It’s a full house tonight at the Fleece, with a few people adopting a thirties/ forties retro look to match that of Pokey LaFarge (and few more, almost but not quite getting it right, with a fifties greaser look). Opener Nicki Bluhm and the Gramblers, touring as an acoustic trio in support of their self-titled album, come from San Francisco and play assured country rock with some bluegrass leanings. There’s some impressive guitar work here, gorgeous harmonising with husband Tim, and a soulful voice reminiscent of Sheryl Crowe, especially on recent single Little Too Late. Check out a video of them performing that song in Colorado here.
Pokey LaFarge‘s energetic mix of ragtime, country, blues and swing makes for an excellent live show. New album Pokey LaFarge, on Jack White’s Third Man label continues this exploring strangely authentic vein, decorating very traditional sounds with some thoroughly modern references. The band are now joined by a clarinet and a cornet, and new songs such as Close The Door (an excellent satire about the US healthcare system) and Central Time show that Pokey still has plenty to give.