Charlotte, NC The Evening Muse
5 Aug
Played tonight in Charlotte, at The Evening Muse. A split bill with Peter Case. The weather was wild, lightening thunder, wind and plenty rain. A summer squall roared thru, with a pretty big back end punch.
It was wonderful to see Peter again, he looks great and sounds great, he had a fantastic little rock band with him and he was jamming out on an electric guitar. YEA!
I met several adoptees tonight at the show, and some folks active in the AAC ( American Adoption Congress).
Also, my mother drove up to see Tania and I play. She sat beaning from the third row, and it was fun to have her there. Of course she held court after I was done and told people stories, and several people told her their stories. It was a good night. I think the weather worked in my favor. I never did have the right songs for a sunny summer day….my songs sing better in the rain. The bigger the storm, the better my songs sing. it’s always been that way.
Off to the airport in the morning for my first trip to the Michigan Women’s Music Festival. Looking forward to the adventure!
Just last week I discovered Mary Gauthier; it was through her NPR interview. After hearing that broadcast and a few of the songs they played from THE FOUNDLING I was converted. I went home and straight to ITunes to download her music. I immersed myself that evening…looked up her lyrics and read “her story” and almost felt like it was some divine intervention that brought me to that NPR interview. While THE FOUNDLING songs were beautiful and chilling, PRAYER WITHOUT WORDS struck me the most…it was so Dylanesque…but it wasn’t merely her profound and/or witty lyrics that stirred me. It was also her voice, her melodies…the blend of it all was so superb. And only a few weeks after discovering Mary, I had the fortune of hearing her live in Charlotte, at The Evening Muse. What an ideal intimate venue. She and Tania E. were as crisp and clean as a studio recording; they were the perfect complement to one another. What beautiful lyrics, harmonies, strings and chords! I hope our paths cross again.
I was at there last night — and Mary, I hope you’ll see this… I just want to say how great the show was.
Yes, Peter was as good as ever — in his adorable, somewhat fumbling way. I wasn’t sure what to expect, to be honest, after his health issues, but was pleasantly surprised at how strong his voice and attitude were. (‘Course no real surprise about the attitude…
But the stars of the show as far as I’m concerned, were you and Tania E. I must confess that I just “found” you when I learned that you were co-billed last night… Oh, I had heard your name, but hadn’t heard your wonderful music until recently. As a bit of a writer myself, I am blown away by your wordsmithing and cadence — makes what you say all the more touching interesting.
I sat with tears in my eyes during several of your Foundling songs. What a poignant, searching, powerful and hopeful story of redemption!!! Your story touched me deeply in a way that was unexpected and oh-so-thought provoking; in fact, I’ve lain awake half the night thinking about it. I am now a fan forever and will be at your next show here… and the next…. etc. Most of all, I hope this album has given you whatever answers you needed — or at least the beginnings of them. I can’t imagine living your life; I’m sure it’s had its rough patches and deep holes.
But I surely am glad you’re here to tell the story — and all the others you tell!!! Cheers to discovery and hats off to you and T.E. for an OUTSTANDING show!!!
Thanks also for taking the time to play Mercy Now. Best and safe travels………..Terri