The Geomatic Attic opened their season of the shows at the actual Geomatic Attic with a laid back and enjoyable evening featuring Chicago folk trio Birds of Chicago, Thursday, Sept 12.


They blended good humour with a variety of musical influences ranging from traditional folk to world music with a touch of gospel.
 

Allison Russell, who also plays in Po’ Girl, played clarinet, banjo, ukulele and guitar but began the first set with a beautiful song about growing up in rural Saskatchewan called “Barley.”
 

Her husband JT Nero added rhythm guitar, percussion and vocals while telling stories and cracking jokes for the appreciative 81 people in the Attic.

He talked about growing up on the south side of Chicago as an Irish kid and sang a love song for Chicago.


Chris Merrill stood back in the shadows adding extra guitar and bass where needed.
“ We usually play as a five piece and he’s taking the place of two of them,” Russell said.


“And we don’t miss them at all,” quipped Nero.
 Russell laughed that was why she married him — because he makes her laugh and shared a story about meeting her real father, after growing up in Saskatchewan then Montreal and moving the Chicago.
 

She had a powerful voice fueled by gospel and showed her French roots on “ the perky, French cabaret of “Sans Souci.”



— By Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor