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Patty
Griffin / Buddy Miller
Liberty Hall Lawrence, KS 27 March 2010 Lawrence, Kansas is undoubtedly a college town, but on this night it was not primarily students who packed into the historic Liberty Hall. This was a much more mature listening audience. While waiting in line, I heard Emmylou Harris stories traded and a scathing critique of the Black Eyed Peas concert that visited the area days earlier. It seems that these music enthusiasts know what they do and do not like. After the doors opened and the umbrellas and raincoats were shaken dry, Buddy Miller took the stage, just him and his guitar. He was dressed in his signature hat, wrinkled shirt, and plush sport jacket. “Hi, I’m Buddy Miller,” he said before his first song. “We’re going to make this as quick and painless as possible.” And with that he jumped right into Tom T. Hall’s “That’s How I Got to Memphis.” When it comes to defining ‘painless’ for Miller, it must mean including Patty Griffin in his set as she and members of her band joined Miller on stage for the next six songs. Griffin provided harmonies, played spoons, and even instigated group clapping and dancing. They pushed their way through Buddy and Julie Miller collaborations such as “Chalk” and “Gasoline and Matches.” Eventually, they left Miller alone again on stage to finish the set with “Wide River to Cross.” After a quick intermission, Patty Griffin once again took the stage accompanied by Miller on guitar. Her band also comprised of John Deaderick on keys, Frank Swart on bass, Doug Lancio on lead guitar, and Marco Giovino on drums. Although this was only the second show of the tour, Griffin and many of her musicians, including Miller, have long histories together. Her set was smooth and focused heavily on her new release, Downtown Church, a collection of gospel-influenced covers and originals produced by Buddy Miller. She also obliged the audience with classic Griffin gems and covers like Waylon Jennings “I Do Believe.” There was only one setback to the night’s events. As charming as Patty Griffin is as a songstress, she at times lacks in the believability that Buddy Miller exudes. Miller knows how to deliver a song, even those that he didn’t write. That’s not saying he is a better singer, but better in overall delivery (not to mention instrumental chops). Thus in this case, the ‘opening’ act ended up outshining the headliner. Even as Buddy Miller accompanied Griffin the rest of the night, I could not help but notice how much Miller had to hold back to not steal the show. Buddy Miller setlist: That's How I Got To Memphis; Worry Too Much; Heart of Hearts; Somewhere Trouble Don't Go; Wider River To Cross; Shelter Me; Chalk; Gasoline and Matches; All My Tears. Patty Griffin setlist: Standing;
If I Had My Way; Wade In The Water; Little Fire; Death's Got A Warrant;
Move Up; Heavenly Day; I Do Believe (Waylon Jennings cover); Mary; Never
Grow Old; Love Throw A Line; The Strange Man; Waiting For My Child; I Smell
A Rat; House of Gold (Hank Williams cover); We Shall All Be Reunited.
Shawn Dickinson
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