They tackle songs of Peggy Lee, Nick Lowe, Irma Thomas, Tom Waits, Roger Miller, Lee Hazlewood, and lots more, not always picking the most obvious songs, but finding secret gems with real heart and magic. Take a listen to a couple tracks, including Michael Hurley's "In the Garden" and the Kinks' "I Am Free."
It's a terrific record, and local label Jealous Butcher is releasing it on vinyl, in a limited edition of 100 with handmade covers, on November 1. That night, the band is playing what is likely to be their only show with the lineup that appears on the album—the record release show takes place at the Alberta Rose Theatre, and the album's producer, Adam Selzer, will also perform at the show in an unconventional way.
Selzer recently wrote a graphic novel based on his experience touring as a solo acoustic opening act for a band in Germany back in 2003, which he shortly discovered was a Christian rock band. Ami Go Home, illustrated by Nick Choban, is an experience of the sometimes comical mismatch, and Selzer will read from it as pages are projected, also performing the music as it occurs in the story. This also seems like a fine time to mention that Selzer's former band, Norfolk & Western, is performing a reunion gig at the Doug Fir on Wednesday, November 27 with a full lineup of Selzer, Rachel Blumberg, Peter Broderick, Dave Depper, Amanda Lawrence, and Cory Gray. That is going to be excellent.
Shelley Short and the Sure Shots w/Adam Selzer, Michael Hurley; Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta, Fri Nov 1, 8 pm, $12, tickets
