The Palm's Playhouse in Winters once again proved that you don’t have to travel to a big city to get top quality entertainment.

Starting out Sunday evening in front of a packed house was the devilishly fun surf revival group, Los Straitjackets.

Los Straightjackets surf onto Palm's stage with colorful masks and a tight tunes (Image by: Holly S. Howard)

The group shocked me into submission with their succinct musical arrangements and a stage show that included the players wearing colorful Mexican wrestling masks, black clothing and a purposely disturbing choreographic routine with “Pulp Fiction” coolness. Los Straitjackets’ lead guitarist is Eddie Angel, a noted rockabilly from Nashville. The group also included Pete Curry on bass; Danny Amis, aka "Daddy-O Grande," Greg Townsen, aka "El Gregorio" on guitar; and drummer, Jason Smay, aka “Teen Beat.”

Carol Gale of Sacramento is a great fan of both Los Straitjackets (LSJ) and Dave Alvin.

“Although I had some of their CDs for years, I first saw LSJ perform live two to three years ago at a show with Southern Culture On The Skids, and immediately loved their stage show and poorly accented Spanish. I've seen them in Sacramento, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago, New York City, Green Bay, WI and points in between.”

Headliner Dave Alvin is like a charming “Tomcat” with nine lives.  A fourth generation Californian, a Grammy award winning singer-songwriter and self-described "barroom guitarist." He has been everywhere and played just about every genre of music in some of the most notable rock, punk and “Billy” bands of the 21st century including “X;” “The Blasters,” with his brother Phil; and “The Knitters,” a band comprised of several members of “X.” Alvin has also toured in varying forms of his own band for more than 30 years.

Dave Alvin rocks the Palm's stage (Image by: Holly S. Howard)

Alvin has a big, warm smile and a deep, inviting voice that welcomes you onto the stage like a farmer showing off his crops.

“I'd say he's a blues guitarist, a rocker and a folk singer,” said Gale, “because he tells American stories in general and California stories in particular.”

Alvin and current band, The Guilty Ones, took the audience at the Palms on a whirlwind tour of California and beyond with songs that speak of his California roots and rock ‘n’ roll heritage.

Lisa Pankratz, Dave Alvin and Brad Fordham at "The Palm's" (Image by: Holly S. Howard)

“California Bloodlines,” "King of California," and"Downey Girl," his sweet ode to Karen Carpenter, who also grew up in his hometown, were all played by Alvin and his band with such heart felt musicianship the audience could not help but be drawn into the melodious scenery. Alvin’s bluesy-rock dirge, “Harlan County Line” and his “X” contribution, “Fourth of July,” as well as the passionate tune, Abilene, were other audience favorites, as was his tribute to the American rhythm and blues legend in “Johnny Ace is Dead.”

Terry Lewis was yet another fan who made the drive up to Winters just to see Alvin at The Palms.

“I knew he was coming to a venue closer to where I live, but I really wanted to see Dave at The Palms. There is something about the place, the sound, the atmosphere, and especially the people who run it, that makes me willing to make the extra effort to come here for a show.”

Carol Gale also appreciated the venue.

“At the Palms, you always feel you are in someone's living room.”

Dave Alvin will soon be returning to Northern California. Alvin is to play in historic Auburn for the first time on October 14 at the Auburn Event Center, another great venue to enjoy his magic.