Rose Garden Arena
Portland, Oregon

Three years ago I stopped by Music Millenium, a small record store in Northwest Portland, to hear a new artist perform to publicize her first single. About 70 people crowded in the store that afternoon to hear the singer give a short, acoustic performance flanked by her bassist and her guitarist. By the time the trio had finished their three songs, about 15 minutes worth, everyone in the store realized that Sheryl Crow had the talent to make it.

Last night I revisited Sheryl, this time at the Portland Rose Garden Arena where she was headlining a concert, accompanied this time with a large plugged-in band, light show, and a sold out house. From the first song, she had the crowd. Unlike the first time I saw her, where 70 people listened with maybe half knowing who she was, last night all 8,000 people knew her, her songs, even her lyrics. It was fun to think about that afternoon three years ago.

The opening act last night, before Sheryl Crow, before Jewel, and before Dishwalla was Leah Andreone. The house was barely two-thirds full when she was introduced to the still arriving crowd. Leah took the stage flanked only by her bassist and guitarist. In the eighteen minutes that followed, Leah performed four songs accoustically: a Nirvana song, "Who Are They to Say," "It's Alright It's OK," and "Hell to Pay." Leah sounded great, her guitarist was totally hot, and the crowd was loving it. I was happy to see that she is one of the rare performers who actually sounds better live than in studio. Leah was the first act of a long evening, unknown to a majority of the crowd, limited to an acoustic performance without even a drummer, and she nailed it. The crowd was into it.

I couldn't help but think of the comparison. Sheryl's 15-minute, accoustic performance three years ago followed by her rise to fame, and Leah's 18-minute acoustic performance. But there are some important differences. Leah's voice has a greater range. Her songs have more emotion, intensity, and depth. And Leah has a better lead guitarist and a better record producer. So after last night, it is very clear to me that if Leah and her management play it smart, she will make it to the top. And I'll sit back and remember her 18-minute acoustic opening and smile.