I went and saw Mason Jennings at the Triple Door in Seattle tonight and it was absolutely amazing. It is literally my new favorite place to see a show. The acoustics were phenomenal with the instruments not overpowering the vocals at all. Having a half moon shaped booth to sit at and leisurely eat a semi-Asian dinner made by Wild Ginger while watching the bands play was a relaxing way to spend the evening. I am so glad I have a friend who plans ahead for events like this! Read more for more pics and my new favorite song!
Rebecca Pidgeon opened the show with powerful vocals juxtaposed with mellow guitar riffs. I wasn't sure how awkward it would be being seated in a booth with two strangers but it was actually great and not intrusive at all. I was a huge fan of Mason's prior to seeing him live but after this concert I am completely smitten with him.
He put on a great show performing with two different guitars, a harmonica and a piano. For being just a one person show it felt like a full bodied instrumental performance.
The emotion he can portray in a live set far surpasses what you experience from a recorded studio album. His set included some old favorites like Be Here Now, Raindrops on the Kitchen Floor, Bitter Heart, and Jackson Square as well as some new songs from his 2013 'Always Been' album. I haven't listened to the entire new album, but if the snippet I saw in his performance tonight was any indication, it will not disappoint. His voice was so full of emotion and enthusiasm in Patti and Robert and Wilderness that I really felt it pull on my heart strings. When he sat down at the piano and played 'Bitter Heart' I thought I was going to cry. Some of the negative reviews I've seen consider the lyrics on the new album disappointing and too trite but I think it's just simplified to the most raw and essential feelings of the human condition. Sometimes I don't want my music overly complicated. I love his casual storytelling songwriting. Next time he is in town, I will definitely be seeing him again! Well worth fighting fatigue to stay up late on a Thursday evening.
Off the 'Always Been' Album, Mason Jennings - Wilderness:
No comments:
Post a Comment