Suzanne Vega – “Gypsy”

SXSW 2022 – OEB Score 9, Popularity Index 10

Pairs well with…Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, Patty Larkin

For OEB, SXSW is mostly about catching newer acts. But we still get jazzed when every year, a legend or two stops by as part of a victory lap tour, and occasionally, with new music. This year we are blessed in that regard with both Dolly Parton and Suzanne Vega.  While the former is universally acknowledged an icon of country music, Suzanne Vega is in the pantheon of 80s singer songwriters.  Her piano-based soft pop folk songs are generally recognized to be among the best of that decade and are imprinted on those of us listening during that era.  I still remember where I was when a good friend first played “Gypsy” for me, and it’s remained an all-time favorite of that genre. My favorite law school professor quoted the lyrics of “Luka” in an article about domestic violence; turns out a few law professors can be cool (hat tip to Professor and former Dean Martha Minow). And most every New Yorker identifies to some degree with “Tom’s Diner,” an a cappella piece that was remixed by U.K. electronic dance duo DNA and became a major club hit.  Vega comes to SXSW this year primarily to promote the release of the film adaptation of her one-woman show about the life of the 20th-century American writer Carson McCullers.  Her late career switch to theater continued with her recent role in an Off-Broadway production Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. The New York Times praised Vega’s performance as “a delightful, smoothly sardonic presence.” The same might be said of many of her songs. Vega is scheduled to perform in the Central Presbyterian Church on Friday night, March 18th at 10:00 pm, an ideal venue for her music. (David Zlotnick)