It’s nice when promoters and managers get together and actually book acts in a venue that’s the right size and atmosphere for the music. Â Such was the case last week when Jenny Lewis played the Rio Theater in Santa Cruz with opening act, The Sadies. Â The Rio is a renovated movie theater where they’ve removed the first dozen rows of seats. Â That lets the old folks like me watch music from a comfy chair while all the UC-Santa Cruz students could stand/dance for 3 hours.
The Sadies hit the stage first (well, actually they previewed Jenny’s making-of-Acid-Tongue movie first) and launched into a couple of numbers geared to get the crowd moving.  Unfortunately, the  sound system still wasn’t dialed in and about all that could be heard was the Good Brothers surf country guitar work.  Not a bad thing, but….  By a few songs into the set, though, the sound guys had things under control and a series of my favorites from New Seasons and Favourite Colours were playing to the musicianship of the band fully.  Somewhat surprisingly, I didn’t hear anything from the latest collaboration with John Doe.
  Jenny hit the stage with a rousing version of See Fernando.  She moved into a couple of older songs, but then focused most of the rest of the show on Acid Tongue songs.  What was amazing was the aural quality and depth of the show.  Guitarist Farmer Dave and Utility Infielder Vanessa between them must have played close to 20 instruments across the span of the show.  Add to that the standard guitar, keyboards, bass, and drum parts and the band did a phenomenal job of recreating the complexity and layers of Acid Tongue.  Most musicians, when they try to play material like that live, either revert to pre-recorded bits, or simplify the arrangements for a live show.  Jenny did neither and still nailed the studio sound.
The highlight for me was Jack Killed Mom. Â With all the tempo changes, bluegrass vamps in the middle of a rock song, jarring transitions and all-out assault on a few musical phrases it offered a glimpse into just how good a finely tuned band can be.
In addition to the familiar tunes, Jenny rolled out a couple of yet-to-be-recorded songs, just to get everyone hoping for the next album.
Although Jenny is more indie than Americana, with The Sadies and then the Heartless Bastards opening for her for most of this tour, many of you will be tempted to take in the show just for the opening act. Â Give in to that temptation, my friend, then stick around for the main act and hear an incredible show.
About the author: I've actually driven from Tehatchapee to Tonopah. And I've seen Dallas from a DC-9 at night.