Show Review: Sierra Ferrell at Webster Hall in NYC

Sierra Ferrell at Webster Hall in NYC 5/16

Here is a show review with impressions by musician and songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago, Gary Hector.  

I’m ready, sort of. Seeing Sierra Ferrell live in concert was Magical, Surreal, Spiritual, Uplifting, Amazing and more.

No Pyrotechnics, No Dancers, No Trapeze, No Instructions, Just Sierra Ferrell, her songs and her band.

I left my hotel early and went to find the venue, as in, I was not messing around.

This old man was worried about the concert “ticket“ I had to store in my “wallet“ on my PHONE.
A first for me – my two kids did it for me – I double checked that thing like 100 times, I mean, if it’s a “wallet” then the “ ticket” can “Fall Out“ right?

Got there. Saw the venue with the marquee saying “ Sierra Ferrell. Sold Out”
Took some pics.

Saw a line of people. But. It’s 6pm.
Sierra’s on at 9 pm. So. I Had to ask.
Approaching the line, I noticed about six girls all dressed like Sierra, flowers in hair etc .

“We’re lining up as it’s general admission so we can get in and get close to the stage.“

Oh. I see. I’m alone. So. I’m backing myself to go in later and get the position I might like.

Look. A bar opposite. Boom.
“A Coffee Please.“ Charge phone.
“A Rum Please.“ Let’s go.

The “Wallet” worked. Pheewww. I’m inside.
Saw a line. Merch. I’m going in now, don’t chance it for later.

Line moving at a good rate, exchanged a couple lines with random folks, the merch girl sharp with her tongue and her hands and feet.

Chose one T Shirt for my Daughter Rainbow-Sioux and one for me, and got Sierra’s two released albums on vinyl. Done.

The venue Webster Hall, old style New York City concert hall with dance floor level and upper balconies. I’m seeing people with cups in hand and an active bar, “ A Rum please.“
“Would you like a double??” Well. That makes sense. “Yes.“

Had a conversation with a guy at the bar, he’s telling me he saw Sierra live in Nashville,  At The Ryman, with emphasis on the RYMAN, which was repeated by another person later on. The Ryman. “The Mother Church.“ And former Home of The Grand Ole Opry.

I’m inside the hall. Made my way to the middle, maybe ten people deep in from the stage
I’m good here. Visual and Audio Perfection.

This is the size and look of venue I dreamt it would be. It’s also WHY I wanted to see her NOW.  An actual sentiment echoed by a few folks later in the night.

Because it’s very easy to tell she’s getting bigger by the day, but you can also tell she’s not ever going to compromise, and the people will HAVE TO come to her, and they’re coming in droves. Don’t think for a second this is no overnight thing either. The story is very deep.
But. The old school road way.

I read only biographies, and it’s always a big deal when the country singers get to “ New York City,“  this historically has been their “Test.“
From Hank, to Cash, to The Cline, to Loretta. The list is long.

New York City always looked them in the eye and said “ Show me what you got ??“

Sierra’s response? “Well I Come Down Here From The Mountain Top, And I Cut You Down Like an Autumn Crop.“

Jake Kohn. Just turned 17 years old West Virginia kid (just like Sierra) came on as support act, and was super cool, solo act, singer songwriter with a much older voice than 17 years old. https://www.jakekohnmusic.net

“A Double Rum Please.“ Got back in position, thinking it’s great that I quit smoking cigarettes four years ago. Now I DONT HAVE to move.

Hall is now full as it’s a sold out show.
Massive buzz and anticipation.

The band took their positions, buzz got louder
The band all in matching outfits and hats, total “ Drifting Cowboys “ style.

“ I Don’t Want Your Silver Dollar.“ The Queen is on stage. From following her online for four years, I know “outfits“ are part of her scenario. And This Outfit. Boom. A Cup Cake according to her.

So. That “ Voice“ that first hypnotized me online, now it’s actually all over me, Angelic, Hypnotic, Nightingale, IT IS TRUE.

I’m transfixed, I’m singing, I’m dancing, cause I know the songs, and everyone else is doing the same thing.
I’m watching all around and upstairs in the balconies, EVERYONE is under a Spell.

She’s resting Down her numbers, and being all humble and polite with her almost whispered “oh thank you very much.“ Meaning it.

It’s getting higher, the spell is getting stronger, and her BAND. This crew is dangerous. Wow.
Drums, Upright Bass, Guitar, Mandolin with the two string guys switching to fiddles and more guitars etc.

The Queen is also on guitar and fiddle, and large and in charge. No questions. She is.

I’m very happy I saw this tour with this band, as I’m aware she’s had various configurations before. From solo. To three piece etc, and I’m sure it will keep changing.

This is my First Ever So Called “Country” Live Concert. And I wouldn’t have wanted it to be anyone else.

But. Check this, she’s more PUNK ROCK than that new  “Junk that passes as Punk“ and she’s more ROCK N ROLL than all the Corporate TV Awards Shows “Man Rock“ Posing Bands. By Miles. Miles.

And. This Would get my fellow Trinidad and Tobago citizens “ Tongues Wagging,“ but she’s got some old school Calypso Elements in her, I’m talking the parts we basically discarded.

I’m telling you, if The Mighty Sparrow, The Lord Kitchener and King David Rudder were all there standing with me, every now and then we would watch each other and say “ you heard that”? 
She even had a full “ Pap Pa Da,  Pap Pa Da“ section, with the drummer adding some elements. Go on, debate. I’m out.

When I started listening to her during the pandemic, she had three online streaming concerts, and the last of the three was titled “Calypso Night.” Don’t ask me.

I was wondering if she would have a costume change, and then the band played one song on their own , I’m guessing a standard, and she reappeared in her new “Costume,“  this time showing “Some Skin“ but still with headpiece and add ons.
The following day my sister asked me “She wears costume? She looks like she’s in our Carnival.“ Debate. Go on.

During this portion, she got a bit more chatty and had the people hanging on to her words.

It’s hard to believe she’s only JUST released her SECOND Album in March 2024.

It’s also easy to say her scene is all retro, but, she’s much smarter than that.
When my friends used to asked me what she sounds like I would say “ Like she’s in 1923 on some Appalachian Mountain.“

So live, lots of songs from her debut Long Time Coming and her Sophomore Trail of Flowers and if this was an album review for the new one, I would just use one word “ Masterpiece.“

All her songs onstage were individual events, mini concerts within a concert.

“Fox Hunt“ a song which took me a little while to get into when it was released became an entirely Different Animal onstage live ( Pun intended) Mad. Mad. I can still hear them Fiddles Scream. Wow.

The new “Instant Classics” like “American Dreaming,”  “ Dollar Bill Bar “ and “I could drive you crazy” really took you out and brought you back.

When she sang “Years,”  I had to get my phone out to record, as it’s Wendy’s favorite Sierra song, and it was a very sad moment as I knew Wendy would’ve been right by my side if wasn’t for her Stroke. (They Kinda Roll by Like Tears).

At the end, she came out for an encore, and did a cover of Kris Kristofferson’s “ Me and Bobby McGee.“ Which took more of a Janis shape. Brilliant.
Then left us all hanging with her classic “In Dreams.“

There’s all that talk about “ Gary’s Gone Country.“ I Guess that’s the easy thing for people to say.
During the pandemic I found myself no longer in a band, no longer the leader of a band after almost 30 years.
What I “stumbled upon” at the time gave me some fuel to keep going, to go into new songwriting situations.
Gary’s Gone Nowhere. But. I am also not waiting.

You know, I don’t know anything about country music, or anything about music in General, I will leave that for the experts.

I’m just a humble, unknown, old man, singer songwriter from Trinidad and Tobago in the Caribbean.

But I do know when I’ve been Shaken. As I’ve been shaken before a few times in my lifetime.

But lord knows I really needed A Shaking Up Right Now.

Thank you Kindly Queen. I’m well Shaken.

“one more double Rum please.“ TAXI TAXI

I did ask the merch girl if Sierra comes out to sign stuff and she said “ Well. You just gotta be lucky yer know.“

Getting back to the hotel was a task anyway
Poor Old Man. Phone Technology. Sad

I did find out a couple days after that The Queen did come out and sign stuff for folks.

Oh well. So it goes
Maybe I will catch her at “The Ryman.“

“I’m losin’ touch with all my friends
The ones who remind me who I am
If I could just get back home to pick up where we left off
I’d take better care of myself
I’d stop drinkin’ from the bottom shelf
But my old wheels keep spinnin’ and I cannot make them stop.“

Gary Hector
Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹

Find more details and Sierra Ferrell tour dates here: https://www.sierraferrellmusic.com/tour