Concert Review: Potenza Front and Center at The Met
Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Rhode Island native Sarah Potenza, who recently starred in NBC’s popular singing competition The Voice, rocked the house Sunday night at The Met. It was an extra special homecoming show as Potenza, who now resides in Nashville, was joined by the Smithfield High School Chorus, a group she was a part of in high school.
Under the watchful gaze of Janis Joplin (who along with other music legends adorns the walls of the venue), Potenza belted out a rousing set of covers and originals, including a couple of new songs from her upcoming album Monster. Peppered with stories of growing up in Rhode Island and life on the road, Potenza captivated the audience. Equally impressive was husband and guitarist Ian Crossman, who accompanied Potenza throughout the evening.
Songs Old and New
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTPotenza is best known for her run on NBC’s The Voice last spring. She went deep in the competition and was widely recognized for her live performances and stage presence. The appearance raised her national profile and vastly expanded her fan base. She also became a bit of a fashion icon with her stylish stage wear and trademark white rimmed eyeglasses.
Musically, Potenza is slowly moving away from the “roots country” sound that was a big part of her former band, The Tall Boys. She and Crossman shined on original ballads like “My Grandad” and “Up on the Third Floor,” country-folk favorites, complete with just the right amount of throaty twang from Crossman’s Stratocaster. On “Valley of Tears,” Crossman provided the sonic texture that allowed Potenza to really stretch out on vocals, reaching levels that would make even Janis Joplin blush.
She’s a commanding presence on stage, and her arrangements on new songs like “Monster” (first time played live) and “The Mountain” show that. The latter had an anthem-like feel with Crossman wailing on a solo which featured some carefully constructed feedback. Both songs are expected to be on her new album, tentatively titled Monster.
Coming from a musical family, the singer-songwriter knows how to make great rock and roll. In a recent interview with American Songwriter magazine, Potenza set the tone for her new album, due later this year. “The vibe I’m going for? It’s as though Lucinda Williams wrote a bunch of songs and then Wilco played them, with Charles Bradley as the lead singer.”
While Crossman was dealing with a technical issue, she covered the classic “Me and Bobby McGee,” in a version that sounded very close to Joplin's enduring original. Her best cover of the night came on the Lucinda Williams penned "Pineola," “a song that inspired me to become a songwriter.” She also sang Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah," considered one of the greatest songs ever written. Her emotive take on the oft-covered classic more than did it justice.
SHS Chorus
Potenza is a fervent advocate for the arts, and she spoke a school committee meeting last Spring to plead support for the music program. Needless to say, Smithfield High Chorus students were thrilled to sing with Potenza.
Perhaps the only downside of the night was that we didn’t see enough of the SHS Chorus. The ensemble provided an ambient layer of textured background on “Wasted Love,” a tune originally sung by Voice finalist Matt McAndrew in 2014. With minimal preparation, the students, under the leadership of Chorus Director Katherine Young, were “spot on” in support. It was a special moment for the kids and their families and was "hands down" the highlight of the evening.
Star Power
Jessica Lawton, a freshman in the Chorus who sang Sunday summed up Potenza’s enduring appeal.
“Sarah Potenza is such an amazing role model to so many people. What makes her unique is that she doesn't fit that cookie cutter mold of the music star. She sings what she wants to sing and wears what she wants to wear.”
Freshman Julia Mitchell agreed:
“I think Sarah is so popular because she is not afraid to be herself. Her voice is amazing and being from a small town, she shows us that it doesn’t matter where you start off, it matters if you work hard.”
Another SHS performer, Juliana Rivelli added “She has such an amazing voice and her presence on stage is such a joyful one…not to mention her quirky glasses and outfits! She is truly not like any other performer.”
We agree. And more good news - Potenza announced that she’ll be back in town this Spring, first in March at the Narrows Center and then in June, headlining the 40th anniversary of RI PrideFest. Get out and see her – you won’t be disappointed!
Ken Abrams review Roots, Rock and more for GoLocal. E-Mail comments here.
Related Slideshow: Top Winter Concerts
Related Articles
- GoLocalProv Interview: Sarah Potenza of The Voice
- Rhode Island Native Sarah Potenza to Appear on NBC’s The Voice
- TV Tonight - Sarah Potenza Live on The Voice
- Mojo Photography: 17th Annual Rhythm and Roots Festival
- Concert Review: Chicago at PPAC
- Deer Tick at Lupo’s