Flanfire

Dao Strom brought out her folk singer persona to Threadgill's Old No. 1 on Thursday night, along with a passel of friends, to celebrate (among other things) the fact that her second novel, "The Gentle Order of Girls and Boys," is off to the publisher and soon to be available in hardback. Billy Brent Malkus of The Texas Sapphires (who have been in studio with Lloyd Maines and will play a bunch of gigs next week) was there on dobro, along with Kevin Fox on bass and vocals, and Konrad (of Possessed by Paul James) on fiddle. A special treat was Austin newcomer (by way of Boston and New York City!) Christa Haxthausen on vocals and guitar. Once again, it is important to read Dao's debut novel, "Grass Roof, Tin Roof," to gain a real perspective on how Dao came to be a bluegrass gospel folk singer born in Vietnam and educated in rural hippieville Northern California. One highlight was Dao's rendition of "Blue Moon," and another was a song called "Sweetness." Truth be told, Dao can hold an audience just by standing there and talking about her life, her work, and her songs - and then singing and smiling at the same time. We are blessed to have her here.

Later on Thursday, it was down to Ruta Maya to catch Tahni and the Toneheads as the former LA heavy metal gunslinger (lead guitarist for the all-girl band Tantrum at age 17) shared songs from both of the CD's she has recorded since moving from the Lake Tahoe area a few years back. Backing Tahni this time were Danny Bennett on lap steel (a constant with her band), Rob Jewett on bass, and Timmy Campbell on drums. Woody Russell, who led off the evening with his trio, stepped up for one duet (a reprise of his work on Tahni's first CD), and Taste Buds Tina Allen and Colleen Schoonmaker both sang leads on one song (Somewhere Over the Rainbow and Please Mr. Postman, respectively). Once again, a rough mix and some glitches, but the songs, the arrangements, and the guitar playing - by Tahni, finally! - are all there.

Chelle Murray and her band closed out the night, but perhaps the hottest performer of the entire evening was little miss Emme Lou Handal -- all of age five -- who tore up the house with her well-spaced and on-key version of "You've Got a Friend!" Mom had better watch out, because Emme Lou is not only an on-time singer, she has all the moves on stage (a lot more than her mom) and will soon have young guitarists lining up to play for her.

Among the new songs that really stand out -- "Mister, Do You Have a Dime," "Got To Get Over You," and the absolutely fabulous "Keep Your Light On," which closed the show.