Justin Townes Earle, Lizotte's Newcastle, April 17

SOBER and sharp.

It was the good, pretty much awesome, Justin Townes Earle, who showed up at this gig.

He was engaging and on his game, weaving in and out of new material, past favourites and a few cover gems. Stripped back to just the man and his guitar, his songs stand up to scrutiny, letting the listener in to his world of broken-down love, anxiety for more good times, and rollicking balladry.

Opening with Today And A Lonely Night from the newish Single Mothers album, he followed on with One More Night Brooklyn (from the sensational Harlem River Blues album).

He pushed through two more new songs - Round the Bend (from Absent Fathers) and Time Shows Fools before laying on They Killed John Henry in tribute to his grandfather.

He was talkative all night - in his Americana hipsterish sometimes self-effacing kind of way. And clearly in control, showing a deserved confidence, a muso at his best. He's got more than a pocketful of great songs, more like a bucketful, and he dipped in to offer some of his best.

Nothing's Gonna Change The Way You Feel About Me Now, White Gardenias (his tribute to Billie Holiday), Mama's Eyes, Ain't Glad I'm Leaving - all laced with explanatory intros and exquisite picking.

Besides the new songs, he threw up a cover of I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train (by Billy Joe Shaver) and Fleetwood Mac's Dreams. And one of his favourites, Lightin' Hopkins My Starter Won't Start.

The encore of Dreams and Harlem River Blues was just dessert. Thanks for coming.