Sept. 11, 2006 – As the rest of our nation mourned the tragic events of five years ago, hipsters, youth groupies and scenesters alike swarmed in and about rock ‘n’ roll’s mother church, the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. Unlike years past tonight’s entertainment would not be provided by Hank, Patsy or Roy – set to grace the stage is a new breed of folk musician, Sufjan Stevens who has won the hearts of many a critic and cynic with his Brian Wilson-esque arrangements, trembling vocals and penchant for writing incisive narratives. As the lights dimmed on the former Grand Ole Opry stage members of the 13-piece Illinoisemakers began taking their places on the hallowed stage followed shortly by Stevens. In what at first looked to be an impromptu staging of Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, the Illinoisemakers fluttered about with faux-butterfly wings as Stevens alternately pounded and tickled the ivories thus kicking off a two-month North American tour.

In between moments of brilliance where Stevens filled the air with tracks from Michigan, Seven Swans and Illinoise as well as two new tunes (“That Was the Worst Christmas Ever” and “Majesty’s Snowbird”) from his forthcoming 5-disc Christmas box set, he would look to the crowd awkwardly for reassurance, gently clapping his hands together, to see if he was doing was OK.

The sold out crowd of 2,362 gave nothing but praise to the imaginative songsmith after the delivery of each epic song. Not that Stevens is in need of any more praise after the whirlwind of critical acclaim and top spots on year-end top records lists – it may be that Stevens does need the praise from the fans because he has not bought into his own hype. When first taking the stage the wide-eyed Stevens seemed astonished that all these people came to see him present his art and never once did it seem like he felt it was good enough for them.
Trading off from acoustic guitar to banjo to piano and back again, Stevens trudged on, weaving melodies and rhythms amongst those of his symphony (Illinoisemakers) who delivered beautifully arranged orchestral movements in “Jackson-ville,” “They Are Night Zombies!! They Are Neighbors!! They Have Come Back From the Dead!! Ahhhh!” and “Casimir Pulaski Day.” After playing an homage to place of his birth, “Detroit,” Stevens waved goodbye and for the first time during his hour-and-a-half performance cracked a smile on his normally stoic face.

Moments later he returned to the stage sans the theatrical wings, projection video and most of the Illinoisemakers. With only an unplugged acoustic guitar, a backup guitarist and My Brightest Diamond’s (opening act) Shara Worden on keys Stevens delivered “To Be Alone With You” and “The Dress Looks Nice On You” without the aid of a microphone. The crowd did as they had all night and remained silent only to explode into applause at the end of each piece – giving Stevens the much-needed reassurance that what he was doing was more than OK-it was moving.

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