Dynamic Duo

Unlike last year's Case of the Mondays where country/pop singer Emma-Lee hosted various local bands and played themed covers, this year her August residency has the singer previewing new songs. With her is frequent collaborator Karen Kosowski. On Wednesday, I finally made it down to the Cameron House for 2 early sets.

It was a special occasion as several of her family members were there. So Lee sang several songs directed at her baby nephews. She mentioned that she usually writes break-up songs, not love songs. It was true that whether old (Not Coming By) or new (Heartbreak), they don't tend to be happy. There were also a lot of audience participation thanks to catchy choruses.

For the 1st set, none of the new songs really grabbed me. But during the 2nd set, Lee used her new, more potent voice on several good "power ballads" (Little Shoebox, No Photographs, Drifted Away) and a rock number (Saw It Coming). Kosowski added some nice harmony and piano/synth. I especially enjoyed when she sang the low harmony part underneath Lee. The crowd was won over with Emma-Lee's songcraft: the tip pitcher was filled to the top and her albums were flying off the table.