Cambridge, MA
3/14/25
Got a late start tonight but fortunately for me, the Plough and Stars is one place that’s happening just about anytime of day or night. I’m lucky enough to catch the last set by Elisa Smith. She cranks out a mix of originals and eclectic, fun covers like “Jambalaya (on the Bayou)” by Hank Williams to “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozy. She has an authentic, modern country sound held solidly together by Matt “Steady” Ricetti on drums and Erin Bonnie on fiddle. The drinks keep rolling in and so do the songs, as Elisa and her crew lay down some seriously tight jams laced with bluegrass and bourbon. Elisa shares with the crowd that she’s raising money to help finance her new album “Perfume” which she is recording down in Nashville, TN. She cuts into a country version of Bob Seger’s “Night Moves” which has the whole crowd singing along. Another stand out tune is “Hitch A Ride” from one of Elisa’s bandcamp EPs. The chorus, “Gonna hitch a ride on your tailgate baby” is one of those powerfully catchy songs that gets stuck in your head after one listen. The show ends with a soft duet between Elisa on acoustic guitar and Erin on fiddle both harmonizing eloquently. It’s a great way to end a fun night. (Kier Byrnes)