Starting off the concert at Cleveland's Beachland Ballroom was an old favorite, “I Need Love,” from her commercially successful Martinis and Bikinis. This version was done with a more subdued tone, the direction Phillips is taking with her music.
Don't Do Anything Does Much
Her new recording, Don't Do Anything, is the first one in over 10 years that wasn't produced by T-Bone Burnett, Phillips' former husband. Phillips was behind the helm for this recording. It is more stripped-down and highlights her voice and guitar playing. Phillips has more time since one of her side projects, music for the Gilmore Girls television show, has ended since its series finale in 2007.
Live performances of these songs were not far from the recordings. “Sister Rosetta Goes Before Us” captured the same energy that is present on the disc. Eric Gorfain playing his unusual Stroh violin spotlighted this tune with eerie sounds.
The Stroh violin, introduced by Johann M. A. Stroh in the early 1900s, has a cone-shaped piece attached to boost its sound. The precursor to an electric pickup. It took on a Chinese sound during the evocative song "Fan Dance."
Throughout the night, drummer Jay Bellerose amazed the audience with his percussive innovations. Whether it be the pounding of the drum set or the tinkling of finger bells, his abilities complimented Phillips’ cabaret-styled tunes. The fourth member of the ensemble, Ted Reichman, accompanied on keyboards and accordion.
Sam Phillips Hates Encores
Although many of the selections were explorations of personal relationships and heartache, Phillips had some lighthearted moments. Performing “Animals on Wheels,” accompanied only by a mini cassette player, Phillips gave a wry smile as she shook the machine which resulted in quaky sound effects.
The Ballroom was a beautiful setting for the concert. Her waltz-like numbers were reminiscent of another time in the ballroom's history. In contrast, "Shake it Down" off the new disc, had a strong electric guitar accompanied by banjo. The effects gave a Middle Eastern feel to the song. "Don't Do Anything,"
Phillips talked about how she hated the formality of the "encore." Instead of finishing up, leaving the stage and coming back on, she made the audience a deal. She would do one more song and then two more for the encore.
After the crowd agreed to this arrangement, Phillips and her band finished out the night with two songs from A Boot and a Shoe, "Reflecting Light" and “One Day Late” as well as "Watching Out of the World," from the new disc. It was a satisfying end to a magical show.
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