Hiatt and Lovett at the Calvin

Thanks to a wandering gallstone, my musical forays were limited this week, but I did get to the amazing pairing of Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt at the Calvin Theater in Northampton Mass on Saturday night.

These are two of my favorite American songwriters, and the solo acoustic trade-a-song approach highlight the songwriting and performing ability of both.

Of the two, Lovett seemed a bit more adventurous in his song selection, choosing lesser-known, but deserving to be better known songs like, Creeps Like Me and Last of the Family Reserve. Hiatt hit his high points, and even tried out a few from his new album Same Old Man.

Billy, meet Betty

Billy Bragg shook the Queen's hand and the controversy it's engendered has left Billy explaining how and why.

The occasion was the debut of the Beethoven's Ode to Joy as performed by the London Philharmonic, with professional and amateur choirs, singing Braggs new English lyric which was originally written by Schiller.

Bragg works with the best people - Woody and now Ludwig von.

Bragg appears at the Calvin Theater in Northampton Mass, on Thursday, October 18.