Music Matters Albums Listen to samples of music that matters. Through iTunes Through Amazon Issue 15 Issue 16 Issue 17 Issue 18 Issue 19 Issue 20 Issue 21 Issue 22 Issue 23 Issue 24 Issue 25 Issue 26 Issue 27 Issue 28 Issue 29 Issue 30 Web Page Cliff Eberhardt

Cliff Eberhardt The Brokerage Bellmore, NY November 15, 2000 Despite a disappointing turnout, Cliff Eberhardt demonstrated to an intimate yet appreciative crowd of about 50 at The Brokerage in Bellmore, NY that he is arguably one of the most engaging and entertaining performers in the folk music universe. Perhaps Long Island music lovers stayed home to take in more of the litany of lawsuits and counter lawsuits surrounding the presidential election. Those that ventured out on a chilly Wednesday evening to one of New York’s best acoustic music venues caught a rare glimpse of a seasoned songwriter who has never sounded better or funnier. Eberhardt ran through a number of familiar tunes from his last three albums, accompanied for most of the evening by the ever impressive Liz Queler on backing vocals and Seth Farber on electric piano and what might only be described as an accordion-like squeeze box. Highlights were emotive, lively renditions of "Brave Little Gray," "Voodoo Morning," [this link is to a video clip on Cliff's web site] "My Father’s Shoes," "Mason Dixon," "Always Your Face" and "Borders," the title song from his latest CD. All through the lengthy set Eberhardt wasn’t so much singing but dramatically performing the songs in his own inimitable style. The newly goateed troubadour also treated the audience to a handful of brand new tunes, with titles like "Love Slips Away" and "School For Love" written, he said, for his young teenage niece who was nursing a broken heart. All were impressive, each with hook-laden melodies. Ever the tease, Eberhardt continually joked about launching into a medley of polkas, nimbly finger-picking the opening notes of various classic Polish dance tunes. Why was I not surprised he could effortlessly play these so well? In this writer’s view, Eberhardt is one of the most original songsmiths currently on tour, a highly intelligent and articulate artist whose penetrating and profound lyrics are sometimes overshadowed by his extraordinary guitar playing. But upon closer listening, the Philadelphia-born singer’s gift for the English language is abundantly clear. The words that tumble from his mouth are framed by a raspy yet deeply elegant voice that is at once resonant and, dare I say it, sexy. Eberhardt chose to close the intimate yet remarkable evening with "Memphis," one of my favorite tunes from his 12 Songs Of Good And Evil CD (also covered by Cry Cry Cry). Eberhardt performed the song much slower than I’ve heard him do it in past shows, lending a heart wrenching soulfulness to a song already bounding in emotion and passion. Perhaps the most rewarding part of the evening—Eberhardt announced that he had just finished recording his new album, which he said could be in record stores as early as next April. That’s as welcome as the next Cliff Eberhardt performance I may be lucky enough to attend.—Ralph DiGennaro