Napolitano, Prieboy: Savory, Cozy Shows

Johnette Napolitano and Andy Prieboy should take their show off the road immediately--and put it in some cozy cabaret, where it could become a running attraction to be savored again and again.

The Concrete Blonde front-woman and the former Wall of Voodoo singer, with help from Wire Train guitarist Jeff Trott, proved at the Coach House that alternative rockers (the right ones, anyway) can carry on in the old saloon tradition that requires performers to be amusing, likable company as well as good musicians.

Their 90-minute acoustic set of solo, duo and trio performances on Thursday was part minimalist variety show and part high-IQ version of “Wayne’s World.” It featured easy-flowing, spontaneously funny byplay, as well as a winning, often surprising assortment of songs ranging from poignant ballads to raunchy Bessie Smith blues to bawdy farce. Above all, it featured Napolitano, who is headlining the 10-city tour, in all her glory as one of the most sensitive and commanding singers in rock.

After the purely musical points had been made in segments spotlighting first Prieboy’s flair for low-key theatrics and then Napolitano’s way with a variety of styles and sources, engaging silliness reigned, at least until Napolitano capped the evening with an eloquent encore of Concrete Blonde’s breakthrough hit “Joey” and Jimi Hendrix’s “Castles Made of Sand.” Too bad this couldn’t be turned into a steady gig.