Shades of Gray

Kris Ward was the first act on the bill at the Peter Elkas show. For the last little while he's been performing with a band, the Downtown Swingers. That outfit has since parted ways, so now he's moving more into singer-songwriter territory. For his Mavericks show he was accompanied by guitarist Charles Downey. He dedicated a cover of David Gray's Caroline to his girlfriend of the same name, played a Doves tune (Caught by the River) and, having recently seen Walk the Line, also offered up a Johnny Cash-inspired tune entitled Walk by the Water.

Kris sings!



Charlie has a spare, clean style that I quite liked. It was his first show with Ward.



Duo action!



And Kris at the keys.



A nicely understated opener (the posse of screaming lady fans notwithstanding).

• Show reminder: Feist plays the Capital Music Hall - one of the last shows before the condo boom shoves the venue aside. The aforementioned Peter Elkas and Paso Mino (who played with Jason Collett at Bluesfest this year) are also on the bill.