The last minute change of venue to Harro East Ballroom didn't jog the jiggin' to Nickel Creek or squash the squirming to Fiona Apple last night. The comfortably packed, age-diverse crowd seemed glued to the floor, partially because it was melting. It was hot in there! And it wasn't just the music. Apple upped the temp even more when she came on to close the first set with her "Extraordinary Machine." And the crowd piled out to resuscitate themselves.

After taking a bite of the forbidden Apple it was a bit of a let down to not have her back on stage for the beginning of the second set. And while Sara Watkins' tasteful twang is like a lullaby that you want to stay awake for, and Chris Thile's mandolin playing is worthy of the 2007 BBC Folk Musician of the Year bestowed upon him, it was when Mark Schatz put down his bass and did some fast and furious foot-stomping that the crowd kicked up speed.

Apple returned; a slip of a waif singing sweet as molasses until you notice the little shards of glass scraping your innards. She so inhabits her songs, so exposes her soul --- her body contorting, hips swaying then stabbing, fingers clenched and hands grasping --- that when the song ends she seems to come to, not knowing what story she's in, head down, wringing her hands and pacing until the next.

The night ended on a note so sweet I better call the dentist: Sara Watkins and Apple singing a duet of "You Belong to Me," sung just as sweetly by Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters in "The Jerk."