Early Tuesday afternoon (11/11), a friend mentioned that Jens Lekman might be making a guest appearance upstairs at the Living Room. Recognized as an unassuming spot for local artists (particularly singer/songwriters) to solidify their act, the venue serves as a sort of safe haven in the occasionally overwhelming Lower East Side club scene.
Originally hailing from Sweden, Lekman somewhat recently made a home in Brooklyn--so, not out of the question; he just may show up. I wandered over a bit past 10, and shortly thereafter Jens took the stage, accompanied Joe McGinty on piano and some gal with sparkly tights armed with a recorder.
First things first: there's a reason they give recorders to third graders. I can't recall the last time I saw a recorder as the focal point in any musical performance; I now realize why. Though it's been a while since I picked up the instrument, a small part of me entertained the idea that I might just witness something spectacular. This was not the case--though I can't quite say what a "good" recorder player might sound like. Three songs later (perhaps the word "ditties" is more appropriate), the girl with the recorder called it quits, leaving Jens the job of making things right.
If velourious was a word, that's how I'd describe Lekman's voice. As soon as his lips part, I expect thousands of tiny flowers to start spilling from his mouth and then dissipate into thin air. He wasted no time, launching straight into "Sipping on the Sweet Nectar." A veritable master of microphone placement, Jens knows how to make the most of his voice in any room. Whether he's alone with a guitar and a CD player or backed by a coterie of gals clad in white (as was the case during his last tour), the setup always seems to work.
I wasn't familiar with the second song Lekman sang, but later learned it was a Boyz II Men cover ("not a guilty pleasure, just a pleasure," he said). Closing out his short but sweet performance was "The Opposite of Hallelujah," the obvious gem on his most recent album, "Night Falls Over Kortedala." I knew I'd sleep soundly that night
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