Concert Review: Sheryl Crow and Brandi Carlile at Starlight, 5/5/08

Sheryl Crow

Date: June 5, 2008

Venue: Starlight Theatre

Better Than: A Royals game

By C.J. JANOVY

Photo by Angela C. Bond

Halfway through her show last night, Sheryl Crow told her audience something revealing and sad.

It was just after the silly “Gasoline,” off of Detours, Crow’s newest album. The futuristic-enviro-revolution rock song had gone over well, despite its ill-conceived chorus – instead of a world where gasoline is free, wouldn’t Crow prefer one where we were free of gasoline? The song had ended with the cool just a shot away refrain from “Gimme Shelter,” in which Crow’s two backup singers had done a worthy impression of the Stones’ unforgettable Merry Clayton. After Crow introduced her band, she gave a speech. “Because of gas prices,” she said, “ticket sales are really down for everyone this summer. I always feel like a stewardess when I say” – she switched to an airline voice – “thanks for choosing us. We know you have a lot of entertainment options.”