Out for the fifth night in a row, this time to see Cory Branan as the opening act at Mercury Lounge. Mercury Lounge is one of my favorite venues – intimate and great sound. And Cory Branan is one of the best storytellers you’ll ever hear.

He started with one of our favorites, “Prettiest Waitress in Memphis,” and then pointed out a small group from Oslo who came to the US just to see Cory. They had also traveled to London to see him, handed him a set list, and said, “Don’t fuck this up.” They gave him a set list this time, Cory looked at it, and asked them if everything was okay since all the songs were sad songs. He did some songs from the list but he also did songs that he wanted to do – including three new songs, which is always a bonus for the crowd. It was a short set but it included his fast fantastic guitar playing.

Set List

Prettiest Waitress in Memphis
Hell-Bent and Heart-First
Survivor Blues
New song
The Freefall
Tall Green Grass
New song
Jolene
New song
Wayward and Down
Girl Named Go

Country-rock band The Band of Heathens was the main act. They are Ed Jurdi (vocals, guitar, harmonica), Gordy Quist (vocals, guitars, harmonica), Trevor Nealon (keyboards), Richard Milsap (drums), and Scott Davis (electric bass, vocals). They have a very dedicated crowd, who sang along to every song. Minutes after the set was over, the night’s recording was available digitally at the merch table. Kid Rock has recorded their song “Shotgun” and they have since become friends with him. The music was pleasant and harmonies pretty. It was made prettier when The Trishas joined them onstage for two songs.

By Carene Lydia Lopez