A wonderful evening in a beautiful venue. London’s Cadogan Hall, a former church, is the 950-seater home of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which luckily for fans of contemporary music also offers up a programme of folk, jazz and world music events. The raking of the seats and the low gallery provide an intimate setting; the acoustic character of the hall, the lighting and the stained glass windows all serve to create a warm atmosphere in the auditorium.
Patty Griffin, accompanied by a three-piece band, David Pulkingham (guitars), Billy Harvey (bass and keyboards), and Conrad Choucroun (drums and mandolin), offered up a great selection of songs. Whilst, naturally focusing on the latest album 2015’s Servant of Love she delved deep into her back catalogue and delighted long term fans by playing the rarely performed ‘Icicles’ from 2004’s Impossible Dream and ‘Truth #2’ from 2013’s Silver Bell.
Although rooted in folk music (Griffin was part of the Boston based nu-folk movement alongside Ellis Paul, Martin Simpson and Dar Williams in the late 1980s/early 1990s) this Grammy award-winning artist has also explored gospel music and topped and tailed the set list with Move Up and Heavenly Day, respectively. We can thank Buddy Miller, the acclaimed musician/producer, for persuading her to record an album of gospel songs in the religiously infused Downtown Church.
Griffin’s a diminutive figure with a voice that goes from the softest of whispers to very powerful leaps. Her singing is heartfelt and no more so than when trading her acoustic guitar for the piano (a Steinway) for ‘Mother of God’ dedicated to the late Ian McLaghan and ‘You Never Asked Me’ which I think is an autobiographical piece drawing inspiration from her break up with Robert Plant. For both of the titles mentioned, Pulkingham (only) accompanied her, his guitar work lending such supportive and subtle playing. Pure class.
This was a perfect venue for Griffin and her band; she filled the space with both tenderness and strength, her distinctive vocals sent shivers down my spine.
Attendance looked like pretty much a full house. It’s the third time she’s been in the UK within a space of twelve months and long may she keep making return visits!
Set list:
1. Move Up
2. There Isn’t One way
3. Gunpowder
4. Standing
5. Made of the Sun
6. Long Ride Home
7. Mother of God
8. Servant of Love
9. You Never Asked Me
10. Ohio
11. Death’s Got A Warrant
12. 250,000 Miles
13. Everything’s Changed
14. Shine A Different Way
15. Truth #2
Encore:
16. Icicles
17. Heavenly Day
