Iris DeMent
Iris DeMent
Cactus Café
Austin, TX
After a 16-year break from recording, singer/songwriter Iris DeMent reemerged on the scene with a new country album, Sing the Delta. The singer introduced many of her latest pieces while treating the audience to some old favorites as well in her recent performances at the Cactus Café.
With a quick, “Hey everybody,” she sat at the Baldwin baby grand piano and promptly launched into “When My Morning Comes Around.” Her voice’s piercing, nasal clarity harkens back to some of the country greats, such as Loretta Lynn or Tanya Tucker, giving her song a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
Dement’s stiff cowboy boots made it difficult for her to smoothly use the piano’s pedals. Instead, she nonchalantly lifted her entire leg to change the pedal every time. This quirk seemed especially apt when the musician jokingly shared, “If I had my way, I’d sing behind a curtain.”
One of the most poignant songs was one inspired by a quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. The union of the lyrics and soulful harmonic progression packed a passionate punch. Together they communicated a powerful sincerity reminiscent of some of the original protest songs from the ‘60s. The fact that a few were moved to tears reflected the moving honesty of the emotion Dement conveyed through this piece.
The authenticity of her music and person endear DeMent to her audiences. Each song invites listeners to engage in the artist’s struggles in a profoundly human way.
by Jacqueline Perrin
Cactus Café
Austin, TX
With a quick, “Hey everybody,” she sat at the Baldwin baby grand piano and promptly launched into “When My Morning Comes Around.” Her voice’s piercing, nasal clarity harkens back to some of the country greats, such as Loretta Lynn or Tanya Tucker, giving her song a sense of familiarity and nostalgia.
Dement’s stiff cowboy boots made it difficult for her to smoothly use the piano’s pedals. Instead, she nonchalantly lifted her entire leg to change the pedal every time. This quirk seemed especially apt when the musician jokingly shared, “If I had my way, I’d sing behind a curtain.”
One of the most poignant songs was one inspired by a quote of Martin Luther King, Jr. The union of the lyrics and soulful harmonic progression packed a passionate punch. Together they communicated a powerful sincerity reminiscent of some of the original protest songs from the ‘60s. The fact that a few were moved to tears reflected the moving honesty of the emotion Dement conveyed through this piece.
The authenticity of her music and person endear DeMent to her audiences. Each song invites listeners to engage in the artist’s struggles in a profoundly human way.
by Jacqueline Perrin
