Kathy Mattea shows range of talent

Shasta Hyland, Brandi Palmer, Katherine Duarte and Claire Mutchler joined Kathy Mattea to perform "Rose," the title song of Mattea's latest CD. photo by Tim O'Neal

Blending styles and musical genres into a uniquely personal and stirring performance, Kathy Mattea and her band earned a thunderous ovation from the sold-out Sisters Starry Nights concert crowd on Sunday evening, April 18.

Mattea has expanded upon the chart-topping country music success she enjoyed in the 1980s and '90s to explore folk and Celtic styles that add new scope and dimension to her stage show and recordings.

Her changes in style have sometimes been depicted as a hard left turn out of the country music mainstream, but Mattea doesn't see it that way.

"It's really an evolution," she said.

That evolution grew at least in part from a deep-seated response to Celtic music she discovered during visits to Scotland.

"I don't really understand what it is that makes me love it so much," she said. "Maybe it's the 'ancient-ness' of it."

Kathy Mattea and her band performed songs covering an eclectic

repertoire developed over a career spanning more than 15 years. photo by Tim O'Neal

Mattea is no traditionalist, however. She blends her Celtic interests with a wide range of other influences to create a sound that is her own.

The support of some crack musicians helps. Her band leader Bill Cooley (guitar), drummer and percussionist Jim Brock, Eamon O'Roarke (fiddle, mandolin), Randy Leago (keyboards, flute) and Rick Blackwell (bass) are more than a backing band. Tight and professional without being slick, the band's arrangements and nuanced performance bring Mattea's deep, expressive voice to life.

And Mattea has something to express with that voice. She selects songs with depth and staying power.

"It's just a gut reaction," she said of the song selection process. "I'm going to pick songs that represent my point of view and hope that speaks to somebody."

Judging from audience reaction to her sometimes pointedly topical songs, she was speaking to many on Sunday night.

Mattea has long been on the Starry Nights "wish list," but scheduling conflicts always got in the way of an appearance.

"Finally it just sort of worked out -- and it worked out so beautifully," Mattea said.

Many things seem to have worked out beautifully for Mattea. With a strong fan base from her days as a country-music hit-maker, she has been able to branch out and grow creatively into an artist who defies categorization.

As the scope of commercial music narrows, her artistic scope has widened -- and her enthusiasm for her job is palpable in her lively performance.

"I'm more centered and peaceful about my career than I've ever been," she told The Nugget.

She put it simply for her Starry Nights audience:

"Don't I have the best gig in the world?"

The audience agreed -- loudly.