July 07, 2014

Publication title: stltoday.com, vol. -, Iss. -, pg. –
Place: Unknown
Writer: Jody Mitori

Sarah McLachlan cozies up to fans at Fox Theatre concert

“As you can see, I brought my living room with me,” Sarah McLachlan said to the audience at the Fox Theatre on Sunday night, pointing to a couple of couches at the side of the stage.

For her current tour, the Canadian singer-songwriter is seeking to create more intimacy with her fans, what she called “less of an ‘us vs. them’” vibe. She did that with a simple but elegant production that featured just a four-piece band, low-hanging lamps and the aforementioned furniture. It was as close to a house concert as could be achieved in a 4,500-seat venue.

The couches were for fans who were invited to sit onstage for a few songs during each of her two sets. McLachlan even fielded written questions that had been dropped in a hat at the merchandise table. One was a marriage proposal (she demurred). Another was a request for her to say “hi” to a fan’s 6-year-old girl who was attending her first concert. McLachlan obliged, adding, “I’m honored I’m your first concert, and not like Taylor Swift or something.”

As for the music, the simpler arrangements of the small band allowed McLachlan’s lovely voice to remain front and center throughout the 2½-hour show, which spotlighted nine songs from her new album, “Shine On,” and included plenty of favorites.

“Flesh and Blood” proved to be a dynamic opener, as the band dropped out occasionally to let McLachlan’s voice soar unadorned, a device she’d return to time and again. Other new songs were deeply emotional and directed at certain individuals. She sang the acoustic “Song for My Father” for her late dad, while the hushed “Beautiful Girl,” she said, was about her daughters.

McLachlan admitted that “Shine On” is full of songs about “love gone wrong, love screwed up.” But there are also songs about bottoming out and beginning to hope again, she noted, dedicating “Brink of Destruction” to “my sweetie,” who just happens to be former St. Louis Blues player Geoff Courtnall.

Favorites from McLachlan’s deep catalog produced highlights as well, including signature songs like “Building a Mystery,” “I Will Remember You” and “Angel” plus a moody, ethereal “Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,” a rocking “Sweet Surrender” and an audience sing-along of “Ice Cream.”

McLachlan closed with “The Sound that Love Makes” from “Shine On.” Played on a ukulele to the audience’s finger-snapping accompaniment, it was sweet and intimate and felt like it was taking place right there in her living room.