Great at the Union – Gretchen Peters.
Early in her stellar set at the Union Chapel, Islington this week Gretchen Peters told the audience: ‘I’d forgotten how much freakin’ fun this is.’
In London for her only UK performance of 2017 and first in Britain for eighteen months, that comment could have been deemed blasphemous in such hallowed surroundings – not that a thousand of the converted were likely to be offended, the returning hero having already received a rapturous welcome.
Gretchen Peters is quite simply the most enthralling songwriter around today. Blessed also with an exquisite voice, her unique brand of wit and wisdom, politics and passion make Peters the outstanding lyricist of the past twenty years.
Since 1996 she has made a series of memorable albums, the pick of which is the monumental ‘Hello Cruel World‘ (2012), the title track welcomed like an old friend when played as the second song of the Union Chapel performance.
Using the opportunity to showcase new material she delivered the haunting ‘Lowlands‘ that on first hearing drew comparisons with Paul Simon’s ‘American Tune’ – the misgivings of Nixon-era America updated to encompass Trump and fake news. The other debuted songs showed her turn of phrase is still exemplary and with such themes as child abuse and truck stop prostitution, it is safe to say the album she is in the process of making, will visit some dark places.
The superbly paced Union Chapel show came to a climax with ‘Woman on the Wheel,’ a rousing ‘Running On Empty‘ styled rocker, the haunting ‘On a Bus to St. Cloud‘ and the astounding ‘Idlewild.’ This breath-taking lyric describes the deterioration of a parents’ relationship from the perspective of their young daughter, sitting in darkness on the backseat of the car – sensing her family is falling apart, this on the day when President Kennedy has been assassinated.
Cinematic in sweep, precise in detail, it is a compelling piece.
‘What a night,’ she said when returning to the stage for an encore – indeed it was.
Hello Cousin Jimmy. Hope you are well. Thank you for the kind words about my review – much appreciated. Yes it was a wonderful night – Gretchen Peters is a first class live performer and has a repertoire that few can match. The set was superbly paced and nicely mixed between customary favourites and new material. You are quite right in saying the new album, given the song themes, will be a challenging listen – but I have no doubt it will, once again, be songwriting of the highest order.
Thank you again for contacting SAMTIMONIOUS.com.
Best wishes
Neil
WOW, it must have been a moving experience in Union Chapel. Nice review. It does sound as though Gretchen will be challenging us to ponder social issues in her new album. More songwriters should make us “think” when we hear their music. I cannot wait to hear it.