Jill Barber, Rose Cousins, Meaghan Smith and the Mapples at the Evergreen

Cars were being pooled, and people were heading into the sunset. The Evergreen Theatre in Margret(s)ville is where they were flocking to. (Please forgive me for either having the “s” in there at all or for not having it completely in there.) The five in our car must have saved piles of money. Rarely have I seen so much talent for so small a price.

Them “Apples” (It don't get more “Valley” than that) started with a short set of four songs. That's Heather Cameron, Sally MacKenzie, Rebecca MacDonald and Megan Osburn. This is only the second time I've seen them play, both times at a Fundy Folk night. Being on “high rotation” with the people at Fundy must be a compliment in itself. Using four voices, two guitars and a strange box on heathers lap these four women had the attention of the audience in seconds. And yes, the absence of microphones with the presence of Apples is not only good for your teeth, it's also great for the ears. One day I shall catch them playing a longer set. It will be well worth it.

Jill Barber, Rose Cousins and Meaghan Smith shared the stage for the main event of the evening. In fact, that's what the audience saw from left to right. A song circle of three performers, each one obviously capable of filling the evening. Three great stage presences in three distinct flavours. They quickly went to exploit the opportunity presented by a purely acoustic setting. Even the sunset tried to sneak a peek at the show through the windows of a wonderful venue.

She said: “What are you doing in my living room?”. Jill Barber is pickin' right with her left and swaying precariously at the edge of the stage. She had once come from middle of the land to Nova Scotia. With eyes closed she bends in the wind whispering the spirit of her songs, yes, as if at home, there at the Evergreen, serving cake and acoustic delicacies. Her virtual home is at jillbarber.com.

Rose Cousins I'd seen once before, so my seat belt was fastened. She sang, among other songs, the one called “Edmonton”, named after a city far in the west and the north. It is a song which will be available on her new CD. Rose and the CBC are putting the finishing touches on it right now (as I madly type away here). As before I was near giddy with the colorful chords that her guitar threw into the room. Roses voice and her guitar still sing as one, seemingly with little effort, obviously with success.

Meaghan Smith sang songs from her CD “Lost with Directions” as well new ones, slated for her next disc. One new song is now tentatively named “All stood up”, with help of the audience (Bruce). Having been treated to pizza with shrimp and eggplant, Meaghan was in splendid form, enthralling the audience with that wonderful voice of hers. Singing songs like “I can't do the math” and “Truce” (which is about not-mentioned cereal bowls polluted with lard) she easily convinced me to come again when she performs in the Valley.

t was a good night, out there in that town, with or without that controversial “s”.