Edmonton musician Sean Brewer of bands including Tallest to Shortest and the Uncas, made a long awaited return to Lethbridge to play a solo acoustic set at the Slice, opening for Rancho Deluxe, Dec. 28.
 I caught the end of his set, but fortunately he was called back for a couple of encores.
 He strummed acoustic guitar and blew some heartfelt harp.

 It was great to see him playing a more stripped down, acoustic set as I usually see him backed by loud rock bands.
 This time he played more folk and country music. He played a couple of new songs and brought back an old Uncas song “Foot.”

 Rancho Deluxe including frontman George Arsene, Tyler Bird on lead guitar, drummer Brad Brouwer and bassist Paul Holden plus Skinny Dyck on steel guitar, played a strong set mostly focusing on music form their debut CD “Lucky Stars.” “Whiskey I Owe,” was a highlight.

 Arsene sang impassioned versions of “Buckeroo,” and “Hard Cards” to name a few of  his more serious songs. Tyler Bird sang a song I didn’t recognize and added accordion to a couple of songs.

 They also added a few covers from songwriters like John Prine in one of the tightest sets I’ve seen them play.