On Sunday evening, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Joey Dosik made his way to New York City’s (le) Poisson Rouge for his final headlining performance before an extended run of dates supporting Lake Street Dive. As he mentioned in his interview with Live For Live Music last week, Dosik was particularly excited for the intimate performance–a rare chance to perform on a real grand piano and indulge his cocktail lounge singer proclivities while simultaneously doing things “you’ll never see at a jazz show in 2017.” “This is totally my element,” gushed Dosik, “This is a therapy session for me tonight.”
While each song on the setlist was beautifully performed, the true magic of the performance came from the charismatic showmanship and colorful commentary that he expertly wove into the set. Clearly relaxed and enjoying himself, Dosik crooned about the meanings of songs, told stories, and waxed nostalgic without breaking his musical stride. The audience, in turn, laughed and cheered along, hanging on his every word.
Dosik lead his talented trio through selections from his Game Winner EP, debuted a new solo arrangement of Game Winner track “Competitive Streak” (performed with delicate beauty on a classical acoustic guitar), covered The Beatles and Marvin Gaye, challenged to crowd to rap along with a Will Smith song, and even treated the sold-out crowd to new tune dedicated to his grandmother (which he hinted would be sung by Antwaun Stanley on an upcoming Vulfpeck release). Dosik closed out his set with an extended performance of “Game Winner” featuring an amusing first-hand musical recounting of the highly publicized Charles Oakley/James Dolan drama that took place during his “second to last” trip to see the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Before the encore, Dosik commented, “One thing we need to do more as a society is listen to women,” and brought up longtime friend Nadia Tykulsker for a reading of James Baldwin‘s poem “Paradise” before sending the audience home with tender ballad “Simply Beautiful.”
You can catch Joey Dosik and his many musical talents on the road with Lake Street Dive throughout February and March. Head here for a full list of upcoming dates.
Setlist: Joey Dosik | (le) Poisson Rouge | New York, NY | 2/19/17
Inside Voice, Don’t Want It To Be Over, Running Away, Arrow Through Me, Past The Point, Don’t Let Me Down, Grandma Song^, Stories^, Competitive Streak^**, What’s Happening Brother^, Take Mine^, Game Winner^
