Tim Eriksen is an absolutely amazing singer, and those of you lucky enough to live in Massachusetts can go see him lots. Not so true in Seattle, so when John saw he was playing at 10:00 last night, yes, you heard me, 10:00 on a school night, he insisted we go.

John and I were trying to figure out the last time we saw Eriksen. It might have been Boston take one, so '91? It was Johnny D's in Somerville, and we had gone to see Boiled in Lead. (Were any of you there with us? DVS? Todd?) Eriksen's group, Cordelia's Dad was the opening number, and they blew us away. Ever heard "May the Circle Be Unbroken" done punk? You are missing everything if you haven't.

That was his deal back then, take old folk and punk it up. Now, he's a leader in Sacred Harp and shaped note singing--the old hymns and gospel. But don't think he's gone soft. He is dark, dark, dark. He opens his mouth and I feel like the river Acheron is pouring over me.

I'm not sure why this great talent is playing in a tiny theater to a dozen patrons. I'm a bit terrified of the man and what his voice conjures. But I'm glad I didn't miss it.

His web site has some songs to listen to, and he also has a youtube channel.