Steve Martin "An Evening of Bluegrass" review-Houston, TX April 27, 2010 Great show. Features Steve's signature comedy throughout the show. Steve does one or two minutes of comedy introductions before every song in his old stand-up style similar to what you've heard on his comedy albums. It was so great to hear Steve doing that style again after his 30 year absence from standup. At the end of the show Steve does a lackluster version of "King Tut," obviously a huge crowd pleaser but 65 year old Steve just can't do it with the enthusiasm of his 1970s self. It's more like he's going through the motions, but you want it and he gives it to you. Steve mentions that he wrote all the songs we heard except for the "Orange Blossom Special" finale. I failed to believe that but if it's true it represents an awesome accomplishment. The music was good but it just feels like a waste of Steve's talent for him to be standing there calmly plucking a banjo when you know all the things that he can do. The backup band is good but doesn't get a full chance to shine. The regular banjo player always plays second fiddle to Steve (contractual requirement-just kidding) so he stays in the background. The bass player stays back. The guitar player is a great lead singer and has two or three solos but otherwise I couldn't hear him. The only two players that shine are the mandolin player (great) and the fiddle player (totally awesome and the real star). Both these two provide great music all evening. Steve takes a three song offstage break to allow the backing band to do their thing and it's time well spent. I've seen Branson headliners take two or three long absences from the stage-a rip off, but Steve hits it just right. He even appears on stage once during the three songs to tell a joke. Steve does his best to give us our money's worth, give us what we want and demand of him, and provide an honest show. Steve sings in a fair amount of the songs, usually a novelty backing part but sometimes lead. He also has a comedy song in there. Musically, the best thing is the awe inspiring bluegrass style 4 part harmony singing done by the backing band. Similar to barbershop or Osmonds, it was chillbump inducing. Besides that, the violin player held down more than his share of the music all night. He plays a lot of two string melodies and jumps between melody and accompanying himself, making it seem like he's two or three musicians worth of music. Finally, in the "Orange Blossom Special" (OBS) he shines like so many other fiddles you've seen on this number, but this OBS arrangement is embellished with vocals, a lyric, and more creative instrumental sections, I've never seen any version as elaborate as this one and it (as always) brings down the house. He also looks just like Paul Williams, a plus if you like The Carpenters, The Muppets, "Smokey and the Bandit," or "Planet of the Apes." Overall it's an A. It's great music, Steve gives an honest show, you get plenty of comedy, and you get King Tut.