Still ridin’ high.
Yep, it’s another blog about the cruise… well, not so much the cruise, as the music. The music was AMAZing. There was music EVERYWHERE we turned…which is kind of how I picture heaven. I had heard a majority of the artists before we got on board, but I learned to love nearly all of them by the end of the 5 days.
The biggest suprise, was Sara Watkins. I had dug her voice with Nickel Creek, but I had no idea how fantastic she would be on her own. One of the non-Brandi Carlile highlights of the week was hearing her and her brother Sean do their “family hour” as a suprise set in the movie theatre. Here is a short clip… (oh how I wish I would have taped the whole thing).
I also loved every minute of shows by Brandi Carlile (my #2, only to The Beatles), Shawn Mullins (another big surprise), Gregory Alan Isakov (even better when Brandi joined him), Ben Taylor, Lyle Lovett (especially when Shawn Colvin joined him), Emmylou Harris, Edwin McCain, Luke and Melissa, Samantha Crain, Works Progress Administration (including Sara Watkins and Glen Phillips), Larkin Poe (formerly of the Lovell Sisters…and currently on repeat in my car), Rachel Yamagata, Buddy Miller, Lissie, Hoots & Hellmouth and Katie Herzig.
Katie Herzig came into my musical life in October of last year when I saw her open for Brandi at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle. Since then I have devoured her two studio albums and her live session. Her music tells a story, and speaks to emotions so clearly. Some of her songs make me dance (for evidence click here), and others nearly bring me to tears.
Arguably my favorite song of hers is “Wish You Well.” The song has been kind of an anthem for me these last few months. I was lucky enough to hear it on the boat a few times… but probably my favorite, was when she was joined on stage by Brandi in the Atrium. It was kind of musical perfection.







