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Gaudry enchants G.R.E.A.T. audience
By Ashwin Raman
 Media Credit: Blair Schlichte Singer/songwriter Rachel Gaudry put on a magical show Sunday night at the Great River Educational Arts Theater Playhouse. The Australian native is touring the United States, promoting the North American release of Leaving Traces.
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Before a show, one can find Rachel Gaudry trying to find a quiet place to compose herself. Too many people crave her attention. She performs this ritual, however, not because she's nervous, but because it's something she practices before each show.
"It makes me mentally prepared," Gaudry said. The singer/songwriter, who hails from Australia, performed at the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse in St. Cloud on Sunday as part of her third North American tour, promoting her debut album, Leaving Traces. This particular show was organized by DEEP, which is an organization that promotes diversity in the arts.
In addition to singing, Gaudry also plays the piano for all her songs. She began playing the piano at age 11and has been writing songs professionally since 1999. Since the release of her debut album in 2001, Gaudry has earned critical acclaim from various newspapers and magazines around the world, including Rolling Stone, which described her as "Canberra's answer to Tori Amos."
"(That statement) was a real compliment, but I think I'm very different from Tori Amos. Her music is more angst-ridden," Gaudry said.
The show began with a performance by folk singer Anne Deming as the opening act. In her hour-long performance, the Minneapolis-based singer performed solo as she entertained the audience with songs from her latest release, "On Display."
Gaudry then took the stage with her accompanying guitarist Sam Hawksley and proceeded to delight audiences through an 11-song set. Many of those songs had a love-gone-wrong theme.
"My songs are very personal with a lot of romantic and melancholic elements" Gaudry said of her style. She also cited Joni Mitchell, Elvis Costello, Ricky Lee Jones and early Van Morrison as major influences of her music.
An interesting element that the audience enjoyed was the humorous chemistry between Gaudry and Hawksley. The duo would often crack jokes at one another between songs and remind the audience to buy her album.
But the main thing that captured audiences was Gaudry's powerful voice.
"She's a phenomenal singer. She's got a very strong voice," said Aaron Brossoit of her performance.
Her lyrics, as well, captured the attention of some members of the audience.
"I really liked the song about war," said Holly Santiago, in reference to a song that Gaudry wrote after the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The song about Sept.11 is not included on Leaving Traces, but will be included on her second album, which is to be released next summer.
Gaudry's sophomore effort was written, recorded and mixed before she embarked on her current tour which began on Sept.14. Her tour runs till the end of this month until further venues are finalized.
Santiago also commented that DEEP had organized the show very well, as they had provided refreshments for members of the audience after Deming finished her set.
The show was an overall success, and a memorable night for all.
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