First posted on Mark Is Cranky:

Don't you just love it when something completely exceeds your expectations?

Last Friday, me & the wife attended an Ellis Paul show. Ellis was his usual fantastic self. However, he was nearly overshadowed by his spectacular opening act: We're About 9. This ultra-fun trio (Katie Graybeal/vocals & bass, Pat Klink/vocals & guitars, Brian Gundersdorf/vocals & guitar) sounds like, well, I'm not sure. The Nields would be about the closest to their sound as We're About 9 can produce some otherworldly harmonies. Those harmonies pushed me over the edge a couple of times. There are certain times when I can get overwhelmed by music. During the countryish "Another Love Song", the harmonies coalesced during the chorus and brought tears to my eyes.

We're About 9 finished the show by stepping in front of the monitors to sing a gorgeous acapella piece (and, this being the year 2005, somebody's freakin' cell phone went off!). I tell ya, this extremely talented group deserves to be famous.

I picked up a couple of CDs at the show including Katie Graybeal's solo album and the We're About 9 live record (on which they have the good taste to cover Springsteen's "4th of July, Asbury Park").

Check 'em out. You won't be disappointed.