Many artists mine the multi-layered bedrock of American music -- country, blues and jazz -- but few return with so many personal riches like Jolie Holland.

There are no easy labels for Darrell Scott. In his career he's been a first-call session musician in Nashville, a songwriter, performer, collaborator and producer -- and he recently toured with Robert Plant as part of his Band of Joy.

St. Vincent graced the Old Rock House stage and took over the sold out room with booming bass and killer guitar lines.

Welcome back, Richard Buckner. Fans of enigmatic, incandescent songwriting have missed you.

For a Monday night, there was a good crowd gathered at the Old Rock House. Rosi Golan, who opened for Jason Reeves, kicked things off and played songs primarily from her new album "Lead Balloon."

Like a bottle of scotch, age is a good thing in a singer-songwriter. The songs of David Olney are more than enough proof.

John Hiatt
"Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns"
New West

John Hiatt makes it look so easy. Just write a few great songs and then release a new record every couple of years. No problem. Except it's not always that easy.

Last night at Off Broadway, if you leaned over to the next person to ask the traditional St. Louis get-to-know-you question -- "Where did you go to high school?" -- the overwhelming response would have been "Collinsville."

With two legendary songwriters on a bill expectations can run pretty high, but Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt easily exceeded those expectations with an evening of acoustic music Tuesday night at the Fabulous Fox Theatre.

Last night, Sara Swenson and Katie Herzig proved that there is no difference between a solo singer-songwriter and one backed by a band if the artist is performing from the heart.