Photo by myspace.com/staceyearleandmarkstuart

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart entertained Sundilla Friday night.

Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart are singer/songwriters and musicians that combine forces in a folk duo that is invited to play intimate settings all over the world. Luckily, the gracious folk gods and Sundilla Acoustic Concert Series brought them to Auburn Friday, Aug. 22nd.

The married couple transcend the style boundaries of several decades of traditional folk music and subgenres in their distinct and thought provoking performance. They also flirt with several regional sounds (think Nashville versus Texas versus the Deep South).

“Life on the road gives the greatest inspiration our song writing,” admitted Stuart. “And traveling exposes us to a lot of stuff we can steal.”

Stuart is dramatizing what is often considered one of folk music’s greatest attributes-a simple sharing of narratives in common language contributing to regional connectedness.

Of course, infusing traditional songs and eclectically built originals give Earle and Stuart’s overall performance several variations in tone and sound.  They construct contrasts of an ever so slight honk-tonk with zippity-do-da adding a twist that sometimes flirts with bluesy melodies-- they are careful not to neglect the contemplative isolation feel against the ceremony of it all.  The duo will even ask for the audience to occasionally sing along.

Earle and Stuart have been tour together for 16 years, but the two often create solo works.

During the performance Earle gave a personal narrative delivered in folky southern dialect (think tight, long vowels) and bordered on spoken word poetry more then anything. She showed her strength in vocal range as well as a writer, understanding the complexities of southern orature.

Stuart voice is rather jam band in nature, which sounds like a critique, but is perfectly fitting next to Earle.  His strength is as a musician: he has way more solos and often carries more difficult melodies.

Stuart just released a solo album called “Mark Stuart Left of Nashville”.  Earle is currently working on a solo album, half of which she promises will be written on the ukulele.

Auburn was lucky to have Sundilla host them.  If you missed out, no worries, more folk bliss is on its way.

Sundilla promotes itself as a non-profit organization that “strives to embody diversity of “roots” and “folk” music by opening the series to a wide variety of musical styles.  Performers include nationally-known, award winning singer-songwriters and up-and-comers playing everything from folk, blues, Celtic and bluegrass to fast-folk and alternative genres.”

Sundilla organizes a show every month at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Thatch and Debardeleben.  They serve refreshments, but audience members are welcome to bring ANY beverage or food they prefer.

Tickets for the next show, Tracy Grammer on Sept. 12th, are available for discounted presale at Toomer’s Drugs, Taylor’s Bakery, and the Guitar Shop. You can also contact Sundilla at .

To preview and purchase Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart’s music, check them out at myspace.com/staceyearleandmarkstuart or staceyandmark.com.