Houston singer Micah Edwards taps into roots for swinging Heights Theater show
Singer-songwriter Micah Edwards is one of the brightest, up-and-coming stars to come out of Houston over the last few years, with his blend of retro soul, jazz and country linking him inextricably to the Texas musical landscape that recently has given us the likes of Leon Bridges and Charley Crockett. But if there were any questions about his Lone Star bona fides, he put them to rest in a swinging headlining show Saturday night at The Heights Theater when he and his crack seven-piece band launched into a blissfully bouyant take on Selena’s 1992 breakthrough Tejano hit, “Como La Flor,” featuring a knockout turn from singer Kimberly “Kimbo” Hernandez.
It was just one of several stand-out moments in a too-short 75-minute set that moved from saxophone to pedal steel in a heartbeat, all topped by Edwards' smooth, melodic tenor vocals and his affable stage presence. On record though, Edwards is sometimes too smooth, sanding off the edges of his sound in favor of a style with more of a pop sheen. But, on stage, such tracks as “The Girl from the Valley” and “Best That I Can” came alive as he and his band — especially guitarist Ryan Stueckemann — added some needed grit and texture without destroying the songs’ intrinsic accessibility.
Edwards debuted several new tracks, including the countryrock “Bolo” and the funky “Hey, Sweet Thing,” that would appear to indicate his next album may have more of an edge than his burnished 2022 release, “Jean Leon.” Let’s hope he’s able to maintain the live vibe in the studio.
As good as the new tunes seem to be, it would have been nice to hear more of his older songs, like the soulful “The Race” and the hand-clapping, McFadden & Whitehead-style throwback R&B of “Lovestone,” both of which this band could have turned into roof-raisers.
Thankfully, Edwards still plays his best song, the aching, heart-on-the-sleeve ballad “Moments,” and it was a standout on Saturday night.
Edwards will return to The Heights stage April 14 when he said he will be playing with his sister, Nashville-based country singer Madeline Edwards. He said it will be the first time they’ve shared a stage in a decade.
Also, he will be performing a set May 28 as part of the free Jazzy Sundays in the Parks series at The Water Works in Buffalo Bayou Park. Mark these on your calendar now.
The band Birthday Club opened with a set of hooky, punchy guitar-rock.