From: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org (shindell-list-digest) To: shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Subject: shindell-list-digest V9 #41 Reply-To: shindell-list@smoe.org Sender: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-shindell-list-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk shindell-list-digest Monday, April 2 2007 Volume 09 : Number 041 Today's Subjects: ----------------- [RS] South of Delia [Bob Sampson ] [RS] Chicago show, and "South of Delia." ["Vanessa Wills" Subject: [RS] South of Delia The CD made it to my mailbox in Northern Virginia yesterday. Well worth the wait. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 1 Apr 2007 19:47:39 -0400 From: "Vanessa Wills" Subject: [RS] Chicago show, and "South of Delia." Hi, all, Last night, an old friend of mine from college and I had the distinct pleasure of seeing Richard perform on a co-bill with Susan Werner at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago. I'd never been to this venue before; it was warm and inviting with really nice sound in the hall. It was a bit chilly, but I don't mind keeping my sweater on if it means the artists don't have to melt underneath bright lights. All of the staff I encountered were exceedingly friendly and helpful, even as the hour got late (Susan's second set ended just shy of 1am!). This was lovely to find; I'm always appreciative of staff and management who put a little charm into their dealings with folks. Richard began the evening by presenting a new song that is in the works. I quite liked it (although specifics, alas, are hard to recall); I'm eager to see what form it takes ultimately, as Richard mentioned that it is very much a work in progress. He only played one track from the new album, "Sittin' on Top of the World." I always consider it a treat to see Richard perform this song--he's just so relaxed and easy. Richard sounded great and his band, Greg Anderson and Sara Milonovich complimented him wonderfully. As others have noted, they added just the right touches without ever becoming obtrusive. Susan Werner was wonderful. I've seen her perform about six times or so, and I have to admit that I find her live performances to be somewhat hit or miss. Happily, last night she was definitely "on" and her energy level only seemed to go higher and higher as the evening wore on. She sounded great and her on-stage banter was hysterically funny. I really enjoy the stuff off her new album, "The Gospel Truth"--I think she's always at her best when she's inserting a bit of humor into serious subjects. As has no doubt failed to escape the notice of the very astute, I am on the road. I'm having a lovely trip visiting friends in two cities, but sadly, this means that my preordered copy of "South of Delia" is probably at my home in Philadelphia feeling very lonely and forgotten. Happily, last night I purchased another copy (well, two more: one for myself and one for my friend) and I've been listening to it today. It is *lovely*. I never have heard Richard perform "Mercy Street" live, although I've heard him do most of the other songs--this made that song for me very highly anticipated, in addition to the fact that "Mercy Street" has always been one of my favorite songs and I am an avid, *avid* Peter Gabriel fan. Of course, I was not disappointed; the track is beautiful. And I'm happy that the version of "Sittin'" is the same bare-bones arrangement I've come to know and love from Richard's live performances. I need to live with this album a little while longer before I have much interesting to say about it, but yeah, it is definitely well worth the wait! Peace, Vanessa - -- "True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar. It comes to see that an edifice which produces beggars needs restructuring." - --Martin Luther King ------------------------------ End of shindell-list-digest V9 #41 **********************************