Here's a brief concert review, written in Q&A style:
Q: Have you seen Syd Straw before?
A: Yes. Eight times. Three times in a headlining role, five times as someone's guest.
Q: When did you first see her?
A: Exactly ten years ago, also at McCabe's. She blew me away then, been a fan ever since.
Q: Was last night's show sold out?
A: It looked like a sellout. Maybe a couple of empty seats in the back.
Q: Was there an opening act?
A: No.
Q: Your overall impression?
A: Very favorable. It was a highly entertaining show, without a single minute of boredom.
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| Syd Straw at McCabe's |
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| Syd Straw and Willie Aron at McCabe's |
A: Never better. I was amazed by the expressiveness and precision of her voice.
Q: Were her songs easy to sing?
A: Not at all. Most of her song require great vocal skills and Syd delivered flawlessly.
Q: Compared to ten years ago, did she sound better or worse?
A: Definitely better. Syd is one of those vocalists who just keep getting better with age.
Q: Syd is known for bringing unannounced guests along. Were there any last night?
A: Three guests: Dave Alvin, Cindy Lee Berryhill and Mark Boone, Jr.
Q: Was that Mark Boone, the actor?
A: Yes. He played guitar on "You Had Your Chance", a song he wrote with Syd for the late Vic Chesnutt.
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| Syd Straw and Mark Boone, Jr. at McCabe's |
A: Well, Dave Alvin was Dave Alvin. Great voice, fantastic guitar playing, good humor.
Q: Did Dave play acoustic or electric?
A: Electric, and it was great.
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| Syd Straw & Dave Alvin at McCabe's |
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| Syd Straw & Dave Alvin at McCabe's |
A: I wouldn't say that she went overboard, but there was a lot of talk, that's for sure.
Q: Was she funny?
A: Yes. She is a genuinely funny lady, capable of putting a humorous spin even on tragic events.
Q: Did she perform solo?
A: Except for the two opening songs, Syd played with a band.
Q: Who were the band members?
A: - Robert Lloyd (mandolin, piano, banjo, accordion) (well-known session player)
- Willie Aron (electric & acoustic guitar, backup vocals) (session player)
- Ed Marshall (ukulele)
Q: How was the band?
A: The band was great. No flashy solos, but one could tell that all musicians were top-notch.
Q: Who's Severo, the bass player?
A: He is a member of the Smithereens.
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| Severo Jornacion |
A: He plays with the Ooks of Hazzard.
Q: Any interaction between Syd and the band?
A: Lots of humorous interaction, with Willie Aron in particular laughing his head off.
Q: How was Cindy Lee?
A: She was quite good. Much better than the first time I saw her last year.
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| Cindy Lee Berryhill, with son Alexander, at McCabe's |
A: Most songs came from "Pink Velour", her most recent CD. The ones I remember are "Marry Me", "About To Forget", "My Ship Comes In", "Pink Velour" and "Unraveling".
Q: Did Syd sing any of her "oldies"?
A: Yes, she sang "Golden Dreams" and "Love, And The Lack Of It".
Q: Did she also do "CBGB's"?
A: Sadly, the answer is no.
Q: Any cover songs?
A: A few. Among them, Warren Zevon's "Mutineer".
Q: The show highlights?
A: Syd's voice. Also Syd and Dave Alvin together.
Q: What did she sing with Dave Alvin?
A: They sang three songs together. The first one was "Why Not Me", from the repertoire of the Judds.
Q: The second one?
A: The second song was a powerful rendition of "The Stranger I Live With", an outstanding Syd Straw composition that appears on "Pink Velour".
Q: And the third one?
A: The third one was "What Am I Worth", the George Jones classic, recorded two decades ago by Dave and Syd for Dave's "King Of California" album.
Q: Would you want to see Syd Straw again?
A: Absolutely. In a heartbeat.
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| Syd Straw's informal set list |
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| "Why Not Me" (Dave Alvin's lyrics sheet) |
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| The stage |
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| Syd Straw's guitar |
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| Concert poster |
