Tift Merritt @ The Carolina Theatre (review)

There's nothing quite like seeing an artist on her home turf, and such was the case at Durham's Carolina Theatre on Saturday night.  I've seen Tift Merritt in a number of settings - clubs, ACL Festivals, opening for Elvis Costello - but it's safe to say that it was a rare treat to see in her perform in such a wonderful venue before an adoring hometown crowd.  Though her national tour is just getting underway, the band seems to be clicking on all cylinders.  And the crowd just couldn't give her enough love.  Tift is an open-hearted songwriter, and her charm and charisma was reflected right back at her from the audience.

Tift is increasingly leaning on her piano (quite literally) during her show, and new guitarist Scott McCall is falling in nicely with bassist Jay Brown, drummer Zeke Hutchins and keyboardist Danny Eisenberg.  Though Brad Rice is still missed, it's a little hard to imagine Tift's latest material as a good fit for his guitar style.  McCall seems like a perfect fit, adding subtlety and flair to the material, particularly the songs from Another Country (he looked rock-star-sharp in his crushed red velvet blazer, too).  And we were treated to every tune from that album, and a fair handful from Tambourine (though with new arrangements).  Though this might have been an unofficial release party for her new record, Tift left no doubt that her heart is firmly behind her latest batch of songs, which are in many ways a departure from her last album.  Gone was the rock 'n' soul mama of the Tambourine, replaced by a more introspective singer-songwriter.

However, Tift proved througout the evening that she can still throw it down.  Bramble Rose fave "Neighborhood" made an appearance, and "My Heart Is Free" from the new record was a barnstormer.  My favorite arrangement might have been "Hopes Too High", which was more uptempo than its mostly acoustic album version.  But the solo piano encore of "Good-Hearted Man" was a real treat.  In fact, most of the material from Tambourine was great, with somewhat different versions than those on the album.  I think I spotted a setlist that had "Shadow In The Way" as the closer, but for whatever reason - time constraints, most likely - it was dropped.  Actually, the set closing "Mille Tendresses" from the new record was a more appropriate choice anyway, as it nicely sums up where Tift is in her artistic evolution.

And that may rub some casual fans the wrong way.  Tambourine was tailored for revved up performances, but Another Country is softer and more soulful.  But rest assured, Tift and her band can still tear it up.  "Morning Is My Destination" is a highlight of the new album, but it was a knockout in concert, with everyone cutting loose on it at the end.  There are a million reasons to go to a Tift Merritt concert, but watching hearing that woman sing and that band play is the primary one.  Damn.

I haven't even mentioned how much fun I had meeting some of the diehards from the Tift Merritt Fan Site.  My online pal Andy made the trek over from the UK, and he stayed with Phillip and Andie from Wilmington (Phillip, by the way, is pretty much the Numero Uno Tift fan on the planet, except maybe for Chris who maintains the site).  And I met many other wonderful folks, including Mitch who puts his journalism degree to good use by shooting lots of video (there's a YouTube out there of Andy and I recapping the show, but I sure as hell ain't posting the link here).  And here's a shock - Tift's dad is every bit as charming and kind as you would expect Tift's dad to be (he's from Houston, btw).  It was great fun to hang out in the lobby afterwood and watch some of these longtime friends chat with one another.  Jay Brown's brother looks just like him, just so you know.

So that's a pretty sorry-ass review, I guess.  As I've noted time and again, Tift is not really an artist I can be objective about.  But it was a really unique opportunity to see her in such a cool place, with such a wonderful audience.  Incidentally, Sara Watkins from Nickel Creek opened the show.  She has a fantastic voice and can make your jaw hit the floor when she picks up her fiddle.  I'm grateful that there are still artists out there who give a shit about their fans and, frankly, that there are like-minded Tiftheads in the world who just happen to be really lovely people.  Oh, and a BIG thanks to Phillip for tipping me off about the tickets - I had a pit seat in the second row right behind Andie, Phillip and Andy.  Spectacular view.

Oh, and I almost forgot - the next stop on the Houston Ramblings Tift World Tour 2008 will be this Friday in New Orleans.  I believe it will be a solo show, probably a much lower-key affair than in Durham.  So we'll see how that goes.

You can check out my photos from Saturday's soundcheck here.  Yes, I snuck into the soundcheck (hope you like pictures of sconces!).  No photography was allowed in the theater, but here's a cheesy iPhone shot I took:

And Zach smuggled his camera in for the encore.  He also snapped some shots of Tift signing and chatting afterward.  Tift, if nothing else, has some tireless photographers and videographers among her fanbase.  The entire show was professionally filmed, which hopefully means a DVD or something is being considered.

Comments

[Andy from UK]

This is excellent David, it was very cool to finally meet you, and good times were had by all! Thanks for writing such a great review, and for the soundcheck pics too. After a long day travelling back to the UK on Sunday/Monday, it is SO good to read all this stuff to help me remember a fantastic time! Cheers, Andy.

[Andie]

Dude! You totally lied to the Security Nazi about your iPhone! He asked you if it took pictures! I heard him! And you said "uh... no."

Be glad they didn't hire technologically savvy goons. You'd have been hosed.

(Missus) Andie
Wilmington

[Mitch]

David, thanks for the nice review and for the props.

I won't put the URL to your YouTube star turn in this comment section, but anyone who finds the video should know that David shot the clip of Zeke Hutchins signing autographs while Phillip the Numero Uno fan sipped a libation.

[Zach]

Very nice review. The show was electric. Give Tift our regards in New Orleans.

[Phillip Reid]

I think DK and his blog stuff are very cool. I think T is lucky to have him as a fan. I think I am tired. Also it's awfully nice to have him say nice things about me.