Wednesday
Jun162010
Joe's Pub last night
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 at 4:18PM How could I not write about my experience of what it felt like to walk out onto Joe's Pub stage to a packed house of friends and family and fans waiting to hear me sing.
I'm still floating, even after 3 hours of singing at Grand Central Shuttle today. I'm full, am feeling the power of song but the power of amazing energy and how collectively we're capable of setting forth positive, positive vibes.
If you were there, I'd love you to share your perspective below in the comments section. I'll add more as I unwind. In the meanwhile here's an amazing drawing made by fantastic Joe's Pub artist Michael Arthur 
Reader Comments (21)
Cathy,
I am still high from your performance last night. You wowed me and my friend, too. I am so happy you had this opportunity - as you said, it was a dream come true for you - but it was our gift from you, and I hope we get more of them. Your songs, your guitar playing, your blues - i - ness. I loved it all. THANK YOU.
With love,
Karen
P.S.: re your Guardian Angel blog: I remember Curtis. Long may he live!
INCREDIBLE SHOW! Glad I was introduced to NYCSubway Girl. The guitar licks and soulful voice put me in a great, great mood. Hope to run into you underground!
Had a wonderful time at the Pub last night. Listening to Cathy Grier gave me hope that good music is still out there. Don't miss the next event.
Cathy - You, a guitar, and a spotlight. That's all it was. But it was everything. You were tight and loose, sharp and sexy, smart and sweet, lowdown and totally high-end. I heard songs I've listened to all my life and it was like the first time. I heard songs for the first time that I'll remember all my life. Mostly, I got to watch you OWN! You thought that rumbling was the subway, but it was history - and you were making it, Cath. When I shouted "More!" at the end, I meant it. So did everybody in the place.
What a great concert. I had no idea you were such a relaxed, unpretentious, comfortable performer with a 'gift of the gab!; NOT TO MENTION, fantastic musician with a haunting voice. Can't wait to hear more. I loved your rendition of House of Rising Sun and had to look it up on Wikipedia to find out what it 'really' is about. (they're not sure either).
How terrific that you included videos from the subway.
Anyway - hurray!!!!
hugs.
Leslie
Cathy you were simply amazing. Watching and listening to you over the past 20 years made me realize I was one of the richest and luckiest people at Joe's Pub . You have a talent at capturing our attention when you walk in a room or light up under the spot light on a stage. This performance far exceeded my expectations. I always knew you were talented on your guitars but the sound of your voice was so magnetic. The old songs and the new ones captured my heart as it has in the past but the way you reached the high notes and held them was awesome. The addition of the video was so creative and your narrative so entertaining. I loved the atmosphere of Joe's Pub and look forward to seeing you there again someday soon. I promise next time to be there on time but you know sitting for both shows was so worth it hearing you sing to Aunt Molly twice. She is a lucky woman too! Thank you Cathy Grier for allowing me to see the world through your eyes!
What a night at Joe's Pub! This was my first visit to this well known nightclub, which is best known for the diversity of its performers. And boy did we have a spectacular night listening to the amazing voice of Cathy Grier. Her ability to engage the audience was ever present - as I looked around the room people were enrapt by her creative songwriting, soulful voice, and contagious energy.
NYCSubway Girl ROCKED THE HOUSE last night!!!!
You were FANTASTIC! I loved the show, and you sounded wonderful! The place was packed, and you had the crowd in the palm of your hand. Congratulations!
Cathy! Your performance last night at Joe's Pub was INCREDIBLE. The rich colors you created with your voice and guitars were astonishing. Through your songs you shared a whole spectrum of emotions while embraced every single person in that crowded room. The feeling I was left with was one of overwhelming optimism and a deep love for New York and the people in it. And of course a renewed respect for you as a musician. The film of your subway audiences was moving and filled with joy, adding an added layer to the performance. You looked amazing, sounded fabulous and every single choice was SPOT ON. I will never forget it! Thank you for giving me that gift.
NOW. When are you taking this show on the road????
MW
From the moment you started singing I (we) were enthralled; brought two young people with extensive musical training and they were blown-away. My preference is always for the Blues but your soulful expression of the "folksy" pieces worked for me.....as did your articulation.....I understood every word. I realized I never really understood "The House of the Rising Son" until you sang it and to take "La Vie en Rose", a song so well known by everyone that we can hear it in our heads, and make it your own was fantastic; I had tears which is my barometer of an aesthetically moving performance.
My only regret is that I did not bring everyone I know. Next time! Thank you for your musical and personal generosity in delivering such a fine evening.
Jerry Croghan
Seeing just you--without the backup boys--was major treat. Felt like I heard your music for the first time. It was a great show. Seamless. Loved the video clip. Really brought your public work into the private sphere. Above ground. Especially with the trains rumbling through! We all bought CD's. My buddies loved you. One asked if you were married! I said ABSOLUTELY! You've got a great voice--and you were obviously born to perform!
So great to be loved, and so talented! The only problem with your concert is that it went by way too quickly. I enjoyed every minute and hope we can connect again soon. You never know when you'll see me under NY!
Love,
Cuz Karen
Cathy, eventhough your voice carries me around the world and the lyrics carry me away, I never get lost because everything takes me right back to it all. You're my favorite artist. Bravo!
Sabine
Cathy, having known you now for I guess 6 or so years, it came to no surprise to me when you took the stage at Joe's with such charm, grace and ease. You owned the stage and your plucked your strings on your guitar as you did the hearts of your audience.
Your music was chilling, honest, raw and complete. To hear it sung in that setting took them to a new level and I for one can not wait to hear them all again.
A true performer in every sense of the word. A person with a big heart, big voice and AMAZING songwriting talents!
Loving NYC Subway Girl.
Your voice is so nuanced and beautiful, your songs are so great, the way you play guitar is SO COOL - everything about the show was simply perfect. Could have sat there all night and listened and watched. You have such humanity and humility and well, you glowed. Whatta pro.
Thank you for this truly inspiring evening
XOXOXOX
Gay
It was a fabulous show! and bringing us into the underground world of the subway performances was so enlightening and inspiring- it's the everyday that keeps us going so to share that in the focused light and sound of a stage was quite beautiful! Thank you.
xoxoxo- Judith Sloan
These comments reflect what I was trying to say through my voice and music and it makes me so happy. The clip mentioned, was a 5 minute video I put together with the help of Brendan Padgett to show images of the people I meet underground and a visual way to express why NYC Subway Girl in the first place.
I'll be at Staten Island Ferry terminal Tuesday 3-6pm and the rest of my schedule you can find above in this site in the Gigs section. Would love you to invite friends to check out what I do virtually or in person! What's Your Inspiration?
See you in the subway!
Cathy
WOW! It's nearly a week later & I'm still reeling from Cathy's night at Joe's Pub! What an artist! What a musician! What a songwriter! And what an a-maz-ing voice! Cathy is unstoppable no matter what the genre. To hold an audience in the palm of her hand thru-out the entire hour with only the back-up of her own two guitars is a true testament to the talents & presence of her & her work. My 84-year old Mom & I loved the entire evening. The most unique style. Very, very special. It's great Cathy shares this gift with the public so many days each week, for free, in the NYC Subway system, but those who are taking cabs or the bus are missing the whole deal! They need to either buy her CDs or see her in her club dates, or both! Anyway possible, don't miss this immensely gifted Singer / Songwriter! You'll live to regret it!
The base rumbling of the subway below provided the perfect backup band for NYCsubwaygirl Cathy Grier, performing sold-out shows above ground at NYC famed Joe's Pub on Tuesday night, June 15. And, the whistling, whooping cheers and energetic applause of fans had the room roaring with enthusiasm for her poignant songs and the twinkle in her eye. What's my inspiration? It's you, Cathy! (Posted to Facebook June 16)
Cathy, Luise and I joined Jack Cooley for your concert at Joe's Pub and we had a wonderful evening. The voice, the guitar and the stage presence blew us away. We look forward to the next concert and seeing you either underground or upstate. Best wishes from all of us. PS Jenny couldn't make the concert because someone had towatch the litte ones but she will be there next time. Bob
cathy, Bill and I just read all the wonderful comments about your performance at Joe's Pub. Now we're even sorrier that we weren't there, but of course we knew that you are everything your fans said and more. Couldn't be more proud of you. You wowed the audience at Joe's Pub but youhave always wowed me. Love, Mom