Webb & McCracken @ Jammin’ Java - 2006.04.23

It seems that now it’s becoming an annual event to see singers-songwriters Derek Webb and Sandra McCracken at Jammin’ Java. That’s a good thing!

Last year, I went with a few friends to see Derek Webb at Jammin’ Java. I had heard The House Show off and on whenever Chris would play it. I bought a couple albums and was ready to see him, live in action.

It was at that show last year that I was introduced to local (well, Bethesda, at least) opening act Judd and Maggie. The duo are a brother, Judd, who plays piano and sings, and a sister, Maggie, who plays bass guitar and sings. Their stripped-down indie pop soothed my soul.

Soon after, Derek and Sandra took the stage for their acoustic sets. The little-known (OK, if you’re a fan, it’s something you’re supposed to know) fact is that Derek and Sandra, despite their stage names, are married. While Sandra was supposed to be another opening act, they decided to play each other’s songs, providing backup guitar/vocals, depending on whose song was being sung. It worked well and it’s great to see husband and wife jamming together - each having separate music careers, but able to back eachother up on their respective art. When the show progressed into Webb’s material, he pulled out a big binder full of lyrics and took requests. It made for a good, free-flow night. Webb is best know for his provocative lyrics, comparing our failing trust in God with a wife’s adultery with lovers less wild than Christ, among other things. The intimate setting of Jammin’ Java made it all the more enjoyable.

Fast forward to last night. Julie and I ate at Skorpio’s Charcoal Grill, having some tasty gyros before the show. We then got in line (the show was sold out). We met up with Mike and Jeremy. Mike, who accompanied me to last year’s show was joking about how crappy he thought Judd and Maggie were. Right at that moment Judd and Maggie walked by. Bad timing, Mike! My question was, would they be performing again?

My question was answered (no) when Derek and Sandra walked on stage. Derek introduced his wife, and Sandra began her set. Sandra’s music stands pretty well on its own. She has a warm, beautiful voice and equally beautiful songwriting. Half way throuh her set, Derek came back on stage and provided some backup guitar/vocals. Julie and I were very pleased by a few of her songs from her latest album, The Builder and the Architecht. She combines new melodies with old hymns (seems to be a trend these days, but man, it’s good stuff) and wrote a few of her own in a hymnal style. I felt justified in my impulse purchase of that CD before the show.

The show then transitioned into Derek’s two final sets. “Two sets?” you ask. Yes. Derek’s latest album, Mockingbird, deals mainly with social issues. Rather than force dissenters to listen through his political songs in order to hear the spiritual tunes, he split the show up into two thrity-minute halves: the first consisting audience requests from his earlier (apolitical) albums followed by a ten minute break, the second consisting of he and Sandra playing through the entirity of Mockingbird. For the first half it was Derek alone with his shirt pocket notebook with scribbled-down requests. The requests that Derek chose to play were mostly older songs from Caedmon’s Call albums and even a song that was never release (something like “Putting up and Pulling Down” but don’t quote me on that). For the second half it was Derek on 12-string guitar with Sandra on piano. Webb delivered exactly what he promised - a runthrough of the entire Mockingbird album. While the requests were played in Storytellers style, with Webb giving some background on the songs, the play-through of Mockingbird was straightforward - his messages of a consistent ethic on human life and transnationalism were loud and clear. As always his lyrics are powerful, yet elegant. HIs guitar skills complemented the music well, as always, licking and chord-changing away to greatness. For the last song on the album, Love is Not Against the Law, Judd and Maggie crept up onto stage and provided backup vocals for the chorus. I’m not going to make too much fun of Judd, though, as the entire time he vigorously nodded as he waited for his part.

As an encore, he played his classic, Wedding Dress.

So, good show, good time, definitely will do it again if the pair graces the DC area with their presence.