I've written previously on this blog about singer-songwriter Erin Bode. Her pleasant soprano voice and songwriting talents that she and keyboardist Adam Maness share have resulted in many excellent concerts and CDs. Her band and she will perform tonight at Station Plaza in Kirkwood. As a preview of what listeners might hear tonight, here are excerpts from an interview I conducted with Bode after last year's Station Plaza concert:
What do you really love to sing, among all the songs that you sing?
"...Irving Berlin, 'Reaching For The Moon.' The melody is wonderful. Irving Berlin has never written a song that doesn't have a perfect melody, that [doesn't express] perfectly the words. I love all of his songs, and every time we pick one, it's very meaningful for me. And the Paul Simon tunes that we did tonight, 'Born At The Right Time' and 'Graceland.' I love everything he's done, but those, in particular, are maybe ones that people don't hear done all the time."
Do you have a favorite album of all the ones you've recorded?
"It is hard to choose, but I think, for various reasons, 'The Little Garden...' The quality and the sound of 'The Little Garden' is really spectacular. That one was done really well. I do love our Christmas CD, ['A Cold December Night,'] as well."
I love your version of "The Holly And The Ivy" and "Skating." It works at any time of the year, I think.
"Thanks! I think so, too. That's kind of what we were going for with the Christmas CD. We wanted it to be something that puts you in the right spirit of things but that wouldn't only be good at Christmastime."
----
Which songs will Erin Bode perform tonight? Most likely, two of her most compelling tunes, "Holiday" and "The Mountain," will be on the set list. Probably "Heart Of Mine," which really comes alive in concert. Possibly a surprise or two, such as "Sweater Song" or "Out Of Time." Also, as indicated above, there will likely be some well-chosen cover songs. Having seen her in concert each year since 2007, I know it'll be an enjoyable evening of music.
