7/13 evening with Natalie Merchant and Columbus Symphony: a review

I enjoyed a beautiful evening Saturday listening to the "distinct contralto voice" of Natalie Merchant, backed by the "layered, lush and lovely" Columbus Symphony.

I'm sure most of the crowd expected a pop star, radio hits concert.  But I knew from reading previous reviews that the set list would be heavy on lullabies and poetry-inspired recent work.  

Overall, it was Natalie at her finest and completely on her brand.

For me, highlights were:

• Verdi Cries, a track from Natalie and 10,000 Maniacs
• works from Leave Your Sleep
• works from Tigerlily included My Beloved Wife and Seven Years 
• Life is Sweet and She Devil 
• Plus, a couple of tunes from a forthcoming solo album

She closed with an encore of 

• Wonder 
• These Are Day
• Kind and Generous

sold out outdoor venue at Columbus Commons

Impressed with the talents of the orchestra, and the team that helped them sound great

The grounds of the Commons were in full bloom

The table seating added another dimension to the experience

A clear night under the stars and under the lights

The crowd really got into the second half, which featured more hits

During the encore, I went up to the stage for a closer look

Natalie was having a great time, and savored the sound of the Symphony, too

When the stage cleared, the sheet music of Kind & Generous was a reminder of appreciation