El Perro Del Mar
Live @ Mercury Lounge, NYC 11/16/2006
With three sold out shows in four days prior to this, her last US dates of the year, anticipation was for a spectacular set by Ms. Sarah Assbring; and it lived up to everyone's expectations. Backed by three musicians (guitar, guitar/bass, and hammond organ) the band brought out sonic elements not present on the record, emphasized by beautiful vocal harmonies and Motown-esque backing vocals. The true highlight though was Sarah's voice. Whenever one goes to a show it is of interest to see how close the singer can replicate the best take that was included on the album and tonight everything was hit, and was hit well. Some of the titles she played included "Candy", "Dog", and "This Loneliness". However, the true gem of the lot was the performance of "I can't talk about it" with the toe-tapping tambourine; and on that rainy (and by that, I mean downpouring) Thursday in New York, it made everyone dance, smile and feel the love of the musician for the music.
- Matt Giordano