Enchantment

Indigo Girls and Girlyman performing together

The Indigo Girls played the Barrymore Theater in Madison last night for me and several hundred lesbians. Saw a few guys, some clearly fans, some clearly looking for a guaranteed lay after accompanying their spouses/girlfriends to the show. Saw at least a few versions of myself. It was the 20-something crowd of Seattle's Bumbershoot Festival, twenty years later. Compared to most, I was surprised to be in the minority when it came to grey hair. As for the rest of me, I think Emily and I have put on about the same amount of weight over the years. I think Cornell is the only musician touched by LOST's Jacob, immune to ageing.

I was enchanted by the harmonies of these women, carried away to another time and place, 20 years back and all the way through to today. And places I've never been but hope to see someday...

The new songs that didn't do much for me on the CD I recently bought came alive on stage in their capable hands. They bring music to life in a way no other duo I know can. Maybe I shouldn't have waited 19 years...

I am always blown away by Amy's strong baritone, then carried away by Emily's soft melodies. Their guitar/mandolin/banjo playing just adds more sweetness to it all, and Amy invoked images of Dylan as she seamlessly handled her guitar, harmonica and vocals.

I was touched my many songs--and thrilled no end by Closer to Fine, which they sang with the opening group, Girlyman (also a great harmonic group)--but this is one that stuck out for me, so I thought I would share it.

One they didn't play was Ghost. Maybe they knew it was for the best.




Second Time Around Indigo Girls [written by Amy Ray]

The second time around, you know it really got me down.
Sister don't you judge it, just keep it to yourself now and if
You ain't got nothing good to say don't say nothing at all.

I got bitten by the bitter bug, and now I just can't get
Enough of ill will and my own conceit
I'm weary of the world it seems. I'm weary of the world,
Weary of the world it seems.

It's sort of always gone my way I'm just a little bit off
These days like I've had hard knocks all my life,
Like I'm a Bible belt wife. Like I didn't see it coming,
Like I didn't walk in willingly.

See, I never want to sing again la la la like a butterfly
Without my wits about me, without my heart in line.
Third time's a charm and this is mine.

You said you heard Loretta sing and felt the loneliness
seeping in, the cowboys made you uneasy, you're a
God-fearing lesbian so you learn not to yearn and you
Take it on the chin again.

Here's what I find about compromise--
Don't do it if it hurts inside, 'cause either way you're screwed;
Eventually you'll find you may as well feel good;
You may as well have some pride.

Come August we'll go to Cherokee and hear Loretta do
Her thing, pack it into the Indian Casino and make the
Hillbilly scene, kick up our heels and join in.

Are you my ally or my enemy? Do you have
Self-loathing or empathy? Can you keep me in your
Prayers, sister, can you keep me in there somewhere?
And sister if you ain't got nothing good to say...
Don't say nothing at all


Just a reminder NOT to drink too much (water, beer, whatever) when you're at a concert venue with one bathroom and an audience which is 99% female.