We saw Colin Hay last night, at the Arts Center in Carrboro, NC. Don't know who that is? Many years ago, he was the singer for Men At Work. It's been a long time since Men At Work's rapid rise and fall, but Hay's been busy: he's released solo 10 albums, he plays in Ringo Starr's band, he's even had a few acting roles. And last night was the last stop on a short solo acoustic tour.

He played Men at Work's biggest hits (Down Under, Who Can It Be Now and Overkill - which he turned into a full crowd sing-along), played songs from his 22 year solo career, and told stories. In fact, I'd estimate that he spent almost as much time telling stories as he did playing songs - which was fine, since he is surprisingly funny. His solo stuff seems to fall squarely into the same groove as James Taylor, Cat Stevens, Randy Newman and Sean Colvin: smart, folky, singer/songwriter stuff - what I hear on my cable's "Adult Alternative" channel (or XM's "The Loft"). It's a bit outside my zone, but he puts on a great show, and I was glad to have seen it. Catch him, if you get the chance.

After that show, I mentioned to my wife that I thought Middle Distance Runner (who we were listening to on the drive up to Carrboro) was playing at a bar the next block over. And despite it being a Sunday night (she has a job, so "weekdays" matter to her), she insisted we go give it a check-out. So we did.

It was a three band night, and the second band was just starting: Farewell Flight. I'd never heard of them before - I don't think they even have a record out yet. But they were pretty good. They do that emotional, anthemic, mid-tempo (Coldplay + Americana = Kings Of Leon) thing which I've never loved, but they sold it well. The singer was mightily happy about his giant cup of beer. I was pretty happy with my Jamesons.

Then Middle Distance Runner came on and did a quick set. I'd heard good things about their live show, and was not disappointed. Great songs, great harmonies, energetically delivered - despite the sad fact that there were only 12 people in the room (no really, I counted). Some band called "U2" was playing to a crowd of 55,000 down the road in Raleigh at the same time; maybe that had something to do with the turnout.

Even songs I was a little iffy on, from their "Plane In Flames" album, were terrific live. And the stuff from their new album sounded great. I was most impressed.

The surprising and shimmering Queen-style harmonized guitar solos in "Sundays Are Hell", delivered without a hint of smirking irony, had me laughing with delight. If any of my bands had tried such a thing, back in the early 90's while the world was still recovering from hair metal, we'd have been pelted with eggs. But thankfully we're all past that now. And besides, the sound fits the song's vaguely early 70's vibe perfectly. I wish it was on-line somewhere.

So, I definitely recommend giving these guys a look, if they come to your town. And give their new CD a listen, too - I'm loving it so far.