As soon as you hear the name Gill Landry, the phrase that follows is always 'from Old Crow Medicine Show'. Well, I haven't really followed OCMS, (despite their recent award for best folk album) so that reference was lost on me but listened to his record (just released two days ago) to get a feel for him before the show.

(You might be like The Bellboy and say I just like everyone, but that's not true - it takes more than a hat and guitar to draw me in - it's always about the words, babe.)

He's plaintive and scrutinizing, clearly examining love, but without the raw agony and anger. Plus he has a great Mary song.

From his website:

Landry says, "I tried not to come at this one from the point of how things could or should have been, or should be, but rather searched for sweet understanding and surrender to what is or was, and moving forward with compassion and kindness without harsh judgment to the reasons for this crime or that misstep." http://www.gilllandrymusic.com/bio.html

From PortCityDaily.com:

“You know, you grow as a person, hopefully. Ideally, you do. And I feel like the tenderness comes with time,” Landry said of his softened perspective. “These days, I feel like a lot of us break our own hearts more than anyone else does. I sort of don’t know who’s to blame anymore for anything.” http://portcitydaily.com/2015/02/20/gill-landry/

Insightful. The record has been playing in my office for 3 days now - the music is beautiful, the poetry of it draws me in with universal understanding, and remarkably, it doesn't activate my bitterness.

...after all these crooked miles/with a sorrow deep and wide/We're here for just a while/I'll see you on the other side.../...We'll walk alone/We'll talk of things that never die/with your filthy hand in mine/cold as a stone/waiting for our love to take us home.

I did my homework and I was ready to see him.

Remember rule #1: Always show up for the opener. I don't know why people don't get it - but if they weren't there early, they missed out. Gill Landry is the real thing and everyone that saw him knew it. The Swyer Theater was a listening room - silent, except for the clapping. Maybe that's disconcerting to a performer, as he commented on it a few times during his set. Believe me Gill, the silence is much better than the alternative - how many shows here have been affected by ridiculous banterers? Nobody wants to hear about your kid, your dinner, your babysitter (Where you at that show too?)

In today's sx news, I see he'll be playing on the 18th...that completely changes my plan. I think I'll be throwing off Delta Spirit to see him again - then on to Eric Hisaw. Gotta enjoy the rarities.