A few months ago, local musician Andy Bishop (who you may know from Twin River or White Ash Falls) put together a project with Light Organ Records called the Railtown Sessions. They brought together four Vancouver singer-songwriters to each record a 4 song EP, and then also play the EP live from Light Organ HQ, streaming online. Last night the project culminated with the big finale, and all four artist playing at the Fox Cabaret.

I think one of the most interesting parts about the lineup is the diversity. From old school country to alt-country; roots to soulful rock, no two of the four artists were really alike. And each of them performed short sets of the songs off the EPs.

Starting off the night was the country twang of Johnny 99, the alias of John Sponarski, former Portage & Main co-frontman and ace guitar-slinger for people like Aaron Pritchett and Ben Rogers. He was backed by a group of Vancouver all-stars, who were acting as the band for the entire night; Cody Hiles on drums, Colin Cowan on upright & sideways bass, and the Matt Kelly on guitar, keys, and slide. John was also joined by Erik Nielsen on backing vocals, and started with one of the first songs he wrote after going solo, the incredibly catchy "I Wanna Go With my Boots On". He sang with a very country twang to his voice (which, to be honest, took me a second to get past) about love and "That Mean Old Girl" to round out the set.

There was a quick turnaround before Joseph Blood (Bend Sinister member who was also involved in the project) introduced Rob Butterfield next, joined by some backup singers including Debra-Jean Creelman. His set brought the energy up a notch with more of a roots-rocking set. Songs like "Good People" had toes tapping, and the mathematical "One and Two Halves" ended off the first half of the evening.

After an intermission, it was time for the second half, Sarah Jane Scouten taking the stage, and the backing band joined by Andy Bishop himself. With more of an alt-country bent, her lovely voice drawing you in to "Red Rocking Chair" before turning both the 'honky' and 'tonk' dials up for a fun, up-tempo song called "Bang Bang". She ended off the set with a slower and absolutely heartbreaking "Mount Royal Cemetery", one of my favourites in the whole series.

And finally, ending out the night was Debra-Jean Creelman. She was also joined by a pair of backup singers, whose names I unfortunately didn't catch, with a set that was the most intense of the night, with touches of Motown soul on songs like "Midnight Sun" and her powerful voice haunting on the darker "Up In Smoke" and soaring for "Maybe They Were Right". It was the perfect set of the four to close out the night.

I was sure they were going to do some sort of collaborative song or cover to end off the night (my money was on The Band), but the show ran right up til curfew. Even without that it was a nice spotlight of some of Vancouver's talent. Here's to hoping the Railtown Sessions continue on next year.