Leeroy Stagger had a decent crowd at the Slice, Sept. 8 , though not as big as I expected. But it definitely gave them a a taste of what is to come this week when 
they open for 54-40, Sept. 16.
Opening act Dennis Ellsworth wound down his set by not “ I’m like a little cat licking your face while you sleep, well Leeroy Stagger will hit you over the head with a frying pan and will wake you up.”
It proved to be a good description of the show.
Ellsworth played a laid back set of acoustic folk pop music which sounded like a blend of Steve Earle and Elvis Costello. He played some pretty finger picked guitar and told a few stories.
Leeroy Stagger and his band played their usual strong show. They began their first set with several numbers from Stagger’s latest CD “Radiant Land,” including the country tock of “Dirty Windshields.
Stagger played a song inspired by being trapped in Northern Ireland with his trio Easton, Stagger and Phillips, by an enthusiastic audience who wouldn’t let them leave by hiding their guitar cases, as he switched from acoustic guitar to electric. Other early highlights from the new CD included “Maria” as well as a spirited version of “Waste of a Wedding” from his previous CD “Little Victories.”
He ended his show with a high energy cover of a bluesy Bob Dylan song.
