Concert #637 - Julie Christensen at McCabe's Guitar Shop (May 13, 2012)

This was my fourth encounter with Julie Christensen, yet only the first time to see her in a headlining role. I first heard of Julie in 1992, when she opened for Luka Bloom at the Variety Theater in Downtown Los Angeles. Twenty years later, I have no recollection at all about her set, nor do I remember what her contribution was to the otherwise unforgettable "Shock and Awe" mega-concert dedicated to Randy Newman's music that took place in 2004 at UCLA's Royce Hall. In sharp contrast with these memory slip-ups, I will never ever forget her monumental rendition of Leonard Cohen's "Anthem", which she sang with Perla Batalla in 2007, also at UCLA. That night I made a huge mental note to catch Julie again sometime in the future and last Sunday at McCabe's I finally had my chance. Sitting in the front row, I was wondering whether she would impact me once again as forcefully as she did in 2007.

Julie did not disappoint. She was in excellent vocal form and the songs were great, too, so I enjoyed her show from start to finish. The set list was based primarily on her newly-released album titled "Weeds Like Us", which I promptly bought after the show.

One of the two set lists placed on the stage floor

Another set list (note the slightly different song sequence)

The crowd was definitely thin, but that was to be expected on a Mother's Day Sunday night. Well, whoever wasn't there missed a great show that featured not only a classy vocalist, but also a top-notch band. Multi-multi-multi-instrumentalist Jeff Turmes played four different stringed instruments (banjo, electric bass, acoustic and electric guitars) and I had a lot of fun following his intricate bass lines. Rick Shea's electric guitar accompaniment was exceptionally good and so was Steve Mugalian's gentle drumming. There were no flashy solos, as Jeff, Rick and Steve played together like a true band whose sole mission was to support Julie's songs and voice.

The only song I knew the whole night also happened to be one of the finest songs of the entire concert. I'm talking about "Weeds Like Us", a number written by Jeff Turmes and previously recorded by Janiva Magness, Jeff's ex-wife. Attending a concert with mostly new songs could be a drag, but that wasn't the case at all last Sunday. The songs I liked the most were "Restless", "Slot Machine"and "Slow Motion Trouble".

The album I bought after the show

Throughout the show, Julie appeared to be happy to be performing for us. Her stage banter was not excessive and her warm and friendly demeanor gave the whole show a very intimate feel. And the sound was stellar, as usual.

Julie Christensen at McCabe's

Jeff Turmes chatting with a fan

The show was opened by Cindy Lee Berryhill. Her set consisted of nothing but her own compositions, there were a few good ones among them, but the show would have benefited from a cover song or two. Cindy Lee came out with Renata Bratt on cello and Randy Hoffman on glockenspiel and percussion - they sounded well together. The song I liked the best was "The Adventurist".

Cindy Lee Berryhill at McCabe's

Cindy Lee Berryhill's set list

Julie Christensen fan Peter Case (right)

Julie Christensen and Jeff Turmes reporting to work

 After last Sunday's concert, Julie remains solidly on my "Must See Again" list and until I see her again, I'll keep dreaming about an encore performance of "Anthem", with guest artist Perla Batalla, who else?

Concert #432 - Perla Batalla Presents The Gospel Of Leonard Cohen at the Royce Hall (February 24, 2007)

Five years after the show, I still get the goosebumps just thinking about the unbelievable array of performers and the beauty of the music they delivered on February 24, 2007, at UCLA's Royce Hall. Having the opportunity to witness shows like this is one of the perks of living in Los Angeles, never mind the earthquakes, floods, fires, smog, traffic and the occasional riot.

LA's own Perla Batalla, Leonard Cohen's longtime backup singer, acted as the evening's MC. It was my introduction to a singer whose great voice and confident stage presence gave her instant musical credibility in my eyes.

Musicians kept coming and going, yet one thing remained constant: the beauty of Leonard Cohen's music. I knew most of the songs and it was great fun listening to all those different renditions coming from artists whose musical directions had little to do with one another. Here's the set list:

Suzanne - Perla Batalla

Dance Me To The End Of Love - Bill Gable & Perla Batalla

The Land Of Plenty - Howard Tate

Chelsea Hotel No. 2 - Bill Frisell (instrumental)

Ain't No Cure For Love - Julie Christensen

Waiting For The Miracle - Jackson Browne

First We Take Manhattan - Jill Sobule

Coming Back To You - Michael McDonald

Sisters Of Mercy - Martha Gonzalez

Intermission

Tacoma Trailer - Bill Frisell (instrumental)

Bird On The Wire - Perla Batalla

Tower Of Song - Howard Tate

Famous Blue Raincoat - Martha Gonzalez

A Thousand Kisses Deep - Jackson Browne

If It Be Your Will - Julie Christensen

Ballad Of The Absent Mare - Javier Colis / Perla Batalla

El Carnicero (The Butcher ) - Javier Colis

Who By Fire - Jill Sobule

Anthem - Julie Christensen & Perla Batalla

Democrazy - Dave Alvin

Encore

Hallelujah - Michael McDonald & John Adams Middle School Madrigal Singers

Three songs in particular are hard to forget. "The Land Of Plenty", delivered by the great Howard Tate in the true fashion of an old-school soul singer, remains to this day one of the best live moments I have ever witnessed. Just as electrifying was "Anthem", stunningly sung by Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla. Closing the show and thoroughly exciting the crowd, Dave Alvin performed "Democracy" in a style that is hard to describe in words.

Howard Tate

Jill Sobule turned out to be the revelation of the evening - she sang "First We Take Manhattan" and "Who By Fire", and both interpretations were top-notch. Surprisingly, I also liked Michael McDonald, a singer whose vocal style has never been my cup of tea. Particularly good was his rendition of "Hallelujah", performed together with a children's choir.

Jill Sobule

Michael McDonald

Spain's Javier Colis and Southern-Californian Martha Gonzalez added an enjoyable Latin twist to Cohen's music, as both sang their songs in Spanish. Martha also sang in English. Howard Tate's other song of the evening, "Tower Of Song", was another highlight - I absolutely loved his soulful falsettos. I did not know any of the two songs chosen by Jackson Browne, and maybe that is why I was less impressed with those.

Prior to their brilliant pairing on "Anthem", Julie and Perla had their equally great solo moments. I particularly liked Perla's "Bird On A Wire".

Perla Batalla

Julie Christensen

The house band was lead by guitar maestro Bill Frisell. Additional instrumental backup was provided string wizard Greg Leisz, percussionist Debra Dobkin, drummer Don Heffington, bassists Kevin McCormick and Don Was, pianist Karen Hammack, among others.

Bill Frisell

My secret hope of having Leonard Cohen himself make an unannounced appearance did not materialize, but even so, it was an unforgettable evening.

UCLA's Royce Hall