Photo credits come from nowyouknowevents.com

Who doesn’t love a Michelle Branch song or 20?! The Spirit Room was smeared with glorious POP rock melodies throughout that would ensure Branch commercial success, delivering the hit singles “Everywhere”, “All You Wanted”, and  “Goodbye To You”. Meanwhile album tracks such as “Here With Me”, “Sweet Misery”, “You Get Me” and “I’d Rather Be In Love” truly helped to round out an amazing maain stream debut from the young artist (she had previously released an album titled Broken Bracelet on an indie label).

Then enters Hotel Paper in 2003, a commercial success on par with The Spirit Room but fell short with critics in the main stream media. While I don’t think Hotel Paper was as strong of an album as The Spirit Room was as a whole, the record certainly had plenty of moments that got the job done. “Tuesday Morning”, “One Of These Days”, “It’s You”, “Are You Happy Now”, “Breathe” and an all time favorite “Till I Get Over You” gave listeners enough material to fall in love with. A great follow-up indeed, revisit it if you failed to capture it’s magic the first time around.

Years later she teamed up with longtime friend Jessica Harp to form The Wreckers, I didn’t take a liking to this project as much as I did her solo stuff but I suppose I was just grateful she was putting out new music. Some singles with that project and a baby later and now we see Michelle Branch stepping out on her own again with a much anticipated solo album in the works.

I think most gay men have their “coming out” artists which certainly explains the “fight for your diva” mentality when it comes to talking music with some of my fellow homosexuals. I for one was delighted with the explosive POP hits of Britney Spears to the soothing heart breaking records of Michelle Branch (which at the time I had NO relatable experience with) and even the dark depths of Radiohead. These musicians helped mold and shape me and set the direction in which I would later come to express myself. It has been a personal mission to see all the still living acts who are responsible for my superb taste in music live and in person before I die. I have been fortunate enough to see many of these artists live but have been waiting to scratch off Michelle Branch from the list for quite some time…

Now here we are in 2011 and I find myself on a journey to see the one and only Michelle Branch at a private gig at theWit hotel in downtown Chicago on July 16 thanks to WEA and radio station Fresh 105.9. As she entered the space and walked by she looked right at me and we quickly exchanged hellos followed with her asking how I was – she spoke to me, I could have left a very satisfied fan after that mere exchange! I couldn’t believe this was happening, from the days of listening to The Spirit Room on my personal CD player (so old school) in my bed as a young teenage boy to seeing her feet away from me was surreal!

She flawlessly performed her classic singles “Are You Happy Now?”, “Everywhere”, and “All You Wanted”(which you can see video for below, excuse the shakiness). Played the new single “Loud Music” in perfection as if she’s been performing it for years, naturally. Then gave us the Santana duet “Game Of Love” which was a pleasant surprise. Though it was her final performance of a new track titled “For Dear Life” that left me excited and wanting more. Immediately as the song began I felt the early sounds of her career echo throughout the room and then it happened, the chorus hit and I could feel the honesty and tenderness of the simply faultless melody – the only thing I would change is the bridge as it feels a bit lackluster for the rest of the track… but whatever. To me, “For Dear Life” proves that Michelle Branch still has her way with that stunning melody and storytelling combination she once dominated the airwaves with.

In all it was an experience I will always remember and look forward to seeing her on a full fledged solo tour this fall (which she informed us would be happening). A big thanks again to WEA and Michelle Branch for treating fans to such an intimate and memoriable experience. I absolutely can not wait to hear more new material from Branch!

Watch my recording of “All You Wanted” from that day below (for best quality view in 1080p on full screen) or check out a previous recording of “For Dear Life”, enjoy!

Michelle Branch – All You Wanted (Live In Chicago)

Michelle Branch – For Dear Life (Live @ WB Records Summer Sessions)

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