Kathleen Edwards @ City Winery, NY

. : : January 31st, 2013 : : .

There’s something to be said about wineries.

Not content to merely be fancified drinking holes, North American wineries have diversified into premiere hot spots of arts and culture.

It is hardly any wonder that musicians, perhaps some of the greatest patrons of potent potables, seem to flock to them like moths to lamplight.

As a sober person, I can see and appreciate the appeal as an outsider. It extends the relaxation and social aspects of concert-going throughout the afternoon. Or, if you’re there for the booze, you get to top your day off with a musical performance.

Because it’s not their primary purpose, these wineries are often smaller, intimate venues. The wine barrels give them warm, rustic ambiance. All-in-all, pretty great places for artist and fan to see a show.

City Winery is a chain of wineries throughout the US, and although I can’t claim to have visited one, “Keith from NY”‘s recording of Kathleen Edwards performing there in 2013 makes a strong case.

The recording is a great sounding trio show, with Kathleen flanked by mainstays Jim Bryson and Gord Tough towards the end of the Voyageur tour cycle (but before the summer festival circuit, and Kathleen’s following semi-retirement shortly thereafter).

Its set list is remarkable for some rare, unusual arrangements of songs like Goodnight, California and Going To Hell without bass and drums to hold up the rhythm section. It was also on this stretch of the tour the band began the unpredictable Nirvana cover, All Apologies.

If that wasn’t enough to entice you, it was also one of those informal feeling shows where Kathleen interacts with the audience between (and even during!) songs with her unmistakable wit, bold candor, and foul-mouthed story-telling.

If you’re still not won over, this is one of (if not THE) best sounding audience recordings of Kathleen Edwards I’ve come across yet. So don’t delay any further: help me celebrate Kathleen Edwards’ Total Freedom month and give this tape a spin.

Thanks to Keith from NY for a fantastic tape!

1. Asking For Flowers
2. Chameleon/Comedian
3. I Make The Dough, You Get The Glory
4. House Full of Empty Rooms
5. Goodnight, California
6. [banter]
7. Going to Hell
8. Six O’Clock News
9. [banter]
10. Mint
11. [banter]
12. Sure As Shit
13. All Apologies [Nirvana]
14. Empty Threat
15. [banter]
16. Back to Me
17. [banter]
18. Change the Sheets
19. A Soft Place to Land
20. In State
21. [banter]
22. Hockey Skates
23. Sidecar [unplugged]

[ info.txt // flac fingerprint ]

• Kathleen Edwards.com
• Kathleen Edwards @ Spotify
• City Winery