How the West Was Won

Touring to promote their new EP How The West Was One, Carbon Leaf drew a faithful crowd to the Belly Up who heard a selection of songs primarily from their last three studio releases.

Reminiscent of the way the Kinks would come on-stage and play before Ray Davies made his entrance, Barry Privett parted the curtains to cheerful applause as the band segued into "Under The Wire." For "One Prairie Rose," the five members unplugged their instruments, huddled in front of the microphones, and from the stage's edge, sang to the attentive crowd, creating a musical ambience that made the moment as personable as if they were performing in someone's living room. By this point in the show, about 80 percent of the approximately 200 people in attendance had left their seats and moved onto the floor.

Jon Markel's bass playing provided a solid bottom to a rhythm section that gave Carter Gravatt's guitar work plenty of room to shine, which he did all night. Regardless of whether it was an electric or acoustic lead, or switching to mandolin or banjo, the spider-web delicacy of his guitar work was clean and spirited.

• Concert: Carbon Leaf
• Date: July 8
• Venue: Belly Up Tavern
• Seats: Floor