O N  T H E

CAUGHT LIVE                      

Earlier this month, Café Acoustic released its long-awaited first live compilation, "Best of Café Acoustic: Volume One."

CO-owners Lisa Hancock and Beth Downey say it's the only project of its kind to be released by a venue in St. Joseph.
I haven't been here long enough to vouch for the truth of that statement, but I can congratulate them on the job they've done.
Hancock and Downey, AKA Duchess and FiFi, have compiled 14 songs by local artists that should make St. Joseph proud. It's certainly reassuring for me, as a new resident to have portable proof of some of this community's best talents.

Selections from the late Jeff Edelman bookend "Best of Café Acoustic." Other performers who pop up include Larry Christy, Ben Green and my Off Hours predecessor Jonathan Houghton.
Hearing his song, "Guatemala," is the closest I've ever come to meeting Houghton, so I feel safe admitting that his character sketch, "Guatemala," is a standout on this comp.

Other well-spun tales set to music include the folksy "Alias Jesse James" by Greg Camp and James Pitts' "Observations by O'Brien."

The inclusion of the musicians' comments before they start singing helps capture the casual spirit of the Café, where the stage is always open to anyone brave enough to get up there.

"Best of Café Acoustic" is available at the Café for $15.