Folk'ing Awesome

Ok, so this is a little late since the concert was April 12th, but give me a break. I am just getting settled with this whole blogging thing and with 3 jobs it is sort of an intense undertaking. However, I am loving the ability to chronicle my life and the cool things I get to see and be apart of every day.

That being said, on April 12th Chris and I had front row tickets to the Dar Williams concert at The Calvin Theatre in Northampton. Now, anyone that knows anything about Dar knows that she spent a great deal of her time living in Northampton and now thinks of it as her second home. Therefore, whenever she returns it is a great occasion for people from the area to come out and celebrate their native daughter. Also, knowing that Dar wrote some of her remarkable songs right in the Valley is another reason to be so proud of this blessed area.

For this concert Dar brought along some great acts to open up.

This was our first time seeing a group called The Nields. The folk sister duo of Katryna and Nerissa Nields absolutely blew us away. The two girls, who are also local, took on the historic stage at the Calvin with an all acoustic set filled with optimism-charged pop folk, heavy blues, and amazing vocals. These amazing women actually took a moment to sing an acapella song dead center in the front of the stage. The moment really did wonders for setting the mood for the night.

Later that night Chris and I talked about the Nields for hours. We were sorry to say we hadn't explored their music much in the past, but something about them was stunning. Since I have to say I have purchased a couple of their cds and I am finding their music has elements of some of my favorite musicians. I hear some lyric and melody nods to Paul McCartney, I hear the humor and writing chops of Dar, and the sounds is like Eva Cassidy and Natalie Merchant had twin children together. Did I mention they were both beautiful as well? Oy, I'm gushing. Check these girls out ASAP.

Above : The Nields belting out a song during the performance. Katryna was actually singing to Chris.

So after the Nields we were greated by none other than Mr. "Rockabye" himself, Shawn Mullins. While I did just rudely introduce him by nicknaming him by his only Top 40 song, I must say that I do really enjoy some of his music. He has a few wonderful songs including but not limited to "Rockabye," "Anchored in You," and "Beautiful Wreck." He also ended his performance with stirring cover of "House of the Rising Sun" which he dedicated to the people of New Orleans. I think his performance was great, but I think that the crowds that a Dar concert attracts are not necessarily as receptive to an artist like Shawn Mullins. Fortunately we caught Shawn Mullins outside of the concert and congratulated and thanked him for the performance.

Above: "I've lost count of the times I've given up on you, but you make such a beautiful wreck you do."

Finally, The main event came in the form of the incomparable Dar Williams. I am writing to you as I listen to our favorite album "The Green World" (2000 Razor and Tie). This album and its honest lyrics about growing up, relationships and what its like to become and adult, helped to get me through being a teenager. Flash forward a few years later and Chris had a very similar and even more intense experience with the same album. It would take about 10 blogs to explain the where, when and why, but you should know that this is a powerful album and is worth your money and more.

In a nervous moment Dar stumbled during her first song. She explained that the emotion of standing on that stage is always a little startling for her. I think the moment was honest and humbling. A well-known daily newspaper out here (cough the Republican) chose to pan Dar for the performance because of the moment and the fact that she spent some time between songs tuning her guitar. The review was ignorant of the crowds enjoyment of the set, as well as the intricacies of Dar's intimate performance.

During the show Dar played songs from each one of her 7 studio albums. Personal favorites included "After All," "We learned the Sea," "The Babysitter's Here," "As Cool as I am," and even a cover of Pink Floyd's "Comfortably Numb" with the Nields and Shawn Mullins.

All together it was sort of a magical night.

Stay tuned in July when Chris and I will head to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival for four days of great concerts including Dar, The Nields, and one of my favorites Vance Gilbert.

Above: Dar doing some of her signature tuning that apparently ticked of some lame entertainment writer who apparently didn't get his money's worth for his free ticket.

Above: Dar Performing "When I Was A Boy" at the Calvin Theater.