More a concert than a gig - Mary Chapin Carpenter with the Royal Northern Sinfonia at the Sage Gateshead last night. She's stepped sideways from her country origins recently, and her latest album 'Songs from the Movie' is a selection of her work from the last twenty years, accompanied by Vincent Mendoza's orchestral scores. Mendoza and some of her studio accompanists are touring with her. It was immaculately performed in the gorgeous main concert hall at the Sage. mcshroom and I were wondering what Clarion would have made of the sound, which to our ears was perfect. Carpenter's serene alto was never lost in the orchestra. She was a humble performer, there to share her music, but I did love her simple black velvet dress with a red rose pinned on the back. The highlight for me was one of my favourite songs ever, 10,000 miles. She dedicated that one to Pete Seeger, who died on my birthday this year. It got a bit dusty at that point in the Sage.
The support is more than worthy of a mention, Benjamin Scheuer. Singer/songwriter, swapping between guitars for different songs. The songs were all about true things, like the day he finished his chemo and went for his final test results, and about his family. My favourite was the opener, 'Cookie Tin Banjo' about his dad introducing him to music. Lovely stuff. A close second was 'The Lion' which was about Crinklylion.
I bought the ticket for this gig on impulse, it wasn't cheap, but for once it was a good snap decision. A great night.
