A couple weeks ago I was treated to one of the most relaxing evenings I have had at White Water in months. Maybe it was the small crowd or the fact that it was a lazy Wednesday evening, but I think it had something more to do with the three talented singer/songwriters that played that night.
Joseph Still, Kathryn Brawley, and Eric Christopher brought each of their unique takes on singing and songwriting.
Joseph Still of Bolivar, Missouri, was a fine predecessor to the evening, opening the show with his own rendition of one of those doggone “John Henry” songs. Sitting in one of the barroom’s chairs with only a guitar and a harmonica strapped around his neck, Joseph‘s voice broke through the smoke as he played several folksy-bluesy-rootsy songs. I’d hate to classify him as one of the above, but I’ll just say he definitely spoke his word-- about working, about trains, about life. His songs made him seem wise beyond his years and gave him a sound similar to Townes Van Zandt meets Woody Guthrie… this kid’ll surely go somewhere with what he’s got.
Kathryn Brawley, of Memphis, came up to the stage after Still. I haven’t heard a singer with such a nice and consistent voice in a long time. She kept perfect tune throughout her set and in general just had a great voice. I swear it was almost too perfect, but she did mess up a couple songs, so while the audience loved her, they could also see she was in fact human and had her small flaws. Putting that aside, the music she has recorded online is good, but she really knows how to fill up a stage with nothing more than her presence and a guitar.
One of the prevailing themes of the night was mean songs. This was no exception when Eric Christopher (pictured) played the final set of the night. Mean songs are just such an interesting glimpse in to the lives of those performing without actually being personally familiar with them. Eric, originally from Louisville, Kentucky, has relocated to Little Rock for the time being. Simply put, he sings what he knows. Whether they are about day to day life, a crazy ex, or a certain county in Kentucky, each song is mature and a pleasure to listen to. As his Myspace page says, he would rather be known for his songwriting ability than his performing. I could not agree more with him and look forward to seeing what he incorporates in to his new material. The best part of his set was when he started a song and then just stopped playing. He profusely apologized to the audience because he momentarily forgot the words, but they were having none of it and loudly encouraged him to start it over. Eric obliged, which got a rousing bout of applause from the audience, ending the night on a lighthearted, happy note.
--CF & L
(photo by: Lizzie Burnham)
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