Amy Rigby (Live At Cat's Cradle 02/26/2003)

iTunes Review

Amy Rigby’s new album Til The Wheels Fall Off had yet to be released when Rigby took the stage at Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina, the night of February 26, 2003, with just her acoustic guitar and that wobbly, endearing voice that makes every little moment feel like a moment of intense emotional upheaval. Her albums flesh out her desires and disappointments with playful pop arrangements but here she’s performing to a quiet, attentive audience who are confronted with an eager, sweet soul who has recorded to great critical reviews and little monetary reward. She isn’t sure at that point which of her albums is still in print as she weaves through old faves (“The Summer of My Wasted Youth,” “Knapsack,” “20 Questions”) and upcoming tunes (“Shopping Around,” “Why Do I?”). She gets her laughs. She gets her enthusiastic audience repartee. But nothing can calm the nerves under the performance or soothe the pain that brought about these impressive tunes.