Mount Moriah – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – March 12, 2016 (A PopEnterta

Updated: Mar 28, 2020

Mount Moriah – Boot & Saddle – Philadelphia, PA – March 12, 2016

The gorgeous alt-country of Mount Moriah cast a spell over an enthused Boot & Saddle crowd this past Saturday. Led by the powerful vocals and brilliant songwriting of Heather McEntire, Mount Moriah showcased their stellar 2016 LP How to Dance. Toe-tapping, introspective and instantly timeless, songs like “Cardinal Cross” and what McEntire stated to be the album’s center – “Baby Blue,” the album in its live incarnation was electrifying. Collaborators in guitarist Jenks Miller and bassist Casey Toll wove in melodies to the further enhance the desires and destinies of the characters in How to Dance and their two previous records.

Smitten with Philadelphia, including a vegan cheesesteak McEntire had eaten and the connection of songwriting in Johnny Brenda’s green room on a previous tour, they were giving and receiving love throughout the set. From the first notes of the catchy final tune of their newest – “Little Bear” – to the show closer of “Lament” from their self-titled debut, they were stunning. With tambourine in hand and a soulful twang delivering the charged lyrics of “Lament,” McEntire ushered Philly into the night.

Skylar Gudasz opened. With tender and catchy pop sensibilities and a voice harkening back to the early 1960’s, Gudasz wowed. Playing from her newly minted debut Oleander, she and her band delivered the next rock crush to the early comers to the show.

Chris Sikich

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