Carrie Newcomer@McCabes 03.12.10
By George W. Harris

No, she’s not a jazz singer per se, but in actuality, singer/songwriter
Carrie Newcomer was accompanied by jazz pianist Gary Walters for the
whole 2 hour set, and even did a tune of his own from an album that
appears to be worth searching for. Anyway, as every musician knows, the
goal of an artist is to “tell your story,” and in this sense, Ms
Newcomer has to be up there with the best of American singers, as she
held the captives in the cozy confines of McCabes enraptured by her
tales of faith, hope, grace and love, the greatest of these which is
love.

She’s got a rich, husky and earthy voice that she uses to perfection,
letting it fade in and out of intensity as she weaves stories of County
Fairs, sunrises, growing old together in marriage, geodes, and the joy
of having a strong loving father. Little things that you don’t notice
in life that actually make up your day were the things which Newcomber
brought to light as she emphasized songs from her latest album Before
and After (Rounder). Coming from a Quaker background, Newcomber is
able to give spiritual insight into our present state, reminding us
that “there is a tree beyond this world” and there God’s Providence
provides “mysteries so close to fog the glory.” As CK Chesterton wrote,
people need to keep getting excited about new things because they don’t
see the excitement in the everyday things God has provided us with.
Newcomer did an excellent job of reminding the LA scene of God’s tender
mercies through the wonderful world of song.