September 12, 2005
Feist aka "On learning new music at the Kimmel Center"
One of the great things about working here at the Kimmel Center is the extraordinarily diverse range of artists on our stages. I say that, not so much as an employee of the Kimmel Center, but as someone who has a deep background and great love of music. I can tell you all about Ravel recordings over the years by major orchestras and who sat in the clarinet section when...but I also have to learn new music and artists every day as part of my job, I mean come on, twist my arm, huh?
Case in point, we just announced an add-on show for the fall, Bright Eyes, on November 19, and there are some gems in the line-up of artists that open the gig. Opening for Oberst, Magic Numbers is interesting, but Feist is fascinating. She’s a young Canadian singer, with a voice filled with loads of character. Plus her degree of creativity is extraordinary.
Her recent album, LET IT DIE, has everything on it from Bee Gees covers, to original work, to a traditional tune WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL, which I think is the highlight of the album. If you go to their site you can listen to clips.
This is often the case at shows like this, the main act is great, but the openers are often where you’ll find gems. I’ve listened to her album a dozen (or two!) times and it’s the kind of thing that the ear never tires of. I also do think the album is a bit inconsistent, but when she’s at her best, there aren’t enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe her work, as in the tune WHEN I WAS A YOUNG GIRL.
Enjoy!