Kasey at the Park

As part of the Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, the Australian singer-songwriter Kasey Chambers played a free concert last night; since I missed her when she was on tour, I was happy to take advantage. (If you’re a Sopranos fan, you may remember the hypnotically hooked defiant self-loathing of “The Captain” capping the exceptional episode in which Tony is forced to promote Ralph.) I still play her terrific first two albums a lot (haven’t bought the third yet) and recommend them strongly, although of course they won’t be to everyone’s taste. (Robert Christgau sums up her strengths and weaknesses fairly accurately, although for me the balance is more strongly positive.)

Anyway, the show was quite revelatory; live, her very skilled backing band remained tight but produced a more loose-limbed groove than in the studio, the well-chosen setlist didn’t feature a single clinker (with the new ones holding up well), and the covers (including a bluegrass “Do Re Mi” that tops even Ani DiFranco’s and a wonderful trucking song that’s new to me) fit right in. And of course her Emmylou-cut-with-Hank voice had no problem filling Prospect Park, which was a beautiful concert venue. If you like the genre, definitely check her out if you get the chance–it will be worth it even if you have to pay.