As part of the avalanche of touring artists that are currently visiting these shores as part of Bluesfest, American songstress Shawn Colvin played a warm and highly intimate seated affair at The Corner on Easter Monday.
Wonderfully supported by Lachlyn Bryant, a local singer/song writer/guitarist, Byrant was a strong fit for Ms Colvin. Both artists, armed with great songs and only acoustic guitars to keep them company on stage, provided a night of strongly crafted, adult-oriented pop and folk for a discerning crowd.
Bryant, solo and acoustic, had charisma to burn onstage, greeting the arriving crowd like an old friend. Songs like “Going Straight”, “Death Wish Country”, about the man’s adventures while touring America, and the rather wonderful “Streets Of My Home Town”, show an artist really growing into his music and finding his feet.
He also is blessed with a wicked sense of humour, such as his intro to the song “Lilly Of The Field” which, apparently, due to some disturbing content in the video clip that accompanied it, was relegated to late night television on cable networks.
Shawn Colvin was one of a swathe of female singer/song writers in the late eighties, such as Melissa Etheridge, Toni Childs, and Tracey Chapman, who were like the musical children of women before them such as Joni Mitchell and Carole King.
These were female artists not afraid to bear their souls and wear their hearts on their sleeves in musical form and expression, establishing a different and highly feminine contrast to their male counterparts.
Kicking off with a completely stripped down and brave take on the Gnarls Barkley track “Crazy”, Ms. Colvin, in solo mode, presented a highly enjoyable if at times, one-note performance. Hitting somewhat of a benchmark in this year of her career, releasing both a new album and an autobiography, this was a polished set from a strong talent.
Her onstage banter was relaxed and personable, constantly apologising to the crowd for her guitar going out of tune. She has a rather likeable and charming persona, which comes across the music that she makes.
This soothing set, far removed from the beautiful noise from the likes of Neil Young and Bruce Springsteen that has recently saturated our city, was an ideal comedown after what would have been for many a hectic and crazy weekend.
Songs like “Trouble”, “Another Long One Tonight” and “Wichita Skyline”, a yearning song about wanting to escape your home town, really took on a haunting and affecting sound when presented so openly and in such a musically stark manner.
However, during this hour and a half set, one did tend to wander what some tracks would sound like if Colvin had a full band behind her.
The other side of this coin is that her voice, tender yet tough at the same time, was really at the fore. It was a great illustration of how underrated she has been throughout her career.
This was definitely a pleasing night for strong fans of the woman, with “We All Fall Down”, “Killing The Blues” and the gorgeous “That’s The Way Love Goes” showing her musical and vocal diversity and range.
A rich and entertaining night for those that appreciate music of the finely crafted and rewarding variety.
