Before songs are worked over by producers, before various gimmicks and tricks are layered onto them, there is usually a songwriter and a guitar. At its core, this is music. Even in a massive arena rock and pop show there is usually an acoustic set, and it is often one of the best parts of the show. To do an entire show stripped down in this manner takes a level of artistry and talent that is lacking in much of today’s music. It takes an artist of Melissa Etheridge’s caliber to pull it off, and on her This Is M.E. Solo tour that came to the Jubilee Auditorium September 2nd, she did just that.
If you are or have been a fan of Melissa Etheridge throughout her career and you missed this show, you should kick yourself. With an attendance of less than 1000 people there were far too many empty seats for a show that should have packed the theatre. The moment the lights went down and Etheridge began strumming from offstage, walking into a loud ovation and performing Bring Me Some Water, it was evident that the audience was in for a special experience.
As promised, the show was just Etheridge along with a dozen guitars, a piano, and a looping machine. Every sound on stage was created live. "It’s magic" she joked about the looping machine, which at one point she restarted after not quite getting it right. "That will drive me nuts."
Etheridge is engaging; the show felt more like a jam in a coffee shop than one of the top female performers of the last few decades performing live. She launched into long guitar solos and moved back and fourth on the stage, making sure everyone had the chance to really see the magic she was creating on the various guitars she was working with.
She commented on loving Canadians, "you are unique people – I have been here in February," and updated the audience on her teenage kids. "Now that they have really listened to my songs they are like you are kind of a stalker, mom. Um, yeah!"
The set spanned her career: from her self-titled 1988 debut to 2012’s 4th Street Feeling; she also included two new tracks from her upcoming release This Is M.E. It is her first independent album and, in a clever marketing twist, they sold a pre-order download with an autographed poster in the lobby after the show.
Melissa Etheridge is a one-of-a-kind performer – the kind of performer that can still captivate an audience for two hours without stunts, effects, or even a band. It was a memorable evening to say the least.
Alberta singer-songwriter Joe Nolan’s 30-minute opening set was the perfect accompaniment to Etheridge. The talented singer performed songs off his debut album Goodbye Cinderella, and seemed humbled to be performing on the Jubilee stage that he undoubtedly has seen many shows on himself. It was great to see Calgary’s Russel Broom, who spent many years touring with Jann Arden, back on the Jubilee stage as well. Both men received a respectful response from the audience. Serena Ryder was the opener for Etheridge the last time she came to Calgary and has gone on to great success. The talented Nolan deserves a similar opportunity.