of your typical prim-and-proper theater show. BC's shows at Kent tend to be some of the most interactive, uninhibited, rowdiest shows of hers I've seen and I know Brandi appreciates such crowds.

Imagine a darkened, supposedly haunted, historic movie theater. Stage is barely lit, but enough to see a petite dimple-cheeked spiky-haired girl sneak behind a drum set. BOOM! I think at least half of the 650 in attendance jumped in their seats as Allison Miller began a killer drum solo intro.

Then Josh Neumann takes his usual spot and the beginning notes of Creep start from his cello. My heart sped up and I may have squealed when I noticed the next band member come to the stage with his fiddle. Jeb Bows! I've seen Jeb before playing for Gregory Alan Isakov. I suddenly wished my seat had been on "Phil's side".

Brandi and the twins, Tim & Phil Hanseroth, join the rest of the band for their cover of Radiohead's Creep. I've heard it before, but was thrilled to hear it again, especially since she didn't censor the lyrics.

The complete set list fades in and out of memory as it's now been 48 hours since the show. I've given up on trying to type song titles in the iphone anymore.  Same reason I no longer carry a camera to BCB shows. The Brandi Carlile Band gets my full attention.

 At one point, Brandi asked for requests. She chose two of the requests and deviated from the written set. She asked the band if they could take a curve ball and play Downpour and Have You Ever. After the first verse of Have You Ever, she stops and says "Did Tim start that in the wrong key?!" After laughs, Tim replies "That curve ball hit me right in the nuts".

They played three songs from the upcoming album that is still in the works. "Keep Your Heart Young" is a fun ditty with a good message. "A Promise To Keep" is a song that's been around for a few years, but never made it to a full-length album. I've always loved it and am delighted it will make it this time with cello and fiddle arrangements by Josh and Jeb. The third new song is called "Raise Hell". I'd heard recordings and seen videos, but felt pretty neutral about it until I saw it live. It sounded amazing. I completely understand and agree with Kim Ruehl's assesment of it now.

Just down the street from Kent Stage is an independent record store. I've browsed it a time or two and it has some really great old stuff. Brandi declared herself a dork because she was excited to buy an autographed Conway Twitty record earlier in the day. She rattled off all the other classic country albums she purchased. All of which I wouldn't mind owning myself. She mentioned that Phil bought her a 7" of Patsy Cline's Sweet Dreams. She then sang "Crazy". I've heard her do it a few times before, but she's nearly perfected it now. This was one of the times she earned a standing ovation from some of the crowd. The biggest standing o, though, was after the unplugged "Dying Day" when the entire house rose. I think Brandi was genuinely flattered, especially given the fact that at least half the crowd had seen her do it on the same stage once before.

I have a confession. The song "The Story" is not one I typically seek out to hear. I do enjoy witnessing it live though. Saturday's rendition was incredible. It was going along all normal-like then Jeb happened. Holy crap! He played a kick-ass fiddle solo that had the crowd roaring in cheers and applause in the middle of it. I think even Brandi was so taken aback by the audience's reaction that she seemed to pause for a split second before finishing the song.

There have been two times when "That Year" has brought tears to my eyes. The first was when there was an ASL interpreter at a show. "Seeing" the "long drop" was heartbreaking. The second was Saturday when I was in a frame of mind to take in how truly devastating it is that the things said in memory of someone are the things that should be said before then.

"Oh Dear", "Pride and Joy", and "Forever Young" closed out the encore. For anyone who has been to two or more Brandi shows knows, she tells the same stories/intros every time. It can get redundant for repeaters. Although, I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing her intro to "Forever Young". There's just something awesome about BC singing clips of "Eternal Flame" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart".

I must admit, I was content to not hear "Folsom Prison Blues". The band covers it remarkably, but after seeing twenty-some BC appearances, I think this may be the first regular show in which it wasn't played. I didn't miss it one bit.

It would be remiss of me to not mention the night's opening act. Lucy Wainwright Roche had the crowd in the palm of her hand. Not only does she have the sweetest voice, she's funny as hell. As I labeled the BC set earlier as "interactive", I think credit is owed to Lucy for warming the crowd up in that regard. This was my second time seeing Lucy and I can't wait until the third comes along.

It was an amazing night of music, but it was also an amazing night of friends. I'm so thankful for the Brandi Carlile fansite Again Today. It has led me to meeting some of the nicest and funniest people I know.

As the high from this concert recedes, it is time to start counting down to the next Brandi Carlile show for me. Work permitting, I'll be seeing her solo in Indianapolis on November 19^th at The Vogue.

New Beginnings

Attempting the whole blogging thing again.

I love twitter, but sometimes 140 characters just isn't enough. I have a tumblr but to me it feels more like a place to manifest my obsessions (US Soccer WNT, at the moment) than to express thoughts. Facebook is just too stalkerish. Livejournal is something from so long ago that I just need to export and then delete it.

My TypePad account was the unplanned offspring of a blogging site that no longer exists. I started a Vox blog in 2006. Vox has since disappeared and its parent gave me the opportunity to import those old posts to typepad, so here I am. Those vox posts can be found in Old News.

Today marks the beginning of "Someday Never Comes", a song title stolen from Brandi Carlile. The lyrics may be about a relationship, but I'm using it as a reminder. If you want to make a change, to make things better, to improve... you've gotta start now.