Rachael Yamagata @ Shibuya Club Quattro (31st Jan '05)
You Can't Stop Thinking About Her...
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Rarely does it seem that one can find a beautiful calm refuge in the increasingly turbulent concrete-paved landscape we inhabit. Especially pertinent within the frantic confines of a truly massive metropolis like Tokyo, not only is the reality readily evident so is the very real need for an antidote for it, distancing oneself from it in keeping one's sanity and good health. Thankfully, performance art, particularly music, has always thrived in playing an integral role in the medicinal prescription for this needed escapism to vital human sustenance.
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Daunting to most outsiders, it takes an absolute confidence in oneself, one's craft and one's unwavering interaction with their personal surroundings coupled with an innate belief in giving the benefit of one's doubts that surely helps overcome the sheer magnitude of an often distant Tokyo. And it is precisely this rare hat trick of sorts that Rachael Yamagata pulls off here and undoubtedly regularly, no matter the place or people. With her naked trusting tales of confession, sweet mischievous smile and eyes wildly alive, she heartily welcomes all those in here presence whether behind her Roland RD-700 or front and center onstage, ensuring the deepest connection possible this night.
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Gaining momentum from both critical and commercial circles, Yamagata's robust multi-dimensional performance of her disarming and easily embraceable 2004 debut 'Happenstance,' her previous EP along with new material quickly dismissed any skepticism that this budding artist could very well fall into the unfavorable and belittled tortured female songwriter bracket. Giving life to one of our newest favorite sweaters of comfort, humor and resolve for us to wear as we face ourselves in the mirror, Rachael unabashedly dispensed a kaleidoscope of emotions of her fruitful journey thus far that she's clearly enjoying as it unfurls. |
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Amidst the teeming international mix of twenty and thirty something's inside the popular and cozy Quattro with the neon hustle and bustle just outside and below, this oasis of tempered resolution had Rachel comfortably at ease leading her extended family sextet through 13 tales to the rapturous awakening of all present. |
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Utilizing a full arrangement unlike her past solo inaugural visit to Japan, she came armed with her own band of Gypsies that featured a cellist, violinist, 2 guitarists, bassist and drummer giving added fullness to her rich personal tapestries that wonderfully interplayed. Whether through her delivery of the raucous soulful resonant opener of betrayal "Letter Read," the strolling lulling desires of "Be Be Your Love," the sunny breeziness of "1963" or the soothing quiet collective closer of "Collide," Rachel clearly was both wonderfully lost in as well as found in her music and her fellow band mates muses, duly relishing it all amongst those choosing to celebrate with them within this soaring set.
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Poignant moments punctuated the night, giving her a rich bouquet in both music and lyrics interspersed with telling observations. Whether joking about her past mishaps, drinking habits and her remarkable ability to fall in love with 2 different guys simultaneously followed with a sheepish smile, there was just no stopping Rachael in her complete conquest of the hearts and minds inside. Coming from a spirited building belief in rising from the ashes of a broken relationship, an exclamation mark was delivered in "Worn Me Down" which had one fan feverishly lost in his spirited elation, jumping up and down with a fistful of assuredness waving high above as he sang along to Rachel's absolute delight. She smiled far and wide whilst giving her tambourine an emboldened shake throughout for all to see and feel in this rousing number of total frustration and a delayed acceptance to a painful reality. Well, they do say no pain, no gain.
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photo by mari and report by michael
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