August 5-11, 2004

musicpicks

Tres Chicas

ROOTS ROCK/POP

Between them, the three North Carolinians of Tres Chicas have logged enough time as sidekicks, session musicians and solo artists to know when to stand out and when to step back. The countryish trio of violinist Caitlin Cary and guitarists Lynn Blakey and Tonya Lamm sounds great, whether they're harmonizing or taking the lead. As songwriters, they favor the slow and sad — "In a While" and "Sweetwater" are particularly beautiful — but they let loose a bit when covering Loretta Lynn and George Jones. On Sweetwater (Yep Roc), instrumental assistance comes from producer Chris Stamey and a couple of Cary's other cohorts, but it all comes down to the chemistry of three chicks.

Sun., Aug. 8, 9 p.m., $8, with Bret Tobias and Professional Pilot Course, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

—M.J. Fine