Entertainment For Lively Minds
My night with Wine, Women and Wild Horses
We went to Islington's Union Chapel to see Suzy Bogguss, Gretchen Peters and Matraca Berg play on their new Wine, Women and Song tour. We saw them two years ago at the same venue and thoroughly enjoyed the event. Last night they surpassed it.
All three are on stage at the same time and they take it in turns to lead. They've got a couple of tables, glasses and a bottle of wine which contributes to the conviviality of the evening. One of the things that make it so enjoyable as part of the audience is to see three performers so relaxed and clearly enjoying themselves and each other's music.
What do you get for your money? One fabulous voice in Suzy Bogguss while the other two are merely very good; loads of great country based songs amounting to about two hours of music and a fair amount of unrehearsed between song chat.
We were in the third row on Matraca's side. As she said she normally stays at home in Nashville songwriting while the other two go out on the road, so live performance isn't normally part of her life. This I think accounted for the look of joy that wouuld cross her face for the applause when she'd finish one of her songs. She also got a massive round of applause for her song Back In The Saddle, which she did as a request. She felt a bit embarrassed singing a slightly rude song in a church (I can put you back in the saddle baby, Stand you up tall...)
The main set finished with a stunningly beautiful version of Wild Horses. I'm getting a shiver down my spine remembering it. They took a verse each and shared the chorus. I don't think I'll see a better perforance this year. Just wonderful.
The tour continues till the 31st. They are in Bristol tonight. If you like country inflected music beautifully performed get along. the dates for the rest of the tour are here:
http://gretchenpeters.com/index.php?option=com_gigcal&Itemid=79
We left the gig thoroughly exhilarated. Not too many gigs you can say that about.
They have done a session for Bob Harris which will be broadcast on the Country programme, next Thursday, 28th May.
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I am so envious
Cant make this tour as I only heard about it last week listening to Gretchen on Radio 2. Carl, I dont know whether you have it as I dont think it has been commerciallly released but I urge you to listen to the Gretchen Peters and Tom Russell cd One to the heart,one to the head which includes an absolutely stunning Tom Russell song Guadalupe. Although a joint album Tom only sings backing vocals on a couple of tracks it is more a Gretchen Peters cd. I would say however that Guadalupe is the best song I have heard this year - it is that good. You can get the cd from Village Records www.villagerecords.com but you might end up spending a lot of money on there as it is a great site.
Guadalupe
Gretchen played it. She said was full of praise for Tom Russell as well and spoke a bit about making the record.
I didn't buy it as I bought Matraca's new album and the Sawanee Sessions EP which the three made together and had paid cash for our meal beforehand (very nice little Thai restaurant round the corner from the venue on St Paul's Road) and was short of the readies - although I could have asked my wife for the cash, but I'd have had to go to her and then rejoin the queue.
Fear not...
...the CD comes out here on June 8th.
It was a top night; I was especially taken by the notion of Suzy Boggus going to a Hallowe'en party as Sarah Palin...
Palin
I liked Gretchen's story (which she told on R4's Front Row on Thursday - still available on Listen Again) about Palin using Independence Day as a theme song during the election campaign, so she took the royalties she earned and donated them to Planned Parenthood - in Palin's name!.
I'm going on Wednesday
I saw the last tour too - really excellent. I'm going to see them at the Stables in Milton Keynes. They were on Bob Harris last time too, which I happened to accidentally leave the record button on for...
Suzy B
I'm jealous as hell! I should be going to MK, but I'm out of the country. Suzy B has a wonderful voice, and I can't understand why she's not more highly thought of, particularly in the States.
Some of the stuff she did with Asleep At The Wheel, and also Chet Atkins just reeks of “good times” – see here for a great example of that….
Terrific
I love that song, but I've never seen that video before. Thanks.
EP and Matraca's new album
I was at the Cardiff gig. A great evening, relaxed and fun. I was unable to stay to check out available goodies - can anyone tell me how I can get the EP (Sawanee Sessions?) and Matraca's new album. Not available anywhere else.
The EP...
...will shortly be available by mail order; your best bet is to keep checking www.gretchenpeters.com or http://myspace.com/winewomen
Not sure about Matraca's CD; I do know that she only got finished copies on Monday, so I guess eventually it'll surface...
Myspace
Matraca's MySpace page has some lovely acoustic (sounds like recorded at home) versions of her songs e.g. Strawberry Wine.
Both are available at the gigs
So well worth getting along to one if you can.
Last night
I saw them at Milton Keynes and they were fantastic - they could have done another hour easily. Got both CDs and Matraca signed hers for me. Of course I am over it now.
Are you addicted to
Racing The Angels yet?
They're on Bob Harris in a few minutes.
Top tip
off to Listen Again. Did you hear them last time on BH? I have their bit on MP3. There's a hilarious bit where they are unable to work out how many number ones they've written or how many awards they've won.
Laat gig from last tour
Put on YouTube by Gretchen herself. For those who saw the tour, this brings it back!
BTW I have to confess an adolescent crush on Matraca wholly inappropriate for one of my advanced years. Here's why
You are not alone
I have to confess to be rather taken with Matraca. Like you Twang, I wonder if I shouldn't be a bit more grown up about things, but hey, she's a lovely woman.
Last tour
they did a signing after the gig and Matraca came out late and strolled (she's too cool to walk) straight past me but I was too smitten to say anything.
I lucked out
They are playing Wolverhampton (Bilston Robin) on thursday so I am definitely going.
Milton Keynes
on Wednesday - then home to watch the recorded footy - late into work on Thursday I suspect.
Alas! I'm Away
But my better half will be at MK. Saw Suzy Bogguss at Cambridge and at Pickett's Lock a few years back, just guitar and that voice. Saw Gretchen last year (and Buckingham in November - can't wait) and I've been a fan of Matraca since "Lying to the Moon"
I missed them last time around as well - maybe next year?
Last night at the Robin2
Absolutely sensational. All 3 can sing like angel - too many highlights to mention but the set in excess of 2 hours could have carried on even longer. Thanks for the tip off Carl.