Mason Jennings Review

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October 17, 2011, 5:37 pm

Another KINK Community review...Mason Jennings

KINK Community member Cynthia Orlando shares her thoughts post show

A full house turned out to see pop-folk singer-songwriter Mason Jennings' show at Portland's Wonder Ballroom Saturday night, where he sang a mix of songs spanning his 14-year career, and highlighted cuts from his new "Minnesota" release. Jennings has been a guest in KINK's live performance lounge, and was the opening act for the band Guster during their 2007 tour.

"Rudy" and "Bitter Heart" - both from his new CD - opened Saturday night's show, and the confessional "Drinking as Religion" followed, much to the delight of the crowd. Jennings also performed "Crown" from the same "Use Your Voice" era, playing harmonica with his usual abandon and finesse.

Playing guitar, harmonica and piano - and accompanied much of the time only by drums - Jennings covered a range of topics from love ("Butterfly") to hate (the electric "You 'Aint no Friend of Mine") to spirituality ("Be Here Now"). He bantered occasionally with the crowd, too, sharing a long-ago Oregon memory of a time he visited the coast with his father, who upon listening to his first CD guessed that maybe - just perhaps - Mason actually could be a musician. Jennings also talked a little bit about the inspirations for "Minnesota," stating that much of it came from "memories, dreams and reflections on my life." "Be Here Now" was beautifully performed and one of the evening's most powerful highlights.

What was even more surprising - and gracious - was Jennings' decision to bring band members from The Pines onto the stage to share the spotlight on several standout selections. At this point Jennings took to the drums for a series of songs including The Pines' "Lonesome Tremolo Blues," "Living in the Moment" from his "Century Spring," and "City of Ghosts" from his 2009 "Blood of Man" release. He capped off this outstanding part of the show with more amazing harmonica on "Jackson Square," a song that takes place in New Orleans...and if you've never heard it, well, let's just say you might want to give it a listen. Jennings' rounded out the evening on autoharp, playing a Hawaiian lullaby taught to him by his mother, and Woody Guthrie's "Hobo's Lullaby."

The Pines' opened the show for Jennings, playing one beautiful folk/ indie-rock song after another, but sadly, the vocals could scarcely be heard above the din of the boisterous crowd. True music aficionados will be forever grateful to Jennings for bringing them back onto the stage during the second half of the concert. A soft-spoken but marvelous band, let's just hope Portland shows them more respect next time through.

Thank You Cynthia...keep em coming ~ Dave Scott