Concert Review
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Shawn Colvin
Riviera Theatre
North Tonawanda, NY
Friday October 18, 2013
Photos: Joseph Suto
Review: Dave Leary
The historic Riviera Theatre was host to a memorable night of music and stories last Friday night. Mary Chapin Carpenter and Shawn Colvin are nearing the end of their tour together, which began nearly 18 months ago. The two Grammy winners have been friends for nearly 30 years. This was evident from the start, as they walked on stage hand in hand to great applause.
The artists mixed in covers (Donovan, The Beatles, Tom Waits) with their own songs throughout the show. Their voices blended perfectly as each provided harmony for the other (though Colvin did sing a verse of Carpenter’s “The Hard Way.”)
The banter between songs provided much laughter with Carpenter telling a story about a grocery store cashier who said his grandmother was a big fan, and the two giving rules for “the singer-songwriter handbook” (including songs about leaving your hometown, coming back to that same town and the line ‘the rain came a tumblin’ down.)
Carpenter and Colvin each released albums in 2012. Introducing the title track from “Ashes and Roses”, Carpenter talked about the events that inspired it. The death of her father, a divorce and illness each could have warranted an album on their own, she said.
My only quibble with the show was the cover songs. While beautifully sung and performed, both artists have many albums of material to draw from. I would have liked to hear “Stones in the Road” from Carpenter (which a man in the audience yelled out during the encore, to no avail) It was a wonderful night of music in a perfect venue.
Set List
Catch the Wind (Duet with Shawn Colvin)
Fill Me Up (Shawn Colvin)
This Shirt (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
One Cool Remove (Duet)
Shotgun Down the Avalanche (Shawn Colvin)
I Have A Need For Solitude (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Hold On (Shawn Colvin)
He Thinks He’ll Keep Her (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
That Don’t Worry Me Now (Shawn Colvin)
Transcendental Reunion (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Someday (Steve Earle cover ) (Duet)
Four Seasons In One Day (Duet)
Quitting Time (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Round of Blues (Shawn Colvin)
The Hard Way (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
Encore
I’ll Be Back (Duet)
Sunny Came Home (Shawn Colvin)
I Feel Lucky (Mary Chapin Carpenter)
That’s The Way Love Goes (Duet)
