The Allen Room at Lincoln Center

January 15, 2009

New York, NY

Review By: Jim

Okay, so I have already been to one Patty show, but I feel that I am in my rookie season. Plus, I took my colleague who has never seen her. I saw her in October in Morristown NJ and I was completely awestruck by her performance. I felt like I was in a dream. In NYC, it was the same band almost the same show and the same beautiful, lively, sweet, warm and passionate Patty.

We drove from Hartford to Stamford, boarded the MetroNorth train to Grand Central Terminal. We planned on walking to the show, which would have taken about thirty minutes, but it was cold and we were late. We ended up taking the subway, which went okay. We got to the theatre around eight.

I wasn't sure what to expect. I remember when I bought the tickets. I thought, "Hmm. sixth floor.. Why are they sticking her up there!?!" There were no pictures of the theatre at the website (or none I could find) I also knew that they were strict on their policy about taking pictures. And I wasn't expecting that Patty would come out and talk with us afterwards either. They also mentioned in the program that the show would last about 1 hour 30 minutes. That left me thinking 'What will she leave out?' And I was worried about the crowd. What could be more contrary to pure country than NYC!?

I found out why the theatre was on the sixth floor. It was because the entire back of the stage was glass. The window looked down on Columbus Circle below us, and 59th street in front of us, a snow covered Central Park South to the left. And the buildings across the street at eye level with us. It was a beautiful setting for a show. Very different than anything I have ever seen. Our seats were center stage, ten rows back and above eye level from the band members. I was regretting buying floor seats, but only slightly since I wanted a complete view of the stage this time.

A man came in and sat in front of us. I recognized him, but wasn't sure where from. Was it someone from home or someone famous?!? Then I realized it was Jim Lauderdale. That was the pleasant surprise of the night. I resisted the temptation of interrupting him. Anyway the band came out and started into "Blame" So I left him alone. Then someone yelled to the band "Welcome to New York" and I knew the show would be just fine. Then Patty came out smiling and started singing. This time I wasn't in disbelief that I was finally getting to see her, but I was just as mesmerized by her presence.

Blame started it. I said it before but lively is the word I use to describe it. Energetic maybe. I won't go through the set list here. It was pretty much the same as the Morristown show and most of the fall shows I have seen reported here. She got to the third song which was "You Don't Seem to Miss Me" and she explained George Jones's involvement and mentioned that Jim Lauderdale was in the audience. She scanned the crowd for him in the first couple of rows, couldn't find him then said "Thanks Jim." Then I leaned over and said "Yeah, Thanks Jim" He turned around and smiled.

But like my friend and everyone else there, Jim was singing and clapping along to all of her songs. He was just being a fan that night. It is hard for me to be objective when it comes to Patty, but she has a subtle way of capturing the crowd and bringing us into the core of country music with her. She electrified that place. I am sure more than one of the casual fans became true fans that night. I have never heard more "Woos!!" in NYC in one time in my life. There was some heckling... One "I love you Patty" And I love you back from her. But nothing too obnoxious. Patty talked about how she opened for the Desert Rose Band the first time she played in NYC. And how she played longer than the venue allowed because of the support she was given.

I wouldn’t have expected that she would hit her notes after being off for bit, but she was in perfect voice (remember I am a rookie). That's All It Took came off beautifully (one of my favs) If My Heart Had Windows was another of my favs of the night. She mentioned that If My Heart Had Windows got her into the Opry.

I am writing too much here. But from the one show I saw and what I have read here, it was a typical Patty performance. She brought it all and left it there for us. She has such a wonderful gift and she truly enjoys what she does and we can't help but enjoy it. She revels in the tradition by praising the greats. She shows us she is one of the greats when she opens her mouth and sings. She received a standing ovation at the end of "Elvis" and yes, the audience did their part. And another after a chilling rendition of Cold, Cold Heart. She gathered the band for a group bow and left us wondering when or looking forward to the next time we could see her.

I was able to talk to Jim Lauderdale afterwards. I thanked him and told him how much I loved his writing. (The crowd was also especially electrified by Halfway Down) He was really appreciative and humbled by it. I also discussed Patty with him. I asked him that if he met up with her that night, could he just tell Patty that her voice is better and stronger than ever. He said "Yeah, wasn't she amazing. I have never heard her sound so good" He is genuinely a nice man. And he really enjoyed the show.

It was nice to talk to Richard and Patti after the show. We got to thank most of the band, but Patty had already left the building, so we didn't get to see her this time around. It would have been like getting frosting on an already frosted cake. Morristown was like a dream to me, NYC was a dream come true.