On Oct. 18, American folk icons Rickie Lee Jones and Patty Griffin took to the stage in Medford, MA’s Chevalier Theater as part of their co-headlining tour across the United States. Both powerhouses in their own right, the pair of Grammy-winners are known for their poetic lyricism and commanding, spellbinding vocals. While Jones’ music has more bluesy jazz inclinations, Griffin’s leans towards country-folk Americana.
In Medford, Jones took to the stage first — “Wherever we are, welcome to it,” she greeted the audience to laughter and applause. Her melodic voice filled the theater as she sang, scarcely opening her eyes for the first two songs, evidently lost in the music. Accompanied by percussionist Mike Dillon and accordion, pianist and background vocalist Ben Rosenblum, Jones captivated the audience for the duration of her performance.
Her set consisted of songs spanning her fifty-year-long career, from crowd-pleasers off her 1979 self-titled debut album like “Chuck E’s in Love” and “Danny’s All-Star Joint” to jazz-inspired renditions of classics from the Great American Songbook as seen on her most recent release, Pieces of Treasure.
Jones could not have been more personable, cracking jokes between songs and leaning into the physicality of her performance, particularly during a stunning cover of “Cry Me a River” throughout which she pantomimed the lyrics, to the audience’s delight. The musician performed with the confidence only a seasoned performer can achieve. It was clear that Jones is at a point in her career where she feels no need for pretense or affectation — her music speaks for itself.
Following a standing ovation at the conclusion of her set, one man in the audience declared: “That’s the best I’ve heard her sound since 1982.”
After a short interlude, Griffin’s set began. The majority of her performance consisted of songs from her recently released studio album Crown of Roses, her first album of newly recorded material since 2019. Appropriately, her performance began with lead single “Back at the Start,” and concluded with “The End,” both of which embody the confessional mode of lyricism that Griffin excels at.
“It’s so good to be here in Medford,” she joked, gently poking fun at Jones. However, Griffin’s reverence for her co-headliner was abundantly clear. “I could not be more honored to share the stage with my hero, Rickie Lee Jones,” she told the crowd, expressing gratitude for the trailblazing performer. Griffin was joined on stage by drummer Michael Longoria and guitarist David Polkingham.
In 2016, Griffin lost her voice entirely after undergoing radiation treatment for breast cancer. However, her performance at the Chevalier demonstrated complete vocal mastery, a triumphant victory after a hard-fought battle. Her voice shone on songs like “Servant of Love” and “All the Way Home,” ranging from a near whisper to a powerful belt.
Before playing “Born in a Cage,” another track off Crown of Roses, Griffin paid a touching tribute to her mother, who passed away last February. This song in particular, she recounted, was inspired by her mother’s beloved bird feeder and lamentations about dwindling avian populations, as well as the plight of the countless missing women in America. The performance was haunting, and you could have heard a pin drop as Griffin whistled out the song’s final notes, transforming into a songbird herself.
Following lively, percussive renditions of “Shine a Different Way” and “No Bad News,” Griffin’s set came to a close. “I wish you guys health, happiness and lots of love!” she exclaimed as she bid the crowd farewell. Jones and Griffin will continue touring the US throughout October before concluding on Nov. 1 in Dallas, TX.
