Wine, Women and Song at Tin Pan South
Tin Pan South, the songwriter's festival, is officially underway in Nashville, and last night (March 31) I went to Mercy Lounge to see three of my favorite singer-songwriters -- Matraca Berg, Suzy Bogguss and Gretchen Peters. Although all three of them are still making music in Nashville, it was still like the most awesome '90s flashback. In between sips of wine, Berg sang "Wrong Side of Memphis" and "Strawberry Wine," Bogguss did "Outbound Plane" and "Heartache" (although she didn't write either one) and Peters performed the obligatory "Independence Day" but also offered two treats from her outstanding catalog -- "You Don't Even Know Who I Am," made famous by Patty Loveless, and "On a Bus to St. Cloud," recorded by Trisha Yearwood. Exquisite.
They played more than an hour, but I could have listened all night, especially to Matraca Berg, who is my favorite songwriter in town because she has a knack for slipping in unexpected phrases, and it's those details that always draw me in. (The "pink sorbet" line in Yearwood's "I'm Still Alive," for example.) She's finally finishing up her first album in 10 years and has included "You and Tequila," which she co-wrote with Deana Carter, and although it ended up on one of Carter's albums, she wanted to give it another shot. Plus, I'll take any chance I get to hear Suzy Bogguss sing. I am always impressed by how pristine her voice is.
This talented trio tours in Europe fairly often, but for some reason, this is the first time I've known about one of their shows in Nashville, where they all live. Incidentally, Tin Pan South continues through Saturday (April 4), but this show will be hard to beat.
Photo credit: Monique Larroux for NSAI
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Ken says:
Tin Pan Sucks for those people driving in from out of town. I went a couple years ago and made it into one show but the next show I was going to was lined up around the corner at 12th & Porter.
RedMaZ says:
12th & Porter? Hey? were you driving your stationWagoner?
Ken says:
since you put “12 & Porter?” I will take it that you have no clue what it is. It is a Club/Bar in Nashville and is located on the corner of 12th Ave and Porter. Durning Tin Pan South they have songwriters singing at all of the clubs/bars in Nashville and The clubs get packed quick with people going to see famous songwriters.
David Nisbet, Scotland says:
I wish they’d bring that tour back to Glasgow. They’ve been to the UK 3 or 4 times now and only done Glasgow once, the rest of the time it’s just been England :(
RedMaZ says:
Okay, I’ll explain this one, but next time think for a minute. “Hey Porter” is a Johnny Cash song. “Porter Wagoner” is a country music legend who has passed away.