While I do run a dedicated site for Vanessa Carlton, located at Vanessa-Carlton.net, I never got the chance to post my review of the show I attended August 5th, at Cincinnati’s 20th Century Theater. She was an opener for Joshua Radin along with Alexa Wilkinson.
This wasn’t the first time I’d seen Miss Vanessa perform. To be accurate, it was the 3rd; which is saying a lot because an artist like Vanessa doesn’t get to be a road rat like other faves of mine like Josh Kelley. I’ve also met her. She’s been aware of V-C.net since the very beginning, back in 2002. She even recorded a thank you shout out video from the set of her “Ordinary Day” music video. If only I could find it, it was so sweet!
Cincinnati isn’t far from me, just an hour and a half. I have family don there too, so I was familiar with the area. I brought my brother with me because I don’t like attending shows by myself. Plus, he’s been with me every other time I’ve seen Nessa (because he likes her music too), so it wasn’t like I was forcing him.
It was a general admission, all ages show, at a small-ish venue. I love smaller/club shows much better than the big arena and theater set-ups. These shows are much more intimate and enjoyable. I was no more than 5ft away from Vanessa and her piano and it was lovely.
The drawback to this particular venue was that they had a “no flash” rule. So you could take pictures, just without flash, but since it was so poorly lit and dark inside, there was no point in try as all shots came out extremely blurry. I even had a DSL with a telephoto lens and I still couldn’t get a quality shot. But it was ok, because not taking pictures allowed me to just listen and watch Vanessa perform. She didn’t disappoint either!
As usual, I came away impressed with her show, and especially her banter. Before she started her first hit “A Thousand Miles” she stated how she wished she hadn’t sold her song to the jewelry company because of the whole “Blood Diamonds” conflict going on. Vanessa is very progressive, and probably meant it, but the audience just thought she was making a joke and laughed. She picked up on it and said “I’m serious!” but she was laughing too. It was a funny moment.
Anyway, I truly enjoyed seeing Vanessa and I wish she had more success. She’s overflowing with talent and deserves more in the music industry. I know, that even if he does stop recording and performing, she will be a dynamite composer and songwriter. As long as she wants to stick around, she will have a niche. I don’t blame her label, The Inc, because, to be honest, they probably have no idea how to market a talent like her. They’re used to hip-hop artists! However, VH1 ordered a second season of Gotti’s Way, so we’ll probably continue to catch a glimpse of Miss Carlton on there.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Here is a 40 second clip of “Nolita Fairytale”:
http://www.justmyfaves.com/wp-content/uploads/video/nolita_fairytale_august2008.flv
Here was her setlist:
Ordinary Day
Hands On Me
A Thousand Miles
Heroes and Thieves
The One
White Houses
Nolita Fairytale
Home
More Than This