‘Uncompromising’ Review of Concert by Verlaine, Shawn Hits the Right Notes

I commend you for your insightful review of the Tom Verlaine and Shawn Colvin concert (“Verlaine’s Acoustic Set Lacks Electricity” by Mike Boehm, June 14). I agree with much of what you said in that piece, and in fact I had discussed many of the same points with my wife after departing that night. (We were among the select few who stuck around after the eccentricity became too overwhelming for most of the crowd.)

It was a fascinating concert, pairing as it did two quite dissimilar performers who nevertheless helped in their respective performances to demonstrate how powerful a solo concert can be and how much it partakes of theater as well as musical presentation. I do think Colvin deserved a bit more coverage in the review, although I couldn’t agree more with your comments about how much richer and more compelling she sounded live than on record. Hers was a very satisfying performance, and it was complemented nicely by the more ragged and unnerving performance Verlaine gave.

Anyway, I’m glad to see such a thoughtful and uncompromising review of such a rewarding concert. As a semi-retired reviewer myself, I can appreciate the insights and the good writing even more. I wish there were more of us around who like such music and enjoy articulating our responses in some way. I don’t get out to live concerts much anymore, but I definitely treasure an evening like the one Verlaine and Colvin supplied. Keep up the good work.

TIM JAHNS

Irvine