|
|
   |
Tweet this article !
If anyone were to ask me the best time to come to Nashville, I would have to say "come to Tin Pan South." This awesome week long event which is produced by The Nashville Songwriters Association really captures what our town is all about. This year, Tin Pan South celebrates it's 20th anniversary with performances by over 350 artists at some of Nashville's finest songwriter venues.
To cover the width and breadth of Tin Pan South 2012, would be a mighty task, but the 6pm show at Third and Lindsley on Wednesday, March 28th was certainly a highlight of legendary proportions, with appearances by three extraordinary songwriters whose performances of some of their greatest hits provoked waves of nostalgia. Not only did Felix Cavaliere, Jack Tempchin and Jimmy Webb enthrall the packed house with songs dating back to the 60s, the three fellows together give us a show that offered a wonderful contrast in styles and artistic temperaments.
At 70 years old, Cavaliere sat down at his Korg and rocked out like a manic 17 year-old with such memory inspiring songs as "It's A Beautiful Morning," "Groovin', " "What You Tryin' to Do to My Heart" and "How Can I Be Sure," closing with a great new song called "Let Love Rule the World," which once again recalled the spirit and soul of our hippie youths.
Cavaliere was followed by Tempchin, who with his guitar and sweet harmonica, gave a performance more like the folks singers of my youth such as Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. I was less familiar with his songs until he got to "Peaceful, Easy Feeling," which had the crowd in the palm of his hand. In addition to his songs, Tempchin is also a great story-teller who gave us the backstories of his songs and how they came to be written - the kind of experience that will change forever the way you listen to those songs in the future.
In contrast to the other two artists, Jimmy Webb sat down at the grand piano and served up a performance that was more classical in tone. Like Tempchin, Webb also shared history with us, including the story of how he became drawn to songwriting after hearing Glen Campbell sing "Turn Around, Look at Me." According to Webb, he then went home and prayed that the Lord would let him write a song nearly as beautiful - and that Glen Campbell would record it. To which, Webb says, the Lord replied "No problem." Then Webb sang "Wichita Lineman." And, of course, he closed with his own rendition of MacArthur Park, which was unlike any version of the song that I had ever heard.
As a child of the 60s now pushing 60 myself, I have in recent times found myself reflecting heavily on the songs that shaped my youth and guided my soul as we were growing up during an era that truly transformed the world. An evening with Messrs Cavliere, Tempchin and Webb just reinforced my conviction that the songs of that time are just as powerful today as they were then. Though the audience was largely made up of fans from "back in the day," I was most delighted to watch some of the 20-somethings in the crowd, and to see them singing along with everyone else.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
|
|
