Suzanne Vega Performs Her Entire Debut Album

Posted on May 2nd 2010 12:00PM by David Chiu
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Suzanne VegaTwenty-five years ago, a New York-based singer-songwriter named Suzanne Vega released her self-titled debut album that introduced her intimate folk rock music. Although it wasn't a huge commercial success at the time, 'Suzanne Vega' contained a couple of songs that would continue to be a part of her live repertoire, such as 'Small Blue Thing' and 'Marlene on the Wall.'

That was true at New York's City Winery on Saturday night as Vega not only performed those aforementioned tunes, but all of the songs from her first album to acknowledge her 25-year professional music career. Accompanied by a three-piece band that included her longtime bassist Mike Visceglia, the artist began the show's first half with the album's opening track, the ethereal-sounding 'Cracking,' and finished it off with the up-tempo 'Neighborhood Girls.' In between were some shimmering renditions of 'Straight Lines' and 'Some Journey' along with 'The Queen and the Soldier' and 'Knight Moves.'

The second half of the program drew from the rest of Vega's body of work including the jazzy 'Caramel' and a stripped-down version of 'Left of Center' from the 'Pretty in Pink' soundtrack. Towards the end of that set, Vega, of course, performed two of her most well-known songs: 'Luka' and 'Tom's Diner.' Following that, her encore consisted of two songs, among them the ballad 'Gypsy.'

During the sold-out concert, Vega offered anecdotes when introducing certain numbers -- for example, the song 'Marlene on the Wall' was inspired by a poster of the legendary actress Marlene Dietrich. And in setting up 'The Queen and the Soldier,' she joked that the audience might be in the mood for a narrative song with a tragic ending, and also spoke about her early stint as a camp counselor. The evening was also a family affair: Vega's daughter Ruby Froom performed on backing vocals for several songs.

As Saturday's show fittingly brought things full circle for her, Vega will play two more show dates at City Winery: this Thursday (May 6) featuring Poez, Cibo Matto's Yuka Honda and Spookyghost, and on May 19 accompanied by musician Lloyd Cole.