Four Corners of the Round Table

What a great way to start our week in Austin. Maria, Deb and I headed out to the University of Texas to see Four Corners of the Round Table. The four corners are: Steve Poltz, Adam Carroll, Beaver Nelson and “Scrappy” Jud Newcomb. Four chairs were put on the small stage of the Cactus Café and the three Austinites and Steve the lone Californian took turns playing their songs on acoustic guitars. On most songs Jud would add some slide or lead guitar and on several songs Adam would throw in some nice harmonica licks. Otherwise, each man was on his own. Luckily for us, they all are very good songwriters, and each with a different style. Steve Poltz was the comic relief, playing some hysterical new songs (getting tied up and… uhmmm, whatever, by Gus the transvestite had us all in stitches), and a couple of classics (“Give you Up for Lent” requested by Maria and “I should have been a doctor”… I’m not sure of the actual title… it’s late). Adam is the pure singer/songwriter, playing some beautiful alt-country pieces. Beaver had this great rockin’ edge. And, Jud, was fantastic, playing great guitar licks and singing like a smoother Jon Dee Graham (maybe even a young Tom Waits).

The Four Corners will be playing McCabe’s next week I believe, along with shows in San Diego and Santa Barbara. You can get more info at www.poltz.com .