Intimate Tunes
Concert-goers filled the Kent Concert Hall Monday night for the long-anticipated Kalai concert.
The show began a little after 8 p.m. with local duo Hi-Fi Diaries opening. They contributed a set full of earnest alt-rock vocals and acoustic guitar that drew heavily from the Goo Goo Dolls. Following the performance, Hi-Fi Diaries gave away 50 copies of their new demo CD and set the stage for an excellent night of acoustic music.
From the way that Sarah Sample handles herself, one would think she’d been born on the stage. Her eclectic style not only plays into the coffeehouse tradition but shapes and redefines it. The songs played at Monday’s show would have been equally at home in a steamy jazz café or old-time saloon.
Her guitar playing shimmered as she spent the better part of the night ambling her way through a set that included everything from the sultry “Dancing in the Kitchen” to her newest number, “Speak Your Name,” that she described simply as “genealogical.” Watching her ease on stage and deft genre-jumping, it is hard to believe that Sample was ever the awkward, “Ramona Quimby-esque 8-year-old” that she described to the audience. Throughout all the stories and styles her performance held its roots in traditional folk, thanks largely to the accompaniment of the very-talented Stuart Maxfield who joined her on mandolin and violin.
But the undisputed highlight of the night was headliner Kalai. He came on stage, stuck an afghan on his seat and spent the rest of the evening transforming the Concert Hall into your best friend’s living room. His set was both anthemic and intimate, drawing the audience into his unique blend of acoustic blues, Hawaiian influence and emotive lyrics. His songs, at once catchy, profound and clever, benefit tremendously from his impressive vocal range and proficiency on the guitar.
Pockets of the crowd could be heard singing along as he played favorites such as “J Dog and the Hand” and “Down to Earth,” but it was his banter between songs that won the audience over. While moving from song to song he spoke on the joys of being Michael Jackson
“No one is happy all of the time, except maybe Michael Jackson,” he said and pontificated on his pickle envy.
Though the set was plagued with technical difficulties and Kalai himself was suffering from what he called a “puffy thumb,” his audience struggled to find any flaws. They had no trouble finding superlatives, though.
“It was amazing,” said Brett Wood, a freshman majoring in Engineering.
“Wow” was the only word that Mary Carmen, a junior in the English department, could find to describe the show.
During the climax of the evening, a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child,” Kalai turned the electric rock classic into a blistering acoustic anthem reminiscent of Ben Harper’s best moments. Indeed, throughout the evening he drew upon his influences: most obviously Ben Harper, but there were also traces of lesser-known blues luminaries such as Brownie McGhee and Son House. Yet, even while borrowing from those who came before, Kalai managed to mix the musical stew into a creation all his own that ended in a night of great music.
Zach Pendleton is a junior majoring in English and a reviews music and concerts for the Utah Statesman. Comments may be set to him at zpendleton@cc.usu.edu
Kalai sings and plays acoustic guitar at a concert Monday night at the Kent Concert Hall. (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)
Kalai performs his soul music acoustically on stage. The concert almost filled the KCH Monday night with student fans. (Photo by Jennifer Wheatley)