Review: Cat Power at The Orange Peel

Generations filled The Orange Peel on March 13, all with at least one thing in common: They came to see Cat Power and they left fulfilled and in awe. 

No opener necessary, Chan Marshall and her band took to the stage and the energy in the room skyrocketed. Starting her set with the title track off of her 20th anniversary touring album, The Greatest, the crowd hushed in awe of her performance, bringing a reverence more common to  art museums than concerts. 

A sea of people watched as Marshall continued through her album with seamless transitions between songs. It was as if the record was being played over the speakers, and Marshall’s band supported her in a way that felt fluid. The back-and-forth between the artists felt so natural, adding a level of hospitality to the show, and Marshall’s stage presence was fresh and full of life — a performance perhaps more in line with the energy of her first tour of The Greatest, not one two decades later.

Marshall mentioned the love for and history with North Carolina as she effortlessly played through the album, noting that a particular song was written in the state and that, exactly 20 years ago, she was in Asheville, performing these very tunes when they were brand new. As the album tribute wound down, you could feel the energy in the crowd shift, and as the set came to an end with “Love & Communication,” it felt like last call at your hometown bar. 

An encore followed with enchanting covers of James Brown (“Try Me”), Kitty Wells (“It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels”), and, to close out the night, Sammy Fain (“I’ll Be Seeing You”). Happy tears, loving embraces, and hands being held were visible as the venue lights came up, and though the night had ended, the performance would not soon be forgotten. 

(Photo courtesy of Cat Power)