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  Cat Power @ The Majestic Theater July 13, 2007By Daniel JohnsonJul 19, 2007 Cat Power has never been a very fitting name for the erratic musical persona that is Chan Marshall; her fickle stage performances, while prone to cat-like fits of fright, are not what you would call powerful. "Meltdown" is more like it, both on-stage (aborted sets are a staple) and off- (a recent stint in a psych ward). How to explain, then, the force of nature tonight, microphone in hand punk-rock style, in complete command - of the room, of her snarling, soulful delivery and of the virtuoso backing band behind her? As Marshall prowled The Majestic Theater's wide stage, she both lived up to her moniker's leonine promise while outgrowing it. Suddenly, the name Cat Power seemed twee and niche in comparison to Marshall's husky phrasing, which was aggressive and universal. Born in Georgia, Marshall only took her sound south a few years ago after a decade-plus of urban folk that was more flower-powered than deep-fried. As if finally heeding the soulish implications of her smoky voice, she enlisted the help of Al Green's songwriting partner and a crew of legendary Memphis musicians to make the ethereal R'n'B of 2006's The Greatest. She's been able to replicate that record's loose, humid pocket live thanks to the prowess of touring backup The Dirty Delta Blues Band who, in addition to being sensitive players, also learned the vast repertoire of cover material Marshall has gutted to sound like originals. Watching them breeze through an hour-plus set including everything from "Dark End of the Street" to "New York, New York" was a study in contrast with Marshall seeming both insecure and glamorous, fragile yet unbreakable. Like Amy Winehouse, Marshall is a tiny white girl keeping alive a way of singing that used to be about black strength. Unlike Winehouse, she doesn't hit you over the head with it but ducks and weaves instead, like a golden gloves boxer. There was no encore. Marshall walked off stage with a smile, tracing a heart on her chest before pointing to her throat and making a thumbs down motion to indicate a voice problem. Nevermind that her singing had been flawless all night, it was a nod to the old days of perpetual crisis and the fans that had seen her through.
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