Kasey Chambers: The Ark, Ann Arbor

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Kate and I travelled to Ann Arbor Michigan to see Kasey Chambers and her band at "The Ark" on August 12, 2015. Kasey is an Australian singer in the "Americana" style who we have wanted to see for many years. When we've been in her homeland we've missed seeing her because she's just too darn popular -- she sells out large venues over there.  And they're usually sold out well before we find out. The Ark is a more intimate environment with seating for only 400 or so and we got tickets early. It was a powerfully vibrant show in an intimate environment with an audience who held onto every word, every moment.

The show started with Kasey's dad Bill Chambers who sang a few tunes solo as the opening act. He urged us to buy his CD's as he needs the money more than she does. One funny slip up ... he forgot the chorus to a tune he's been singing for 10 years or more!

Kasey's band lineup this tour includes her dad on guitar, Brandon Dodd on guitar and Josh Dufficy on percussion (they're a young duo that go by the name Grizzlee Train) and a bass player (I've lost his name). Kasey played songs from her recent album "Bitttersweet" as well as tunes from her various albums over the last many years and several new tunes that were very well polished.

Brandon Dodd sang with her on "Rattlin' Bones" a song written with her husband Shane Nicholson -- they're no longer a couple. And the Grizzlee Train were able to play a few songs of their own.

As I said, it was an attentive appreciative audience. None of that bar room chatter where people ignore the performance and yell at one another over top of the music. The band, of course, had a standing room encore -- Kasey said we needn't have done so, they'd be out anyway!

Kasey has a powerful voice with quite a range. She tells us she had been off for a while to rest her voice and recover from surgery on her vocal chords. She sounds as good as ever but gosh you worry when she belts out a loud one. That's got to be hard on your voice.

Our friends Deborah and Jerry, who kindly put us up at their place, said it was probably the best live music concert they've ever been too. I'd have to agree, it was indeed!

Here's some photos from the concert.