New York City Stories in Phoenixville

Both of our sons have now seen the fantastic Suzanne Vega, more than 20 years apart.

Donna and I went to see Vega do a reading at a local bookstore in the late 1990s. I held Jimmy as Vega read from her book of lyrics and prose. At one point, Jimmy made some kind of gurgling sound and Vega, not missing a beat in her reading, looked up and replied “That’s right” or something like that in our general direction. In the autograph line a little while later, Suzanne Vega proclaimed Jimmy a “cutie.”

That was then and this is now: Donna, Chris, and I just got back from seeing Vega perform at the Colonial Theatre here in Phoenixville. Great show! Performing with electric guitarist Gerry Leonard, Vega played an intriguing selection of songs from throughout her career. She played her hits – “Luka” and “Tom’s Diner” –  but she wasn’t afraid to wander down some unusual paths, with both older and recent tunes.

And Suzanne Vega covering Blondie – in this case, “Dreaming” -- was a true delight. Though “Dreaming” doesn’t mention New York City, Vega correctly noted what a great NYC song it is.

Vega was joined onstage by electric guitarist Gerry Leonard. The two of them perfectly captured the mystery at the heart of the songs.

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