Nathaniel Rateliff transfixing the living room
Outside everything felt bluntly muffled and icy-silent under the thick blanketing of snow last Thursday, but my snow day ennui was pierced through by the voice of Nathaniel Rateliff, wowing us all in a house concert that was every bit as incredible as I’d been thinking it would be for years.
With just him and his acoustic guitar, Nathaniel held all of us contentedly squirming under the laser of that voice that can slice right through, with such purity and insight.
“Shroud” and “Laughing” are both well-loved songs off In Memory of Loss, his 2010 release on Rounder Records. Nathaniel also recorded a breathtaking chapel session with me earlier that same day, doing three new songs (one on the grand piano), and covering Townes Van Zandt’s “No Place To Fall,” which, oof. That song. Him singing it. I need a moment.
Desirae Garcia (of The Haunted Windchimes) opened the evening, and I think nearly stole the show. Armed only with her bass ukulele and a walloping dose of deadpan candor, her nascent solo career is going to be one to absolutely pay close attention to. The way she can deliver the simplest of lines is devastating.
[top video from audience member Jason: thanks]
Name: Heather Browne
Holy, I can hardly take this. His voice is probably the most piercingly perfect thing I’ve ever heard, I swear it.
I can’t wait for that Chapel Session. I suspect that I’ll have to steel and board up my heart with copious amounts of booze to be able to take it’s beauty…
Sam. — February 28, 2013 @ 7:11 am
Damn it… Every time you post new house shows, I get pissed that I’m not a piece of your furniture.
Barry — March 1, 2013 @ 4:56 pm
Thanks for the heads up on Desirae and the Haunted windchimes. Could listen to ‘little bones’ all day…
jon — March 2, 2013 @ 11:11 pm