Emmylou
Harris and Rodney Crowell graced the hallowed stage of Toronto’s
Massey Hall and proved without question that Country Music is alive
and well.
Harris and Rodney Crowell graced the hallowed stage of Toronto’s
Massey Hall and proved without question that Country Music is alive
and well.
Harris
and Crowell are longtime friends and collaborators, having known each
other since the mid-70s when Crowell was a member of Harris’ Hot
Band. Both are veteran country music performers, and at this point in
their careers they’ve nothing more to prove, either to an audience or
to one another, than that they are still capable of making great
music together.
and Crowell are longtime friends and collaborators, having known each
other since the mid-70s when Crowell was a member of Harris’ Hot
Band. Both are veteran country music performers, and at this point in
their careers they’ve nothing more to prove, either to an audience or
to one another, than that they are still capable of making great
music together.
With
a five-piece backing band behind them, they opened the show with
confidence, launching into “Grievous Angel,” a song penned
by another of Harris’ former singing partners, the late Gram Parsons.
From there, the band ran through a set of over 20 songs mostly
covering songs Harris and Crowell have co-written together to songs
written by a variety of songwriters, including several songs the duo
recorded for their new album “Old
Yellow Moon.”
a five-piece backing band behind them, they opened the show with
confidence, launching into “Grievous Angel,” a song penned
by another of Harris’ former singing partners, the late Gram Parsons.
From there, the band ran through a set of over 20 songs mostly
covering songs Harris and Crowell have co-written together to songs
written by a variety of songwriters, including several songs the duo
recorded for their new album “Old
Yellow Moon.”
Harris
and Crowell’s friendship and ease with one another was readily
apparent throughout the evening, both in their relaxed conversations
between songs and in their playing and singing. They performed “Tulsa
Queen” a song they co-wrote and which Harris recorded in 1977,
and “Bluebird Wine,” a song written by Crowell and a tune
Harris said was one of the first songs she ever heard from him. “When
I heard the demo of this song, I knew he had the right stuff,”
she told the audience. Harris’ voice was as in fine form, proving
that he voice has aged like a fine Tennessee Whiskey.
and Crowell’s friendship and ease with one another was readily
apparent throughout the evening, both in their relaxed conversations
between songs and in their playing and singing. They performed “Tulsa
Queen” a song they co-wrote and which Harris recorded in 1977,
and “Bluebird Wine,” a song written by Crowell and a tune
Harris said was one of the first songs she ever heard from him. “When
I heard the demo of this song, I knew he had the right stuff,”
she told the audience. Harris’ voice was as in fine form, proving
that he voice has aged like a fine Tennessee Whiskey.
In
a show filled with high points, there were still some standout tunes
such as “Back When We Were Beautiful” by Matraca Berg and
“Chase the Feeling,” written by Kris Kristofferson, both of
which appear on “Old Yellow Moon.” Their rendition of
“Poncho & Lefty” made one feel Townes Van Zant’s presence
in the theatre. Despite the upbeat feel of the show, both artists
commented on how many sad songs they play together or have recorded
over the years. After playing the Roger Miller tune “Invitation
to the Blues,” Crowell referred to the song as “miserable with
a beat.”
a show filled with high points, there were still some standout tunes
such as “Back When We Were Beautiful” by Matraca Berg and
“Chase the Feeling,” written by Kris Kristofferson, both of
which appear on “Old Yellow Moon.” Their rendition of
“Poncho & Lefty” made one feel Townes Van Zant’s presence
in the theatre. Despite the upbeat feel of the show, both artists
commented on how many sad songs they play together or have recorded
over the years. After playing the Roger Miller tune “Invitation
to the Blues,” Crowell referred to the song as “miserable with
a beat.”
Opening
the show was Richard Thompson and his Electric Trio. Thompson is, of
course, a renowned singer-songwriter in his own right, and quite
simply one of the best guitarists around. Currently touring in
support of his latest record “Electric,” Thompson, along
with drummer Michael Jerome and bassist Taras Prodaniuk (both of whom
contribute back up vocals), played a short but strong set covering
some of his best known songs including “Keep Your Distance,”
“Sally B,” and “Tear Stained Letter.” When they
played “Good Things Happen to Bad People” Thompson remarked
that he’s seen it happen. “I wouldn’t sing it if it wasn’t
true,” he said.
the show was Richard Thompson and his Electric Trio. Thompson is, of
course, a renowned singer-songwriter in his own right, and quite
simply one of the best guitarists around. Currently touring in
support of his latest record “Electric,” Thompson, along
with drummer Michael Jerome and bassist Taras Prodaniuk (both of whom
contribute back up vocals), played a short but strong set covering
some of his best known songs including “Keep Your Distance,”
“Sally B,” and “Tear Stained Letter.” When they
played “Good Things Happen to Bad People” Thompson remarked
that he’s seen it happen. “I wouldn’t sing it if it wasn’t
true,” he said.
He
also performed a solo acoustic version of what is perhaps his best
known song, “1952 Vincent Black Lightning.” Thompson’s
prowess as a player is obvious, but he is never ostentatious, and his
musical strength is always used in the service of the song. An
effortlessly fluid guitar player, several of the songs led to
extended leads and jams with his band. His set was truly a joy to
watch, and it was obvious there were many audience members who came
primarily to hear Thompson.
also performed a solo acoustic version of what is perhaps his best
known song, “1952 Vincent Black Lightning.” Thompson’s
prowess as a player is obvious, but he is never ostentatious, and his
musical strength is always used in the service of the song. An
effortlessly fluid guitar player, several of the songs led to
extended leads and jams with his band. His set was truly a joy to
watch, and it was obvious there were many audience members who came
primarily to hear Thompson.
(c) by Chuck Schulz for Country Music News International
(c) photos Kelly E. Schultz
(c) photos Kelly E. Schultz