I was down near the front corner of the stage when Martina made her entrance. All I saw was a silhouette of Martina as large spot lights illuminated behind her. It made quite a spectacular sight. When she took the stage she captured the hearts of the fans and took them on a two hour journey highlighting the best loved songs of her career.
Martina began the evening singing "It's My Time," followed by the foot stomping "When God Fearing Women Get The Blues." With the end of that song it was time for me to take my place back in my seat and enjoy the show. The nice part about Martina's show is that she doesn't distract you with over-the-top stage setups and flashing lights or videos playing on a screen behind the band - she doesn't need them to make her show great. Martina has such an exceptional voice all you need to do is sit back and enjoy this talented lady. The props and lights are just distractions as far as I am concerned.
As I looked around almost everyone was singing along with "Happy Girl." Martina got the biggest kick out of seeing a group of fans wearing t-shirts spelling out her name. She joked with them and told them to sit in the correct order so they spelled her name right. She had them turn around and face the rest of the crowd so we could all enjoy the sight. She thanked them for coming and making this a very special night.
The evening continued as she sang "Wild Angels" and "My Baby Loves Me." The next song is a favorite of mine so I put my camera down and simply shut my eyes and got lost in "Valentine." I was blown away! It took me a minute to figure out that she had already began singing "For These Times" off her current album Waking Up Laughing. Martina's versatility as a performer is seamless as she transitions between tender and sweet love songs, powerful ballads or an old country favorites like "Help Me Make It Through The Night."
Tonight she told us that she was going to deviate from the set list. She went on by saying how they were in rehearsal that afternoon and she forgot how much she loved the next song so, tonight she was going to sing it for us. The crowd responded with resounding approval as she sang "Wrong Again." Something uncharacteristic happened, Martina forgot a couple words to the song, the crowd didn't mind, she could started singing "Mary Had A Little Lamb" for all we cared because she sounded wonderful. After she finished singing the song she apologized for forgetting some of the words, and lightheartedly said "well, that's what happens when you deviate from the song list."
She sang a light humored song off her Waking Up Laughing album called, "If I Had Your Name" (I'd Be Changing It By Now). The crowd seemed to get a kick out of this one.
Martina prepared everyone for an upcoming change in pace and told us to "get ready, because we are going to church" as she sang a soulful "Lean On Me." Another shift in gears and she rocked the place with "Summer Of 69."
If you know anything about this gifted lady and her music, you know that she is not afraid to bring socially sensitive subjects such as spousal or child abuse, poverty or unplanned pregnancy to the foreground. In doing so, Martina always brings a message of love and hope. "Concrete Angel" is one of those songs that makes you stop and realize that there are children living among us today struggling through child abuse. During this song she shows her video and at the completion of the video, provides the number to the national child abuse hotline. Whistles, cheers and a standing ovation rewarded her for her sensitivity and love of children.
The evening was a little more than half over when Martina captivated the crowd with "Anyway." I don't know about anyone else but at times during this song I found myself holding my breath. What a powerful song and she gave it everything she had. The spectacular delivery, it gave me goose bumps. This song is so much more powerful when you see her sing it in front of her fans, she doesn't hold anything back and the crowd acknowledged her with a second standing ovation.
Martina took a few minutes to let the fans know that she has a new album coming out in March and was excited to tell us that she also has a new single off that album being released in 3 or 4 weeks called "Ride." It is a more up tempo country rock song that got a good response from the audience.
