Hadn't seen the great American singer-songwriter since back in 1979.
When I found out tickets were available for a local concert, the
previous of which we'd missed from being sold out. I jumped at the
chance.
A 4-day free folk festival was playing nearby till late that evening,
so I guess I shouldn't have been surprised when the curtain came up
with a young Massachusetts songtress-writer opening, with only an
audience of mere 150-200 or so. The theatre looked barely occupied.
But what a show we got! If you get to see this guy acoustic solo,
don't miss this tour--this guy is just pure musical talent. Like a
number of current greats--Richard Thompson, Dave Alvin, and numerous
other grossly under-appreciated singer-songwriters, this guy just
exudes uniqueness and creativity. Besides his great songwriting
ability, he has an incredible integrity, stage presence and delivery.
As he came out on stage, he did seem somewhat miffed at the low
turnout (as he was previously a sell-out Downeast on more than one
occaision). "So there was a folk festival nearby?" (the audience
indicated "yes"). He smiled and called up the promoter. He says to
him, 'I want the house lights kept up'. And unlike many the big gig,
he shared, 'when I get the chance I want to really connect and talk,
I like the house lights up--and in a packed gig, I never get to do
that, all you get is this wall of blackness'.
And we got a show to remember. He even pulled out some of the lesser
known classics of fellow Meridian Mississippi native Jimmie Rodgers,
the "father" of country music aka "the singing brakeman" and blew us
away with an acoustic version of The Beatle's "Honey Pie". But it's
his own songs that really just get me.
If you're not familiar with this American gem, check out his
collaboration with midwestern alt-folk-rock stars Wilco on Rocking
Horse Head. Not to be missed.
Here's a video (Quicktime required) I've been sharing with friends.
It captures so well that angst of when it's time to move on to
another town or another place, but also Forbert's own breaking with
his record company back after his top ten hit, and his refusal to
multitrack an album. He claims he just can't do it. He only records
live now.
http://home.earthlink.net/~vajranatha/forbert/%22Streets_of_This_Town%
22.html
. . .
Call fax or email soon. :-)
-V.
