MERRIWEATHER WITH JACK JOHNSON

Saturday night at Merriweather was all about mellow. Jack Johnson and his band set the mood with balmy versions of ‘Rodeo Clowns’ featuring G. Love (who opened for Johnson), ‘Staple It Together’ - complete with a happening harmonica-piano jam, an affable cover of Steve Miller’s ‘The Joker’, and ‘Go On’ which really felt great on a sultry Maryland evening.

 *Alex is clearly the one who takes sunscreen seriously.

STRATHMORE WITH NATALIE MERCHANT

Natalie Merchant and her band spent part of the early afternoon with a small group of ‘RNR listeners at a great little spot in Rockville, Addie’s Restaurant, prior to her Strathmore Hall gig. No microphones and no artist-audience distance (she and her musicians played within a couple of feet of us in what felt like a living room), as they ran through a selection of new songs (from her “Leave Your Sleep” album) and traditional tunes that included a sing-along and a bit of square dancing. Merchant is about as unselfconscious as a person can be. An enviable quality, to be sure.

*Alex with Natalie Merchant