This wasn’t the first time I’ve seen Steve Earle or Allison Moorer (I once saw Steve and the Dukes open for Willie Nelson back in the 90’s and I saw Allison at Merlefest a couple years back, which included a surprise Steve appearance.  I’ve already mentioned seeing Steve in San Fran last October, which was also pretty damn cool).  But last night’s show at the Paramount Theater was by far the best show from Steve and Allison I’ve seen.

Allison opened the show and it should be noted that she has one of the purest singing voices of anyone around.  I’d put here in that rarified air of Patsy Cline and Neko Case when it comes to sheer vocal beauty and power.  Standing on a stage with a just a microphone and a guitar, Allison shimmered.  She played a couple songs from her new album Mockingbird which I thought were two of her set’s highlights. 

The album itself is a tribute of sorts to some of Allison’s favorite female singer-songwriters and her versions of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now” and Jessi Colter’s “I’m Looking for Blue Eyes” definitely hit the mark.  But the highlight of highlight’s was by far her set-closing take on Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come”.  The crowd was behind her the whole time and I think she felt it as she blew the audience a kiss before walking off stage and making way for the night’s headliner…the one and only Steve Earle.

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