The show began with Trevor Hall, who’d been opening for Carbon Leaf’s shows the previous few weeks, and who got the audience moving to his jammy reggae-tinged songs. When Carbon Leaf took the stage, it was to an impressive Monday night crowd.

The band kept the mood up all night, infusing even slower numbers with an energy that kept things rolling. Lead guitarist Carter Gravatt, looking a bit like a young Eric Clapton, deftly switched between his various guitars and mandolin, and staying on top of an effects setup larger than some NASA control panels. Bassist Jon Markel, who joined the band late last year, also added a tremendous depth to the the sound.

The center of attention, though, was inevitably frontman Barry Privett, whose earnest vocals, great crowd rapport, and propensity for Michael Stipe-ish gesticulation enlivened every song. The set veered from the band’s older fan favorites like “The Boxer” and “Life Less Ordinary” to tracks off their new album Nothing Rhymes with Woman, particularly the single “Miss Hollywood.”

Mid-show the band opted to do a few songs “Grand Ole Opry style,” with stripped down acoustic arrangements around a single microphone. Included was a beautifully harmonized version of their rare live tune “7 Brides for 7 Sinners”:

Later in the show, following an encore break, the band came to the stage front for a completely un-amplified rendition of “Learn to Fly.” It took the crowd a bit to figure out that the band’s silent presence at the front of the stage was not them fishing for “Mary Mac” shout-out requests, but when they finally launched inot it, it was impressive to see how simple and compelling a completely a capella song could be in a 200-person venue.

While the crowd never got their “Mary Mac” they instead were treated to a fantastic, rollicking rendition of Led Zeppelin’s “Bron-Yr-Aur Stomp,” complete with coordinated clapping. For the final number, Carbon Leaf invited Trevor Hall and his band back up for an extended “Let Your Trouble’s Roll By,” that slowly built into a crashing, immersive sing-along.

It was a fantastic night and, if Privett is to be believed, we won’t have to wait two years for another.