The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts

Morristown, NJ

October 18, 2008

Review By: Richard

The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts in Morristown, New Jersey is a 70-year old arts theatre that hosts a variety of musical and cultural events. The venue recently underwent a nearly $7 million expansion and renovation. It is a beautiful facility with a balcony. The theatre holds 1274 patrons.

Patty packed the Community Theatre with what was, in my view, the best show of this tour. (After the show, Patty agreed with my opinion) The big surprise of the evening was that even though no opening act was advertised, a female singer with an acoustic guitar approached the microphone at 8:00 p.m. It was Marcia Ramirez! What a treat! She launched into a 4 or 5 song set to begin the show that highlighted the immense talent that she has as a singer/songwriter. As we sat there listening to her set, we thought, "what a no brainer". Marcia should be the built-in opening act for all of Patty's shows during this tour. Her songs are from the heart, with what she described as a lot of autobiographical material. She set the tone for the evening as she blew away the audience. Her ovations were loud and prolonged.

She also began a trend for the evening, performing in her bare feet. After the show started, Garry Murray and Tom Britt abandoned their boots and performed "Marcia style". Patty refused to join the barefoot trend, claiming that no one wanted to see her feet. But the tone was set. This was to be a special show. While Marcia's expanded role may have started things off as special, it highlighted for me what a unique group of musicians make up this band. They appear as family members to one another, and as one family member stepped up this evening, the others beamed for her by performing with a special kind of love that only family can project. What I mean is, they kicked ass.

The appreciative crowd of over a thousand people fueled the positive energy in the theatre. Patty's voice soared through the hall. As many of you know, I almost always sit up close at Patty's shows (well, that goes for all shows, since I got spoiled early in my music life by sitting on the stage in my roadie days with the Byrds). This time, I got tickets about 8 rows back. The ticket manager at the theatre recommended Row G for the finest sound in the house. And, she was dead on. Sometimes when you are seated in the front, the vocals and the house mix go over your head, distorting the sound somewhat. But the sound I got from 8 rows back was absolutely perfect.

Just like the band is kicking into overdrive at this point in the tour, so is the vocal power of one Patty Loveless. She has undoubtedly recovered her "touring legs". Her voice is as strong, powerful, and passionate as it has ever been. She is hitting her stride. Her talking between songs demonstrates her profound love for country music and the audience is responding to her passion.

The set list tonight included two additional songs: Color of the Blues (which was performed at the Birchmere) and Drew A Broken Heart. Other than that, the set list remained the same as last night in Sellersville.

It was great to meet Roger and Lyle and to see Mike D. again. We also met papattyfan, who attended the Sellersville and Morristown shows.

Now we have to wait three more weeks for another dose of spirituality at the Ram's Head. I will have to live through the reports from Newberry and Prestonsburg in the meantime.