Concert Reviews

Now Here! (updated 04/26/98!)

Carly Simon w/ opener Hall & Oates at Foxwoods Casino, 01/27/96!

Jewel w/ opener David Baerwald at Lowell Memorial Auditorium, 09/12/97!

Dar Williams at Framingham State College, 02/03/98!

10,000 Maniacs w/ opener Jim's Big Ego at Framingham State College, 5/02/98!

Hall & Oates setlist: (see below)

Carly Simon setlist: Lambert's Cove, Jesses, Haven't Got Time for the Pain, De Bat (Fly in Me Face), It Happens Everyday, Legend in Your Own Time, Touched by the Sun, We Have No Secrets, Nobody Does it Better, You Belong to Me, Coming Around Again/Itsy Bitsy Spider
Encore (Carly w/ H&O) setlist: You're So Vain, Everytime You Go Away, Anticipation, Let the River Run

by Aubrey

      Hall & Oates opened up, but I forget exactly what they played. I'm pretty sure they played all their hits (like "Sara Smile" and "I Can't Go for That"). Anyway, they were good. There was good interaction with the crowd, but they couldn't compare to what was to follow.
       Carly Simon was AMAZING! I feel that she is so underrated as a performer, while people with less pure talent and charisma than her are heralded as innovators. Anyway, Carly was in excellent voice, performing note-perfect versions of most of her hits. I would have liked to have heard more rare songs, but I was more than pleased with what was presented. Carly showed her playful side during "De Bat" fighting off rubber bats that descended over the stage. Sure, it soundscorny, but it was cool at the time. The audience was very appreciative (they gave at least three standing ovations). "Let the River Run" was a great way to end the show, getting the crowd pumped up. All in all, it was a great evening with an excellent performer.

by Aubrey     

        The show was opened by a singer-guitarist named David Baerwald. His voice had a Bob Dylan type quality. Unfortunately, his lyrics did not follow suit. With titles like "Boomtown", "Back in Your Arms Again", and "The River's Gonna Rise", Dave's lyrics were a second-rate mixture of Bruce Springsteen and John Mellencamp. His set was average overall with a few highlights, one being his solid guitar playing. The crowd was appreciative, but began to grow antsy by the end of the short 20 minute set.
         After a 25 minute intermission that seemed like an eternity, the reason everyone was there finally emerged. The sold-out crowd of about 3,000 fans went crazy when Jewel stepped out wearing all black, topped with an off-white cowboy hat. The cheering went on through an achingly beautiful "Don't". Jewel quieted the crowd by saying that she couldn't sing because she was trying to hear what everyone was yelling. She finished by saying, "I love you too, but knock it off, okay?" Then she went into a new song called "Perfectly Clear". Her 50 minute solo set included six new songs and five songs off of Pieces of You, the standouts being "Near You Always" and "I'm Sensitive".
        After a new song called "Nothing Without Love", Jewel was joined by her band; Matt Brubeck (cello), John Ginty (piano/keyboard), David Revelli (drums), and Craig Young (bass). They ripped through seven new songs and four songs from Pieces of You. The new songs had a rockier vibe, and while the music was great, the vocals were lost in the mix. The songs would have been even better overall if Jewel's awesome vocal talent was more pronounced. The songs that worked best with the crowd were obviously the hits. "Who Will Save Your Soul?" had a jazzier type flavor, while "You Were Meant For Me" was done in its traditional style, though it followed a crazy story of when it was written. Jewel led the crowd in a short sing-along toward the end of the song with the crowd appreciatively singing the lyrics back to her. The final song with the band was a perfect "Foolish Games".
        Jewel came out a few minutes later for a three song encore. She dedicated "Angel Standing By" to Princess Diana and Mother Teresa. She then sang "Amen", the last track from Pieces of You. The final song of the night was a yodel-driven cover of a country song called "Chime Bells".
        Overall, it was an excellent night with a singer with one of the most beautiful voices of our time.