Lauren Monroe with Rick Allen: Live in Tucson
191 Toole
Tucson, Arizona
October 6, 2022
By Mary Andrews
Lauren Monroe made a tour stop in Tucson, Arizona supporting her new album release, Messages from Aphrodite. The Album was officially released September 9, 2022. It brings her musical and spiritual vision into sharper focus as she delves into the human emotional condition. This show was a delightful blend of songs from the new album and from her previous album release, Under the Wolf Moon.
The New York born, California based gifted singer/songwriter has roots as a mental health promoter. Monroe spoke many times of how we can change the course of someone’s mental health, many times with something as simple as a smile. She examines emotional intimacy through her songs while delivering her music in a powerful, confident way.
She gave introductions for many of the songs explaining what she meant to express as she wrote the songs. “The Color of Snow” is about someone contemplating suicide. One of her friends, contemplating suicide, expressed that ‘if someone shows me that they care, I’m not going to do it.” She explains that many times we see someone in pain and we are afraid to approach them because they may have severe mental illness fearing that we may be responsible for this person.’ “We use excuses that ‘we don’t have time and we don’t want to get involved.”
She has a unique ability to express universal insight and compassion of the human condition. “Void of Course” leans toward astrology. She referred to being in bad relationships with the wrong person. Before performing “Calling All Angels,” Monroe mentioned how fragile we are as humans. “Humans are very interesting, and we are still learning.” She asked herself ‘How does this effect relationships?’
Three cover songs were included in the set. Lucinda Williams’ “Can’t Let Go,” and Gary Wright’s “Love Is Alive,” and Jane Siberry’s “Calling All Angels.” All of the songs were treated like they were her own compositions.
Monroe and Allen are very involved with veterans and their issues. They created the Project Resiliency Raven Drum Foundation to help veterans dealing with PTSD and other issues after returning from combat.
Monroe played acoustic guitar and at times played percussion. Husband, Rick Allen, played drums barefoot. Steve Uccello kept the beat going on bass. Dylan Rose was superb on electric guitar as was Tammi Brown provide keyboards and vocals.
After the show, the entire band came out to mix and mingle with the audience. It was obvious that the crowd was very comfortable staying for awhile after the show to speak with Lauren and the band to talk about the issues raised by Monrow during the show. Allen even signed several Def Leppard albums for the fans. It was an enlightening and fun night with incredible musicians.
Please visit the Raven Drum Foundation to donate and help our disabled veterans
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