Tonight at the Roundhouse is a celebration of Cat Power and her incredible album ‘The Greatest’ release in 2005. There was no opening band but the mood was set by the PA playing a bit of Southern soul music.
As Chan Marshall introduced the set she spoke about this being “about 10,000 years of The Greatest”. Chan told us that the “record was not about being the greatest, it was about being better.” With the piano intro to the title track and probably most well known song on the album when Chan started to sing it was evident that this would be a very special night. The opening line sent chills through me “Once I wanted to be the greatest” with a woozy hook pulling us into the song. Chan’s vocals full of wounded regret, a deep sense of beauty and underlying strength were spellbinding. Her vocals remind me of Mary Margaret O’Hara’s both sharing a vulnerability and sadness but also somehow still uplifting.
Cat Power don’t waste much time between songs as Chan and her fellow musicians quickly move from one song to the next for the first part of the set. The crowd are respectful at the quiet moments becoming more raucous as the night progressed. ‘Living Proof’ and ‘Lived in Bars’ are deftly performed showcasing the band’s restraint and swaying grooves. ‘Could We’ follows with a more insistent groove when played live (and on the re-recorded Re-dux EP). The Southern blues swing more at the forefront on this song. ‘Empty Shell’ and ‘Where is my love’ are weepily gorgeous and wounded songs reflecting Chan’s experiences at the time she was recording The Greatest. ‘After it all’ recalls Cowboy Junkies/Townes Van Zandt. When we come to the last song on the album ‘Love and Communication’ Chan opens it by saying we’ve come to the end and “Look at us now, We are vibrating”. Album shows can sometimes feel like a tired rehash of past glories but tonight we’ve been able to celebrate one of Cat Power’s finest albums and felt moved by the music throughout.
When Chan leaves the stage for a few minutes the band keep us entertained before she returns to play an assortment of covers and her own material from other albums. They introduce ‘Nothing Compares 2U’ by mentioning people who have recently passed away including Marianne Faithful. Chan makes this oft covered song her own both sad and sweet. One of the highlights of the second part of the set was ‘It wasn’t God who made Honky Tonk angels’ with a dedication to “all of the bad girls out there” prompting a joyful response from the crowd and Chan saying how there is “nothing like a woman laughing”. The band play the Kitty Wells cover full of sawdust, attitude and fun like it is meant to be heard. Before the band start the next song ‘Manhattan’ Chan prowls the stage imploring the crowd to “Jump Around, Jump up jump up and get down” mixing it with ‘Shattered’ by the Rolling Stones. ‘Manhattan’ is an extended exploration, building slowly and showcasing Chan’s ability to explore a variety of musical styles. It is a reminder that Cat Power have made so much wonderful music that when the concert is over you go home to immerse yourself in her vision again.
‘Try Me’ is Cat Power’s James Brown cover and is as effortless and lovely as you’d expect it to be. ‘I’ll be seeing you’ has Chan singing sections of the song using various vocal phrasing and styles. The band is introduced and applauded as they have along with Chan been wonderful tonight. There is a loose version of ‘Baby, Please Don’t Go’ as Chan tells us that it is an honor and a blessing to be here. She reminds us to be kind and gentle to yourself something which we could all take to heart. Chan says she is so happy to be alive and finishes with a short a cappella song ushering us out in the night feeling grateful to have been able to share this time with Cat Power in the beautiful Roundhouse.
Reviewed by Jason McDonald Instagram Blue Sky
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