A distinctly un-metropolitan feeling was present at The Mercury Lounge on Thursday as the venue welcomed Haley Bonar, Daniel Martin Moore, and Holcombe Waller. The show began with Bonar taking the stage with her band and setting the relaxed soulful tone that would continue through the evening as she entranced the intimate crowd with her hauntingly sweet voice in songs like “Raggedy Man†and “Daddy.†The warm melancholy tones of her words atop the diverse melodies felt as though we were sipping mint tea out in a field under the deep orange glow of a fading sun in late summer.
Daniel Martin Moore followed adding a more spiritual vibe with his interpretations of songs such as “In The Cool Of The Day†which sounded especially beautiful with organ accompaniment. Daniel varied the pace wonderfully, ranging from more upbeat songs like “That’ll Be The Plan†to one point midway through his set when he hopped from the stage and performed an amazing version of “Fly Rock Blues†with just himself and his guitar with the audience beside him for what became a very personal and powerful moment. His set ended in the same manner, amongst the crowd joined by Haley Bonar and his band mate Daniel Dorff who tap-danced along with a very rousing version of “Dark Road.†To end the show Holcombe Waller presented a very different sound, still mellow and heartfelt, but more quick, controlled, and orchestral with less showmanship but in exchange offering dense layers of tone in a style that was reminiscent of a blend of John Denver and Tracy Chapman.
