Flashes of Panic

This was the second part of A.’s birthday present to me, the first part being Ryan Adams at the Calvin the other week. I think tickets to live music make a great present for me, because it’s usually a good time, and I don’t have to worry about finding a place to put them. Plus, one can give the same present year after year without giving me anything I already have.

Kathleen Edwards was one of the most buzzed-about artists of 2003, at least in the circles I hear, and I thought Failer lived up to expectations. Back to Me hasn’t, so far, had all the same magic, but I think it’s because the songs haven’t grown on me enough; maybe last night, when I heard them and recognized them, they reached that point.

Edwards brought a full four-piece supporting band, which made for a loud show in the Horse. They skipped the bulk of her quieter songs (no “National Steel” or “Hockey Skates”) in favor of all the driving rock. She opened with “Pink Emerson Radio,” which was a quiet start (the folks next to us were fans of the opener, about whom more later, and didn’t stop talking until a few measures after Edwards started singing.) But after that… “Copied Keys,” “Independent Thief,” “Westby,” “In State,” “Six O’Clock News,” and “One More Song the Radio Won’t Like,” (not in that order: I don’t remember set lists) and a few others.

They always started out mildly enough, but by midway through Edwards would be wailing at the mike, her husband playing lead guitar would be melting down on his side of the stage, and the bass player was trying to stay off the resonant frequency of the hall, because when he hit it, everything vibrated down to the filaments in the light bulbs. Even “The Lone Wolf,” which is somewhat plaintive in the recording, became anguished and despairing in the fire last night. I think some of the songs are more effective on the CD where there’s more subtlety to them, and certainly Edwards’ own singing suffered in the loud mix, but “Back to Me” for one wound up even more powerful with the force of the band behind it.

James Brown was playing the Calvin just two block away, and I think they were determined to convince us we’d made the right show. As near as I can tell, the only rockers they missed were “Maria” and “12 Bellevue” from Failer; I think if they’d played the latter, they might have blown the circuitry.

We got, as breaks, Edwards with only keyboard/guitar/vibe player Jim Bryson playing “Mercury” (If you downloaded the SXSW torrent you’ve got one of his songs,) and as part of the encore, Edwards alone playing “Away” (“Try not to cry,” she said as she started, but it seemed like she was having trouble with that herself.)

Unlike Ryan Adams, I think I’d see her again; I think each show would be different enough to make it worth it. I might bring earplugs next time, though. (Yeah, I’m old.)

The opening act was Mary Gautier, whose name will be suffixed with “pronounced go-SHAY” for several years. I’d never heard of her when the show was scheduled, but she turned up on NPR recently. She got an enthusiastic response (the fans next to us left before Edwards’ set was done) though I think calling her music and presentation “gritty” might be an understatement.

More: Doubleperf was at the Tuesday night show in Cambridge.

Now Playing: Fortunate Son from Chronicle, Vol. 1 by Creedence Clearwater Revival