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Event
Vance Gilbert at Meeting House Presents
If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might have been something close to the great Vance Gilbert. As the above quote from Richmond magazine suggests, Vance Gilbert defies stereotypes. Its little wonder then that he also exceeds expectations. In this case, those two qualities go hand in hand. Im black, I sing, I play an acoustic guitar, and I dont play the blues, Gilbert insists. That may be a broad statement, but it rings with truth. What he does do is make memorable music, as evidenced by the 13 albums hes released so far, as well as the mark hes made on the folk and acoustic music scenes in general. Over the course of a prolific career that extends back to the early 90s, hes recorded with his good friend Ellis Paul and shared stages worldwide with Aretha Franklin, Shawn Colvin, Arlo Guthrie, the Milk Carton Kids, George Carlin (150+ shows), Anita Baker, the Subdudes, Paul Reiser and any number of others.
He's also made a prominent presence at some of the worlds most prestigious gatherings, among them the Newport, Winnipeg, Rocky Mountain, Calgary, Ottawa, and Falcon Ridge folk festivals, the Kate Wolf Music Festival, and Australias Woodford Folk Festival and Mullum Music Festival. There was also that one nude festival in Maryland, Gilbert recalls. I dont recall the name of that one, but I have to admit that the name wasnt the first thing I would remember.
Naturally, Gilbert can be forgiven for that minor oversight, given the amount of praise hes received from the pundits. His remarkable rapport with his audiences and his free spirited performances inspired one critic to hail him as a folkie trapped in a vaudevillian body, with a voice that could have been on the opera stage, a wit that could have been on a comedy stage and a songwriting talent thats thrust him on the folk stage for decades.
Those descriptive phrases come to full fruition on Gilberts current album, the appropriately named Good, Good Man. Recorded with an A-list support cast that includes bluesman and singer/songwriter Chris Smither, Al Greens organist Stacey Wade, Tommy Malone of the Subdudes on guitars, Mike Posner on backing vocals, and Celtic harpist and vocalist Aine Minough, it sums up the strengths that Gilberts always had at his command that is, a gift for compelling melodies, insightful lyrics, a witty and whimsical point of view, and the ability to maintain an inherent humanity that translates to his connection with his audiences.
As always, the music is as varied as it is vibrant, from the philosophic musings of Pie and Whiskey and the rollicking R&B-flavored title track, to the swinging sound of Zombie Pattycake, the tender trappings of Hitman and the bare-bones remake of the 1972 hit Wildflower, a seminal song given Gilberts intimate and essential additives.
In short, its Gilbert at his very best, a set of songs that deserves to bring Gilbert the wider recognition thats eluded him for far too long.
Over the course of his career, hes carved out a singular niche with songs that have resonated with his fans and drawn in new listeners. His classic compositions Old White Men, Charlene and Unfamiliar Moon, Goodbye Pluto, and Waiting for Gilligan are emotive and profound, offering certain truths in ways that make a meaningful impact in the most enduring and evocative ways.
Indeed, Gilbert posses a wide palette and perspective, from a co-write with Grammy Winner Lori McKenna, House of Prayer, to a song on a Grammy-nominated childrens record by the duo Trout Fishing in America. Likewise, after alt-rock star Mike Posner heard Gilbert perform on a podcast, he invited him to take part in co-writing sessions and subsequently to sing on his recent single, Noahs Ark. Posner reciprocated with a haunting background vocal on Flyby, a song featured on Gilberts forthcoming album.
How rounded is that?, Gilbert may quip. Truth is, ultimately, its the impact that he has on his audiences that matters to him the most. People take away from these songs what they decide theyre going to take away, he reflects. I would hope they walk away thinking. If thats the case, then Ive done my job successfully.
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LocationMeeting House Presents at the Unitarian Society of Hartford (View)
50 Bloomfield Avenue
Hartford, CT 06105
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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Contact
Q&A
| Question: |
The performer (Vance Gilbert) will be wearing a mask for this performance. Is that correct? |
| Answer: |
Vance will be unmasked while on stage performing and masked during intermission, as well as before and after the concert. The audience will be required to wear masks at all times as well as provide proof of vaccination. |
Accessibility
With the ever changing circumstances of the covid 19 pandemic we feel it is necessary for the safety of the audience, our staff, volunteers and the performer to require proof of vaccination, masks, and social distancing. We hope you understand our reasons for these precautions.
We are fully accessible to those using wheelchairs or having limited mobility. We have two restrooms that are designed to be used by people with limited mobility. We also have an accessible automatic door at the front entrance to our Meeting House that can be used by people using wheelchairs and we have wheelchairs available to anyone who may need one. There are 15 handicapped parking spaces directly adjacent to the entrance, an elevator enabling access to Fellowship Hall, and pew cuts to accommodate wheelchairs.
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