Soft, blue-gray twilight filtered through the windows of the Stone Church and bathed a happy crowd as Tim O’Brien led his crack band through a generous set of bluegrass and country folk on Sunday night. Church soundman Andy May expressed concern about the pre-show chatter, hoping the opener High Range wouldn’t be swallowed up by talking, but he needn’t have worried.

The audience went from a beery din to rapt attention in a blink, then exploded with applause after each song. 

The jubilant crowd continued the good vibes through the night, calling out songs for O’Brien to play and clearly enjoying the roots showcase, heads bopping and feet tapping. O’Brien commanded the stage with an understated sensibility, nodding changes and tossing solos to band members and amazing the crowd with his own speedy and tasteful chops on mandolin and acoustic guitar. In between numbers, he charmed the audience with his dry southern wit. Tight three-part harmonies, humorous and heartbreaking stories and world-class musicianship made the night.

Many of the attendees voiced surprise and pleasure at the sight of a band accompanying O’Brien, as they thought he’d be solo. Instead, O’Brien brought along some of the best players of the genre. Fiddler Casey Driessen, banjo/guitarist Danny Barnes (whose amusing song about gong to jail was a show stealer) and bassist Mike Bubb navigated the night with easy pleasure, smiling and following O’Brien all the way to an encore medley that brought the house down.