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We spent the evening of Valentine’s Day, 2010, at the Saxon Pub in South Austin, with those (ahem) love song troubadours, Hayes Carll and John Evans. Unlike in times past for the two of these guys together, Hayes’ wife was there in the front row for this show. However, John is single, and was happy to have that fact advertised, appropriate for the day.

John just moved to Austin this month. He said he was nervous, but we’d say he did a wonderful job in his solo set preceding Hayes. Of course, we’re used to seeing him and other band members perform in their underwear, so this was a whole new act for us. John is well known in the Houston area, and has received a number of awards and recognitions over the years; we foresee good things for him here in Austin too.

He had a robust playlist, including songs from his new CD Lollygaggin’ like Hoochie in a Honky Tonk to Butterfly Girl, a wonderful sentimental number about his daughter. We were treated to others like Whiskey Warm and Delta High in Robert Johnson style, Sweeten Up My Game, Cold Beers to Broken Hearts, My Name in Chalk, a sing-along I’ll call Do You Want Some, a couple more “love songs”, and a lively finish with Pasa-Get-Down-Dena!

Then Hayes, joined with the versatile Scott Davis, took the stage, starting out with Beaumont and Wild As A Turkey. Many of the songs came from the Trouble In Mind CD, continuing with It’s A Shame, Drunken Poet’s Dream, Girl Downtown, and She Left Me For Jesus. We also got to hear classics Little Rock and Down the Road Tonight, along with a couple new songs, Chances Are, and one I’ll call Stomp and Holler, written with Ray Wylie influences for sure.

John Evans joined him on stage for their combined bar hit Ain’t Enough of Me to Go Around – always good fun. And we even had a “comedy routine” of sorts with Cody Braun of Reckless Kelly, complete with drink and cigarette, and a little help to get him started.

Two songs that stood out were soulful versions of Bad Liver And A Broken Heart, as well as an Aaron Wilkinson cover of Rambling Boy to close out the night. Scott Davis’ playing was featured in both. Overall, it was a tight show done by a few close friends, at a great time in their careers.