SUZANNE-VEGA-Concert-review-and-live-setlist-carpi
For the new Italian tour in support of the recent album “Flying With Angels” a Piazza Re Astolfo in Carpi SUZANNE VEGA chooses the trio formation, with the contribution of Gerry Leonad on electric guitar (already alongside many artists including David Bowie) and Stephanie Winter on cello.
An interesting choice, which gives prestige to the compositions of the American singer-songwriter, highlighting the lyrics without losing musical impact with a strong emotional involvement. Another winning choice was to start the concert with a series of the most well-known songs from his repertoire rather than with new compositions, to break the ice and immediately gain the attention of the audience.
Thus we begin with one of the most anticipated songs, one of those that are usually reserved for the final part of the concerts, if not for the encores: “Marlene on the Wall” which was quite successful and made it known to the Italian public, performed on the acoustic guitar with the accompaniment of Leonard on the electric.
What we see on stage tonight is Suzanne Vega in excellent form, with a crystal clear voice and a great desire to tell the public about herself with long introductions to the songs full of memories and funny anecdotes.
Thus we learn that Elvis Costello was a source of inspiration for the rocking “When Heroes Go Down”, and that “Chambermaid”, which he introduces with a very funny anecdote, is inspired by Dylan's “I Want You”. This alternation of memories of her life also includes a brief and fleeting youthful love, told in “Gipsy” with a boy she will meet again years later, and for whom she will write “In Liverpool”, a song that finally brings them together again, for a new friendship that continues to this day.
In an alternation of slower and more intense moments, such as “Caramel” or “The Soldier”, introduced as a long, old and sad song with a tragic end, and more singer-songwriter and rock songs, the new songs fit well. From the convincing “Flying with Angels”, to the folky / easy listening “Speakers' Corner”, actually a song with a very important meaning these days, with its invitation to always defend the freedom of speech protected in America by the First Amendment.
At the end of the evening, after the fun “I Never Wear White”, with which he explains the many reasons why he always dresses in black, as well as tonight, finally arrive two other jewels from his songbook, “Luka” and “Tom's Diner”, which after years keep their charm intact as well as their meaning.
A small surprise arrives with the first encore, that hymn to the New York of the latter that is “Walk on the Wild Side” by Lou Reed, which New Yorker Suzanne Vega evidently subscribes to. The sweet “Rosemary” closes and a second encore with the fascinating “In Liverpool”.
Perfect concert that confirms Vega as one of the best exponents of American songwriting of her generation, a worthy heir to the genius of Joni Mitchell and Rickie Lee Jones.
THE LADDER
Marlene on the Wall
99.9 F°
Caramel
Gypsy
The Queen and the Soldier
When Heroes go Down
Flying with Angels
Speakers' Corner
Chambermaid
Left of Center
I Never Wear White
Some Journey
Luke
Tom's Diner
Encore
Walk on the Wild Side
Rosemary
Second encore
In Liverpool
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