Saturday, March 13, 2010
BETTYSOO at Momo's 3-3 and 3-10-10
BettySoo and her band, I guess they have a name now, Willing Company(!), are playing a weekly set on Wednesdays in March, at Momo's. Currently, she has 2 lead guitar players, Jeff Plankenhorn and Will Sexton.
The 3-3 show was a run of the mill show. Good, as always. The 3-10 show, on the other hand, was pretty great! The material from one week to the other wasn't noticeably different, but the playing sure was. The band had punch this week. About the only way I know how to describe it. I tell ya, people think BettySoo is this little folk singer (and she is!), but there is a lot more to her than that. If you haven't seen her rockin' with the band, you are missing out! She and these boys play.
Another nice treat was Ben Mallott joining her for Gram Parson's "Return of the Grievous Angel."
$7 cover, a bargain.
PS
Almost forgot the best part of the show! BettySoo brought a couple of people up from Denmark who are here for a couple of weeks at the House of Songs. This is a place in Austin where the Danes come over and collaborate with Austin songwriters. They also play some clubs, too. So, that day BettySoo had been at the House of Songs and together with this couple wrote a song and they played it that night! It was a catchy country tune which sounded great, even at the end when they didn't know how to stop it and it just fell apart! I tell ya, that's what is cool about being here. You get to witness these collaborations, hear songs the day they were born! That stuff doesn't happen everywhere.
The 3-3 show was a run of the mill show. Good, as always. The 3-10 show, on the other hand, was pretty great! The material from one week to the other wasn't noticeably different, but the playing sure was. The band had punch this week. About the only way I know how to describe it. I tell ya, people think BettySoo is this little folk singer (and she is!), but there is a lot more to her than that. If you haven't seen her rockin' with the band, you are missing out! She and these boys play.
Another nice treat was Ben Mallott joining her for Gram Parson's "Return of the Grievous Angel."
$7 cover, a bargain.
PS
Almost forgot the best part of the show! BettySoo brought a couple of people up from Denmark who are here for a couple of weeks at the House of Songs. This is a place in Austin where the Danes come over and collaborate with Austin songwriters. They also play some clubs, too. So, that day BettySoo had been at the House of Songs and together with this couple wrote a song and they played it that night! It was a catchy country tune which sounded great, even at the end when they didn't know how to stop it and it just fell apart! I tell ya, that's what is cool about being here. You get to witness these collaborations, hear songs the day they were born! That stuff doesn't happen everywhere.
ELIZABETH WILLS at Cactus Cafe 3-9-10
This was a cd release show for "Love Comes Home." Came out about a month ago. Really good. This show was the first time I've seen her with a band. I think the guy on lead guitar is named Brad Thompson. He was terrific with one heckuva soulful voice. Brad Houser was on drums. He plays with Guy Forsyth and is fantastic. The producer of her record, Mark Hallman, played bass.
The show was 2 sets, with a ton of material from the new cd. Also, because we're in Austin, we got to have all of the additional singers from the album show up to sing at this show. We're talking Sara Hickman, Shelley King, Susan Gibson and BettySoo! A real highlight was all of them, except Sara, together as the choir for "Million Angels." Gave ya goosebumps.
Elizabeth also had some nice interaction with the crowd, opening up and telling a few personal stories, including one before she played Joni Mitchell's "Clouds." The short version is she grew up with Joni Mitchell, thanks to her dad. As a little girl, she was terrified of storms. When she heard "Clouds" it made her feel not alone anymore. Said it was the first time she realized music could save her. These are the moments you can't experience just listening to a record and part of what I love about the live experience.
A great crowd on this night and a terrific show. No cover charge.
The show was 2 sets, with a ton of material from the new cd. Also, because we're in Austin, we got to have all of the additional singers from the album show up to sing at this show. We're talking Sara Hickman, Shelley King, Susan Gibson and BettySoo! A real highlight was all of them, except Sara, together as the choir for "Million Angels." Gave ya goosebumps.
Elizabeth also had some nice interaction with the crowd, opening up and telling a few personal stories, including one before she played Joni Mitchell's "Clouds." The short version is she grew up with Joni Mitchell, thanks to her dad. As a little girl, she was terrified of storms. When she heard "Clouds" it made her feel not alone anymore. Said it was the first time she realized music could save her. These are the moments you can't experience just listening to a record and part of what I love about the live experience.
A great crowd on this night and a terrific show. No cover charge.
SARAH BETTENS at Cactus Cafe 2-27-10
Went to this show without really knowing who she was. We were on the campus already for a basketball game and decided well, if she's playing the Cactus, she's got to be good.
She was spellbinding. A smoky, yet soft, voice. Great melodies. A real pleasure to listen to. Originally from Belgium, I think.
It wasn't until she said here's an old one you'll recognize and played "Not an Addict" that I realized who she was, the lead singer of K's Choice.
Anyway, I loved her in an acoustic setting. Gotta buy some of her music. Short of cash the night of the show and they didn't take credit cards for merch.
I believe admission was $15. Well worth it.
She was spellbinding. A smoky, yet soft, voice. Great melodies. A real pleasure to listen to. Originally from Belgium, I think.
It wasn't until she said here's an old one you'll recognize and played "Not an Addict" that I realized who she was, the lead singer of K's Choice.
Anyway, I loved her in an acoustic setting. Gotta buy some of her music. Short of cash the night of the show and they didn't take credit cards for merch.
I believe admission was $15. Well worth it.
Monday, February 22, 2010
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