My Storm Large Valentine

Went to see Storm Large last night with her band and the Oregon Symphony at the Schnitz. The show was unexpectedly awesome (which is not to say that we expected crap, but she really brought it).

She belted out some old standards (opened with "My Funny Valentine" and played others I can't recall). She sang some of her own songs, including "8 Miles Wide" (oh yes, she did) and "I Want You to Die" (somehow this is a Valentine's song). She covered Elvis Costello ("I Want You"), Tom Waits (not sure about the song, but it mentioned a philanderer and a hooker), and Lou Reed ("Satellite of Love").  She sang songs about love, hate, yearning, fear, God, redemption. She was, as always, spectacular. And barefoot.

Standout show moments:

• She sang a truly amazing reinterpretation of "Hopelessly Devoted to You" in which her Sandy alter-ego was tweaked into an off-kilter jilted stalker. 
• She got the guys in the audience to sing "8 Miles Wide." Let me remind you that the audience includes Oregon Symphony patrons. There were octogenarians. In fancy dress. Singing about vaginas. Just think about that for a while. 
• She performed "I Want You" as a duet with a creepy guy clown. Full clown drag. Very off-putting and perhaps the most brilliant moment of the night in terms of performance art.
• She had some Von Trapps (yes, real ones) join her for some German song, and back her up later on "Juke Box Hero" and "Total Eclipse of the Heart."

Best moment of the night for me was an unexpected one. She and guest Holcombe Waller slayed me with their cover of "Unchained Melody." Stunning. Here's a clip of them from a '12 show doing a similar version.

To sum it up: awesome, awesome show. If you are in PDX tonight and don't have plans, she's playing again. Curtain at 7:30. Be there if you can.

A Storm Large Valentine
2/14/14