Last night, Otis and I went to a house concert at Linda & Mike's. (Here's an article from Wired on what house concerts are.)
The featured act was Bohemian Blue, which is the duo-format performance name for Jean Mann. (Jean also performs as a solo and fronts the Jean Mann Trio.) Her music was billed as "alternafolk" and she has been compared to Ani Di Franco, Norah Jones, and Joni Mitchell.
The evening was great. L&M did a great job setting up the place, and as usual there was a super group of people there. (Sunni-V showed up late, but JJ didn't show at all.) Jean and her partner Bill did about 18 numbers in two sets, about two-thirds original pieces and one-third obscure covers. (Has anyone heard of Hem?)
I thought Jean has a wonderful voice and I liked her compositions. Her stuff was generally folky, but she did some interesting things: one of her pieces is a waltz and another is a fun calliope-like tune using only some clinky beads and a melodica (that accordiony-thing you blow in) to accompany the vocal. Otis is a real Difrancophile (an Ani-maniac?) and she really liked the concert - so much so that she bought a CD. She said that it was a little more ephemeral and less intensely edgy than Ani. I'm sorry I don't have the vocabulary to better describe the music, but I am a bit of a musical stooge. I do know Jean and Bill had to re-tune their guitars a lot.
Anyway, it was good concert, and a good time, and we even got to feel a little morally superior since we walked there and back, so we were all alterna- and green and stuff.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
The idea of a house concert sounds great. Me, I think I'll host a closet concert!
Since you are bandying about names, perhaps you can identify them for those of us who aren't acquainted: who are Mike and Linda, and who is JJ? Have these folks come to Movie or Game Night?
Just wondering.
Ah, but you are acquainted! Linda (biking guru) and Mike (teacher) were at Oscar Party 1&2 and 2, respectively; JJ is your favorite librarian.
Post a Comment