Showcase: Jesse Thomas & The Handsome Lady Record Family @ The Hotel Cafe (04/07/12)

Experience the new sounds of Jesse Thomas and The Handsome Lady Record Family as they serenaded the sweet Hotel Cafe crowd a few days back, #afterthebreak…

The Hotel Cafe Presents
Jesse Thomas & Handsome Lady Records’ Sam Shelton, Will Knox, Alec Gross, & Jake Hill.
04/07/12

(re-edited: 11/11/2023)

With a little time before a raging birthday party, I stopped off at one of my favorite intimate concert dwellings —The Hotel Cafe — and caught a show.  The chick I wanted to see was Jesse Thomas as she continued her April residency, but ended up staying for Handsome Lady Record‘s all-star band.

With it being Easter eve, was expecting a much smaller crowd but people turned out to experience and support Jesse.  Since pursing music, Hotel Cafe has been a second home for Jesse Thomas and her home-style Kentucky born hipster tracks.  With a voice that reminded me of Deb Talan of The Weepies mixed with smug of KT Tunstall, she commanded the room with her soft spoken and hard rocking songs.  Three of which, I caught on tape for you to see.  Will point out that she did forget her lyrics at the start of a few songs, but it was kind of enduring and we forgive…chalking it up to the brownish drink in her hand.

I loved her fresh sound and quirky Matt Nathanson-like rants in between each track.  Made for a enjoyable hour of entertainment.

Immediately after Jesse‘s set came “the four folk-men” of Handsome Lady Records — Sam Shelton, Will Knox, Alec Gross, & Jake Hill.  Or as I prefer to call them, Samantha Shelton & The Pimps of Folk.  In fact, all four of these talented musicians had a chance to showcase their talents before the Hotel Cafe crowd by taking turns on the microphone during their hour long set.  It wasn’t just about one, it was for all.  As you’d expect, the set drastically changed track by track and was quite refreshing to them supported each other through each solo.

However, I liked when they sang as one.  I got chills when they all harmonized together…especially during their cover of Elvis Presley‘s “Can’t Help Falling in Love“.  You can watch it below.  Sounded so haunting echoing off the Hotel Cafe brick.

Ultimately, the only thing worth anything in this summation is the fact that I was only going to stay for one song…and ended up staying their whole set.  Need I say more?  Enjoy these four wonderfully fresh Hotel Cafe regulars.

Photography wise, the Canon Powershot S100 did an okay at the venue.  Took a little time to adjust. If I wasn’t off to the side, shrouded in the dark, the pictures might have been enhanced a little.  Still think they came out decent.  The videos made up for the average shots.  Thus, making the $10 coverage charge wayyy worth it.

Hear More from the artists:

–Jesse Thomas
–Handsome Lady Records

===Picture Selects===