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• Thursday, June 28, 2007 05:21 AM

  Performers I Pay to See

  There are very few people I pay to see these days--mostly talented musicians who are really trying to do something clever with words.

  Elvis Costello--Excellent musicianship and a wry ego that makes the between song stories entertaining. He's an artist that has truly developed over the decades from a talented punk to significant performer and songwriter.

  Indigo Girls--It's hard to find pop performers who have a stronger spiritual sound to their music. The concerts are an experience--the fans know every word to every song and the songs mean something to everyone in the place. Often you catch Amy and Emily singing harmony with the audience during the songs instead of trying to sing over them.

  Ani Difranco--She's apt to tell an audience to stop singing along with a song because it means something personal to her and she doesn't want it devolved into a soccer chant, but in terms of raw energy, raw emotion, and performance chops, she has no equal. She mixes bits of folk, rock, jazz, poetry and hip hop in a way that is just astounding. She also surrounds herself with kickass musicians. Her live album "Living in Clip" is one of the best live albums ever recorded.

  RIchard Thompson is spectacular. You can go to one of his shows not ever having heard a single one of his songs and still enjoy the performance immensely. He holds the stage with great presence, and he's funny.

  Peter Mulvey--a smaller name who tours around the country playing small clubs, but he has a great presence, great songs, and great musicianship.

  —Greg Wilson Read Greg Wilson's other letters
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