In an effort to work the kinks out of her new material live, Neko Case put together a brief European tour before Middle Cyclone drops on March 3. I was fortunate enough to catch an intimate show of theirs (approximately 100 people) put on at the Orangehouse – a venue more known for bringing in obscure metal and hard rock acts than critically acclaimed alt. country groups.

Still reeling from the effects of jet lag, Case & Co. was more laid-back and subdued than taking charge as their new awesome album cover would suggest. Although an inordinate amount of time was spent having to tune after every song (one of my personal pet peeves) which gave way to some of the most bizarre banter I have ever heard, when the band got their act together and actually started to play some music, it was heavenly.

The band opened with one of the Fox Confessor favorites “Maybe Sparrow”. If there was any doubt in my mind that Case couldn’t replicate her singing in a live setting, it was squelched within the first opening bars. I was surprised that after such little warm-up during sound check Case was able to belt out album-quality vocals throughout her complete range with not so much as a hint of uneasiness. It was absolutely stunning.
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