Sunday, February 5, 2012

ELIZABETH COOK at Cactus Cafe, 2-1-12

Great night.  First time seeing her.  Big fan of her radio show on Outlaw Country (satellite radio).  She's razor sharp, hilarious and plays great music.  Turns out seeing her live you get the same thing, only it's all her music along with some good covers thrown in.
She was backed by Tim Carroll on lead guitar and a guy named Bones on upright bass.  They put on a heckuva show.  I hadn't heard her music before.  Not sure why.  I believe she played songs mostly from her two most recent records, "Balls" and "Welder."  Her songs run the gamut.  Some are plain funny, witty ditties while others are dang good honky tonk or killer ballads.  She threw in a Merle cover and did a couple of rocking, gospel songs which she learned as a kid and they were excellent.  Between songs it was like listening to a stand up comic.  She played close to 1 1/2 hours without a break.  There was never a song or a minute where she didn't have the crowd.  It was that good.
Opening was Tim Carroll.  Besides her lead guitarist, he's a songwriter in his own right.  Came out with his electric guitar and played maybe 45 minutes.  He was fantastic.  Kind of a punky, country guy.  Writes great songs.  I really enjoyed listening to him and he too, had the audience with him all along the way.  Lastly, he happens to be married to Elizabeth.
So, for $15 I got one great show in the best listening room in Austin.  Can't ask for more.
Managed to snag a video of "El Camino."  Here it is:
http://bit.ly/z0iSbJ

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