Mary Lou Lord and Beatnik 2000 at Cafe 9

Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Two nights at Cafe 9: Mary Lou Lord, Shellye Valauskas, Frank Critelli, Paul Belbusti, Jack Harlan

I spent both Sunday and Monday nights at Cafe 9. I don't know if it was some kind of synchronicity, planning or fortune that put Mary Lou Lord and Frank Critelli in the same room back to back, but it worked out pretty well. I've known Frank's work for years, but this was really the first time I'd listened to Mary Lou Lord. I was struck by certain similarities. Their guitar style, for one. I don't know if it comes from playing the same subway lines in Cambridge or learning the same songs from the same people, but there are certain solo acoustic tricks that they both employ. They also play some of the same songs. I think, mostly, though, it was just a similar sensibility or approach to the music and the performance. I guess it's that interpretive troubador thing. They're willing to play anywhere but they never come at it half-assed. They strip the songs down to the essential elements, just guitar and voice, and they tell the stories that mean something to them. When playing covers, they find the emotional core and relate it in a very personal way. Frank admitted that all he ever wanted was to write a classic singalong. I think this is key to appreciating his work and it gives insight into someone like Mary Lou, who plays mostly covers. Playing songs that other people know and can sing along to is a very intimate act of communication. Sometimes when we're talking to one another, we can't find the words, but we can sing a song that expresses exactly what we're feeling and that can get to the heart of the matter much more effectively. Listening to Frank and Mary Lou play, it's like you're best friends and you're sharing a joke or a cry.
Shellye Valauskas opened for Mary Lou Lord. I guess she's been around for a while, but I hadn't seen her. It was pretty straightforward female pop-rock stuff. Under other circumstances I probably wouldn't have liked it, but for some reason I was in the mood for it that night. She achieves exactly what she sets out for and doesn't overreach. Nothing special, but competent.
Paul played well, as ever. People really liked the acoustic Tiger Fight. I really liked the song he did on ukelele. It probably sounded a capella to the people in back, but it wouldn't be any worse for it. I'm thinking now of what the major difference between Paul and Frank might be. I guess it's a kind of egolessness in Frank's work; whereas Paul's is more individualistic. Which is not to say that Frank doesn't have a distincitive sound. It's more of a philosophical statement.
Jack Harlan is from British Columbia. I'm not sure what delusion brought him to Cafe 9, but I'm glad it happened. He sounds a bit like Springsteen minus the bullshit. Good stuff.

Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldangelmidnight/sets/72057594071089740
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldangelmidnight/sets/72057594072295474

Band sites:
http://www.myspace.com/maryloulord
http://www.shellye.net
http://www.myspace.com/frankcritelli
http://www.myspace.com/paulbelbusti
http://www.jackharlan.com