In the Know-Pieta Brown in Minneapolis!
Have you ever been to one of those concerts where the opener blows you away and you walk away feeling like you know something that everyone else doesn’t, but should or soon will? Well, last night during Pieta Brown’s opening set for Mark Knopfler that’s exactly what it felt like. Pieta is in the middle of a28-date North American tour with the sultan of swing himself and last night’s show in downtown Minneapolis was an absolute treat.
Among romantic period opera house architecture and crystal chandeliers, Pieta and Bo stood at the forefront of a black backdrop that could have swallowed the duo. The purple lights beaming from the stage set the mood and Pieta looked like a rock star more than your typical singer/songwriter. Playing a 30-minute set, Pieta wasted no time capturing the audience, opening with “Rolling Down the Track” from her 2007 release Remember the Sun. Barreling through a set with “Are You Free?” as well as one of the stand outs from her brand new Red House album One and All “Other Way Around.” Closing with the title track from Remember the Sun Pieta played an absolutely gorgeous set. Bo’s trademark minimalist guitar licks added the perfect shine and grit for the complete package.
Pieta looked like she was having a blast up on stage opening for one of her musical heros. During a guitar switch, Pieta told a story of an earlier show on the tour. While watching Mark Knopfler from the side of the stage Pieta became inspired by what she was witnessing. Being the true songwriter she is, Pieta immediately seized the moment and went to her dressing room to scratch out what was running through her head. What came out was an amazing new song (I believe entitled “Easy Kind”) that she “tested” on us. This is the kind of song that can shrink a venue to make it seem like she’s playing in your living room. From where I was sitting there wasn’t an ear or eye that wasn’t transfixed at that moment. A capstone to a fantastic set.
Pieta’s off to Michigan and the East Coast, wrapping up the tour on May 9th in Albany, NY. If you’re in the area do yourself a favor and make it out to a show. You’ll be in the know.
Buy Pieta’s One and All here!