This was the first of two back to back Patty Loveless concerts in Maine..The wonderful thing about such concert experiences is that moment waking up after the first one and remembering how great it was the night before, and the joyful anticipation one has about seeing one’s favorite artist again, the very next night.

Patty’s show the following day was part of a 4th of July celebration, the LL Bean free Summer concert series in Freeport on the coast of Maine. This outdoor concert almost didn’t happen due to thunderstorms in the area for pretty much the whole day. But all this was a perfect and appropriate setting for a genuine national treasure and force of nature like Patty Loveless…Mother Nature provided the fireworks leading up to Patty’s show, and the venue provided man-made fireworks afterwards, but nothing could match the “mountain-bred wonder” that is the voice of Patty Loveless.

Patty’s very talented keyboard player, singer and songwriter Marcia Ramirez opened the show with a shortened 3 song sampling of her wonderfully crafted songs. (she graciously cut her set short from seven to help Patty’s odds of finishing her 19 song set) With 2 or 3 of Patty’s bandmembers backing her up, Marcia was flawless and filled up the park with the sweet and soulful sound of her voice, and captivated the audience with her song-stories and poetic lyrics. Marcia Ramirez is a true talent and a wonderful lady, and we all wish her the best as she pursues her solo career. :)

Patty’s song lineup was the same as her previous night at Brownfield’s SMAC, differing only with the encore. She substituted the uptempo “I Try to Think About Elvis” and “She Drew a Broken Heart” for the heart wrenching “Cold Cold Heart” Wise considering the diverse audience mix of Loveless Lunatics, casual fans and curious bystanders. Loveless knows her audience, and tailors her set accordingly.

Patty’s performance was inspired and breathtaking as the night before, but she ran into some technical difficulties during the first four or five songs. The speakers crackled and buzzed, again…but Patty demonstrated her professionalism by singing through with passion and precision, showing no sign of the displeasure she may well have felt.

But the audience was on her side the whole way through, she never lost them.. They absolutely loved her. With her perseverance and professionalism, Patty Loveless pulled a rabbit out of her hat and saved the day.

Patty kept her comments short, to increase the odds of being able to finish her set in the event of returning T-storms. She appreciated audience requests for songs like “Mr. Man in the Moon”, and “Like Water into Wine”, but was unable to accomodate, explaining there were so many songs she’s recorded in her 20 plus years as a recording artist, and there were many songs she wished could have been singles. But she would try to do as many as possible as part of her set list that night.

The last song before the encore was “Blame it On Your Heart” and Patty pulled up a “pretty little miss” from front row center to sing with her on stage. The little girl seemed a little shy, but sang her best and danced a few turns as Patty held up her arm for some spins and twirls. The girl finished with a proper bow, which surpised and delighted Patty and her audience. Patty dismissed the little girl with a big kiss on her cheek, and whole thing was a wonderful way to end a wonderful day.

And it turns out this was Nicole’s (from patty-loveless.net) 200th show, and she met Patty afterwards and posed for her milestone picture. I had the pleasure of spending time with Nicole and some other wonderful fans and staff members from Patty’s best fansite after the show, and all and all, it was a weekend that I’ll never forget.

Last fall, Patty seemed to be more at ease and enjoying herself more in concert. I hope she keeps touring for a long time.

Also, I have a good friend from Ashland, KY, and you saw Patty there back in ’05? You must have had the good fortune to have seen her perform “Keep Your Distance”, and “Harlan” and her Mountain Soul set live. She did some legendary concerts back then (and now as well, legendary concerts in the making) and I’m sorry I missed them. Unforgettable, I’m sure.

I saw Patty Loveless at the Paramounts Arts Center in Ashland, KY in 2005. It is an evening I’ll never forget.

That must have been something to see Patty and Vince on the same ticket. Did they do any of their duets togther on stage?

Here is the complete set list:

-You Can Feel Bad (If It Makes You Feel Better)
-On Down The Line
-You Don’t Seem to Miss Me
-Nothing But the Wheel
-Lovin’ All Night
-If My Heart Had Windows

-Why Baby Why
-Crazy Arms
-Sleepless Nights
-The Color of the Blues
-That’s All it Took

-My Old Friend the Blues
-Here I Am
-Halfway Down
-You Don’t Even Know Who I Am
-Lonely Too Long
-Blame It On Your Heart

-Cold Cold Heart