Alt.country legend Mookie Brando hooked up with the Puszta Ramblers, a new formation including Rachel "Mimosa" Hammond and Bob Pike to put on a rare (in Hungary) show of country music classics. At Mookie's suggestion, we also tried a new setup, with the three musicians sitting in the middle and the audience around them in a circle, like a "theater in the round." Mookie provided the solid grounding, while Bob added some finger-picking and Rachel brought in some lovely harmonies. All three played guitar, with Mookie sometimes switching to harmonica or banjo. Of course I had heard Mookie and Bob before, and Rachel had performed at the Bardroom a couple months ago, but I had missed that show and had never seen her live before. There was lots of positive feedback after the show, especially about how great Rachel's voice is. I particularly enjoyed their renditions of "Speed of the Sound of Loneliness" (John Prine), "Gulf Coast Highway" (Nanci Griffith), "Helpless" (Neil Young), and "Up On Cripple Creek" (The Band). There was immediate talk about another similar show. My only suggestion would be to add a few more quick-paced numbers.

Set List:
1. Your Cheating Heart (Hank Williams)
2. Crazy (Willie Nelson)
3. Speed of the Sound of Loneliness (John Prine)
4. I Still Miss Someone (Johnny Cash)
5. Gulf Coast Highway (Nanci Griffith)
6. Back in the Saddle (Gene Autry)
7. Tennessee Waltz (Patsy Cline)
8. Where the Stars Go Blue (Ryan Adams)
9. Four Strong Winds (Ian Tyson)
10. Never Get Out of This World Alive (Hank Williams)
11. Carrie Brown (Steve Earle)
12. Sweet Old World (Lucinda Williams)
13. Wayfaring Stranger (traditional)
14. Helpless (Neil Young)
15. Up On Cripple Creek (the Band)
16. Strange (Patsy Cline)
17. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Bob Dylan)
18. Hasn't Hit Me Yet (Blue Rodeo)
Encore: I'm So Lonesome (Hank Williams)