[FM] Re: Rose Polenzani/Indigo Girls/Spearhead in Philadelphia

[David S. Broida]

Dear F_M Folks,

At the Indigo Girls concert at the Mann Music Center in Philadelphia Friday
nite, Rose Polenzani opened the show.  I was gonna say that the Indigos
closed Rose's show, but that won't work here, because in a gracious act of
generosity, the Girls invited Rose to come out for an encore at the end of
the show.  Rose played guitar and sang, and Amy and Emily sang backup
vocals.

Rose's set was great, but the audience was just trickling in as she played
her set.  Still, a few thousand folks got to hear her lovely voice and
compelling songs (didn't play "Dragersville"/did play songs off the new
album).

The other opening act, Spearhead, seems like a combination of rap & reggae &
rock, yet it's not ska.  Spearhead (the guy?  the group?) also came out for
an encore, "Midnight Train to Georgia", with a sax, Rose, Amy and Emily, et
al.  It made me want to hear a night of Gladys Knight, Ruth Brown, etc.
That song crowned the evening for me.

I can't close without noting the number of instruments Amy and Emily play.
They've got more acoustics, electrics, banjos, mandolins, etc., than Sam
Ash.  They're versatile and diverse, the last being the theme of the
evening - it's a diverse world - let's make each other feel comfortable and
included.

And last - sitting up close at the Mann is a treat - you get to see the
performers and watch the show.  But the sound - a little out of hand with
the electric instruments.  Coulda used some cotton.  I know the sound is
better out on the lawn - been there, too.  Oh well, you can't have
everything.

And really last - coming to Philly this summer - WXPN Singer/Songwriter
Weekend in July with Mary Chapin Carpenter, Steve Forbert, Jimmie Dale
Gilmore, etc., and coming to the Philadelphia Folk Festival in August - John
Gorka, Patty Larkin,  and others.  And coming to Philadelphia Museum of Art
in August - Patty Larkin and others.  Web sites---------.

Be well, and happy summer!

David Broida