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Photos: Abby Steward
Brandi Carlile’s concert last semester at Portland’s Crystal Ballroom was widely attended by an audience of a variety of ages, yet there was one audience member who stood out. An old woman sat in her wheelchair, right in front of the stage.
A friend of mine turned to me and said “See, that’s what I want to be like when I’m older. Still going to shows in the front row.”
The audience member was soon revealed to be Brandi Carlile’s own grandmother who was excited to be attending the band’s final performance on their 2012 tour. For Carlile, even the concert was a family affair, as she welcomed her grandmother and dedicated a cover of Leonard Cohen’s timeless song “Hallelujah” to her new wife, Catherine. There was a general feeling of community and local pride at the show. Carlile even dedicated the band’s performance of one of their most famous songs, “The Story,” to “our neighbors here in Portland.” The show was comprised of Northwest bands, such as the opener, Portland’s Blitzen Trapper, and Carlile’s band, who hail from Seattle.
Watching Carlile’s band perform together it becomes clear that though the band bears her name, their music is a purely collaborative affair. The band demonstrated their recording process for their latest album, Bear Creek, as they performed the song “Caroline,” with the whole band crowding around a few microphones. The show also highlighted the talents of individual members of the band, with cello and violin intros to a few of the band’s more well-known songs, such as the “Before it Breaks.” Carlile’s voice is unforgettable, with the ability to go from country soul to a rock-and-roll wail and back again, especially in songs like “The Story.” To back up Carlile’s vocals the band includes brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth, who add to the performance with their rich harmonies.
The setlist included many of the band’s fan favorites, such as “Dying Day,” and “Again Today,” as well as a selection of covers. I was also glad to hear the band play one of my favorite heartbreak songs “Hiding my Heart.” Though many know this song as it was performed by Adele Adkins in a bonus track on her album 21, Carlile, who recorded the original, and Tim Hanseroth, who wrote the song, keep its emotions strong with their powerful vocals. Blitzen Trapper’s lead singer, Eric Earley, was invited back onstage to perform a duet, a cover of John Prine’s adorably inappropriate love song “In Spite of Ourselves.” There were other covers as well, such as Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene,” complete with a foot-stomping fiddle solo. While these numbers kept the band’s classic folk spirit alive, the band proved they were unafraid to break out of the boundaries of the folk genre with a soulful cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.”
With this final performance of their 2012 tour, the band once again proved that their music transcends the boundaries of genre. Though they may all too often be classified as a folk band, they’ve got soul and they can rock. Don’t miss a chance to see them live and in action.
-Abby Steward