As I think about some of my personal favorites of Americana’s great artist pairings, some obvious classics come to mind: James Taylor and Carole King; Shawn Colvin and Mary Chapin Carpenter; Bob Dylan and Joan Baez; or, even more recently, Gillan Welch and Dave Rawlings. For me, what makes each of these duos effective and lasting is the way in which two accomplished solo artists are able to blend their own unique, artistic gifts in a fashion that complements and elevates each performer. They are collaborations which celebrate, without sacrificing, the individual talents of their parts. This is how I feel about the partnership between Lindsay Foote and Liv Greene—two extraordinarily talented women who SCENES was honored to have perform back in March.
Sitting crosslegged on a bed somewhere in Somerville, Massachusetts, Lindsay and Liv open their performance with friendly, disarming smiles and simple “Hi” and “Hey” greetings. There is little fanfare, and, as a result, little pretense. Already, the sense that we are among friends, and that, even if the camera weren’t rolling, these two might still be spending the evening playfully trading songs is apparent. This feeling does not come from a long introduction, but rather from the kind, comfortable demeanor with which they occupy the shared space—both physically and musically. It is solidified as they quickly enter into their first song entitled “That Kind of Love” written by Lindsay Foote.
The tune features Lindsay on lead vocals and is characterized by a hypnotic, driving folk progression reminiscent of Patty Griffin, Jim Croce, and the Appalachian traditional music from which the genre is derived. It tells the empowering story of a woman who is “done being kind, trying to please, and letting off easy,” as she is confronted by a former lover who she is proud to have moved on from. Since being broken by this person’s past departure, she has come to the realization that her tendency towards self abandonment, easy forgiveness, and “being sweet” has only left her bitter. Now, faced with this person’s attempt to rekindle the relationship, she can resolutely and triumphantly say that she’s finally choosing herself, for she’s done with “that kind of love.” All I can say is, I needed to hear this—and likely will a thousand times more. Meanwhile, as Foote delivers the message, Liv Greene sits just behind her with a second acoustic guitar weaving haunting layers of tasteful accompaniment in the spirit of Dave Rawlings and Mark Knopfler. She also adds a lush higher vocal harmony during the choruses. The effect is nothing short of enchanting.
After another brief and charming exchange in which the two artists talk about loving each other’s music, the pair starts in on their second song. This time, Liv Greene picks up a banjo and takes center stage on a song she’s written, “New York’s Arms.” With the banjo accompaniment and the modern approach to a traditional song form, it is difficult not to think of Sarah Jarosz, Gillian Welch, and, again, Patty Griffin. The tune is pure poetry, and in telling the tale of a woman on the painful side of heartbreak who has found hope and recovery in the expansive possibilities of New York City, I am reminded of so many others in the greater folk lineage—namely Paul Simon and Bob Dylan. “‘Cause I saw the East River, shining like the promise of a new love I’ll probably miss on down the line.” Once again, it is the story of a woman empowered and looking forward, no longer trapped in the disillusionment of love lost, but also who has not just adopted a new delusion. It is a rapture cognizant of the fleeting nature of things, which, I think, makes it all the more insightful. “And I may falter before the stone and steel altar, but I know it’s gonna be easier to move on the further that I go.” Lindsay Foote plays the supporting role in this tune by adding chordal interjections on her guitar, and layering in harmonies that match Liv in their wistfulness. For a second time, we are utterly enchanted.
With the final song of their performance, in honor of International Women’s Day, they choose a song neither of them wrote, the classic, “You’re so Vain” by Carly Simon. No one needs me to explain why this tune deserves its status as a timeless anthem, but I would simply say, Foote and Greene do this one justice—and then some. Trading verses, they manage to tap into the vulnerability and biting wit at the heart of the lyrics, likely because, as their original songs displayed, they have some experience in the subject. It is a perfect choice to end the livestream, as I think it encompasses what makes this duo effective and worthy of your attention.
Both artists show here and in their own solo catalogs—which you should absolutely go check out—an adept craft and personalities overflowing with authenticity and humility; the latter, in my opinion, is what causes these collaborations to really shine. What is obvious, is these are two astounding songwriters whose priority is service to the song. It shows in their obvious admiration for their partner’s work and for the work of the countless, iconic troubadours who came before them—and in whose company they wholly deserve to be. Their messages of empowerment, friendship, and hopeful vulnerability combined with the kind of talent that only comes along, in this case, twice in a blue moon, solidifies them as artists in every sense of the word. In an unprecedented year like 2020, I find Lindsay Foote and Liv Greene to not only be perhaps The Best Way Out, but also completely and unabashedly For Real; you’ll now have to go check out their solo work to understand what a great pun that was.
