I had followed the career of the 10,000 Maniacs since their first album release with their 1985's "The Wishing Chair". My aunt and uncle introduced me to her, by playing her loudly whenever I would visit their house, and that is where I think I get my love and understanding of music. 10,000 Maniacs had a highly successful and consistent career throughout the 80's and well in to the 90's until frontwoman Natalie Merchant departed from the band and released her first solo album in 1998, and she did not lose her popularity or her fans, and certainly not me.I never had the opportunity to see her live, whether solo or with the band, until last week while she was on a two-day stop in LA; one night at the Getty Center and a very close engagement at the Public Library, downtown. There were about 300 or so audience members at this very special event, anxiously awaiting to see her perform on her limited tour performing songs from her latest album, "Leave Your Sleep", her first in seven years.
She came out dressed in a plain black skirt and suit coat, with a button up shit, and joked that she looked like a librarian. Fitting, that she was performing....for the library. She, in her expected Natalie Merchant way, explained this lasted double album that she has been working on since 2003. This album is comprised of songs that she has adapted from the works of 58 of her favorite poets, which I think is a great concept, and was beautifully composed and created, both on my speakers and live.
She primarily performed songs off of her latest, but also gave us some nostalgia singing tracks from "Tigerlilly" and "Ophelia". This was truly an amazing experience, one that was definitely worth waiting for.
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