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| Brett Dennen- one seriously happy folk/pop man |
Think Dave Matthews, a little Ziggy Marley, a funky note of Stevie Wonder, a lot Jack Johnson, a splash of Jason Mraz and a hint of The Dead. If you throw it all together you might come up with something that resembles Brett Dennen.
Sort of.
If you don't already know Brett Dennen, you will soon enough. His hauntingly falsetto, slightly grainy, totally unique sound and swagger rocked the tiny (and gorgeous) Pantages Theater in Minneapolis Sunday night. He appeared out of nowhere with his signature bare feet, oversize glasses and bandana wrapped around his red mane channeling something that reminded
Mr C of Shaggy from Scooby Doo. His oddball movements that include a knock kneed scarecrow-ish type dance were at first a little weird, kinda like, is he really trying to dance like such a dork on purpose?? but ended up charming everyone. He played a few tunes off his new album "Loverboy" before he walked to the edge of the stage and explained that he wasn't used to playing in such nice places, that he's really a "dirt bar" type of performer and would we all please join him in a little dancing. It was totally endearing and the crowd eagerly responded by rushing the stage and rewarding Brett with lots of hip swaying, clapping, and all out reveling in his infectious energy.
Sort of.
If you don't already know Brett Dennen, you will soon enough. His hauntingly falsetto, slightly grainy, totally unique sound and swagger rocked the tiny (and gorgeous) Pantages Theater in Minneapolis Sunday night. He appeared out of nowhere with his signature bare feet, oversize glasses and bandana wrapped around his red mane channeling something that reminded
Mr C of Shaggy from Scooby Doo. His oddball movements that include a knock kneed scarecrow-ish type dance were at first a little weird, kinda like, is he really trying to dance like such a dork on purpose?? but ended up charming everyone. He played a few tunes off his new album "Loverboy" before he walked to the edge of the stage and explained that he wasn't used to playing in such nice places, that he's really a "dirt bar" type of performer and would we all please join him in a little dancing. It was totally endearing and the crowd eagerly responded by rushing the stage and rewarding Brett with lots of hip swaying, clapping, and all out reveling in his infectious energy.
It's rare when you get to see what seems like a true glimpse of one's personality while they are performing on stage. Brett (he is sooo not a Mr. Dennen, and I think if I was ever fortunate enough to meet him in person he would want me to call him Brett) has a way about him up there in front of an audience that is extremely authentic, like he is doing exactly what he was meant to do with his life, and his songs reflect that. He doesn't say a whole lot when he's on stage, but his gestures, smirks, and exchanges with his fellow band mates make him seem completely sweet, humble, and even approachable, like he's there just to jam it up with a few hundred of his closest friends. At one point he unplugged his guitar, walked once again to the edge of the stage and just crooned out into the completely captivated theater. His voice has such a raw, completely unique sound and range that I found myself holding my breath as he shared this intimate moment with his audience. Pretty cool.
He amped it back up again to close with a great variation of "Blessed" (check out this version from Red Rocks a few years ago- very similar to how he performed it at The Pantages) sending every person in that theater off into the night with a total tingle and good vibes. I have loved his voice since the first moment I heard it- now I am completely entranced with the sensitive, good time folk/pop man that is Brett Dennen.
Or is it Shaggy?
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