Daily Archive for September 25th, 2006

Cary Hudson and Shannon McNally at Bend Studio.

For my listening pleasure, the second show I ventured out to see this weekend was Cary Hudson and Shannon McNally at Bend Studio’s listening room. I almost hate to admit it, but this was another show that I didn’t know what to expect until the first cord was struck. I didn’t get a chance to listen to any of Cary’s music before the show, and Shannon doesn’t have any of her music on her myspace currently. Sometimes the best shows happen when you don’t know what to expect; thus was the case on this night.

The show opened with Cary Hudson. If I were given the task of summing up Cary’s Music in just a word, I am confidant that I could do so. It’s a long word, and word that is fun to spell really fast. That word is: Mississippi. I would classify Cary’s sound as south eastern folk, with a strong lyrical and emotional connection to the great state of Mississippi. If you ever want to learn about the great people and cuisine of Mississippi, Cary can enlighten you.

Cary sang very well and was very comfortable being on stage. The music I would say was generally of a light hearted nature (read funny). Style was a great mix of different tempos with power levels ranging from slow and easy to feet stomping, harmonica whaling jams that had the whole crowd keeping the beat with at least one extremity. He previewed Shannon’s voice to the audience when he asked her to come and sing with him for a song. With that preview of Miss Shannon, I knew that the 2nd half of the show was going to be at least equally as impressive as the first. I really enjoyed Cary’s performance and I am confidant that the rest of the crowd did as well. In fact, that was the first opening performance at Bend that I have seen who got a standing ovation followed by an encore. In fact, I think that’s the only time I’ve ever seen that.

Next came Shannon McNally. I know this might not exactly follow with the general guidelines or template of a music review, but I have to comment on the fact that the first thing I noticed when Shannon took the stage, was the fact that she had on the coolest belt buckle that I’ve ever seen. I don’t think I’ve ever noticed a belt buckle before….so I thought it might be worth talking about. 

The quality of Shannon’s voice is hard to describe. I think soulful would be a good term that does a good pretty good job at capturing something that can be so difficult to describe with only words. She played in typical Bend style with just her voice and guitar for the majority of her set. I was very impressed when she laid the guitar down and sang A cappella for a few moments. What a great way to see someone’s true talent. When they not only stand in front of you and play their music alone with only their guitar, without a bunch of other instruments to mix with their voice, but to then drop the one instrument you have and stand alone. Naked is the word that comes to mind. She sang alone, with only the microphone (which she didn’t need! Her voice is more than powerful enough to fill a larger room) and did an amazing job. Very impressive.

I would say her sound is also a southern/south eastern folk. She hails from New Orleans, and you can defiantly feel that musical spirit in her voice. Her voice reminds me of someone, but as usual I can’t quite place it. Like Cary, she was also very conversational and comfortable up on the little stage. Her smile, and the fact that she sings with her eyes open made my job of taking pictures pretty easy. Chalk that one up to another great evening of music at Bend Studio. I went in not knowing what to expect, and left well entertained and impressed. You can listen to their music by following the links below (Shannon as some music on her non-mypace page). If either of these artists find themselves in your neck of the woods, make sure you lend them your ear.

Cary Hudson
Shannon McNally
Bend Studio