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Nov 21: Lenoir, NC
Nov 22: Nashville, TN
Jan 15: New York, NY
Mar 14: Chicago, IL
Mar 28: Nashville, IN
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Sleepless Nights
Released on: September 9, 2008
Features: Why Baby Why, Crazy Arms, He Thinks I Still Care
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Birchmere
October 27th, 2004
Alexandria, VA
Review by Richard
My wife, Patti, loves to go camping. I like to camp in hotels. But God bless her as she assumed the task of camping out in the car at the Birchmere parking lot on Tuesday night. This assured us First in Line status for the general admission venue for Patty’s show on Wednesday. It was appropriate that Patti Baker arrived at the Birchmere in time to catch Richard Thompson’s show on Tuesday evening because he is the author of Patty Loveless’ opening song on the 2004 tour, Tear Stained Letter. Although she enjoyed the Thompson show, it was just the prelude for the second to last show of Patty and Band for this year.
I arrived at the Birchmere at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday to find my wife sound asleep inside her cozy Honda Pilot. In front of the entrance to the club were our two chairs draped with a sign that read First In Line for Patty Loveless. There were three other people in line by the time I arrived. The day passed quickly as we were gradually joined by other Patty Heads. It was great to spend quality time with Cole, Tammie, Mike D., Miles, Bob J. and Barbara, Jess, Mike, Jackie (Queen of Frequent Flyer Miles), Teresa (who graciously bought us dinner and supplied me with Irish Whiskey), Melinda and Todd, and Wanda and her husband. And of course, my lovely valiant wife. Two of my co-workers, Kathy and Chip, also attended the show, primarily to watch me watch Patty.
When the doors opened at 5:00 p.m., we received our well deserved line number. The doors to the music hall opened at 6:00 p.m. and the aforementioned group assembled at the front tables. One of the features of this fine music hall is that the stage is quite low to the ground, so that while it is not as intimate as the “living room feel” of the Ram’s Head Tavern, it is top notch for being close to the performers. And the sound is always perfect.
The band hit the stage at a little past 7:30 p.m. and quite simply, they rocked. I know that all tours must end (except for Bob Dylan’s Never Ending Tour) and I know that Patty and band are owed a well deserved rest, but it is a shame since they seem to hit their absolute best after they are on the road for six months. The passion was overwhelming as Patty nailed everything she sang and the boys and girls played their hearts out behind her. It does not matter how familiar the set list has become during the tour because Patty, Deanie, Garry, Pete, Marcia, Jimmy, Martin, and Guthrie make the songs vital all over again. My ultimate thrill came after the bluegrass band nailed The Boys Are Back In Town. Patty turned to Garry and said “I’ll never get tired of that one.” I spoke up and said “I’ll Never Grow Tired of You, Sweetheart.” Patty replied, “You really want to hear that one?” I nodded my head. She huddled with the group for a few seconds and went into my all-time favorite Stanley Brothers’ classic.
The harmonies were exquisite and I knew what it felt like to be in heaven. The audience was an all-Patty crowd – very few generic country gawkers. No wonder she returns to the Birchmere year after year. I know that Cole and Barbara and a few others will offer their perspectives of this fine show, so I won’t go on and on. PLN will not be at a loss for reviews and pictures for this one. May 2005 bring us as many goose bumps.
Richard Baker