When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. ~Hunter S. Thompson
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| Leiah Webb at Haymarket Grill |
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| Written by John Abbott | |||
| Monday, 09 November 2009 04:22 | |||
 I have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time. It was March of this year when I saw Leiah Webb for the first time. She was warming up for Brian Bethke at the Hallie Bar. Ever since that time I tried to align my schedule with Leiah's solo dates but it never quite worked out. Most of the time she was busy playing mandolin in the Evergreen Grass Band, not really playing solo very often. I felt like her talent would get buried in a band the size of Evergreen. Her solo gig was worth the wait. I noticed immediately when we walked into the Haymarket Grill there was a change in Leiah since I had seen her last. Where previously she had been shy in her playing and singing, she now exhibited the confidence only stage time can deliver. And, though she mentioned being sick and thinking her voice was off, I thought she sounded great. In most of her songs she has deeper voice, harder edged, than what you think of with your standard female folk vocalists. At times she is able to work in a hint of whimsey. There are other times times when she sounds just like Ani Difranco. I guess it is this ability to cross over styles that makes her the exciting young artist she is. The number of well known (at least by me) covers are limited. I walked in just in time to hear the song Bubbly by Colbie Caillat, and made famous as a song of the iPod in Apple Computer commercials. …and, in all honesty, it might have been New Soul by Yael Naim. It was some Apple song anyway. At the moment I had lost my pen and had to get one from the bar so I didn't get the title written down. It was done well and was a perfect example Leiah delivering the whimsey Apple must have loved in the original. Musical highpoint, the Grateful Dead song Cold Rain and Snow though if you are a Deadhead, you might be hard pressed to recognize it. The song was brought up to date in its music and vocals and sung with a much harder edge than the original. It was a great song and Leiah delivered on it admirably. I went home and bought the original Dead version from iTunes and was totally disapointed. But really, most all the music was well delivered, timed perfectly, and sounded great. There were a couple songs that were a little weaker. Sadly one of them an original piece, a song written for her sister, where I would hope the singer/songwriter combination would impassion the result. It wasn't bad, but it also wasn't quite there. At the rate Leiah has developed stage presence in the past year I have every confidence her original works will tighten up as well. There were very few disappointments in the singer, but many in the sound. Acoustically, there is no better word for the Haymarket Grill than "terrible". I really appreciate bars, coffeeshops and restaurants that hire performers for live music. But everything in this place is hard wood, tile, plaster and tin. The high frequency sounds were harsh. Lyrics were muddied in the echo. I think an artist with lots of gear and a hotshot sound tech could maybe make it sound passable. But, low budget acts, like the ones likely to appear at this venue are going to be challenged. The best solution, if the Haymarket Grill sees the benefit of live music, and I hope they do, would be to make some changes to the room. I don't think it would take much. Some tapestries on the walls maybe? A couple of carpets? Even tablecloths might do some good. Something, anything to soften the room up a little bit. Talking to Leiah after the show, there are rumors of a CD release as well as upcoming shows with a bass player. Both of these developments will make her fans happy, of which I am one. Leiah Webb should be on your list of musicians to watch for. She has her schedule on myspace, http://www.myspace.com/leiahwebb as well as a couple of original tracks. Make sure you give the song Never Get Away, a listen. Hits: 929 Comments (5)Subscribe to this comment's feed...
Leiah is a great musician and I have been happy to watch her grow as a musician!
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November 11, 2009
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I do booking for Haymarket and play there on a regular basis. Perhaps the author should come to more than one show before making that decision. I think that is poor journalism.
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November 11, 2009
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I can't believe the author of this comment would make it down to 1 show and judges, then put it up for everyone to read. Is he trying to discourage people from going there and listen to music? bad journalism.
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November 11, 2009
What is journalism?
It is said journalism is the craft of conveying news, descriptive material and comment. I think what you are looking for me to convey is actually referred to as "sunshine". In what orifice would you like me to blow it? The sound is not the best at the Haymarket Grill. It could be better with a little investment, but I realize times are tight and maybe the owners don't want to do it. Totally understandable. Luckily the business is food and not music, and the food seems to be pretty good. As I said, I think it's great businesses are booking live music. Even live music with some technical issues is better than no music.
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November 12, 2009
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So then why did you have to phrase it, there is no better word for the Haymarket Grill than "terrible." that is pretty harsh now apparently your a sound guy and you have a lot of experience (which is why your writing this article.) Why don't you offer suggestions to them, rather than bash the place online for all to read saying the music sounds awful try the place again John.
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November 13, 2009
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| Last Updated on Monday, 09 November 2009 21:22 |
