Image Credit: Eugene Gologursky/WireImage.com“I’ve got this problem,” confessed Aussie soul man Daniel Merriweather last night at New York’s Webster Hall. “I’ve got to make rent this month. So I’ll be selling CDs in back after this. Yeah, It’s come to that.” He was joking. I think. Merriweather’s far from a struggling artist. Signed to Mark Ronson‘s Allido Records, he’s a big deal in the U.K., but has yet to experience matching success in the States. Just before the show Daniel causally smoked a cigarette with friends in front of the venue. Few that came to see Corinne Bailey Rae, who he was opening for, recognized him.
The brief performance that followed, however, was one to remember. In a denim shirt, black tee, and matching pants, Merriweather started off with “Getting Out,” the heavy mid-tempo cut from his 2009 debut set Love & War. With his guitarist and piano man in tow, he followed with a stellar cover of Paul McCartney’s “Maybe I’m Amazed” and closed with his latest single, “Red.”
“Like I said,” Merriweather repeated before thanking Rae for the tour invite and leaving the stage. “I’m selling CDs. I’m broke. Go buy it.” I’m pretty sure Merriweather will make rent this month.
Next came Bailey Rae. In her gold sequined dress, she began with a white guitar singing her airy ballad “Are You Here.” She had three additional guitarists, a drummer, and a keyboardist backing her. Bailey Rae continued with “Like a Star.” Her set felt intimate. With 1,400 fans inside, Webster Hall was filled to capacity, but more than a few couples found space to slow dance, and a few others used her mood music to make out.
“I want to play you one of my favorite songs,” Bailey Rae said as she dropped her guitar. The keyboard’s chords turned organ-like, kicking off a reggae rendition of “I Only Have Eyes For You.” She shook a tambourine for her 2006 hit “Put Your Records On” and returned to the guitar on “Seasons Change.” Her soothing English pipes never fluttered or faltered during her 90 minutes on stage. Before floating off to the next city, Bailey Rae performed the title track of her latest album, “The Sea.” “She’s like an angel up there,” said one woman to her friends. Agreed.
Have you seen Corinne Bailey Rae perform? What’s the best show you’ve seen this year? Let us know.
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Great to see the fantastic Merriweather getting a little U.S press. Love his cd, especially Water & a Flame (with Adele), Red and Impossible.
Water and a Flame is great! I agree
corinne is awesome live performer .. can’t wait 2 see her on the lilith fair tour
His cd is fantastic. Wish American audiences would embrace him.
As a reader I am once again pulled into your vivid depiction of what you see, touch, hear and feel, as you so elegantly describe a concert of one of my favorite artist I am able to picture myself there.. My favorite part of the article follows, I found this charming and endearing ” Her set felt intimate. With 1,400 fans inside, Webster Hall was filled to capacity, but more than a few couples found space to slow dance, and a few others used her mood music to make out.” Kudos BW keep up the good work so I can keep reading
I was at the show and they were both amazing. I had no idea who Daniel was, but I do now and I will be going to get his CD asap. His vocals are amazing. You never know when you go to a live show what to expect and Corinne did not disapppoint. Her vocals are strong and if anything she sounds better live than on the CD – a rare feat indeed. She put on one heck of a show, and I will def go back to see her again – soon. Was well worth it to stand up for 4 hours straight.
I wish that I could attend this concert as The Sea and Love and War have been on constant rotation for the last two months. It’s a shame Daniel’s album is not getting much notice here in the States. People are really missing out on a solid album.
I saw Daniel & Corinne in Philly this past weekend. It was an amazing treat to say the least. I spoke with Corinne’s guitarist and drummer outside after the show and told them how amazing they all were.
Though I have had Daniel’s album for a while, the vendor said he had sold out at their last venue, which is fabulous. Mark Ronson is responsible for introducing be to Mr. Merriweather. As someone else mentioned, both of these CD’s stay in rotation in my car. I am going to get to see Daniel again this weekend in NYC!!! Great article EW!!
From videos on youtube it appears that Daniel Merriweather performed more than 3 songs at Webster Hall, and a harmonica player named Bad News Brown joined him for at least three of them. But it wasn’t mentioned in the article??