Photos by Andy Argyrakis

Seldom has an artist of any stylistic association received such universal acclaim as Patty Griffin, who for three decades thus far, regularly refined her blend of Americana, folk, alternative country, gospel and roots music.

Along the way, she collected two Grammys, had original material performed by Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, The Dixie Chicks, Kelly Clarkson & Jeff Beck, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert and Solomon Burke, while personally collaborating with Robert Plant, Dierks Bentley, Shawn Colvin and countless others.

After spending a considerable stretch opening for The Chicks, Griffin just got back to topping the bill in support of not only her latest, self-titled studio offering, but also the newer “Tape” collection, which gathers a raw assortment of unreleased tracks she rediscovered during the pandemic (and even released as an edition on actual cassette).

That look in the rearview mirror actually provided a perfect occasion for the troubadour to roll through key portions of a now seminal catalogue at the Old Town School Of Folk Music, resulting in a pair of briskly sold out shows.

“This is such a nice place to have in a city. Very inspiring,” Griffin observed shortly after opening with “What I Remember” about the esteemed venue and simultaneous educational institution, where she could easily lead a master class.

As far as the first night was concerned, the headliner rotated between simply singing, frequently strapping on an acoustic guitar or taking a seat behind the piano for “Servant Of Love” and “Mother Of God.”

Griffin also delivered the engaging likes of “250,000 Miles,” “Where I Come From,” “Mary” and many more as the audience clung quietly but appreciatively to every heartfelt, thought-provoking sentiment, and in the case of the murder ballad “Bluebeard,” a truly gripping storyline.

Vocally, she sounded less polished compared to the studio recordings, but always conveyed the utmost emotion, plus the live setting gave each earthy arrangement space for spontaneity, especially when feeding off the energy of an accompanying guitarist and percussion player.

The 90-minute set really gained steam during the closing stretch thanks to the spiritual stompers “Heavenly Day” and “Move Up,” ultimately culminating with “No Bad News” as it morphed into a jaw-dropping jam session.

It was also worth turning up early for opener Parker Millsap, fresh off the fantastic “Be Here Instead” album, who along with a trusty guitar, brought bits of the blues to an otherwise country and roots rock palate, further adding to the evening’s ageless songwriting spirit.

For additional information on Patty Griffin, visit PattyGriffin.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Old Town School Of Folk Music include Patty Griffin (Jan. 27); Adam Zanolini (Feb. 1); Breabach (Feb. 8); Anna Mieke (Feb. 10); The Cactus Blossoms and Jon Langford (Feb. 18) and Cecila Zabala (Feb. 22). For additional details, visit OldTownSchool.org/Concerts.

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