Live Music: Brendan Benson at Urban Lounge

Brendan Benson is a different sort of cat. He has a pretty folkie image, plays an acoustic guitar a lot, lives in Nashville. But every now and then, he picks up his electric guitar and reminds you that he grew up in Detroit and hangs out with Jack White.

http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=3952170923462013148&hl=en&fs=true

Benson’s latest album, My Old Familiar Friend (released August 2009) bridges that gap somewhat, letting us see both sides of his personality, but always edging a little more toward the pop/folk side of the spectrum.  Seeing Benson live reminds you why The Raconteurs works so well as a side project for both Benson and White: instead of pulling in different directions, they blend together and create something better than either one have separately.

Now that Benson is touring behing his latest album, I understand that White is working on a new White Stripes album.  After that's finished, maybe we can get some more of The Raconteurs.  In the meantime, I do enjoy Benson on his own.  He is a very good songwriter and enjoyable to see live.