I learned
about Carrie Newcomer by accident – turned on Mountain Stage several years ago
on a Saturday night while she was in the middle of a set. After listening to
the rest of the set, I was impressed enough to pick up her current CD at the
time (The Geography of Light), and a
couple other ones later on. I had never before seen her in person, however.
Saint Mark’s
fellowship hall, where the Institute of Musical Traditions holds most of its events,
was packed for the Saturday evening show. Accompanied by Gary Walters on
keyboard, Carrie (on guitar throughout) put on a fine show. Her use of dynamics
and the expressiveness of her voice came across extremely well live, and she
had a great rapport with the audience. Highlights from her earlier material
included “If Not Now” (an audience singalong), “Breathe In Breathe Out” (which
concluded the first set), and “One Woman and a Shovel.” She also debuted some
new songs from her new CD, A Permeable
Life, including “Thank You Good Night”, “Forever Ray” (best song ever about
lawn ornaments?), “A Light in the Road”, and “Please Don’t Put Me on Hold”
(which continued her tradition of ending many of her albums with an upbeat,
somewhat novelty-oriented tune). Although the CD doesn’t officially come out
until April 1, she did have some copies for sale at the merch table, which sold
out quickly.
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