Iris DeMent concert review, 2004

Well, I am pleased to report that Iris DeMent’s voice has lost none of its timbre, and that her new material dovetails perfectly with the work she is best known for. She served up a batch of pure melancholy bliss last night at the Georgia Theatre in Athens, just her on the guitar and piano, for about a hundred slowly graying people like myself. Opening for Iris with a hushed and controlled set was her stepdaughter Pieta accompanied by none other than Bo Ramsey (!),

guitarist for Lucinda Williams.

Iris wore a green-and-write print church dress, and sang soberly. It’s apparent she does not relish public performance, and is no expert with onstage banter, but she smiled appreciatively at enthusiastic applause. Clever chit-chat to carry the silence between songs wasn’t really needed - folks were just happy that she had come to town, I sensed, and Iris’ impatience with her guitar was part of our entertainment.

The purity of what she was dishing out revealed the limitations of the PA, and I found myself wishing to be removed of this obstacle between mouth and ear. It was the performance’s only shortcoming. To hear Iris play without amplification must be a wonderful thing, and I am saddened to think I will probably never have that opportunity.

I was the only one waiting in the bar after the show to meet Iris as she departed, so I felt ostentatious as all hell. She and Pieta and Bo snuck out quickly, and I had to catch up and get their attention as they were turning a street corner. I told Iris I wanted to say goodbye and that I enjoyed the show - she accepted and returned my one-arm hug through her old brown coat with a simple “thank you” and smiling not too much. Then the three left me behind and headed down College Avenue, anonymously.