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I had been planning on going into the city for a few weeks to see Tess Wiley play at Acme Underground. Since she calls Germany home these days it is not very often that she comes across the pond, let alone gets to the Big Apple. Lo and behold, when I got to the club, I found out that
not only would I be seeing one of my favorite songstress but that she was out on the road with one of North Carolina's favorite sons, Jason Harrod. It was going to be a good night! Jason took to the stage at 7pm and took us through a nine song journey of delicate and beautiful stories in song both old and new. The crowd which wandered in during Jason's set included some of New York's best musical talent including Annie Quick and Shana Cassidy. It seemed almost like a gathering of old friends instead of a concert. Jason is a master word smith and has an extremely rich and melodious voice. The guy is no slouch on the guitar either. His repartee with the audience gave the night a nice intimate feel, almost like a living room set instead of a club date. He closed out his portion of the evening with the Harrod and Funck tune "Tidewater" with Tess covering the backing vocals.

Up next was Tess Wiley, the reason for the evening's journey. I first met Tess a number of years ago when she was the teenaged guitar phenomena propelling those kids from Texas to greatness. Whether she is part of a group such as "Splendora" or "Phantasmic" or a solo act or as was the case this evening, half of a duo, all eyes are on this thoroughly professional performer. This night she sang, of course, played acoustic guitar and was accompanied by a side man on electric guitar. During her eleven song set she kept the audience enraptured with her dynamic stage presence and loveable personality. The sound balance that night was nothing short of perfection. It was just one of those nights which will be still vivid years from now. The combination of the artists, the audience's response to those artists and everything in general made for a great night of music.

Check out their web sites at www.jasonharrod.com & www.wileyrock.de

Here is the set list for Jason's set:
Hand Draws Flowers
When I Fly Away
Messed Up Everywhere Blues
My Mad Girlfriend
Siobhan
Good Night
Kicking Mule
Lion Song
Tidewater

The set list for Tess was:
Rainy Day Assembly
Skinny Little Line
Something Sweet And Real
Revelry
The Energy You Keep
Sweet Is The Melody
Breathe
Small Things Define
Not Quite Now
The Shadow