Great Western July 22 And Maryse Smith July 29 At Radio Bean

Words by Tim Lewis.

I had a good time seeing music the last two Tuesday nights. On Tuesday July 22, I got out of work at 8, stopped at home for a bit, then headed down to Radio Bean. Great Western were due to go on at 9, but the previous band was breaking down when I walked in. I settled for a bit and around 9:20 they hit the stage. I stood in the back for a bit, but the sound was not full enough, so I moved up front. They played as a four-piece with two electric guitars, bass, and drums. Most of the songs had a country feel, but there was enough rock to keep me interested. All the songs were good and a few of them were new. One song, Devil Knows My Name, was over the top rocking fun. Much of the song had a laid back mid-western feel that exploded into rock glory. I love hearing new songs like this. Instead of closing with Think I’ll Stay, they went with more of a country song, that nicely blended into the Honky Tonk night to come. They did not play the song I most wanted to hear, but played something I would have wanted to hear, if I knew it existed. What more can you ask for? I had a good time seeing music last Tuesday, July 29 at Radio Bean too. I worked until 8, stopped at home for a bit, then headed to the coffee shop/bar/music venue. I settled in for a bit. The stage was set but there was no singer. Around 9:15 Maryse Smith walked in, picked up her guitar, and started to play. I stood in the back for a bit, but the sound was not full enough, so I moved to the front. She played her acoustic guitar and sang delicately and gently. The songs were gorgeous and powerful. The audience was too chatty, but I did not let it bother me, and was happy to listen. I wondered if she would play all new songs, since she and Michael Chorney are writing songs together, but I recognized most of the songs. Good Thing was sweet, and I was really hoping for Liar. As the set wound its way to the conclusion, she pulled out a killer version of 15 Steps and called it a night. She did not play the song I most wanted to hear, but it was a great set of music that filled my heart with bliss. What more can you ask for?

This post was originally published by Tim Lewis at his personal blog, https://timstriangletribune.wordpress.com.