On July 18th, singer-songwriter Neko Case will perform at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater right here in Wilmington, NC. Her performance will feature special guest Kelly Hogan, Case's vocal accompaniment in many of her recordings and live performances. The show promises to deliver a rare musical performance for ILM.
The most notable and immediately arresting aspect of Neko Case's music is her voice. With its consistent richness and powerful timbre, Case's voice pairs beautifully with the folky instrumentation in her music – peddle steel guitar, banjo, tenor guitar, various electric guitars, and upright bass – all of which borrows from the sounds of old country, gospel, and indie rock. The culmination of these sounds leaves listeners on a porch swing, reminiscing classic musicians like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Roy Orbison. In addition to her sound, Case's lyricism is fierce and poetic. "My love has never lived indoors," she croons "Vengeance is Sleeping", from her latest album Middle Cyclone, "I've had to drag it home by force/hired hounds at both my wrists/damp and bruised by stranger's kisses on my lips."
Case's discography includes a sound that began as more or less traditional country, each album growing more complex and alternative over the years. She achieved commercial success with her latest two albums, 2006's Fox Confessor Brings the Flood and 2009's Middle Cyclone. Both albums feature the accompaniment of such acclaimed artists as The Band's Garth Hudson, A.C. Newman, and M. Ward. Not only did she receive two Grammy nominations for Middle Cyclone, but she was also featured as vocal accompaniment on Jakob Dylan's latest solo album, 2010's Women and Country as well as her contribution to 2012's The Hunger Games: Songs from District 12 and Beyond, both of which were produced by incomparable T Bone Burnett.
Those attending Neko Case's July 18th concert are certainly in for a beautiful experience. Her Americana sounds are perfect for an outdoor concert in dusky Southern summer. With Jon Rauhouse, who is a genius on the peddle steel guitar and banjo and the flawless guitar playing of Paul Rigby, attendees can expect to hear their favorite songs in different versions from their recordings, as Case utilizes more country and roots sounds in her live set. Several cover songs can also expect to be heard. Case is notorious for covering artists such as Hank Williams, Bob Dylan, Harry Nillson, Tom Waits, and Randy Newman, among others. Music lovers in Wilmington and the surrounding areas should not miss the chance to catch a lovely summer performance by a musician that promises to deliver a beautiful, moving live show in an apt setting. Tickets are on sale now and can be found online at greenfieldlakeamphitheater.com. Get them now!
