I use the word "perfect" about once a year. There just isn't that much these days that merits such an august description. For the last four weeks in Los Angeles, however, there has been.



Throughout this month I was privileged to attend a series of live performances by musical shaman Rickie Lee Jones. The artist does have a new album out--The Sermon on Exposition Boulevard--but didn't seem to be playing these shows just to hawk it. To quote the Los Angeles Times review after the first evening in the series: "She was just playing because, well, that's what she does."

In concert, Jones is nothing short of astounding. She gives 100% of her energy to the songs every single time. As a result, she never delivers a "canned" show. Although she begins with a few songs she and her band have clearly agreed upon, I'd be surprised to discover that there was a set list. No Rickie Lee Jones show is exactly like any other Rickie Lee Jones show you've ever seen--and you will be moved in ways you never could have expected. She has the ability to read an audience, and to give it exactly what it wants and exactly what it needs. You leave the club sated and buzzing in a way that's just perfect, having forgotten who you are, where you are, and everything else that ever was. All you've been doing is listening.

Until these shows, I'd forgotten how much I love doing that.

With all of the choices available to us in the way of amusement, it's certainly tough finding those rare artists who remind us of how incredible it is to be alive. But if you take the time and are patient, the payoff will be more than you could have hoped for: a rediscovery of grace, both yours and the artist's. So here's to Rickie Lee Jones, and to all the artists who give us back to ourselves. We can't thank you enough.