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Shannon McNally Review
By McClain Johnson
A very sparse crowd of about 50 people came to Tipitina’s Thursday night to watch singer-guitarist Shannon McNally. For a artist that played a powerful set to a packed crowd at Jazz Fest last year, this is a pitiful turnout. McNally’s soulful voice was in fine form all night. However, the vocals started out buried too low in the mix, but this was smoothed out after the first couple of songs. With a voice that nuanced and beautiful, it’s not good to have it obscured for even a minute. She has a nice lilt to her voice, much like Gillian Welch.
A guitarist, bassist, drummer, and keyboard player backed her for most of the evening. The music ranged from hill country blues to country rockers and ballads. The sound of her backing band brings to mind the North Mississippi Allstars. They played confidence and swagger all night. The crowd was loud and chatty all evening. McNally and band responded to the growing din by rocking even harder. “We’re going to keep going until we are the last ones standing!” she joked with the crowd late in the hour and 45 minute show.
While her textured vocals were great all night, they really shone during a solo section towards the end of the show. McNally stood on the stage alone, her only accompaniment being the strumming of her electric guitar. Her vocals sounded best in this setting, and proved that McNally doesn’t need a band backing her to silence a crowd.
McNally’s guitarist played intricate lines that perfectly complimented her playing. McNally played rhythm guitar most of the night, but switched to lead when her guitarist sang a few songs. Her solos were short, but precise bursts of bluesy energy. A rollicking “Hobre” closed out the set. For the encore, McNally’s guitarist took a lead vocal turn on a fiery cover of R.L. Burnside’s “Going Down South.” It was a great ending to an evening of passionate vocals and tight playing. With a moving voice and endless energy, Shannon McNally proved that she will be a force to be reckoned with for quite some time.
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