Yesterday saw the third instalment of Inner Western, the country covers afternoon at the Petersham Bowling Club in Sydney. It was another great event with covers of songs from Hank Williams, Neil Young, Ryan Adams, Lucinda Williams, Iris Dement, Blaze Foley, Gillian Welch, The Rolling Stones, Gram Parsons and of course Townes Van Zandt.

The Weeping Willows came up from Melbourne and blew everyone away with their perfect harmonies, Andrew Wrigglesworth’s sublime guitar playing and the wonderful blend of light and darkness that characterises the music they play together. James Thomson and De’May (who has a new album about to be released) played an excellent set together with Thomson’s harmonica acting as a third voice at times. Caitlin Harnett is another with a new album on the way and she showed her ability with pacing and mood, getting deep inside the songs she covered and holding the audiences undivided attention. Katie Brianna again showed why she has one of the finest Americana voices around at the moment, she can sings with great restraint at times yet she can  also dial up strong emotion and deliver it with real conviction. Dear Orphans numbered four on stage and the extra guitars and violin gave their songs some great bluegrass shadings. Dave Favours opened the afternoon with a strong set that was a nice balance to many of the afternoon’s bittersweet and slow country songs. He bled rock n roll and outlaw vibe into his music and it worked damn well.

Thanks to Mark Lucas and the PBC for putting the gig on and the artists for playing. Keep an eye out for Inner Western 4.