Tuesday night, Loudon Wainwright and Richard Thompson teamed up for an excellent show at Goucher. I was amazed how strong their voices were—in fact, they've never sounded better. The highlight of Wainwright's set was the handful of songs he played off his new disc, High, Wide & Handsome, a tribute to Charlie Poole, the old-time banjo player and songster. For my money, his version of Poole's "Didn't He Ramble" was practically worth the price of admission.

On the downside, Wainwright continues to yuck it up during some tunes, contorting his face into outrageous grins that border on the grotesque. Those antics used to be funny, but, at this point in his career, they only undercut the effectiveness of his songs. He should lose that shtick.

Thompson played a stellar set, showcasing his formidable guitar skills and evocative vocals, and Wainwright joined him for an encore of "Down Where the Drunkards Roll" and a Marty Robbins tune that was spirited and loose. Next time around, it would be great to hear more of that sort of thing, maybe a set of covers that nudge both performers out of their respective comfort zones.

[Image: courtesy High Road Touring]