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EMILY WELLS OFFERS UP HER BEST SHOW AT HOTEL CAFE

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Contributed by: Tracie Jackson on 3/23/2007

With black locks aglow in white twinkle lights, the crinoline clad Emily Wells charmed the packed house at Hotel Cafe, playing one of her best performances to date,in support of the indie darling's latest release "Beautiful Sleepyhead and the Laughing Yaks". Backed by stellar musicians Joey Reina and Sam Halterman (upright bass and drums, respectively) and Timmy Straw guesting on glockenspiel, xylophone, keys and back-up vocals, Emily Wells opened with the banjo laden dithyramb, 'Dr. Hubris and His Vile of Turpentine', a song which references the ever-so reclusive author Thomas Pynchon, before playing the newly mined jewel called "We Get Along"that has Wells' softly fierce vocals and fast folk guitar accompanied by Halterman's driving drum parts. Not one to be called a shoegazer, Emily is an artist who connectsto her audience by interacting with a quick witted sense of humor in an engaging manner, sharing bits of her self outside of her music and has also become notorious for telling the audience about her secret dreamlife of shows gone improbably awry. The enthusiastically loud crowd cheered as she announced "1000 Years War", then fell silent as they listened intently to the song that takes a look at our warring world and begs the question from Wells' "when will it ever end? More and more people; Never, ever more land". The energy in the room was palpable on this song as Wells' offers up a live ending different from that of the recorded version.
In fact, Emily plays each song live in a slightly different way from what is on the CD, making her an artist that offers up a fresh show each time she performs. It won't be said by anyone that saw this show that they could have stayed home and listened to the record and heard the same thing. When she announced that she was about to play the last song of the evening, audible groans came from the crowd. Afterward, the audience demanded her back onstage for an encore, for which she and the band offered them "50 Year Love Affair" a song known to make at least a few people cry at each show with this one being no exception. During her performance, Wells' shined onstage, truly personifying an artist who lovesher craft and who has spent years honingher skills. She played instrument after instrument, seamlessly switching between guitar, piano, banjo, and ukulele. Her dynamic voice floated throughout the room, at once fiercely angelic and mellifluous. Emily Wells is the brightest star in the indie music sky right now and is destined to shine for years to come. Hear why as she takes the stage again on Thursday, March 29th, 8:00pm sharp at Hotel Cafe located at 1623 1/2 N. Cahuenga (just South of Hollywood Blvd.) in Hollywood. The Emily Wells Trio will be opening for Jill Cunnif of Luscious Jackson fame. Hear Music and learn more at www.emilywellsmusic.com and www.myspace.com/emilywells.

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