Storytime

On Tuesday, I was at The Burdock for two fine storytellers. Singer Jenny Berkel opened the night with her sister Trixie for a set of "small" songs. Each number encompassed a specific situation with subtle details. Her low, throaty vocals contrasted nicely with her sister's airy harmonies. I suspect Berkel is a guitarist first because her playing was full of interesting ornamentation and riffs.

Misha Bower usually sings with Bruce Peninsula. Tonight was the debut of her solo album. I had a quick listen before the show. Bower's vocalistic style involved a lot of rounded and stretched words that made for mushy melodies. Luckily, it was much better live and allowed you to appreciate the imagery and stories in songs like Trying To Have It All and Man of Thirty. The band, including Berkel on piano and harmony, kept things low-key while Bower let her voice swoop and soar. She told a long, engaging story about her relationship with her mother that shed light on the lyrics of the last song I'm All About. It was a powerful set that I don't often witness at live shows.