MCC-Colvin - Yee-haw!
I had the very good fortune a few weeks ago to attend a concert by Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin. This was a comparatively small venue, seemingly all seats having a good close view of these interestingly differently-garbed tremendously-talented singer-songwriters. What a treat.
I greatly enjoyed a concert a few years ago with this pair in addition to Dar Williams and Patty Griffin as I recollect. That was pretty fantastic too, but a bigger hall, and the interactions were more complex and harder to read. This latest had the feel that the artists were true compadres playing in my own livingroom.
Their song selections included several cuts from each of their imminent new releases, some oldies from their abundant prior recordings, and a generous selection of covers of other artists. They made the point that one of the things they bonded over early on was a mutuality of musical influences and favorite artists. Those of us in thrall of music know just how that might happen.
I'd have been willing to see what they could do with that chestnut Bolero, frankly. Or Chopsticks. But they opened with Donovan's "Catch the Wind," and there was no looking back
The staging mostly involved them taking turns with instrument and lead vocals, occasional deviations were totally solo turns and I think one or two instrumental duets. The banter between them was a good part of the fun - they are clearly soulmates. The affection is obvious. A primary humorous thread related to guitar-tuning, MCC tending to find it a chore, especially when compelled to banter at the same time, Colvin reportedly gifted in this regard, able to story-tell and tune at the same time.
Their performance of Steve Earle's "Some Day" caught me by surprise. He's a personal favorite, and I was thrilled to find MCC and Shawn also have him on their list.
A terrific concert, in all respects.
I greatly enjoyed a concert a few years ago with this pair in addition to Dar Williams and Patty Griffin as I recollect. That was pretty fantastic too, but a bigger hall, and the interactions were more complex and harder to read. This latest had the feel that the artists were true compadres playing in my own livingroom.
Their song selections included several cuts from each of their imminent new releases, some oldies from their abundant prior recordings, and a generous selection of covers of other artists. They made the point that one of the things they bonded over early on was a mutuality of musical influences and favorite artists. Those of us in thrall of music know just how that might happen.
I'd have been willing to see what they could do with that chestnut Bolero, frankly. Or Chopsticks. But they opened with Donovan's "Catch the Wind," and there was no looking back
The staging mostly involved them taking turns with instrument and lead vocals, occasional deviations were totally solo turns and I think one or two instrumental duets. The banter between them was a good part of the fun - they are clearly soulmates. The affection is obvious. A primary humorous thread related to guitar-tuning, MCC tending to find it a chore, especially when compelled to banter at the same time, Colvin reportedly gifted in this regard, able to story-tell and tune at the same time.
Their performance of Steve Earle's "Some Day" caught me by surprise. He's a personal favorite, and I was thrilled to find MCC and Shawn also have him on their list.
A terrific concert, in all respects.
posted by Sir Gumbo at 11:11 PM
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