Lori McKenna at the Birchmere October 5
It was a Sunday night, probably not the top choice of days of the week for many music fans to go out for a few hours in the evening. But Lori is the queen of beautiful, thoughtful and skilled songwriting and the quality music lovers – music connoisseurs and Birchmere regular patrons – eagerly filled the space with warm anticipation. Talbot Mayo opened the night with lively upbeat country songs. Many of the songs were from her new EP Big Shot. The songs were “Burned,” “Big Shot,” “Oh My Dear,” “Ring,” and then she said the next one was written for her dog: “Tippy Toeing,” which was an endearing number. Then followed a few more songs: “High Hopes for a Low Down Girl,” then a song about being the other woman, and finally the fun “Dollar Store Town.” Talbot projected a sense of ease to the room. Find more info on Talbot here: https://www.talbotmayomusic.com
Lori McKenna, all five foot one of her, walked up the ramp and onto the stage alone to strap on her acoustic guitar for the crowd. She sang songs of family warmth, aging, nostalgia and most of her songs made people cry. She regaled the audience with anecdotes about her dad (who worked at the oil company), her husband Gene (who works at the gas company) and different heartwarming stories about her siblings and kids and her songwriting processes and partners. “Marie” is a song about the bond between two sisters (sparked by Lori’s relationship with hers) and later, after performing the wonderful song “The Tunnel,” Lori recounted how her brother Douglas called after she had written that one and when she answered the phone he said “Lori, you know it’s a pipe, not a tunnel.”
She had folks laughing even though many of the songs literally brought tears. “People Get Old” is a loving song about parents aging, “A Mother Never Rests” is about the struggles of motherhood and it had most of the audience wiping away tears. “Three Kids No Husband” (co-written with Brandy Clark years ago) and “When You’re My Age” brought on more powerful emotions. About the latter song, co-written with Liz Rose and Hillary Lindsey, Lori touted Liz Rose’s ability to write song lines in her sleep.
The atmosphere was easy and friendly as the songs probed the passage of time, gratitude, love, and the warmth of nostalgia and enduring ties.
Her recently released song, “Tied To You,” was written when one of her children took an extended trip to India, and recorded with the popular Medium Build (out now). This song was exceptional even among her exceptional catalogue.
In “The Lot Behind St. Marys” and “The Tunnel” the audience was steered through images of childhood freedom and teenage independence and the bittersweet moments held there. “More Time,” she said, was written as a way to coax her husband Gene to retire.
Lori also described the quite lovely experience of being a grandmother to a small baby now. “Crowded Table” spun images of a happy family and a loving home. Lori told the crowd she was a co-writer on this song for the Highwomen with Brandi Carlile and Natalie Hemby, information which some in the audience were hearing for the first time. The song is a powerhouse vision for the best we can be to each other.
The night was emotionally cathartic and wonderful.
As the house lights slowly came back up there was a standing ovation as folks were madly appreciative, though glassy eyed and a little teary. Lori McKenna left a deeply satisfied feeling all around. She’s a true star.
Find tour dates and more information here: http://www.lorimckenna.com
Enjoy our previous coverage here: REVIEW: Lori McKenna “1988”
Setlist:
The Time I’ve Wasted
People Get Old
Marie
Town in Your Heart
A Mother Never Rests
The Lot Behind St. Mary’s
Three Kids No Husband
When You’re My Age
Girl Crush
Tied to You
The Tunnel
More Time
Crowded Table (co-written for The Highwomen)
Humble and Kind
Encore:
Grateful