John Wesley Harding & The Steve Wynn Band

319 Main was embarrassingly empty for the entire evening Wednesday, making me think that all the jerks I know shouldn't complain that we don't get any good music in Chico-because when we finally do, no one shows up. The Steve Wynn Band, touring to promote their most recent release Sweetness and Light, opened the show playing a quick set of country-influenced songs, some having a "new country" sound and others based in rock-n-roll guitar noodling. Wynn's vocals were muffled due to bad sound, yet it was still quite obvious that he is a very skilled musician. Backing Wynn were Kirk Swan, guitar; Kurt Stathan, bass; and Linda Pitman, drums and back vocals.

John Wesley Harding and Robert Lloyd, who accompanied Harding with accordion, mandolin and guitar, first played a set of acoustic songs, including many songs off Harding's most recent release Awake. Harding possesses a vast vocal range and definite style that leaves him easily compared to both Freedy Johnson and Elvis Costello. Harding's music is hard to pin into just one genre, especially with the wide array of accompaniment instruments Lloyd used. I would have to say that his sound gathers influences from folk, country, Irish and rock-n-roll music.

After playing a short set of acoustic music, The Steve Wynn Band (minus Wynn) took the stage with Harding and Lloyd. The latter switched to playing organ, and the ensemble played some very VH-1-friendly rock songs, along with two cover songs: Prince's "Cream" and AC/DC's "Shook Me All Night Long." Steve Wynn then joined them onstage and shared vocals with Harding, as they played a series of songs that sometimes ventured into rock anthem-style solos. Harding and Wynn both proved themselves to be find musicians, and Harding was extremely friendly and interactive with the crowd, cracking jokes and playing requests. It is sad that more people didn't join the show.

-Nicole Seredszun

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