Last night I braved the snowstorm to check out Matthew Barber’s CD release party at the Rivoli, and it was well worth the effort.
True Believer is the Canadian songwriter’s fourth album - the second with indie label Outside Records - and he was genuinely excited to celebrate the continuation of this new chapter in his career. “It feels good, feels like a really good family” he said taking command of the small stage to play an impressive solo show. Throughout the evening both onstage and off, it was quite clear that Matthew Barber feels right at home.
The heartfelt five song set opened with the title track off the album, played acoustically and backed by harmonica. This was followed by the whimsical finger picking of While Away, after Barber picked up a beautiful cherry-red hollow body guitar that he would use for most of the night. Bluesy folk song Comeback Baby was next; leading into the slower, mournful tones of Revolution Of The Sun, which highlighted Barber’s amazing voice and his talent as a lyricist.
Barber mentioned that he hadn’t played a show in awhile, but he was so spot on musically that I honestly couldn’t tell. Barber also said that he was looking forward to his upcoming tour, and when he closed with an awesome off-mic performance of the uplifting I Think You’re Gonna Feel My Love, I knew he wasn’t the only one.
True Believer is in stores today.
Sidonie Wybourn
Concert Ninja