October 30 2007: Mary Gauthier, Drew Hickum - Iron Horse, Northampton MA

Drew opened solo for Mary Gauthier! So Caitlin and Mariah and Lisa and I went. And you know how all too often you hear some solo opener at the Iron Horse and they're just awful? Such was not the case with Drew. He played the mellow tunes and one that I'd never heard and it was great. "Charleston," which is such a great song with Lisa's guitar part, sounded just as good they way Drew played it. I'm not sure how that works. But the whole set was just pleasant to watch.

And Mary Gauthier played for about an hour, and talked stupid folk singer banter for an additional half hour. But she played "The Last of the Hobo Kings" and "Mercy Now" and ""Can't Find the Way" and "Wheel Inside the Wheel." "Camelot Hotel was probably the best tune of the night - that "morning light is hell" line just kills me.

All in all, a fun night. Even if the beers and fries and veggie burger did add up to a pretty high number by the end of the night.