By: Andrea Myers
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Haley Bonar and Chris Morrisey at the 400 - Photo by Andrea Myers (click for larger version)
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Minneapolis songwriter Michael Morris opened Saturday’s concert at the 400 Bar with a strong, lyrically poignant performance. He played with a diverse group that included an accordion player and cellist alongside the more typical bass, drums, keys lineup, which created a soothing drone behind Morris’ acoustic guitar and unassuming voice.
At times Morris’ voice reminded me of Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes; at others he sounded more distinct. Either way, he has knack for annunciation and dramatic pauses, begging the listener to follow his every word. His songs consist of slow, sprawling melodies and meandering crescendos, and his emotions come across in waves through his lyrics and soft vocal nuances. He plays music that is at once rhythmic and still. One girl danced in violent jolts in front of the stage while others swayed calmly in the background.
Haley Bonar took the stage with a talented group of local musicians to delight the audience with a moody, crooning set of songs. Bonar shared the stage with bassist Chris Morrissey, guitarist Mike Michel (aka Bill Mike), and drummer Ryan Lovin, and the group displayed extreme attention to detail and musical sensitivity, setting the perfect tone for Bonar’s music.
The set began with the entire band playing, as Lovin led the group with a steady, churning gallop and Michel moaned quietly on the slide guitar. Bonar is anticipating a spring release on her new album, and they played many new songs that I assume will be on the new record.
After a few numbers we were left alone with Bonar and Morrissey, who complemented each other beautifully in a handful of duets. Chris Morrissey is a very responsive performer and was in top form next to Bonar, with dead-on vocal harmonies and precise, articulate bass lines. Haley’s graceful tone and stage presence were a treat for the ears and eyes, her rich voice crafted with an intriguing mix of shyness and creative ferocity.
One highlight was a song called “Captain, Captain,” which features gorgeous oceanic scenery and the simple chorus, “Happiness is in the water so blue.” In a moment of irony Bonar’s voice is strained and suffering, pressing against the meaning of the lyrics and lamenting a life lost at sea, whether figuratively or literally.
The band joined Bonar on stage once again for a great performance of the song “Car Wreck,” from her 2003 release The Size of Planets. The song builds up in a great crescendo with persistent bass and drums and reaches its crowning moment with Bonar proclaiming joyfully, “I sing about the things I love.”
In her encore, she played a few more songs with Morrissey and one delightful little Christmas song, which I believe is called “Bells,” an uncharacteristically lighthearted song that she wrote for the season.
Haley Bonar set list:
Lure the Fox
Daisy Girls
Drinking Again
Too Much Nothing
Hawaii
Bless This Mess
Tiger Boy
Captain, Captain
Am I Allowed
Brother You’re Free
Devilish Man
Highway 16
Car Wreck
Ransom
Holiday
Give it Up
-encore-
Johnny
Us
Save a Horse Ride a Cowboy
Christmas Song
Location Info:
400 Bar
Artist Info: Haley Bonar, Michael Morris
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