RIP Phoebe Snow

In honor of one of the greatest voices ever to grace a record, I reprint this concert review I did of one of Phoebe's shows back in 2008. Enjoy.

CONCERT REVIEW- PHOEBE SNOW

METRO TECH CENTER BAM RHYTHM & BLUES FEST
BROOKLYN, NY

THURSDAY JULY 17, 2008 12 NOON

If Phoebe Snow had Beyonce’s looks and body she’d no doubt have a fortune sitting in the bank.
One of the greatest voices to ever grace a recording, she blows away most anyone in music today and this show proved she hasn’t lost a note. Her voice, simply put, is an instrument virtually limitless in its power.

She made covers of All in the Game , Jackie Wilson’s Work Out, and even Janis Joplin tunes her own. And her compositions remain sensitive, introspective, and poignant.

Even more powerful was Ms. Snow trying to cope with facing her birthday without her daughter who passed away earlier this year. Struggling to sing a song about her, it was one of the most touching moments I can remember at a live event. What had been a mere concert transformed into something more- a “love fest” as Phoebe herself put it.

The audience- deeply moved by what they were witnessing- spontaneously burst into a rendition of the traditional Happy Birthday followed by Stevie Wonder’s Happy Birthday, while Phoebe stood on stage shaking her head at what she was witnessing. It was truly beautiful. Adding to the great vibe, an African woman in traditional garb walked up to her and graciously gave her a beautiful ring while another man passed along flowers.

Mentioning the heat repeatedly, it was clear Phoebe was feeling it. And she did maybe a dozen numbers total. So I’ve seen longer, even better concerts in my life.

But I sure don’t remember too many that felt this good.

Bravo Phoebe. And happy birthday.

-Evan Ginzburg  www.evanginzburg.com