Ozark rockers Ha Ha Tonka brought big harmonies and big guitars to Water Street Music Hall Friday night and positively laid it down with its rural-tinged roots rock. The boys busted out Ram Jam's "Black Betty" and a haunting a cappella rendering of Leadbelly/Led Zeppelin's "Gallis Pole"/"Gallows Pole."

You'd think Night Gallery's lush layers would be hard to recreate live without a small army of musicians, until you realize that a good deal of the band's sonic largess is empty space where your mind's ear can paint its own passage, or wallow in the void. I walked in The Bug Jar Saturday as the band was taking an admirable swing at Tom Waits' "Sins Of My Father."

Meanwhile, back at Monty's Krown, Phil Marshall's trio was deconstructing "Folsom Prison Blues" with a beautiful weirdness, like Captain Johnny Cashheart. But my big thrill of the evening was the rough 'n' raw punk rock of SLT. I absolutely love this band. It was powerful and antagonistic - equal parts fist and finger.