CAITLIN CANTY PUTS ON A PERFORMANCE FOR THE AGES AT ROCKWOOD MUSIC HALL

Having wrote about Caitlin Canty’s newest single “Get Up” a few weeks ago, I was really excited to see how the song would translate into a live setting and wasn’t disappointed at her album release show at Rockwood Music Hall.

Starting off the night was the song styling’s of Laurie Sargent, who effortlessly captivated the early arriving crowd (which was large for a Wednesday). Her set was brief but entertaining and was a nice treat for someone who had never listened before and will be checking out her back catalogue in the near future.

The air was charged and had a buzz to it before Caitlyn Canty and her band stepped onstage and for good reason; Her new album, Reckless Skyline which was released this week – is an absolutely gorgeous piece of Americana. Sometimes that very same energy that a riled up crowd can bring, is in the form of talking over the music but for most of the show, you could of heard a pin drop which shows respect for such a great performance that isn’t always available in NYC.

Caitlin’s band is really an impressive group of veteran musicians including Jeffrey Foucault on guitars who also provided amazing harmony on the backup vox; Eric Heywood (Ray Lamontange’s Pariah Dogs, The Pretenders), who blew me away on the pedal steel and electric guitars all night. Rounding out the band who held the rhythm section down perfectly was Billy Conway (Morphine) on drums and Jeremy Moses Curtis (Booker T) on bass. Near the end of the set Laurie Sargent and Miss Tess added some beautiful vocals to a song as well.

The thirteen song set was highlighted by a non-mic’d duo between Canty and Foucault that was absolutely breathtaking and the aforementioned “Get Up” which had the crowd singing along with the chorus.

Caitlin’s album release mini-tour with her full band continues tonight (1-23) in Northhampton, MA, tomorrow in Vermont (2-24), and finishes in Cambridge, MA on the 25th. Be sure to catch her shows with the full band, you won’t regret it!

Article by: Shayne Hanley

Photos by: Michael DiGiovanni