Freedy Johnston Covers Matthew Sweet in New York

A subtle humbleness permeated the evening at Freedy Johnston's gig at Southpaw in Brooklyn, New York Saturday night. Perhaps it's his Midwestern roots, or the fact that the audience had braved the cold, drizzle-infused spring air to see the show, but there was also something deeper and more profound at work: Freedy Johnston is damn good at what he does. He's one of those performers whose live shows surpass his recordings. There's an emotional energy -- an honest intimacy -- that he achieves on stage, and it's difficult to reproduce in any way other than live. You simply have to be in the room.

In front of an audience Freedy Johnston catches fire; his voice reaches deeper. It hits you in the chest, dripping with the heartbreak, yearning and loneliness that his lyrics portray and his melodies can subtlety belie. As Johnston said early in the set with more than a hint of self-effacing humor: "Another sad song hidden behind happy music."

The things is, it works. He's one of the most acclaimed and admired songwriters of his generation for a reason. A number-one record and worldwide fame may be elusive (for now), but that in no way diminishes the talent, skills and sheer emotional communication that Johnston brings forth when he straps on a guitar.

Currently touring in support of his newest release 'Rain on the City,' Johnston and band played a brilliantly tight set that pulled from his entire career, including some earlier tunes such as 'Delores,' 'Tearing Down This Place,' 'California Thing' and a crowd-pleasing version of 'Bad Reputation.'

Johnston was just warming up, though, and really hit his stride with the country-infused 'Livin' Too Close to the Rio Grande' from the new album, a haunting, definitive cover of Jimmy Webb's classic 'Wichita Lineman' (made famous by Glenn Campbell) and a heart-wrenching 'This Perfect World.' Throw in an aching but loyal version of Matthew Sweet's 'I've Been Waiting' and it was readily apparent why Freedy Johnston deserves the accolades he's received over the years, especially from his fans.

The moment wasn't lost on the assembled crowd, as a man jokingly shouted, "You're my new ringtone!" Johnston laughed hard, his face consumed with a big smile. He searched for the source of the voice in the darkness in front of him, genuinely appreciative of the ironic compliment: "That's hilarious! Thanks," he said. "I really appreciate it. I really do."

Freedy Johnston on AOL Music