Natalie Merchant Creates "Uplifting Show" with "Cheerful Vibes" and "Tender, Intimate Voice," Says Chicago Tribune

Browse by:
Year
Browse by:
Publish date (field_publish_date)
Submitted by nonesuch on
Article Type
Publish date
Excerpt

Natalie Merchant brought her Leave Your Sleep tour to the Chicago Theatre for what the Chicago Tribune calls an "uplifting show," in which Merchant's "multimedia presentation enchanted with childlike wonder and wide-eyed imagination." The Tribune cites her "refreshing enthusiasm and approachable demeanor" and, most important, her "tender, intimate voice."

Copy

Natalie Merchant's US tour, featuring music from her recent Nonesuch debut album, Leave Your Sleep, has made its way to the Midwest, where Merchant and her eight-piece band performed songs from the new album and favorites from earlier solo albums and 10,000 Maniacs at the Chicago Theatre last night. The Chicago Tribune says it was an "uplifting show," in which Merchant's "multimedia presentation enchanted with childlike wonder and wide-eyed imagination."

Reviewing the concert for the Tribune, Bob Gendron further describes that multimedia presentation, in which Merchant introduces the audience to the poets whose words she set to music to create the songs of Leave Your Sleep, as part of a joyful exchange with the receptive audience. "Merchant's refreshing enthusiasm and approachable demeanor carried over to her informed introductions of poets ranging from the familiar (e.e. cummings) to the obscure (Arthur Macy)," he writes. "Yet the folk-based music—and Merchant's tender, intimate voice—did the heavy lifting."

For further evidence of "the evening's cheerful vibes" and that of the songs on the new album, Gendron cites the singer-songwriter herself: "'Who said poetry isn't fun?,' asked Merchant, having seemingly stumbled across a secret that's eluded English teachers for decades."

Read the complete concert review at chicagotribune.com.

Merchant continues to perform in the Midwest into next week, before she heads to the UK for a set at the Cambridge Folk Festival. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

To pick up a copy of Leave Your Sleep on CD with the complete album included as high-quality MP3s at checkout, head to the Nonesuch Store.

featuredimage
Natalie Merchant 2010 sq (Mark Seliger)
  • Friday, July 23, 2010
    Natalie Merchant Creates "Uplifting Show" with "Cheerful Vibes" and "Tender, Intimate Voice," Says Chicago Tribune
    Mark Seliger

    Natalie Merchant's US tour, featuring music from her recent Nonesuch debut album, Leave Your Sleep, has made its way to the Midwest, where Merchant and her eight-piece band performed songs from the new album and favorites from earlier solo albums and 10,000 Maniacs at the Chicago Theatre last night. The Chicago Tribune says it was an "uplifting show," in which Merchant's "multimedia presentation enchanted with childlike wonder and wide-eyed imagination."

    Reviewing the concert for the Tribune, Bob Gendron further describes that multimedia presentation, in which Merchant introduces the audience to the poets whose words she set to music to create the songs of Leave Your Sleep, as part of a joyful exchange with the receptive audience. "Merchant's refreshing enthusiasm and approachable demeanor carried over to her informed introductions of poets ranging from the familiar (e.e. cummings) to the obscure (Arthur Macy)," he writes. "Yet the folk-based music—and Merchant's tender, intimate voice—did the heavy lifting."

    For further evidence of "the evening's cheerful vibes" and that of the songs on the new album, Gendron cites the singer-songwriter herself: "'Who said poetry isn't fun?,' asked Merchant, having seemingly stumbled across a secret that's eluded English teachers for decades."

    Read the complete concert review at chicagotribune.com.

    Merchant continues to perform in the Midwest into next week, before she heads to the UK for a set at the Cambridge Folk Festival. For more information, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.

    To pick up a copy of Leave Your Sleep on CD with the complete album included as high-quality MP3s at checkout, head to the Nonesuch Store.

    Journal Articles:On TourReviews

Enjoy This Post?

Get weekly updates right in your inbox.
terms

X By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Thank you!
x

Welcome to Nonesuch's mailing list!

Customize your notifications for tour dates near your hometown, birthday wishes, or special discounts in our online store!
terms

By submitting my information, I agree to receive personalized updates and marketing messages about Nonesuch based on my information, interests, activities, website visits and device data and in accordance with the Privacy Policy. I understand that I can opt-out at any time by emailing privacypolicy@wmg.com.

Related Posts

  • Friday, March 22, 2024
    Friday, March 22, 2024

    The Big Ears Festival is in Knoxville, TN, with performances by Sam Amidon, Laurie Anderson, Darcy James Argue’s Secret Society, Rhiannon Giddens, Mary Halvorson, Robin Holcomb, Wayne Horvitz, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Kronos Quartet, Brad Mehldau, Ringdown, Davóne Tines, Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway, and Yasmin Williams; conversations with many of the above; and an exhibit of Nonesuch artist photos by Michael Wilson. Beyond Big Ears, John Adams conducts LA Phil in Timo Andres's new concerto and his own City Noir at Disney Hall, where SF Symphony performs his Naive and Sentimental Music. Richard Goode plays Beethoven in Michigan. Tigran Hamasyan tours California. Emmylou Harris is in Pennsylvania and Boston, where The Magnetic Fields start their 69 Love Songs anniversary tour. Mandy Patinkin is in Portland, OR. Sarah Kirkland Snider’s Mass for the Endangered is performed on Prince Edward Island.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events
  • Friday, March 15, 2024
    Friday, March 15, 2024

    Rhiannon Giddens plays a sold-out show at the Beacon Theatre in NYC, where Nathalie Joachim has sold out Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing. The Black Keys play a set at Stubb's in Austin for SXSW. Tigran Hamasyan and his trio are in Boston and Chicago. Hurray for the Riff Raff has a sold-out show in St. Paul. Brad Mehldau plays solo in Europe—in Geneva, Rome, and Verona. Mandy Patinkin is in San Antonio. Cécile McLorin Salvant performs Ogresse conducted by Darcy James Argue in Luxembourg and Brussels.

    Journal Topics: On TourWeekend Events