Maps of Music

Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony (2011)

Where the lyrics of Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony take you, and where it was really made.

The symphony needed little rehearsal because it sight-reads so well. The rehearsal was mainly there to prepare the band for how powerful the concert would be.

Key places

Two sold-out nights in Seattle (2010)

Recording site Benaroya Hall — Carlile and her band recorded the album during two sold-out shows in November 2010 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Washington, with the Seattle Symphony. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Where the live album was performed (2010)

Live show Benaroya Hall — The album was performed live at Benaroya Hall, where Carlile had also performed with the Seattle Symphony in 2008. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Live at Benaroya Hall with the Seattle Symphony: fourth album by American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile
• Released May 3, 2011 through Columbia Records
• Recorded during two sold-out shows in November 2010 at Benaroya Hall in Seattle, Washington
• Features Carlile, her long-time band, and the Seattle Symphony performing together
• Long-time band members include brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth
• Martin Feveyear recorded, mixed, and mastered the album

Background

• Recorded during Carlile's tour supporting her previous studio album Give Up the Ghost (2009)
• Carlile and the band had always wanted their fourth release to be a live album
• She first hoped to record at a famous venue, then chose to return to Benaroya Hall
• Carlile had performed at Benaroya Hall alongside the symphony in 2008
• Before the single rehearsal with the 30-member Seattle Symphony, string arrangers sent computer-generated demos to Carlile for approval

Recording

• Arrangements by Paul Buckmaster, who had worked with Carlile on Give Up the Ghost, and Sean O'Loughlin
• Seattle Symphony led by Assistant Conductor Eric Garcia
• Carlile had not spoken to Feveyear before the first rehearsal, but was pleased with his work
• The album opens with the curtain call, which strengthens the sense of a live recording
• Setlist: three songs from The Story (2007), five from Give Up the Ghost, and three covers
• Covers include Elton John's Sixty Years On, Simon & Garfunkel's The Sound of Silence, and Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Formation

• Born June 1, 1981, in Ravensdale, Washington; grew up in King County, near Seattle.
• Began singing country songs on stage at age eight; started writing songs at age 15.
• Began her career performing in Seattle music clubs with twin brothers Phil and Tim Hanseroth.
• Signed with Columbia Records in 2004; debut album Brandi Carlile released in 2005.

Members

• Core band includes the Hanseroth twins, Phil and Tim, who have performed with her since she was 17.
• Her wife Catherine Shepherd has served as executive director of the Looking Out Foundation.

Career

• Breakthrough with the T Bone Burnett-produced album The Story (2007); the title single was widely featured in commercials and TV.
• Albums include Give Up the Ghost (2009), Bear Creek (2012), The Firewatcher's Daughter (2015), By the Way, I Forgive You (2018), In These Silent Days (2021), and Returning to Myself (2025).
• Has won eleven Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards, and received an Academy Award nomination.
• Co-founded the supergroup the Highwomen in 2019 with Amanda Shires, Maren Morris, and Natalie Hemby.
• Collaborated with Elton John on the 2025 album Who Believes in Angels?.
• Runs the Looking Out Foundation, which has donated almost $9 million to grassroots causes.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• The Seattle Times critic Nick Vissey named Dreams and Pride and Joy as standout tracks
• Vissey said the tracks highlighted Carlile's unique folk-rock style and her voice, which he called enthralling, emotional and fun
• Allmusic's Andrew Leahey called the Hanseroth brothers' cover of The Sound of Silence spot-on
• Seattle Post-Intelligencer's Gene Stout called the same cover breathtaking
• Source Weekly contributor Mike Bookey complimented the album for capturing Carlile's live act and recommended it to first-time listeners
• Glide magazine's reviewer praised Carlile's authentic and raw vocals and noted that recorded flaws were not covered up
• Oklahoma Gazette's Stephen Carradini noted the errors but concluded: Things aren't perfect; they're still beautiful.
• Salt Lake Tribune's David Burger gave the album an A- and said it captures the unbridled spirit of Carlile's live act more than any of her studio albums
• Paste included the album in its list of 12 May Albums Worth Checking Out
• Paste contributor Jeff Leven said the album was over-stacked with covers but anthemic and captivating
• Leahey concluded: This isn't Brandi Carlile's first concert album, but it's certainly the best.

Records

• United States: number 63 on the Billboard 200
• United States: number 5 on the Top Folk Albums chart
• United States: number 14 on the Top Rock Albums chart

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · es.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• During the concert, a bra thrown from the audience, meant for the drummer, hit Carlile on stage.
• The band experienced technical difficulties during the concert.
• Carlile said she felt like a member of The Beatles when the audience stood and loudly sang the words to Dreams.
• Hallelujah is followed by a hidden track, a cover of Alphaville's Forever Young.
• Carlile does not contribute vocals to the version of The Sound of Silence that appears on the album.
• Carlile said the album is the one she and her band are most proud of, because it truly represents their live act.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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