Show #2
Neither rain nor hail nor flash floods kept ‘em away.

An overflow audience showed up following a tremendous storm here in NYC last Thursday night for the second installment of the WFM Listening Room house concert.  New Yorkers are a hearty and determined people when it comes to their inspirational entertainment.  They got back plenty for their efforts.

Megan Neale, a young newcomer to the scene and hugely promising singer – songwriter opened the evening with a four-song set of her own compositions.  The songs, mostly ranging on the variations of lost love, totally captured the audience because of their in-depth lyrics and original and most compelling melodies. 

Ms Neale, who reminds us of a younger Tori Amos, sings assuredly with a seasoned confidence and a clear knowledge of today’s pop styles.  She also kept us chuckling with her somewhat deprecating wit during her song set-ups.  We expect to see a lot more from this developing talent.  We also hope to see more range of subject matter and performance going forward.

Headlining the evening was the powerful inspirational performance of Julia Wade.  This lady can sing!  On top of that, besides being blessed with a world-class voice, she’s a fine actress and infuses her songs with an understanding of her material and her message.

An audience member texted us moments after the concert,

“When it comes to live performances, I’m sorry to admit that, having lived in NYC my entire life, I’m rather jaded, and rarely attend anything.   I accepted your kind invitation because it evoked my curiosity.

What an epiphany — it felt like my “enjoyment capacity” took a big leap last night.   The evening was lovely — presentation, music, venue, discussion, and of course — voices!”

Ms Wade handled an eight-song set with grace and power, weaving story songs in and out of her mostly spiritual and illuminating message of peace and enlightenment.  One audience favorite was her new cover of Bette Midler’s galvanizing hit, From A Distance, a new interpretation from Julia’s forthcoming CD due out Christmas.

Singing from yet unfinished studio tracks, she requested that her audience (filled with a number of NY’s singin’ divas all out to catch Wade’s act) perform the parts of the yet recorded choir.  Audience joined in on appropriate places with gusto.  Call it a professional sing along.

The after-performance talkback with both performers proved to be an in-depth look at both vocalist’s sense of preparation.  One felt the discussion could have gone on for hours with all the talent in the room (including 3 of NYC’s top vocal teachers).

Next Concert: Thursday, October 7^th @ 7:30 PM.  Julia Wade will be joined by multi-talented NYC favorite, Margaret Dorn.  That’s one we don’t want to miss!

For more inspirational music, thoughts, and ideas from Peter Link,
please visit Watchfire Music.