Hayes Carll Filled Cambridge with a Little Bit of Country

Hayes Carll has been on my radar to see since a friend whose taste I trust suggested I see him. I had scheduling conflicts with his more recent Boston-area shows, so when I saw that I was open for this show, I jumped at the opportunity to see him. 

It can be difficult for me to write a review when I was unfamiliar with an artist’s music prior to the show AND I pick up some of their music. This is one of those shows… 

Lest you think otherwise, I loved the show! Carll has terrific stage presence, joking with the audience, talking about the songs as well as himself. He talked about his son Eli who is turning 11 shortly and who will join his father on tour this week! It is awesome that Carll wants his son to experience some of what he gets from being on the road; it should prove to be not only rewarding but an excellent bonding time.

Carll has not released an album in over four years, which can be a lifetime in the realm of a singer-songwriter and he is acutely aware of the need to make a new album. He performed several new songs that will be on a forthcoming release (he did not say when it would be forthcoming). The set consisted of songs from his previous four albums which many in the sold-out audience knew.

One of the songs he performed from his most recent album was ‘KMAG YOYO’, a military acronym meaning ‘kiss my ass goodbye, you’re on your own.’ I am trying to figure out how I can incorporate that expression into my life!

Carll reminds me a bit of Townes Van Zandt; both fantastic songwriters from Texas (at least originally) who have good voices and deliver (delivered in Van Zandt’s case) intimate performances. I look forward to seeing Carll again once I better know his catalogue.

Click here to see more photos from this show on Suze Reviews the Blues.