The stage and venue setting is dark and moody and it is the perfect background for the evening. Lit by a single back light Lera comes on stage solo to start tonight’s proceedings armed with just a guitar and that amazing voice. And what a voice. I describe it somewhere between Sheryl Crow, Lana Del Ray with that laid back smoky mellow attitude and tone of Chris Isaak. The Isaak comparison extends to the guitar sound, low and deep in tone with a subtle twang. If there’s such a thing as goth country then this is it. A dark undertone to a classic country facade.
Soon joined by bandmate Todd Lombardo, he provides a second guitar and harmonies to Lera’s lead. And for tonight’s show that’s important as they are touring Lera’s latest album ‘Plays well with others’ a duets album. The set tonight draws from that record and the whole of her back catalogue with room for a great version of Springsteen’s ‘Fire’ thrown in.
Switching effortlessly between acoustic and electric guitar it’s the voice that the main instrument on show tonight. It’s just perfect, whether it’s on a slow sultry ballad or up tempo bopper like the JD McPherson co-written ‘Nothing to do with your love’.
I thought I had nailed down my top ten gigs of the year but I think this one may have snuck onto that list. The only criticism is that it’s all over in eighty minutes.
Keep on sultry country rockin’ y’all