From: owner-bklist-digest@smoe.org (bklist-digest) To: bklist-digest@smoe.org Subject: bklist-digest V1 #3 Reply-To: bklist@smoe.org Sender: owner-bklist-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-bklist-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk X-To-Unsubscribe: Send mail to "bklist-digest-request@smoe.org" X-To-Unsubscribe: with "unsubscribe" as the body. bklist-digest Wednesday, January 15 1997 Volume 01 : Number 003 Today's Subjects: ----------------- REVIEW: BK at Wilbert's (12/10/96) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 19:09:51 -0800 From: Gordon Wong Subject: REVIEW: BK at Wilbert's (12/10/96) Don't you just wish you were there ... ================================= BRENDA KAHN with COLETTE GSCHWIND at Wilbert's, December 10, 1996 During her hour-long set, Brenda Kahn managed to tie her hair in knots, recite holiday stories and basically charm the small, but attentive group gathered at Wilbert's. Oh yeah ... she even tossed in some songs throughout the night. Kahn is anything but typical, and to describe her as strictly a folk artist is to discredit her performance, antics and all. This slight singer from Brooklyn captured the audience from the first verse of "Heavens Of My Heart" to the chilling closing chords of "Mojave Winter." Kahn's musical style is reminiscent of the legendary Joan Baez, and is brought to life with a touch of up-and-comer Ani DiFranco's energy. Taking turns strumming casually on her guitar and belting out an emotion, she may not be on the cutting edge of folk like the aforementioned DiFranco, but when it comes to songwriting, she has few peers. Kahn finds levity in skewering "ordinary" people and writes mostly from the standpoint of an observer. Take "Heather," about the waitress who quit before her next order came up, "In Indiana"'s Midwestern travelogue and "Mint Julep," with its pretentious pick-up bars where everyone has Gaugins, Rodins and excellent diction. These songs were performed with a lightness and sense of humor. Musically, the earth didn't move, yet Kahn's performance is more in her demeanor and presence. Her latest release, DESTINATION ANYWHERE, has been pressed by two different labels. After mocking Columbia, who sold the rights to "the same album" to Shanachie, Kahn went on to sing one song only from said disc. "Too Far Gone" showed a more serious side to Kahn. This pure roots number quieted the folks at Wilbert's with its haunting honesty and clear delivery. Another musical highlight was the bluesy "Trouble In Mind." Singing from the back of her pencil-thin throat, Kahn knows how to manipulate a moment. A bit of a comedienne, she also handled a lone heckler with aplomb, as she demonstrated how her funky "Jew hair" can be tied on top of her head and then recited the story of Chanukah, complete with Yiddish inflections to solidify her religious background. Kahn even won hearts with the story of songwriting in "that Downtown cemetery." We Clevelanders know it as Erie Street Cemetery. We Clevelanders also know a good thing when we see it, and the latest find is Brenda Kahn. Instead of keeping it a secret, maybe the scant audience will spread the word. If not, next time she hits Cleveland, the funny haired girl may be singing about you. Local guitarist Colette Gschwind opened the night with her own 45-minute set. Though a formidable performer, her stage presence left a little to be desired. Staring blankly into Wilbert's kitchen, she covered "Gold Dust Woman" and then effortlessly segued into original material, the only standouts being the bluegrassy "Tattoos" and the delicate "She Wishes." Gschwind needs to incorporate some flair into her set if she wishes to continue opening for performers who offer just that. Credits: Article by Christine Young, Scene Magazine, 12/19/96 ------------------------------ End of bklist-digest V1 #3 **************************