Franke's smokey voice may be best known in a harmony setting on recordings by Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, Robert Earl Keen, and Hal Ketchum. Franke’s own storytelling, however, frames the people and places of Galveston, Texas. Her back up band ties it all together with Mark Hallman, who doubles as producer on bass, Andre Moran on electric guitar, and Rick Richards on drums. Gulf Coast Blue will make you feel like you’ve spent a lazy day at the beach--something everyone needs towards the end of a cold Saint Louis winter. Franke performed at the Focal Point on Saturday, February 28, 2009.

Written by Megan Dougherty