I want to believe in more than you and me...
My love affair with Ingrid Michaelson's music was something that just sort of happened. I don't remember how or when, I just remember that it started with The Way I Am, then continued with Keep Breathing and The Chain. So I bought her albums and discovered You And I, The End of the World, Giving Up, and I'm Through. I vowed that when she came back to Australia, I would not miss out. And I didn't.
Tonight she graced the stage at Sydney's on-again/off-again Metro Theatre and managed not only to recapture some of my favourite recordings, but eclipse other ones entirely.
She followed her support act (and husband), Greg Laswell, after he'd completed his twenty minute set, which included a haunting piano version of his impressive Off I Go, as well as a beautiful cover of Bruce Springsteen's Highway Patrolman.
While I'm familiar with her music, I had no idea what to expect from the songstress herself, but she was incredibly charming. Funny, bubbly, and self-deprecating, she told some great stories about where songs had originated, living in New York City, and being on tour.
I was somewhat baffled by her song choices (most notably the exclusion of Giving Up and Keep Breathing), but more surprised at how much I still enjoyed it - especially considering she only did a handful of ones I'm familiar with. Very impressed by the stripped back sound of three female vocalists, a few guitars and a keyboard.
SET-LIST
Soldier
Parachute
Corner Of Your Heart
Do It Now
Blood Brothers
Ghost
The Way I Am (she did a new version of this to keep it fresh for herself - I wasn't sold on it, but am very glad she included it, considering familiarity breeds contempt)
The Light In Me (with Greg Laswell) - adorable to see them sharing a mike and a song
Skinny Love (Bon Iver cover) - adore the original, but this was a pretty great version
Maybe
This Is War
The Chain (my highlight of the evening; the rounds towards the end, culminating in an a capella which ended with Ingrid's lone voice gave me goosebumps, it was so perfect)
Encore
You And I (I assumed that Laswell would take on the male vocals, but she ended up selecting someone from the audience. I was a little nervous as I didn't want the joy of hearing this song to be outweighed by potential disaster, but her sidekick was pitch perfect and knew all the lyrics - it was fantastic, especially the audience participation of stomp stomp clap)
Be OK (while this was a given, considering it's now synonymous with Allianz, it's not a huge favourite of mine)
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover) - such a beautiful rendition of a gorgeous ballad
Tonight she graced the stage at Sydney's on-again/off-again Metro Theatre and managed not only to recapture some of my favourite recordings, but eclipse other ones entirely.
She followed her support act (and husband), Greg Laswell, after he'd completed his twenty minute set, which included a haunting piano version of his impressive Off I Go, as well as a beautiful cover of Bruce Springsteen's Highway Patrolman.
While I'm familiar with her music, I had no idea what to expect from the songstress herself, but she was incredibly charming. Funny, bubbly, and self-deprecating, she told some great stories about where songs had originated, living in New York City, and being on tour.
I was somewhat baffled by her song choices (most notably the exclusion of Giving Up and Keep Breathing), but more surprised at how much I still enjoyed it - especially considering she only did a handful of ones I'm familiar with. Very impressed by the stripped back sound of three female vocalists, a few guitars and a keyboard.
SET-LIST
Soldier
Parachute
Corner Of Your Heart
Do It Now
Blood Brothers
Ghost
The Way I Am (she did a new version of this to keep it fresh for herself - I wasn't sold on it, but am very glad she included it, considering familiarity breeds contempt)
The Light In Me (with Greg Laswell) - adorable to see them sharing a mike and a song
Skinny Love (Bon Iver cover) - adore the original, but this was a pretty great version
Maybe
This Is War
The Chain (my highlight of the evening; the rounds towards the end, culminating in an a capella which ended with Ingrid's lone voice gave me goosebumps, it was so perfect)
Encore
You And I (I assumed that Laswell would take on the male vocals, but she ended up selecting someone from the audience. I was a little nervous as I didn't want the joy of hearing this song to be outweighed by potential disaster, but her sidekick was pitch perfect and knew all the lyrics - it was fantastic, especially the audience participation of stomp stomp clap)
Be OK (while this was a given, considering it's now synonymous with Allianz, it's not a huge favourite of mine)
Can't Help Falling in Love (Elvis Presley cover) - such a beautiful rendition of a gorgeous ballad