This past Sunday (5/27/07) I experienced one of those moments in life that you know even as it is still happening will have changed you forever by the time it is over.
It was a barely advertised concert, promoted with the following description: Unnamed Music and Comedy Show. The musical portion of the evening was to be supplied by Gillian Welch and David Rawlings.
The two were in the NY area performing at Town Hall all week as an opening act! Pretty last minute they must have added this date at Performance Space 122. I bought my ticket and went extra early because all tickets were general admission. Upon entering I could not believe the size of the room, and by that I really mean the lack of size of the room. There was no stage and there were chairs placed on the floor within arms distance of the mics that were set up. I took my seat in the front row and sat marveling at the fact that these two people who I have endless admiration for would soon be standing a mere two feet away from me.
For those of you who are not familiar with this duo let me give a quick preface. There is good music and there is music that truly moves you - moves through you and grabs you… stills you; this music is definitely the latter.
Gillian Welch is one of those people whose presence and charisma instantly draws you in. She is a natural beauty, and a woman who breathes self-confidence. Her voice is drenched with tone and inflection that impart a poignant honesty to the content of her words. There are no pretenses in this music; it is clear that these songs are birthed from experience and sincerity. The instruments and instrumentation were even humble; the strong tapping of Gillian's boot supplied a percussive quality and beyond that there were just two voices… two guitars.
David Rawlings, Gillian's other half, is a guitarist like no other… a musician like no other. Rather still, he is a portal, and through him an enchanting parallel universe is audibly glimpsed. If that description sounds a bit over the top then I would have to assume you have not heard him play. I would also have to assume you have not watched him play. With his eyes closed and his body swaying he takes you on a journey. Within what seems to be a subconsciously led stream he tells a story of his own, evoking a detailed picture. His sound is unmistakably his own… his improvisations are remarkable… he should be counted among the guitar giants of our time.
This was my first attendance of a live performance of theirs and they were every bit as impressive as their recordings, which I consistently devour. After the show I decided to stick around and see if I might be able to meet them, considering the overall intimacy of the evening. Sure enough they did come out and I did managed to stutter out a request for one of David's picks and a compliment or two… they were both extremely gracious individuals.
Days later I still have a sense of elation coursing through me; like I said, it was one of those moments in life that you know even as it is still happening will have changed you forever by the time it is over.
