18 Hour Break from To-do List at the Lilith Fair in KC

So my friend Magoo frequently invites me to concerts and I generally turn her down. I like music as much as the next person, but I'm generally more of a coffee house type listener or an ear buds on my own while taking a solitary walk type listener. However, a few months ago she mentioned the Lilith Fair tour and I surprised her by saying why the heck not.

Actually, I looked at the artists who would be playing in Kansas City and saw that Ingrid Michaelson would be there.

Like many, I discovered Ingrid when her song, Keep Breathing, played through the Grays' Anatomy finale in 2007. I couldn't get that song out of my head. I think I walked around the house for days singing it until I finally sat myself down and the computer and googled the lyrics. I found her website and then proceeded to buy pretty much everything she had out. I love her voice and something about her music just sticks with me. She's one of my most repeated listens on my MP3 player. Ingrid did not disappoint.

Anyway, it was the promise of seeing Ingrid that lured me to the concert, as well as the idea of a day out with my good friend Magoo. I have to say, however, that I enjoyed myself way more than I anticipated. First, with such a full couple of weeks with the new job, a surprising amount of freelance work still trickling in, and all the business with the kids and the 4-H prep, I was much in need of a few hours to clear my buffer. Seven hours of music, pounding in through the soles of the feet was exactly what I needed, even though I never would have guessed it.

I was introduced to the Court Yard Hounds (2/3s of the Dixie Chicks?) ... very entertaining.

Then there was Emmylou Harris. Wow! (I know a lot of songs, but I've never been very good at paying attention to the name of the person who sings the songs. So often I am surprised when an artist I "don't know" starts singing and I realize that I do know them after all.)

So then Magoo says, "You know Heart, right? From high school?"

And I say, "Oh yeah... sure... Heart." And they start playing...

Oh man... did I know Heart. I was suddenly 17 again. My radio was blasting and I was singing with all my heart...

You don't know how long I have wanted

to touch your lips and hold you tight, oh

You don't know how long I have waited

and I was going to tell you tonight

But the secret is still my own

and my love for you is still unknown

Alone

I even remember the boy...

I don't think music can ever be as powerful as it was when you were 17.

I took a little video of Heart singing, but my file is too large to upload here. It was also getting dark and I was having trouble making adjustments on my daughter's little point and shoot camera. So no quality photographs of Heart, but man did they put on a show. The crowd when from relaxed and kicked back to singing and dancing. I'm a fan coming round for the second time and this time I'll remember the name of the band!

The final performer was Sarah McLachlan, (also organizer of the Lilith Fair) a name a did recognize. She was fabulous. Amazing voice. Gave me goosebumps. No photos, again, because of the dark and my inability to figure out how to change the camera settings. I did get it tweaked enough for this photo of the entire group of performers that came to Kansas City.

Great experience. Thanks for taking me along, Magoo.