Peggie Jones’s brainchild, the subscription series mostly featuring “music you’ve never heard” called Sings Like Hell, now with over 300 performances to it’s credit, has always been eclectic, occasionally in the same show. That was definitely the case March 3rd. Veteran singer-songwriter, and SLH favorite, Chris Smither returned, this time with a band and a passel of hot new songs from his just released new album “Call Me Lucky.” Joined by the record’s producer and guitarist David “Goody” Goodrich and drummer Billy Conway (Morphine) playing a most unusual kit with a suitcase bass drum and an upside-down hi-hat. Smither is known for his fretboard wizardry, gritty vocals and bluesy, folksy, witty and ultimately poetic songwriting . He’s never sounded better! At the other end of the spectrum, tho still firmly rooted in the blues, was opener Jackie Venson, a 27 year-old Austin, Texas phenom who is destined to go big soon. Classically trained pianist who “saw the light” and switched to guitar, she’s a kind of cross between Jimi and Esperanza Spaulding, she writes original and striking songs backed (or centered around) her amazing guitar playing and voice, a kind of intellectual barrelhouse that rocks totally. Another truly satisfying show in an amazing series like no other. GO TO THESE SHOWS peeps!
