For the first time in over a year, James Hall was back in town to play Carrollton Station with longtime friend and collaborator Michael Blum who supplied support on lap steel. Opening the night was Blum’s newest project, Mystery Girl (Josh Katz – Lead Vocals, Mike Blum – Lead Guitar/Lap Steel, Nate Peek – Bass, Nino Mazzaro – Acoustic Guitar, and Steve Gopaul – Drums). When they took the stage the first thing that went through my head was RRRROOOOOOOOOOORRRRR!!!!!, but in life and music you can’t judge a book by a cover, anchored by Blum’s steel and guitar, Mystery Girl cruised through ten tracks of pleasantness. A pinch of country, rock, and folk rounded out the sound. The opening set served as the perfect compliment to Hall’s set.
