Tall, lanky and dressed in a brown suit, Earle looked like someone you’d see on an old Grand Ole Opry program. Backed only by Bonnie Whitmore on bass and Cory Yount on mandolin, banjo and harmonic, the music sounded as lively and full as the full band recordings from his latest album, The Good Life.

Percussion wasn’t lost on this evening as the boot heel of Earle accentuated the strong beats. The stomps, dancing and stories between songs brought back the feel of old folk shows where the audience and band were in it together. Before rock stars and the ego came into it.

Opening with Hard Livin’, Earle and company kicked though an evenly mixed set of originals and covers. All of Earle’s songs were tinged with a folksy/country vibe that is missing from nearly all of his peers’ music. Most combine rock with it or cover the influence in layered sounds. Few are brave enough to let the songs stand on their own and let the influences shine though. The old days were there for all to see.

The covers were another factor that brought that old time feel to the set. Reaching back to people like Woody Guthrie, who Earle stated “started this whole singer/songwriter gig”, Lightnin’ Hopkins, who Earle said made him want to pick up a guitar, and closing the night out with a duo of his namesake, Townes Van Zandt’s, songs, Mr. Gold & Mr. Mud, then shut the night down with Rex’s Blues.

As he was selling his merch after the show, Earle said to expect a new album in March 2009, which hopefully will be as captivating and solid as The Good Life. When Justin Townes Earle comes back to town, you would serve yourself well to make your way out to the show, you won’t regret it.

Opening the show was Lex Land from California.

This girl was great, combining classic sounds with the occassional loops brought out her amazing voice. She created something multi-dimensional with the mix, despite being only one person. She went effortlessly between female folk singer from records of yesteryear to sultry lounge style singer to modern songstress.

The loops she used were mostly of the vocal type to add to the layers of her songs. The technology was well used to create something enjoyable. Everyone who made it early to the show sat quietly and watched as she put on a wonderful show. Lex Land is proof that not all technology in the music world is killing the sound.