Inda Eaton

March, 1999 show review by Kate Rice with photos by Django Bohren

As I write this, it's the day preceeding a blue moon (our second this Year). That's nearly as rare as an Inda Eaton concert in Casper, and almost as welcome.

Inda played to a nearly full house at the Parkway Plaza. The room was set with tables, a cash bar and a dance floor. The only drawback (from a non-smoker's point of view) was the option to do so. My companion and I, not wanting to hog a table set for say, eight, sat amidst the haze. Small price to pay for an evening with this singer/songwriter and her entourage. To introduce the band, Inda began the 1st set with the Gipsy Kings' "Bamboleo." It's a fabulous song, and it told us right away that rhythm and percussion would be an integral part of the evening.

The band featured Dale Bohren, of The Tremors, on bass. He's so laid-back you'd almost forget he was there, if he wasn't so darned good. André Bohren was an the drum set. As my companion noted, "Not bad for a piano player." To say the least. Between André and Jeff Smith, percussion was well in hand (man, I've got to cut back on the musical puns). Jeff played congas, a swell change from the rock 'n roll bass/snare/cymbal. Not that there's anything wrong with rock. I'm just sayin'...

Rounding out the sound was a woman referred to as "Jingo B." Her backing vocals showed a great range, and watching her, I realized why it was her up on stage and not me. She managed to be gettin' her groove on whether she was singing, playing shakers, both or none of the above. She was cool to watch as well as hear.

Finally, Inda. That girl can sing! Her voice is always strong - sometimes smooth, and sometimes a little bit bluesey/raunchy. Always great. Her guitar playing's "not bad," too. All of that alone would have made a great show. Inda had something more. She had the audience with her the entire evening. She can tell a story, both in song and stage chatter. This was especially helpful while replacing her g-string (yes, the one on the guitar). That's one of the things I dig about live performance. If the strings didn't break, or if things went smoothly night after night, think of the stories the audience would miss. Most of the songs have stories, and vice versa. We were led through the United States, Germany, Africa (I've never even been to half of the 50 states, let alone outside of them)! I feel as though I have, after a show like this.

I was familiar with most of the songs from her CDs, but it was interesting to hear them with the band. I liked the full sound, but I must admit, I was glad she treated us to some "Inda moments: a girl and her guitar." Not every singer/songwriter can make you listen with just voice. This one can.

After intermission, Inda brought a grandma from each side of the family onstateage, presenting them with flowers. I might have thought this pretentious, had I not been introduced to one of the grandmas some time ago. Or should I say, her grandma was introduced to me. It's obvious she's into family and friends, and that's cool. She's also into the folks, wherever she plays. We know there's a Llasa Apso running around Casper, answering to the name of "Inda". She considers it a compliment. When she waved to a lady in the audience who works at the post office, my companion whispered, "Small town!"

It is a small town. As I watched folks finally take to the dance floor, I realized it's local artists like Inda who bring us together. By the time the band rallied to sing the powerful "Carry On," the crowd was singing along, too - myself included. That's something that only happens once in a blue moon.