There is a certain intimacy to the Somerville Theatre that makes it an ideal locale for folk music concerts. This past Saturday, the Somerville's stage was graced by the talent of three local singer-songwriters who, by the end of the evening, had the audience wondering why it had to end at all.
Songstreet Productions' 105th concert of the evening started off with Mark Erelli. Having grown a little too accustomed to the sound of female folk, the presence of a man on the Somerville stage was a surprise that proved to be a refreshing all-around good time. Deeming himself an "honorary folk babe" for the evening, Erelli stepped up to the microphone, slung his guitar strap around his shoulders, and began a stellar set with "Ghost," the first track off his sophomore album, Compass and Companion.
Other songs ranged from "wicked sad" to downright funny. On "Do It Everyday," which details the drudgery of everyday life (namely Erelli's grueling commute to work), Erelli shows off his harmonica skills. Lori McKenna, the evening's headliner, joined him onstage for "My Love," before Erelli finished the set with a song about his little sister's making more money than he does.
The audience had barely recovered from the fit of laughter induced by Erelli's last song before Kris Delmhorst took to the stage with Sean Staples on mandolin. Since the native New Yorker's arrival in Boston in 1996, Delmhorst has come to be considered one of the area's finest folksy females. Nominated for two Boston Music Awards in 1999 and another in 2000 for Outstanding Female Singer/Songwriter, her breathtaking performance at the Somerville on Saturday came as no surprise.
Delmhorst performed songs from her latest release, an EP titled Oddlot, and her last album, Appetite. Songs like "Marylou" and "Sink or Swim" showed off her skills as a performer and Staples' mandolin talents as well. His use of the instrument was outstanding, blending perfectly with Delmhorst whether she was delicately finger-picking her guitar or simply strumming along. The highlight of Delmhorst's performance was "Garden Rose, " a beautiful duet performed with McKenna. Paired with McKenna's uniquely twangy-folky sound, Delmhorst's own voice - reminiscent of Sean Colvin - soared to new heights.
After a brief intermission, it was time for the evening's headliner to face the mike and an already energized crowd. McKenna, a native Bostonian, began the set with a few sweet and sentimental tunes, joking nervously between songs. Despite her stage fright - which proved to be short lived - she was able to deliver a beautiful solo rendition of "Never Die Young" from Pieces of Me, her follow-up album to Paper Wings and Halo which was recently released.
McKenna picked up the pace with "Dance with Ladies," a playful song inspired by her grandfather who apparently has a way with the ladies at his nursing home. Joined by fellow folk chick Meghan Toohey, McKenna at last loosened up. Delmhorst also returned to the stage, but this time without her guitar. Instead, she came with a cello and a fiddle, leaving the audience to wonder what exactly this threesome was up to.
The audience didn't have to wait too long to find out. McKenna broke into a series of songs off her debut CD, and Delmhorst chimed in on her cello. The blend of the cello with McKenna's acoustic guitar and Toohey's electric added depth and resonance to songs like "Fireflies" and "Hardly Speaking a Word."
After playing a few favorites from Paper Wings and Halo, McKenna returned to her newer songs, some of which are more upbeat and rock a little harder than her older material. "A Girl Like Me" was one of the best examples of McKenna's new style - without losing sight of her incredible singing and songwriting skills, she added a little bass and a little drums and let Toohey get funky on her electric guitar. Delmhorst harmonized on the chorus while McKenna strummed away. The result was a song that, though unlike McKenna's previous solo work, was both catchy and thought provoking. Much of the music performed off Pieces of Me demonstrated McKenna's ability to blend with a band while still remaining the center of attention.
As the group of musicians finished up the set with "God Will Thank You" - a song that featured Delmhorst and her fiddle - the audience took to its feet: With McKenna past her nervousness, the audience was ready to hear more. She returned to the stage with Delmhorst and Erelli to perform "Rosie," the trio's favorite Jackson Brown song. Afterwards, McKenna performed "Mars," the first track off Pieces of Me that sings of her "little boy's brown eyes."
McKenna tried to get away, but the audience clapped and stomped until, at the urging of Songstreet Productions' Rick Lamacchia, she picked up her guitar for one last song, the title track off her debut album. Standing alone once again on the Somerville stage under a single spotlight, McKenna delivered the best performance of "Paper Wings and Halo" anyone had heard. For a moment, she appeared to forget that she was playing to a packed theater and sang her heart out. She thanked the audience profusely for its support, then disappeared into the wings leaving the audience to wonder when it might again have the pleasure of listening to Lori and her folky friends.
