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Rickie Lee Jones in Nashville Indiana: Review and photos.

By Larry Philpot on November 3, 2024

Rickie Lee Jones, the Duchess of Coolsville, graced the stage of Nashville, Indiana’s Brown County Music Center on November 1, 2024, delivering a performance that was nothing short of enchanting. Jones, whose career spans over four decades, has been a beacon of innovation and soul in the music industry. Her latest concert lends credence to her enduring talent and charisma

File Photo: The legendary Rickie Lee Jones with percussionist Mike Dillon in performance at Brown County Music Center in Nashville, IN on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo Credit and Copyright Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

Right off the bat, she asked that the lights stay dimmed, because she didn’t want to embarrass herself, so “Let’s keep it dark,” to the dismay of the three photographers there.

File Photo: The legendary Rickie Lee Jones in performance at Brown County Music Center in Nashville, IN on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo Credit and Copyright Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

Born on November 8, 1954, in Chicago, Illinois, Rickie Lee Jones has carved out a niche for herself as a singer-songwriter with a flair for blending rock, R&B, pop, soul, and jazz. A two-time Grammy Award winner from eight nominations, Jones has also made her mark in the world of film and television, contributing her distinctive voice to soundtracks and making appearances that have cemented her status as a cultural icon.

The concert kicked off with Jones’ velvety voice wrapping around the lyrics of her classic hits and tracks from her latest Grammy-nominated album “Pieces of Treasure” (2023). The audience was captivated by her poetic storytelling and the raw emotion she poured into every note. While she forgot the words of a song, and chastised herself (see photo), she admitted that she’d not been feeling well for about a month.

File Photo: The legendary Rickie Lee Jones forgets the words to her song, while in performance at Brown County Music Center in Nashville, IN on Nov. 1, 2024. (Photo Credit and Copyright Larry Philpot / SoundstagePhotography.com)

Jones also whittled down her set list from the 19 songs expected to only nine, her performance was a reminder of why she remains a revered figure in music, with a style that is timeless and contemporary, and she was simply honest with the audience. While talking about being overwhelmed by first, the COVID lockdowns, and now the ridiculous political climate, she said she was just exhausted.

She shared that she’d only written one political song in her career, and while she’d planned to do it, she was just tired of it all, and suspected that we were, as well, so she wouldn’t be doing that song.

Normally, she’d go from singing with a guitar, to the piano and then back, but she only did eight songs on the guitar, and didn’t go to the piano at all. She had a solo expert percussionist, Mike Dillon accompany her on this show, it was easy to see Ms. Jones was a bit under the weather. Regardless, we loved what we heard, and her honest is refreshing. She finished the show with an a cappella version of Joe Cocker’s “Cry Me A River.”

The evening took an unexpected turn when the supporting act, Sweet Honey in the Rock, took the stage last. This all-woman, African-American a cappella ensemble has been a force in the music world since their formation in 1973 at the D.C. Black Repertory Theater Company. Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Sweet Honey in the Rock’s act is a powerful tribute to the African American experience, expressed through song, dance, and sign language, although this writer wasn’t that impressed.

Sweet Honey in the Rock in performance in Nashville, Indiana, supporting legendary Rickie Lee Jones, on November 1, 2024. (Photo Credit: Larry Philpot)

Their performance was a profound display of vocal prowess, capturing the complex sounds of blues, spirituals, traditional gospel hymns, rap, reggae, African chants, hip-hop, ancient lullabies, and jazz improvisation. Sweet Honey in the Rock’s voices rose in harmony, telling stories of struggle, resilience, and hope. Their act was not just about entertainment; it was an invitation to reflect on our shared humanity and the power of unity.