Before the Keller Williams show at the Varsity Theatre last Thursday, I had the opportunity to snag a quick phone interview. We discussed his playing style, his recent album Pick, and his new R&B project- More Than A Little.

His show was everything I expected.  The stage set up consisted of a bass guitar, an acoustic guitar, a drum pad, a whole slew of loop pedals and a nice big carpet (Keller plays barefoot). The bottom floor of the Varsity filled up with buzzing fans, all excited to see the one-man-jam-band at work. Keller played two sets that night with no opener, so right at 9:30, we heard the classic strumming sound of Keller’s guitar. He walked out to center stage, jamming away to “Best Feeling.” His classic guitar training mixed with the loop pedals makes for a unique sound, and an even more interesting show. Keller bobs around to each instrument, records a track and loops it. He’s also an excellent whistler and mouth-trumpeter.

Covering “Fire on a Mountain” and “Scarlet Begonias” in his classic Keller manner during the set had the crowd dancing and singing along (to the best of their ability). The crowd definitely resemebled a festival crowd– everyone from new-wave hippies to Greeks got down to Keller’s folk-rock/dance beats. Whether he was singing “I love Louisiana” or playing air guitar, there was nothing that the crowd didn’t love.  His widespread musical talent, great story-telling, and happy-go-lucky attitude make seeing a Keller show an absolute must.