Leslie Mendelson
BETHEL — BAAM at The Gem is excited to welcome Leslie Mendelson to Bethel on Saturday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter Leslie Mendelson is supporting her most recent studio album ‘If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,’ as well as a solo acoustic EP ‘In The Meantime,’ that was recorded during the 2020 lockdown.
Described by Relix Magazine as an artist with “a loyal, cross-generational audience that hugs the hippie, hipster, coffee shop and society crowds,” Leslie’s timeless musicality and evocative songwriting cut a wide swath.
All Music writes that Leslie evokes “1970s songwriter influences in the vein of Carole King and Carly Simon,” while The Aquarian calls her “the closest thing one can get to a truly honest musical experience.”
Leslie Mendelson’s previous work, including 2009 Grammy-nominated debut album ‘Swan Feathers’ and 2017 album, ‘Love & Murder’ dealt with matters of the heart. When it came time to compose the songs that comprise ‘If You Can’t Say Anything Nice…,’ however, she and her longtime writing partner Steve McEwan set out to examine the anxiety stemming from the current socio-political climate with songs like “Medication,” “I Need Something To Care About” and “Would You Give Up Your Gun.” It’s a fitting extension of a more socially conscious outlook offered on “A Human Touch”—Leslie’s duet with Jackson Browne for the documentary film, ‘5B,’ released in 2019.
Leslie has collaborated with music legends Jackson Browne, The Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir who recorded a duet with her on Roy Orbison’s standard, “Blue Bayou,” and The Who, who invited her to open two shows at Madison Square Garden in 2020. She was set to open three more dates for the band in 2020 that were unfortunately postponed due to the pandemic.
The Gem Theater is located at 48 Cross Street Bethel, Maine. Tickets are ‘Pay What You Can,’ ranging in price from $0 to $35. All funds raised will benefit Bethel Area Arts & Music, a 501c3 nonprofit. Find more information at www.bethelareaartsandmusic.com or www.thegemtheater.com. Bethel Area Arts & Music (BAAM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
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