Peter Himmelman at the Loft at City Winery

In third grade in St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Peter Himmelman wanted to be an oceanographer; in sixth grade, however, he refused to give up his role as lead guitarist in his elementary-school rock quartet. At age 16 he joined a black calypso band called Shangoya, and before his 21st birthday played indie-rock with Sussman Lawrence (1979 to 1985). He launched a solo career in New York City and then married Bob Dylan's daughter and raised a family in Santa Monica, California. In addition to recording his singer/songwriter albums and children's music albums, Himmelman became a prolific music writer for films and television programs, both songs and instrumental background music. Himmelman is also the founder of a consulting company which guides individuals and organizations to unlock their creative potential and achieve better communication, innovative and leadership skills. His 13th solo album, There Is No Calamity, was released on April 21, 2017.

Peter Himmelman performed tonight at the Loft at City Winery accompanied by his acoustic guitar, Matt Thompson on upright bass, and David Morgan on upright piano and melodica. At first, the profound lyrics and sparse arrangements generated a mellow, meditative spirit throughout the intimate venue. Himmelman's lyrics were the language of the heart, probing into the human condition with a prevailing sense of optimism, and his finger-picking mastery demonstrated his skill at adapting jazz and bluegrass styles to his troubadour approach. After a few songs, however, Himmelman began conversing off-the-cuff with the audience and introduced a facet that was not evident in the pensive, sobering songs that began the set. A music fan may have come to hear well-crafted songs, but before long, Himmelman's quick wit and loose chatter between songs was equally entertaining. A fan in the front requested a song, for instance, and after Himmelman corrected the song's title, he quickly improvised a new song about a guy with dreadlocks in the front row requesting a song by that incorrect title. Himmelman invited alto saxophone player Uri Gurvich from the audience to join him on stage for a few songs, but this musician became yet another foil for Himmelman's light-hearted repartee. Yet, the songs were very serious, as with the encore "Woman with the Strength of 10,000 Men," which he wrote about a severely disabled woman he met who communicated by eyeing the alphabet on a computer monitor. Amusing as he was between songs, the core of the concert was the depth of Himmelman's song performance, which flowed poetically and even mystically at times.

Visit Peter Himmelman at www.peterhimmelman.com.