Neko Case El Ray Theater show preview from the LA Weekly.
Neko Case, The Sadies, The Dexter Romweber Duo at El Rey Theater.
Country singer Neko Case is gifted with a voice that conjures elements. She can howl like the wind, smoke like fire, float mystery like the sea and project as firmly as terra. In an era of tweemo whisperers and chop-less grunters, she belts with accuracy, confidence and — that currently MIA quality — soul. All these dimensions can be heard on The Tigers Have Spoken, her new live album. Canadian country-rockers the Sadies are both her road band and their own practitioners of weep-and-warp; mixing flat-pick fireworks with Byrdsian electric 12-string and vocal harmonies that rise eight or more miles high. Their latest disc, Favourite Colours, is blessed with guest Robyn Hitchcock, and a blend of pedal steel, cellos, vibes and autoharp that evidently gave the album its name. Former Flat Duo Jet Romweber opens with his new-o duo. 5515 Wilshire Blvd. (323) 936-6400. (Michael Simmons)