by Mercy Moosemuzzle - SGN A&E Writer

TRACY NELSON
Mercy enjoyed Tracy Nelson at Jazz Alley, August 7, very much. She has a new record, Victim of the Blues. The blues singer had a powerful voice. Larry Guthrie's keyboards were delicious. Guitar by John Morton was hot. Garey Shelton's bass was soulful. Backup vocals by Kelly Harland contributed sweet harmony.

'Miss You Like the Devil' featured piano and guitar. 'Howlin' for My Baby' had solos for Guthrie and Shelton. Larry ornamented 'I Know It's a Sin.'

'Stranger' featured piano and bass. 'I Need All the Help I Can Get' had a solo for Guthrie. 'Livin' the Blues' was co-written by Tracy Nelson and Gary Nicholson. Larry ornamented 'Lead a Horse to Water.'

'Send Me to the 'Lectric Chair' featured piano. 'Shoot My Baby' had a solo by Morton. Larry ornamented 'Please No More.'

'Little by Little' had a solo with Harland's fine voice. 'Don't Go No Further' featured piano. A solo by Guthrie ornamented 'Without Love.'

'Down So Low' was the first song Nelson wrote. It earned a standing ovation. 'Got a New Truck' was a song co-written by Tracy and Marcia Ball. The audience also gave a standing ovation for that one.

SPYRO GYRA
Reality joined Mercy for Spyro Gyra at Jazz Alley August 9. It was an evening of jazz originals. The band has been together 35 years and put out 29 CDs. Their latest one is titled A Foreign Affair. The leader said the idea behind the album was impressions of international travel.

Jay Beckenstein's sax and clarinet were luscious. Keyboards by Tom Schuman were smart. Julio Fernandez's guitar was out there. Bass by Scott Ambush was funky. Bonny B's percussion was rhythmic. Reality said, 'You can tell these guys have been playing together a long time. They are really tight and smooth together. All five write, yet the compositions are coherent together. They are really talented - every one of them. The drummer is amazing.'

They opened with the slow 'Caribe,' featuring clarinet and guitar. 'Freetime' was upbeat and had solos by Beckenstein, Shuman, and Fernandez. 'Catching the Sun' stayed there and was ornamented by Jay and Tom.

'Dancing on Table Mountain' was also fast and featured bass, sax, and piano. 'Expect Miracles' stayed there and had solos by Beckenstein and B. There was a standing ovation for the drum solo. The conclusion, 'Falling Walls,' was ornamented by Jay, Scott, and Julio. It also got a standing ovation.

MELISSA ETHERIDGE
Mercy and Cuteness went to see Lesbian singer-songwriter Etheridge at ZooTunes on August 12, a beautiful day. Etheridge said she has been performing 25 years and has been cancer-free for eight. She has a new album coming out, Fourth Street Feeling. High points were 'Fearless Love,' 'Chrome Plated Heart,' 'I Want to Come Over,' 'The Wanting of You,' 'Come to My Window,' 'Brave and Crazy,' 'I Run for Life,' 'You Make Me Nervous,' and 'Sweet Devil's Got My Soul.' The sold-out crowd gave her a standing ovation.

PUDDLETOWN SQUARES
Puddletown Squares and Miller Community Center present 'Re-Boot Yer Scoot! A Free Taste of Gay Square Dance' with caller Gary Monday, Thursday, August 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Miller Community Center on Capitol Hill (330 19th Ave E., just north of E. Thomas St.). There's no cover charge but please bring a canned food donation for Lifelong AIDS Alliance. No experience is necessary, dress is casual, and both singles and couples are welcome. Mercy finds dancing with Puddletown a lot of laughs and a good sense of community.

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