Occupy The Encore-Portland

She also added in Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues after Salt of The Earth -it was not on the original setlist.

I should probably add a little background here. The Woody Guthrie song was Lu solo and the first time she ever played that was song was yesterday afternoon at soundcheck and after trying it a couple of times with the band we just told to do it solo— she didn’t even need to get all the way thru it before she went “Ok, I got it, what’s next?” Excuse me for a second if I’m being a little effusive -and I normally try to refrain from that in here because my bias goes without saying-but on a rare occasion I can’t resist. I also just read the Slate piece that TT just posted about her version of the Hank W. song. Anyway, it never ceases to amaze me what she does with those old blues, country and folk songs -it is almost spooky–no it is spooky -it’s hard to describe but it’s as if the songs-or the voices of the songs–live in her flesh and bone and she can call them up anytime she wants–almost at moment’s notice. Where so many who sing those songs these days come off as mannered, practiced and academic-it’s just hard not to, she has a way with those songs that is just the opposite. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again–it’s beyond talent and ability or whatever you want to call it–she channels those songs. Like I said, spooky.
Ok-I’m done.
I did videotape the encore and some other songs from last night but haven’t had a chance to upload it and watch it to see how it came out. I also taped most of yesterday’s soundcheck -and some other recent soundchecks. I think I have some good stuff. Hope to get some of it up asap.