Friday night the High Fidelity crowd was a salt-and-pepper mix jacked to the max on Raul Midon's one-man funk and groove. A little rotation on BET certainly hasn't hurt. Folks howled and applauded to the tunes they recognized, and even the cuts that weren't as familiar got hung onto nonetheless. Midon's guitar playing was precise and infectious, with plenty of pop and chime, the lower register's boom dialed in at booty level. His invisible trumpet was there as well, and traded off several solos with his guitar in good natured, harmonic duels. The percussive attack, the trumpet of pursed lips - it's all intriguing, and definitely reeled in the curious. But even when the man cruised through the more rudimentary portions of his set, the magic was still there, especially when he pulled off a chilling version of "Round Midnight."

Neko Case's show at The State Theatre in Ithaca was spectacular - spectacular in that it presented no spectacle, except perhaps for Case's fire-red tresses. She was absolutely riveting. Her crystal voice soared and rang with genuine emotion and urgency. I was riveted.

The subtle noir that serves as a subtext in all her music was masterfully laid out by her simple band. The band's reverb and its penchant for minor keys and a quasi-narcotic swing were incredible; yet nobody really ever took a solo. The songs were the stars along with Case's gorgeous pipes. This woman could sing the Meow Mix commercial and it would sound beautiful.

And speaking of pipes, accompanying vocalist Kelly Hogan's harmonies helped add that minor angelic quality that comes through on all of Case's recordings. This roots rock queen is an equally amazing singer and I can't imagine the music without her contribution. A few detours with some Tom Petty, Harry Nilsson, and Sparks covers were cool as well, not only because of Case's interpretation, but because they occurred to her in the first place. And the State Theatre is a beautiful relic that complemented the majesty of Case's music as it took wing. I'm still reeling...