Brandi Carlile glows in Michigan Theater performance
Although the device was just reacting to a liberal use of theater smoke, it’s tempting to think it was responding to the incendiary performance of the 28-year-old alt-rock singer-songwriter who has enjoyed some success but has yet to break into the mainstream.
Carlile (who, believe it or not, got her start as a backup singer for an Elvis impersonator) performed with her band for 90 minutes, at times unplugged and at times rocking out with guitars (anyone who has seen Carlile at her previous Ann Arbor shows at the Blind Pig or at The Ark knows that twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth are seldom far from her side), drums, keyboard and even a cello.
The set included songs from her 2007 album “The Story,” including the title track; an unplugged version of “Cannonball;” and the overlooked-by-radio “Turpentine;” (for which she invited the crowd to become a choir); as well as songs from her soon-to-be-released CD, “Give Up the Ghost.”
Twice she strolled to the front of the stage and performed without amplification, and it sounded terrific. Carlile switched to the keyboards for “Before It Breaks,” a gorgeous power ballad from the new CD. The first single from the disc, “Dreams,” proved she and the band can rock as hard as anybody, while “Looking Out” and the sweet harmonies of “Oh Dear” made me make a mental note to pick up the CD when it comes out next week.
Brandi Carlile performing "Oh Dear" live in Tucson earlier this year:
The encore was almost a full a set in itself, starting with a medley of Johnny Cash’s “Jackson” and “Folsom Prison Blues” that brought the crowd to its feet. Carlile toned down the energy level a notch with The Beatles’ “Let it Be” (with the Hanseroth brothers contributing some fine vocal parts), then continued with “That Year,” a sad song about a young friend who committed suicide. Another ballad was accompanied by one chirp of the fire alarm, which prompted Phil Hanseroth to stroll onstage with a fire extinguisher, much to the delight of the crowd.
It’s been great over the last few years to watch Carlile graduate to larger and larger venues. She’s got the songs, she’s got the voice and she’s got the hot band. All the ingredients are there for broader success. Maybe Carlile’s just too hard to categorize; she’s pop, rock, country, indie and folk all rolled into one, and that can sometimes be a problem. Whatever the reason, it’s a shame more people don’t know who she is. I hope “Give Up the Ghost” is the CD to change that situation.
Roger LeLievre is a free-lance writer who covers music for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Nicole Casal Moore
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 8:42 a.m.
Whoah there! Looks like I read the date wrong! Sorry.
Nicole Casal Moore
Mon, Sep 20, 2010 : 8:35 a.m.
Did she play "Oh, dear"? I love that song and I swear I didn't hear it. Also, Give Up the Ghost is already out.
Megarz
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 11:20 a.m.
What an amazing performance! Her vocal talent is just awe-inspring and her stage presents is fantastic. I enjoyed every minute and soaked up every word sung or spoken by Brandi on stage. I cannot wait for her new album to come out in October and can only hope that the rest of the world catches on to this wonderful talent.
swcornell
Tue, Sep 29, 2009 : 7:40 a.m.
I've seen Ms. Carlile twice and I wish everyone would stop trying to classify her into some nice genre. Just enjoy her extremely varied talent and buy her albums. Her music is fantastic, her band is fantastic, SHE is fantastic!