The Looking is opera singer Todd Carter’s project revolving around taking traditional Americana songs and making them into folk country songs. The album resulting from this project, Songs For A Traveler, is in no way a simple nostalgia project. At their CD release show, Todd Carter and his band succeeded at reinventing classic American songs and making them sound contemporary.
Photo by Dewey Frechette
Carter’s moody delivery and intense stage presence fit the dark basement vibe of the Bowery Electric. He seemed to truly mesmerize the crowd as everyone either stood motionless or sat on benches, all with their eyes on him (except for one woman who was probably my favorite sight––she was dancing like she was at a Grateful Dead show, barely letting up between songs). My favorite moment during their set came from a cover of a Jimmie Rodgers song. Unfortunately because of my menial knowledge of country music, I forgot which song it was. I just know that it was beautifully arranged.
Photo by Dewey Frechette
The highlight of the night came from indie songstress Alyson Greenfield. I’ve seen her perform plenty of times and you really never know what you are going to get with her sets. The absence of a beatboxer really helped keep her set the tightest I’ve ever seen. She started with a few songs that required strings, but that doesn’t mean they bored the crowd. In fact, her cello player was headbanging just as much as anyone would at a metal show. It also didn’t hurt that her drummer was Brian Viglione (of Dresden Dolls fame). His precision really gave her introspective songs the powerful potential they always had.
Photo by Dewey Frechette
Photo by Dewey Frechette
Alyson had some technical difficulties with a looping pedal and drum machine. But her cheerful and chatty stage presence, kept the audience at ease. She even owned her screw ups as she told the crowd, “Okay this is a workshop right now. Feel free to critique me after this!” before sharing a song she had written the night before. Once finished, someone shouted, “that was awesome!” That exclamation could sum up most of the night.
Review by Alex Martinez
