On Saturday, April 11, alumna Sarah Poulette, class of 2007, graced the stage with her acoustic guitar for the Barge Canal Coffee Co.’s Saturday Nite Music Series. Poulette has moved to Boston since her time at Colgate and was excited to play a real concert. She explained that she has only been playing at T stations in Boston and that it’s nice to play for people who actually want to hear her music.

Poulette was clearly comfortable in front of an audience, practically chatting with audience members between songs in her anecdotes and explanations of the songs in her set list. At one point she said, “I’m surrounded in my life by shy people – clearly I’m not.” She seemed particularly at ease at the Barge. She began with an original, “Walt in A-Minor,” which she explained was the first song she ever played at the Barge, at an open mic night. This concert was a homecoming.

The next song was an upbeat original song entitled “Your Shade,” which was prefaced by an explanation that she always tries to keep her eyes open for photos, but then blinks at the wrong time. This was followed by, “Defenseless,” which she wrote for her significant other on Valentine’s Day. Then she played another original, “When I Knock.” She mentioned that this was the favorite song from her CD of the kid she used to babysit — he had it on repeat. Persistently reminding the audience that her CD was available for purchase that night, she added, “Tell me if you get the CD and put it on repeat, too!”

“Traveling Song” was next, a song she wrote because she listens to a lot of ’30s blues and has always wanted her own traveling song. After that, she performed “Be There,” a song she wrote at Colgate. This was followed by a cover of Eva Cassidy’s cover of “I Guess It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” by Buddy Holly, which she performed for her mom. Then she played “Body of My Guitar,” another song she wrote at Colgate, which appears on her CD. Next, she played two songs she wrote in high school, which are also on her CD, “How Long”– after which she exclaimed, “That was little Sarah!”– and “Autumn Song (Fall So Hard).”

The next song was a cover of “Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright” by Bob Dylan, which she dedicated to “Susan of the Barge.” She followed this with a cover of “Wicked Little Town” from the soundtrack for “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” admitting that it was a bit obscure. Then she played an original from her CD, “Showing That I Care.” This was followed by a shaky cover of “Come On Eileen” by Dexys Midnight Runners. She explained that her next cover, “Sweetest Thing” by U2, is very popular in Boston and gets her the most money at the T. It was by far the best song of the night. The concert ended with a cover of “Angel” by Sarah McLachlan and an original, “Grey Days,” that she dedicated to her mother.

Poulette was an adequate performer, but unaware of which song choices complimented her vocal range and abilities. Her music was generally enjoyable, but her lyrics were often simplistic. Poulette was clearly overjoyed to return to Colgate and Colgate was happy to lend her an ear.