Melissa Etheridge rocked the The Music Center at Strathmore last night for over two and a half hours. Her fans packed the venue leaving very few empty seats. Etheridge showed her musical talent extended past her songwriting and singing vocals by playing acoustic, electric, six and 12 string guitars, the banjo, the piano, and even played the drums for a moment or too. Though she mainly stuck to rhythm guitar she did play a few tasty guitar solos throughout the evening.
Melissa left no doubt that she loves what she does and that shined through her performance. She spun stories between songs of growing up in Kansas, being stranded in Rochester, offered advice on life, relationships, spoke of her support of Question Six in Maryland, and surviving cancer. She was playful and chatty but delivered a bunch of music and some surprises too.
She opened the show with a new song “Shout Now” from her latest CD 4th Street Feeling which had the crowd rocking. She switched over to banjo for the second song “Falling Up” which was another new one. Then she pulled out one of her hits from the past and performed “I Want You to Come Over.” The familiar songs had extended solos which gave them new life. She played the new songs “Kansas City” and “Fourth Street Feeling.” During “Kansas City,” and then sang a bit of Bruce Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire,” which was a bit of a surprise, but the song did fit her raspy, husky voice.
The show continued with the familiar tunes sprinkled in for her faithful fans, then a new song “Shadow of a Black Crow” which was a well-crafted song. She played her GRAMMY-winning “Come to my Window.” Her creative juices most have been flowing on her new album as she played a funky version of “Be Real,” which was followed by wonderful version of “Sleep While I Drive,” which had fans singing along.
Then it was yet another new song “A Sacred Heart,” followed by “A Disaster” and the beautiful “I Can Wait” from her latest release, and then the touching “I Run for Life.” She returned to her new album for “Rock and Roll Me,” and finished her show with her classic “I’m the Only One” and “Bring Me Some Water” where she tried to play just about every instrument before the song was over.
She capped off the evening with an encore of “Like the Way I Do.” She played a long set and enjoyed every moment of it. Her set was heavy on new material from 4th Street Feeling, an album she is very proud of. Her voice and band sounded great in the wonderful concert hall at the Strathmore.
Running time: Approximately Two hours and 45 minutes.
Melissa Etheridge played one night on November 2, 2012 at The Music Center at Strathmore – 5301 Tuckerman Lane, in North Bethesda, MD. To view their upcoming events, check out their calendar.
LINKS
Melissa’s website.
Listen to clips from Melissa’s new CD 4th Street Feeling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_SEmcFVG-8
