Having recently released their fabulous album, Our Year, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis made a stop at Joe's Pub in NYC on Sunday night as part of the Bruce and Kelly Show Tour. For an hour and a half, they played songs old and new, and traded vocals and banter with one another in front of a more than attentive audience. 

After remarking that they spent the day in NYC, including a stop at Dylan's Candy Bar for their kids, who are along for the ride on this tour, they dove into the music. The set consisted of twenty-two songs plus two encores and included "Motor City Man," "Cradle of Love," "What I Deserve," and Kelly's version of "Harper Valley PTA," which she said she learned in response to Bruce going off the set list with "Me and Bobby McGee." In addition, they included songs Bruce wrote that were hits for others including "Wrapped," (George Strait) and "Travelin' Soldier" (The Dixie Chicks).

Simply put, it was an evening of great music performed by two immensely talented people (and their band) who have a genuine love for what they do. Shows at Joe's feel like you are in your living room experiencing something special and unique; but Sunday night was more. The partners's (in music and marriage) love for one another was evident whether it was the adoring way Kelly looked at Bruce or the compliments that were free flowing from Bruce to Kelly. Their intimacy with one another, through the songs & in their interactions, made the room feel even smaller, and the show even more special.

The applause and enthusiasm of those in attendance far outweighed the number of people occupying seats. However, one particular gentleman summed up the evening perfectly: it was most certainly a "beautiful" one.

For more information on Kelly and Bruce, visit here

It depresses the heck out of me when a good band is in town and few people show up.

The Damn Quails started out the week by doing a damn fine job opening for Reckless Kelly in Brooklyn on Sunday night. The crowd was thin, but quite a few in attendance knew the music, even causing Bryon to comment that there was actually "somebody here that knows our songs." The set was brief, but the band (from Norman, Oklahoma) would remain in the city to play Hill Country NYC and Brooklyn the following two nights.

Hill Country NYC was full with patrons eating their barbecue when The Damn Quails began their hour and a half long set at 930pm. Filled with songs such as "Fool's Gold," "Quicksand" and "Better Place to Stop" from their debut album Down The Hatch, they truly seemed to have the crowd enjoying every minute. With Bryon and Gabe switching off lead vocals, they showcased how they successfully meld folk, rock, country and blues for a unique and enjoyable sound. Their solid songwriting, harmonies, and musicianship combine to make good music, plain and simple.

Sadly though, as people finished their food, they didn't stay to finish hearing the music. Undoubtedly, this will be one of those nights years from now when they are playing bigger venues that one can look back and say "I saw The Damn Quails when they played NYC for under ten people and look at them now." I look forward to it.

Here's hoping they make a return trip to the Northeast at some point.

For more information visit their website