Bobby Bare

Bobby Bare

Momos, Thursday, March 16

Celebrating his first new album in 22 years, The Moon Was Blue (Dualtone), Bobby Bare seemed in high spirits for this way-too-brief set. He set the mood perfectly by opening with a spot-on twangy rendition of the big hit "Detroit City." Even if his voice was a bit more weathered than the audience remembered it, they cheered every song and laughed at nearly all his jokes. "Every song you hear tonight is gonna be a great song," he vowed, and then backed it up with a set list that included "Dropkick Me Jesus," "Yesterday, When I Was Young," "Streets of Baltimore," "Everybody's Talkin' at Me," and "My Heart Cries for You." Bare mixed tempos and styles with a rare coolness, shifting from countrypolitan to soul to rock as if he'd never taken any time off. It was an added treat to see his son and album producer Bobby Jr. add high harmonies along with the occasional harmonica and guitar. The only negative of the performance was the members of the overflow crowd who thought it was more important to chat (and loudly) than pay attention to a rare glimpse of a country music legend. Bare showed lots of good humor and intensity and left us hoping that it won't be so long until the next time he returns to Texas.