Leftwich Just Feels Right

This is what happens when you shoot a concert with a smart phone, and the singer steps out of the spotlight to sit in the audience

It can be hard to drag me out on a Sunday night – but not when Benjamin Francis Leftwich is in town!  He played the Palomino along with two Calgary favourites, Kris Ellestad and Lorrie Matheson.  The night started out with Kris Ellestad – I had never seen him live but had heard him described as a talented enigma, popping up  quietly and playing a few shows here and there.  He had just started his set when I arrived and I was immediately drawn in, as it was just him and his guitar.  I was struck by his humble demeanor and ethereal voice.  His songwriting is really beautiful and he holds an amazing presents on stage.  His set was short, leaving me sad to see him go but excited to see him again in the future. You can check him out on his Facebook page.

Next on stage was Lorrie Matheson, a fixture on the Calgary scene since the 1990’s. Matheson has been in several bands (including our editor’s favourite, Fire Engine Red) and has enjoyed a successful solo career as a musician and record producer.  Always a pleasure to see live, his conversational and witty style won over the crowd, particularly his jokes about the Grammy’s that night. Each song of Matheson’s tells a story, and there is something relatable about his songs that made me want to pay deeper attention to what he had to say.  If you want to find out more about Lorrie Matheson, check him out on his Facebook page for the most updated information.

Ben Leftwhich headlined the evening, and he started out the night by singing unplugged and without a mic, which captivated the audience.  It was so quiet in the Palomino that  we could hear the train pass by, a first for me – and obviously for Ben, too, because he jokingly asked the crowd if Godzilla was coming. Ben has a presence that makes you feel like he’s an old friend. (I am even going to call him “Ben” because I think he would be okay with it.)  He is humble, honest, and wears his heart on his sleeve.  He even apologized to the crowd for having to cancel his initial concert date, explaining that he had to go home to be with his dad who was diagnosed with cancer.  His music is beautiful, sincere, and soul stirring. To end the evening, Ben explained that he had a hard time being on the stage; he loves playing music but the stage makes him feel separate from the audience.  So, he sat down in the middle of the floor, along with the audience and played his last song to his newfound friends.  It was lovely and it really did feel like you were hanging with your amazing, talented, funny, kind pal enjoying him sharing his talents.  Who could ask for more than that?