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LIVE
IN CONCERT! |
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"Bones
In The Road"
Mary Chapin
Carpenter
With Special Guest
Joe Ely |
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Reviewed By
Donn Jehs
Ruth Eckerd Hall
Clearwater, FL
7/31/98 |
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With music from a local country band blaring
from the outside courtyard, and the local country radio station
prominently ensconced with their mobile unit, you'd think the
crowd would be of the "Twist and Shout" variety. But
'Mary Chapin Carpenter's" folk- tinged songs received an
equally joyous reception from her fans. "Joe Ely" was
also warmly received, and too soon gone for most of the crowd. |
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Joe Ely |
"Joe Ely," whose latest album, "Twistin'
In The Wind," was recently released, only played seven songs,
but managed to give the crowd a sampling of the versatility and
songwriting skill that has impressed fans not only of country,
but the rock world too.
He opened the show with a dynamic rendering of the first song
on the new album, and one of my favorites off it, "Up On
The Ridge" (see review in this issue). The latin tinged
sound was enhanced by the flamenco guitar player. Joe's sense
of the dramatic gives the song presence and a dark overlay that
soon powers into the compelling refrain before returning to the
flamenco guitar. I think this song is an excellent intro to the
album and certainly got the evening off to a fine start also.
Ely then proceeded to play two selections that pointed up his
ability as a storyteller, even though they were more obscure
numbers that most fans probably had never heard. The first, "Gallo
del Cielo," is the tale of a young man and his fighting
cock that he stole and took with him over the border. It is a
tale of good luck and a ne'er give up spirit. A border folk tale
if you will. The second was in the same vein, "Ranches and
Rivers," as young lovers seek to find the better life across
the big river. Joe gives life to his characters through his vocal
inflections, imparting a feeling for them that the crowd picked
up. |
Ely then joked about his brief foray in another
line of work, roofing - in Texas in the summer. One day, to avoid
the heat, they decided to start extra early (4 a.m.) and remove
the old roof. The result led to the end of Joe's roofing career,
and the intro to "Workin' For The Man," a paean to
the working man that is another song off the new album, a hard
driver with great work from both Joe and Jesse Taylor on guitar.
This was immediately followed by the title cut from the new album,
Twistin' In The Wind." This mournful tune was such a change
of pace it left some folks twisting in their seats, but it is
a powerful song.
"Eyes Got Lucky" was the next song, which I can't find
listed on any of his albums, and was unfamiliar to me, so it
may be a new song, but it was an upbeat guitar driven piece.
Joe closed the show with a tribute to Lubbock's finest, Buddy
Holly, as he sang "Oh Boy," and Jesse Taylor and the
rest of the band all did solos. It was a rocking end to a short
but sensational set that brought the crowd to their feet wanting
more. Alas, it was not to be, but I think Joe just added a couple
thousand fans for the next time he plays locally. |
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Mary Chapin Carpenter
and Band |
The evening was still young, and the star
attraction was ready to roll as she began the first of nearly
twenty numbers. 'Mary Chapin Carpenter" chose to open with
a John Gorka tune, "Flying Red Horse," and the speakers
even had one attached to it. I'm not sure, but it looked a lot
like the old Texaco symbol before they went to the star. This
was a bit of a surprise, since most concerts open up with a signature
tune or a cut from the latest album. MCC, however, is not touring
on a new album, which is somewhat unusual these days, especially
for a headliner. Not to worry though, she didn't forget the fan's
favorites as she broke into "I Feel Lucky" and "Passionate
Kisses" immediately after.
She did play a couple of new tunes for her, one of which was
a cover of "Oh Lonesome Me," which will be on a compilation
album this fall. This was a nice rendition of a country classic.
Of course that song was a perfect segue to "Shutup And Kiss
Me." Carpenter managed to break the evening into nice managable
segments, in which the songs dovetailed and set a mood. She would
then stop and chat with the audience before changing the mood.
"Hero In Your Own Hometown" and "Wherever"
followed. Then Mary joked with the audience about the blue lava
lamp stage front. It was her homage to Austin Powers. An inside
joke about touring and endless evenings with the VCR she tried
to share, although I don't think the audience found it quite
as funny until the guitar player kept starting the James Bond
theme as she hushed him. She introduced the band members, with
nicknames too, which she said reveal something about their personalities.
It was a good attempt to make a large setting feel intimate but
never quite came off. |
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Mary Chapin Carpenter |
It was the songs that established the intimacy
as she broke into "Stones In The Road." Her mention
of someone who asked about her changing guitars after every song,
wondering if she really played them or were they like costume
changes, led into her cover of Wynonna's "Girls With Guitars,"
a song I really enjoyed. She followed with "I Am A Town,"
which is a moving picture of a small town, Anywhere USA.
The title of the tour, "Bones In The Road," comes from
Mary's two golden retrievers, one of which joined her on stage
a little later and came down to the edge of the stage to get
petted and give sloppy kisses. As Mary said, "Riley's a
loooooove magnet!." A much nicer touch than Alice Cooper
and his pet snake. |
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The final part of her set included "Last
Word," one of her first songs, "This Shirt," and,
I believe, a new song, "It Works," before returning
to the upbeat Dire Straits tune, "The Bug," along with
"Chances," "Quittin' Time" and finally full
out boogy on "Down At The Twist And Shout," her breakout
song. Outside of "I Think I'll Keep Her," she hit all
her top ten tunes while finding time for the older, more introspective
folk tunes, sending everyone home happy and looking forward to
her next album - in, oh, 500 years. As she says, it takes her
a long time to write a song. In the meantime we'll just have
to settle for the bones she throws us.
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