Live Music: Nina Storey

Our friend Monte up from the Springs this weekend keyed us into checking out Nina Storey at Hodi's in downtown Fort Collins. It was the first time we'd been to Hodi's for a show, formerly the Starlight, and recently the focus of some bad legal attention due to it's lack of discernment in letting a doorman and a band smoke pot in the backroom. oops. Overall, though, we found Hodi's to be cleaner, the beer cheaper, and more intimate than the down the street rival venue of the Aggie.

Storey was billed as a blues singer and came out with a full band that did a great job -- i almost didn't believe it when Monte told me that he didn't think that they were her normal backing group, but that she just gathers folks for tours when she needs them. Storey herself played keys and a little guitar, but the standout was her incredibly powerful voice and really dynamic range. They opened and closed with some more rockin and bluesy tunes which i enjoyed the most, but played pop-rock throughout the majority of the two sets which was a little more hit or miss. Overall, though, it was a good night of music and I'm certainly going to pay more attention to the gigs that Hodi's hosts from here on out.