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Cat Power, Feb. 8, Starlight Ballroom
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Cat Power, Feb. 8, Starlight Ballroom
The last time I saw Cat Power was at a small venue in upstate New York, some time after the release of “You Are Free” in 2003. She (Chan Marshall) was performing solo, and showing every sign of the characteristic stage fright I had been warned to expect. She hunched over the piano or Danelectro intermittently, her long brown hair covering most of her face, and repeatedly asked that the lights be dimmed. When they were finally shut off altogether, Marshall was satisfied. And so was I, when I realized that her absurdly bewitching voice was no less powerful when coming from a small, darkish spot on the stage than it was when I could actually see her.
Last night’s performance at the Starlight Ballroom was of an entirely different order.
For her current tour, Marshall has handed the instruments over to the boys in her new backup band, The Dirty Delta Blues, made up of Dirty Three's Jim White, the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion's Judah Bauer, Philadelphian Gregg Foreman of the Delta 72's, and Lizard Music's Erik Paparozzi. She seems to have conquered much of the stage fright, too. With nothing weighing her down but a microphone, Marshal moved energetically around the stage, using whole body to propel her gorgeous voice over the crowd. Most of the songs she performed were from her new album, "Jukebox," which abandons her formerly sparse guitar playing for tighter, more conventional instrumentals. If, like me, you preferred the contrast of haunting vocals and pared down, shall we say amateur guitar playing that characterized her early work, you might have been a little disappointed by last night's set. The band didn’t miss a beat. They sounded more like Jon Spencer Blues Explosion than an inebriated Tom Waits; more mainstream rock group than experimental singer songwriter. That said, Marshall was incredible. And given her newfound confidence on stage, I think it’s safe to say that she’s finally beginning to realize it.
This was my first introduction to Cat Power and although not naive to the concert scene, thought the wait was ridiculous. I was up at 5, worked a full day, and then drove 2 hours to see this concert about which I was very excited. We got there at 9 and waited an hour before she came out - she said nothing and went on with the performance. I wasn't alone in my frustration, because some were vocal about their disappointment, and others left - like we did after the first song and a half. It's doubtful I'll ever see her again - she seemed young and foolish and clearly doesn't seem to be too concerned with her audience.
to susan: if you were one of the jerks who yelled out totally inappropriate and rude heckling before the band came out then shame on you. you only succeeded in making everyone around you uncomfortable. have you ever been to a show before? bands come out late. it happens. they probably intended to start playing at 10 all along. drink a beer and get over it.
Susan, meet Cat Power.
I have been listening to cat power for awhile now and this was the first time seeing them live. Overall the band was amazing. Chan has one of the best voices I have ever heard live. Very talented singer. She did act very strange on stage. But I have to say it made the show even better. I have to agree it did take awhile for them to play. 15 min to set up and 45 to get on the stage. I heard stories of the band being slow. This was the longest I have ever waited for band and I was about to fall asleep. I guess they had to throw down a couple bottles of jack and smoke some hooch before getting on stage. Standard rock star stuff. Overall great show :)
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