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| Margaret Glaspy |
Margaret
Glaspy, Charlene Kaye, Katy Kirby, and Lola Kirke co-headlined a
benefit concert at Baby's All Right on August 7 entitled Show Up
for the Brigid Alliance! Glaspy, Kirby, and Kaye performed solo
sets, and Kirke played with a guitarist. Adi Oasis and Sadie Dupuis
(of Speedy Ortiz and Sad13) contributed DJ sets between the live
performances. The artists dedicated their musical services for the
Brigid Alliance, an organization dedicated to providing financial and
logistical support for pregnant women seeking abortions.
 |
| Margaret Glaspy |
Born
and raised in California but now living in Brooklyn with her husband,
jazz guitarist Julian Lage, Glaspy was perhaps the best known among
the performers. Her gentle crooning on some of her more sensitive
songs demonstrated that she has subtle jazz inclinations of her own,
distinguishing her set uniquely from the other singer-songwriters on
the bill. Appropriately for the evening’s cause, she highlighted
her recently released song, “My Body, My Choice.”
 |
| Charlene Kaye |
 |
Charlene Kaye
|
Kaye
originally was billed as “a secret, special guest performance”
because she had a live engagement booked nearby two days later. The
New York City-based former lead singer of San Fermin started her set
accompanying herself with pre-recorded tracks from her most recent
album before strapping on a guitar. Her performance was the liveliest
of the evening, with many songs marketed for dance and pop audiences.
 |
| Katy Kirby |
 |
| Katy Kirby |
Kirby
came to know secular music after playing in church bands for all of
her youth. This late awakening showed in her lyrics, in which she
articulated her processing the many complications and twists in
coming to a new life in adulthood. She performed solo for most of the
set until bringing her girlfriend on stage for a duet.
 |
| Lola Kirke |
 |
| Lola Kirke |
After
years as a professional actor, Kirke has been proving herself on the
local music club circuit in recent years. She is the daughter of
Simon Kirke, the drummer in Bad Company and Free, and so perhaps was
the most rocking performer of the night. Her accompanist enriched
Kirke’s songs by adding stinging leads on both lead guitar and
pedal steel.
With
no bands on stage, the program was a chill evening with four emerging
singer-songwriters. Unlike the pressured setting on band tours, the
performances were casual and intimate. Each of the artists played for
about 40 minutes, sharing stories along with their songs. The
uniqueness of the show was how it showcased and valued the talents of
four very different women musicians. It was a rare package, perhaps
never to be repeated.
***
The
Manhattan Beat covers
New York City's live music circuit. All news
articles,
reviews
and listings
are written by Everynight Charley Crespo. All photographs are taken
by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list
of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing
the desktop cursor to the right of the home page and click on the
pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of
upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The
Manhattan Beat's
August
calendar.
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