Hickman’s Appearance Full of Cunning Beauty
By CHRIS VOGNAR
Staff Writer of The Dallas Morning News
One local institution welcomed another Saturday night, as the reinvigorated Lakewood Theatre played host to longtime Dallas favorite Sara Hickman.
Both venue and artist have been in the news in the last year. The long dormant Lakewood has staged a comeback of sorts, with smaller concerts and a burgeoning film schedule. Ms. Hickman, meanwhile, has had a busy year as well: She gave birth to her first child and established her own record label, Sleeveless, after a fallout with Discovery. She also released Misfits, an assortment of rarities and outtakes that plays
much like a regular release.
Saturday’s show proved her no worse for wear. Performing both solo acoustic and with a three-piece band and backing vocals, Ms. Hickman displayed her sonorous vocal abilities and knowing joie de vivre throughout a lengthy set, drawing from Misfits and hauling out older crowd favorites
"Nobody Goes to the Moon Any More" was a sadly whimsical solo number written by Damon Bramblett featuring a beautiful acoustic riff reminiscent of "Here Comes the Sun." Other acoustic highlights included "The Best of Times," of 1994’s Necessary Angels album, and her hilarious concert staple "Radiation Man," a commentary on intolerance inspired by a late-night sci-fi movie.
The Alanis Morissettes of the world will sell more albums but Ms. Hickman’s brand of strong femininity and artistic independence has earned her a fiercely loyal following. She had a potentially embarrassing moment when she began to lactate onstage she explained that her breasts tend to mistake her guitar for her newborn babe — but few seemed to mind. "There’s a lot of people here tonight who have never seen me before," she said by way of apology. But any strangers appeared to be in the minority.