'What I Am, You Made Me'

On stage at 3rd and Lindsley, in a tiny black dress worthy of the U.S. Open, Amy LaVere thumped a stand-up bass on a spirited set that included two songs from perhaps the most unlikely songwriter to be covered this week -- Leonard Cohen -- including his "Tower of Song."

But maybe it wasn't so unusual. I heard Jeff Buckley's cover of "hallelujah" sometime this week, too, during a recorded music set change.

The Memphis-based LaVere coupled a youngish voice with some fire, grit and swing.

Best Cohen lyric covered tonight: "I asked Hank Williams how lonely does it get/Well, Hank Williams, he ain't answered me yet."

She also did "Day Like Any," about a Tennessee storm, and "That Beat," by Memphis soul singer Carla Thomas.

Best of the rest

In the interest of time and space, I need to telescope a few random thoughts about the rest of the evening.

• Canadian-based The Duhks returned with their popular Celtic fusion sound. This really proves that Americana is a huge tent.
• Former Stray Cat Lee Rocker exceeded my expectations with a rockabilly set worthy of Jerry Lee Lewis. He did revamped versions of "Stray Cat Strut" and "Rock This Town," but another highlight was "Miracle in Memphis."
• Kieran Kane, Kevin Welch and Fats Kaplan, a sort of Americana Montreux, quietly mesmerized with virtuoso instrumentation and an almost-tangible connection with the audience. Their CD, Lost John Dean, has been a huge hit on the Americana charts. And the addition of Kaplan to the previous duo has added some spice to an already-terrific sound.
• The highly anticipated James McMurty (James by gawd McMurtry, as he was introduced) rocked into the early morning for the die-hards. By 1:20, though, my body shut down. Had to cab. No time to wait for the shuttle. Maybe the best $5 I ever spent.

- MichaelK, TBPAC