Review: Steve Martin, the serious musician

Steve Martin, serious musician?

Well, sure. How else to describe one of his encores at Benaroya Hall Tuesday night: a bluegrass version of his 1978 novelty hit, "King Tut?"

Or Martin's original protest song, embracing the great tradition of Pete Seeger and Joan Baez: "Let's Keep the Minimum Wage Right Where It Is."

Or his attempt at a little folk outreach with the capacity audience: "The next song is a singalong, but there are no lyrics. So good luck."

This is the same Steve Martin who abandoned stage comedy decades ago and broadened his entertainment reach as an actor, novelist and playwright. The same Martin who took his 45-year-old passion for playing banjo into a very public arena, releasing a much-praised bluegrass album ("The Crow: New Songs for the 5-String Banjo") featuring his own compositions and touring behind it with the Steep Canyon Rangers, a remarkable ensemble out of North Carolina.

Martin played in several cities before his Seattle stop. Advance word was that while he is on the road for the sake of the music, old fans could expect a few perfunctory, funny lines out of him.

Was that ever the understatement of the year. When the Benaroya show was over on Tuesday, it was entirely possible to think one had actually seen two performances, the first a showcase for frequently beautiful music, and the other a revival of Martin's absurdist stage persona from the 1970s. A loudly appreciative crowd was thrilled to have both.

With a few exceptions, such as Ervin T. Rouse's perennial favorite "Orange Blossom Special," and a few tunes written and performed by the Rangers, Martin's own instrumentals and songs — most off "The Crow" — dominated the 90-minute set.

And what a set: stately but loose on "Tin Roof." Elegant yet playful on "Daddy Played the Banjo." Sunlit but mysterious on "The Crow." There is something generous, touchingly graceful and intensely personal in Martin's music. While honoring the banjo traditions that captivated him so long ago, he has created a sophisticated sound of his own.

Certainly the Rangers were indispensable in providing thrilling cascades of colors and textures to arrangements (plus plenty of wit to complement Martin's). Martin seems to feel lucky to have them, even if he's resigned to explaining their collaboration in showbiz terms: "In reality, I met the Rangers at a party in North Carolina. In Hollywood, I have to say we met in rehab."

Tom Keogh: tomwkeogh@yahoo.com.