Magic at The Blue Room, Burbank. Rhiannon Giddens, Kati Roberts.

Rhiannon Giddens

Kati Roberts

The Blue Room really is. So is Rhiannon’s hair.

Rhiannon and Kati. butterphoto©2016

Monday night songwriter showcase at The Blue Room on San Fernando, Burbank. My friend Kati Roberts texted me that she was going on before Rhiannon Giddens. Wow, the former Carolina Chocolate Drop, collaborator on the Bob Dylan Basement Tapes Sessions with T-Bone Burnett, singing on Allen Toussaint’s last album, international star solo artist, singer, songwriter, banjo and fiddle player–just the most dazzlingly beautiful and talented performer I’ve seen in years–in a cozy vintage Valley bar. Too good to be true, right?

Kati is the daughter of my Joshua Tree friend, Ingeborg. I ran into her and her friends at Cody’s Viva Cantina earlier in the week. Was happy to hear her original songs for the first time. Kati is a regular at Blue Room Mondays. She brought her friend Rhiannon tonight. They are Oberlin college buddies. Both were great and the other singer/songwriters were very good, too.  Another cool scene I got to check out this week in the LA area.

Hanging out with Rhiannon was really fun. Banjo strings were discussed. And the importance of Mike Seeger and the New Lost City Ramblers (we’re both big fans). She’s in town auditioning for a movie part. I’d be surprised if she didn’t get the role. Truly electrifying onstage.  Great night. Thanks for the invite, Kati.