I’m letting everybody know that I’ll be doing some shows here in Houston during the next month while my new album, Perfectly Legal: Songs of Sex, Love, and Murder, is being finalized.
On Tuesday evening, April 27 between 8 and 10 p.m. I’ll be joining songwriter, Matt McDonald, who’s on his way to Austin, at one of Houston's newer venues, The Broken Spoke, over on the recently revamped Washington Avenue strip. Don't let the name confuse you. When I first heard of the place, I thought it would be what one would naturally imagine in Texas -- the old wagon wheel sign out front with the "broken spoke." But, in fact, this is a Belgian cafe with very good food and atmosphere. I think the idea of the broken spoke relates more to cycling, which is the direction the new Heights seems to be heading--condo's, SUV's, and a bunch of health conscious folks who are on that "upwardly mobile" track. Check out the reasonably priced menu on their Web site at www.brokenspokecafe.com and stop by Tuesday evening if you're in the area. Matt and I will be playing and singing up a storm!
I'm also excited about doing a residency with my friend, Jimmy Pizzitola, at Houston's popular nightspot, Avant Garden Social Patio, Bar, & Lounge on the Westheimer curve in Houston's Montrose arts District. Though a well kept secret (Avant Garden doesn't advertise), the New York Times named it one of the top “must visit” spots in Houston. We'll kick it off there on the first three Wednesdays in May from 8-10:30 p.m. I'll be playing songs from Perfectly Legal, as well as some Johnny Cash covers like Get Rhythm and Sunday Morning Coming Down, plus a few by Bob Dylan, Townes Van Zandt, Hank Williams, Sr. and whoever else I might decide to throw into the mix. I’m really looking forward to this chance to work with Jimmy, who produced three of the songs on Perfectly Legal and who will also accompany me on drums and keyboards at Avant Garden. Also, Jimmy will be playing some of my favorites by Sam Baker, Del Reeves, and Blaze Foley, as well as the GREAT originals from his new release, Poet on the Run. The famous music critic, Joe Nick Patoski recently wrote, "I'm digging the Jimmy P... he covers Blaze great, but it's his songs that close the deal for me. Between the sentimental romance and the vivid imagery in Poet On The Run, Jimmy P.'s got it going on" (March 5, 2010). I agree wholeheartedly. In fact, Poet on the Run is on my list of "top albums ever recorded." No kidding. It's really THAT GOOD. Visit Jimmy's site and listen to some tracks at http://www.poetontherun.net and check out Avant Garden at www.avantgardenhouston.com
Y’all come!