Valerie June- Turner Hal Ballroom 2/21/17

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Americana is a genre that ultimately is deeply rooted in soulful music-- and there isn't a more soulful genuine performer on the scene than Valerie June.  Blending a diverse array of instruments with a goose-bump inducing voice, Valerie June delivered a unique Americana performance that paid homage to the past while delivering a hopeful sound for the future.

With a stage decorated with an array of banjos, guitars, and illuminated stars, Valerie June and her outstanding band performed at Turner Hall for a spell-binding seventy-five minutes of music. Her set featured many of her latest compositions from her forthcoming album The Order of Time, along with some stand out tracks from 2013's Pushin' Against A Stone, and some deep cuts.  June's stage presence and aura are palpable, and the crowd of over 400 people hung on her every word, deeply focused on her lyrics and performance. The crowd was silent during the songs, showing deep respect and reverence for the performer, and the illuminated glow of cell phones (a common sight at many shows these days) was scarcely seen. The folks in attendance were all about the music, and June was committed to bringing them a performance of the highest quality.

June started the show in a more solemn mood, draped in a long leopard skin cloak, as she opened with an unreleased new track, "Man Done," and then flowed into "The Hour," a bluesy number off of Pushin' Against A Stone. Once the cloak came off for "Tennessee Time," one of June's most notable numbers from Pushing Against A Stone, the crowd and June began to loosen up and become more lively, with June falling into a swagger with her banjo and guitar licks and wide range of vocals. Another stellar track from the night was the funky new toe-tappin'  number "Shake Down." In addition, June performed a three song solo improvised mini-set, part way through the show, and ended the main set with a riveting rendition of "Workin' Woman Blues" which closed the show on a high note.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

However, it was the encore in which June spoke the most to the audience.  Mainly she talked about how honored she was to be back in Milwaukee, where she is working as a guest artist at Lancaster Elementary School in MPS as part of the Turnaround Arts program.  June's success and close bond with her students was captured in a great piece by Today's TMJ4 .  The encore showcased June at her rawest and finest as a performer, playing "Somebody to Love," which featured her on her banjo-ukulele hybrid which she affectionately calls, "Baby."  In addition she dedicated perhaps her strongest new track, "Astral Plane" to her students, who June lovingly refers to as her, "little lights."

Valerie June embodies everything that is good about music- with her uplifting songwriting, gorgeous vocals, versatile arrangements and true desire to use her music to make a difference in our world at large.  The children at Lancaster Elementary are lucky to have June in their lives, and the crowd at Turner Hall was equally blessed to be part of such a stellar and special performance.

photo courtesy of Gigshotz by Stephen Bloch

Setlist:
Man Done
The Hour
Two Hearts
Tennessee Time
Slip Slide
With You
VJ Solo- 3 song set
If And
Love You Once
Workin' Woman Blues

Encore:
Somebody to Love
Astral Plane
Got Soul