1998 Thirteen songs about a guy named Doug. It sounds like an unlikely premise for a concert, let alone a successful concert, let alone a great concert. But when Andrew Ratshin writes the songs, and Arni Adler, Ashley O'Keeffe, Patrice O'Neill, Libby Torrance, and Ratshin sing them, suddenly you have the ingredients for the best concert in Seattle this year, and that's just what took place at the Nippon Kan Theatre on August 4th.
Some songs are funny, others are serious, and they all speak of the human condition.
You can recognize yourself, people you know, and bits of your life in every one of these songs, and that's what makes them live and breathe. Ratshin crafts masterful songs, and he is at his best with the Doug Suite. They were visibly delighted to be playing together again, and their chemistry and talent were undiminished by the long hiatus. All told, it was a wonderfully entertaining evening of fun, intelligent music by exquisite performers. The audience was eager and enthusiastic, and they left satisfied.