Americana Fest: Brandi Carlile Presents Unforgettable ‘Northern Lights’ at City Winery

By Wil Comstock

MCAU Staff Writer 

     I was pretty excited about the Thursday afternoon show at City Winery.  I knew anything Brandi Carlile was involved with would be good.As I waited for the “Northern Lights” show to begin, I counted eight empty chairs on the stage.  One for Brandi, and the two listed on the show, Sean McConnell and Ashley Ray. I wondered who else would show up.

     Sista Strings: I and everyone else was blown away by sisters, Monique (cello) and Chauntee (violin) Ross.  You may have seen them in the backing band for Allison Russell at the awards show. Their strong sense of melody, harmony and syncopation had me on the edge of my seat and brought me to my feet. They did an instrumental classical composition that lifted us to the heavens and gently brought us back to earth. “Her Name Was Me” was nothing short of genius.  Why don’t these women have an album out yet???

     Marc Scibilia: What a pleasant surprise discovering this native Buffalonian. His timeless intimate voice and unique songs really captured me. I could listen to him all day. On “Summer Clothes,” he tells of finding a former girlfriend’s summer outfits while looking for his winter jacket in the closet, bringing back a flood of memories.

     Sean McConnell:  I had seen Sean once before and was happy to see him again. He is a prolific songwriter. With cuts by Tim McGraw, Meatloaf, Rascal Flatts, Brothers Osborne, and Brad Paisley. His rich vocals and soul-searching lyrics have made him a sought-after addition to any writer’s night.  He opened with “Nothing Anymore” and closed with the thought-provoking “Buy the World for the Price of your Soul” He surprised us by bringing out Garrison Starr to duet on the heart wrenching “Nothing Without You.”

     Ashley Ray:  This young woman is going places and in fact has already had songs cut by Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, and Charles Kelly of Lady A. She introduced “Pauline,” a song about her Kansas-born grandmother, who worked at the ammunitions plant and canned pork 'n' beans at Stokley's to put food on the table for her children. Ashley performed each number with a pure midwestern country voice and strongly crafted lyrics.

     Brandi Carlisle with Tim and Phil Hanseroth (The Twins) kicked off with “The Eye,” the three-part harmony song about the temporary resting place in the eye of the storm. Allison Russell came out to sing the stirring “You’re Not Alone” with Brandi, supported by the Twins, and Sista Strings. Everyone gave a standing ovation when Tanya Tucker appeared on the stage to sing the 2019 Song of the Year she penned with Brandi,“Bring My Flowers No.” Tanya recalled how she gave Dean Dillon the line “Ocean Front Property in Arizona,” which he turned into a George Strait hit. Carlile closed this wonderful event with the tender “Stay Gentle.”