A couple of my favourite performers and a pleasant new surprise stopped by the Owl Acoustic Lounge, Saturday, Sept. 15 after they stopped by my blues show on CKXU.. Three Birds in a round aka Edmonton musician Kimberley MacGregor, Calgary‘s Jenny Allen and the Lethbridge debut of October Poppy (Eryn Kleyh and banjo player/violinist Meagan May) played a beautiful folk festival styled workshop show for a shamefully small crowd.
I arrived in time for their second set. The three took turns performing songs, while the others added harmonies and occasionally extra guitar, percussion and violin and banjo where needed.
They played well together especially considering this was the first time Jenny Allen and Kimberley MacGregor met October Poppy.
They all had their distinctive styles. Allen sang more heartfelt folk while MacGregor sang more soul and blues. October Poppy played more upbeat indie rock and folk. Meagan May plucked her fiddle and strummed her banjo, accompanying the spirited vocals of Eryn Kleyh.
Allen strapped on a washboard to add extra percussion and rhythm while MacGregor added subtle solos on her acoustic guitar.
Allen played a wistfully happy love song called “These Eyes,” explaining it was not the Burton Cummings song.
MacGregor played several new songs including a highlight — a jazz tinged more exotic number and another one about dating “ I Liked You Past Tense.” And she saved my favourite “Trouble” for me.
As always, it is always a beautiful thing to hear Jenny Allen sing “So Sad” from her solo record “Blanket” as well as from her previous band the Fates. She played several from her CD including “Bigger Fish.”
