I almost didn’t go to the concert tonight at the Showcase in Foxboro. It’s a school night, the weather is crappy, and tickets are expensive. I’d only recently discovered Robert Earl Keen and had been impressed by his album Rose Hotel, but I didn’t know the other two acts on the bill, Todd Snider and Bruce Robison. I checked out a few tracks by each of them on YouTube and Lastfm, but didn’t have much time to explore more than that. All in all it just wasn’t worth it. Then I got free tickets, and all I had to do was hang some posters and pass out some stickers. Well, I love live music, so what was I supposed to do? Off I went.
I am glad I did. It was a fantastic show. I’d never been to the Showcase before, but it’s nice venue with good acoustics and even decent food. Given that this was an acoustic show, the way a room conducts sound is important. But ultimately it is all about the performers, and these guys were great.
Robert Earl Keen was on the marquee as the headliner.  Known as a singer/songwriter, he is, indeed, an engaging storyteller, not only in his songs but introducing them. It makes for a good show.  Not to mention the fact that their just really good songs.  When man can stand on a stage with just a spotlight and an acoustic guitar and hold the audience’s attention, he’d better hope that he can check off at least three of the following:

• Good songs
• Skill with his his instrument
• A good voice-Not necessarily, a “beautiful” or perfect pitch voice, but one that stirs the emotions of his audience and communicates the song.
• An ability to build a rapport with the audience.

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He had them all in spades.  It was first time seeing him live, but suspect those who have seen him before know that. He’s mellow, laid back and engaging.
But if you had gone to see a Robert Earl Keen show last night, you would have left disappointed.  His name was listed as the main act and so he may have been the best known of the three artists that night, but in fact he was just the opening act.  He played first.  A fun, but short set.  BTW, In case you don’t know it already, here’s a sample of his music.

Bruce Robison played next.  I’d never heard of him before, but I knew his song. You probably do, too.  For example, do you recognize this?

Well, Robison wrote that and he played his own version of it last night.  It’s good.  Someone asked me if I thought it was a good as the Dixie Chicks version.  Well, I can’t answer that.  It’s different and I like it, a lot. But I also like the Chicks version, a lot.  He’s written a lot of hits for Country music stars.  He’s quite a story teller, too.  I saw a YouTube diary entry in which he suggests that he is a little concerned because he doesn’t have as many funny songs as Keen and Snider.  Well that may be true, but he’s got a great sense of humor that comes across in the stories he tells on stage.  His music is personal and poignant, he’s got a unique and moving voice, and it was a wonderful set.  Another great storyteller.

Then came Todd Snider.  He was a revelation, so funny.  I would say he’s really a comedian who plays a guitar, but he’s too talented of a musician for that.  He’s got mad skills with his guitar.  And it’s not just comedy, either.  He’s too much of a wordsmith, his words to clever and crafted.  No, Todd Snider is another talented musician, singer and songwriter.  Are you noticing a theme yet?  His music was a perfect counterpoint to Robison’s.  Where Robison’s music was emotional and sincere, Tom’s was hilarious and ironic.

Snider can be totally outrageous, though. Here’s probably one of his most outrageous. As might be expected, I think it is awesome! It’s got some rough language.

By the way, the song referred to in there, is Alright Guy.
So who was the headliner? Well, that would be the last act. There weren’t a lot of egos at this show. in the last act all three of these artist appeared on stage together and traded off doing songs. Each of three would do one song. It was a great ending to the show. And a great why to make it clear these were three artist on the road together. What a great night.