It’s always a pleasure to have Calgary folk musician Jenny Allen back in town.
Allen and bassist/vocalist Pete Loughlin played a sweet set on the Owl Acoustic lounge patio, Saturday, Sept. 5.
Even though Owl patio shows are 8-10 p.m. right in the middle of my radio show on CKXU, the Hotrock Blues Beat, I cut listening to my show short to go see Allen, who is usually a guest on my show when she plays a Saturday night in Lethbridge.
I was glad I went. I’d never checked out the Owl’s patio shows, so I was curious to see how it works. They had a string of white lights hanging from the outside of the Owl to the end of the stage and the Owl logo behind the stage was emblazoned with multicoloured Christmas lights.
I missed George Arsene’s opening set, but by the time I arrived it was standing room only as all of the tables were full of enraptured fans, listened to Allen’s impassioned vocals and upbeat folk songs motorcycles roared by and street people danced the the music. “Save Me From Myself” was a highlight
As usual Loughlin cracked jokes and added appealing vocal harmonies, laying down a smooth walking bass groove for s a couple more bluesy numbers. Allen grinned, just happy to be back on the stage as she ran through familiar originals and a couple songs from her folk trio the Fates.
It was a beautiful, intimate show that was much appreciated.