Christina Martin’s Awesome Homecoming
Christina Martin “killed it” at her homecoming concert in Oxford tonight. That is an overworked phrase but there is no other way to describe her command over the venue and the audience at the Old Capitol Theatre.
She might have been forgiven if she had mailed it in, following a 47 date cross-Canada tour that began in Newfoundland in September and ended early this afternoon when she and her partner Dale arrived at their Port Howe home to prepare for the Oxford event.
A warm and friendly crowd welcomed the duo home in the truest sense of the word. Even the couple’s mothers were on hand and in typical Christina fashion the Moms were woven into the performance to comic delight in Christina’s near-patentable running patter.
While she confessed to being tired, there was no indication the cost-to-coast run and return, by car, had taken any toll on her magnificent voice. Christina has a seemingly effortless voice, an ease, a facility that belies its power. The mellow tones tumble at you like waves at the beach, with an occasional earthy, gravelly punctuation.
Referring to Dale Murray, her husband, best friend, guitarist, producer, she said, “He’s not too shabby.” In fact, Murray is a consummate musician who can fill an orchestra pit with a single guitar. A master of the whammy bar, he adds depth and substance to an already fulfilling sound. Not too shabby indeed!
The Homecoming Concert also celebrated the release of Christina’s new album, A Wonderful Lie.
Unlike other concerts in the Canada-wide tour, the Oxford audience was treated to an extra special curtain call. Christina and Dale took a seat with the crowd while two special videos were shown in Old Capitol fashion. One was produced earlier this year in the Oxford Theatre, while the other marked Christina’s first foray with a Christmas song, a video produced at her home in Port Howe.
Christina always thanks the audience for supporting live music, but you can’t help but wonder how long it will be before local fans find it difficult to buy a ticket to her live events. Until then, grab the bargain and treasure your time with this rising talent.
Christina, thank you and welcome home.
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