Over the twenty-odd years of her career, Catie Curtis has shifted focus from her origins in the coffee house neo-folk scene of the mid-90s, subtly inflecting her songwriting with an array of classical, pop, soul, and even funk influences. Amazingly, Curtis made the transition from politically charged pseudo-hippie to flexible adult contemporary songstress without shedding any of her credibility or fanbase. The tie that binds Curtis evolving career is an uncanny ear for melody, consistently capturing sounds that simply sound good. As proof, take 2009s Hello Stranger. Spinning her extensive back-catalogue through a treatment of string-band arrangements, Curtis recontextualizes her legacy, coming away with songs that bear repeated listens. With Ali Marcus. NICHOLAS HALL
Sun., April 18, 7 p.m., 2010
