And then they launched into a moving and beautiful version of The Band classic “The Weight”, with the crowd singing along passionately. It was a stirring end to a stirring show — and just about perfect so soon after Levon Helm’s death.

Weeks ago, when I first saw that Trigger Hippy would be starting a quick southern tour here in Savannah, I checked out the sound — and loved it. But were they serious about Joan Osborne? That Joan Osborne? Osborne’s second album, 1995’s Relish, was a smash hit largely because of the single “One of Us”, but it was solid beginning to end. I just about wore that thing out.

I haven’t followed Osborne’s career since then, but it was simply stunning to hear that voice and see that energy up close as part of this bluesy, soulful, funky, hard-charging rock and roll band.

Here’s a free download of Trigger Hippy’s “Cave Hill Cemetery”. It burns with sensuality, just like Trigger Hippy live. (Btw, there’s a Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky — a beautiful place not too far from the tony suburb of Anchorage, Kentucky where Osborne was raised.) “I’ll be in Cave Hill Cemetery before I stop loving you” — beautiful.

Trigger Hippy’s short current tour includes gigs in Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. If you get the chance, be sure to check them out.

Trigger Hippy’s other members are Steve Gorman, Audley Freed, Jackie Greene, and Nick Govrik — all of whom have great resumes of their own. And they aren’t overshadowed by Osborne, despite her intense stage presence — breezy and sexy and commanding all at once.

I took a ton of photos that I haven’t really edited yet, but I wanted to get some posted before Trigger Hippy gets too far into their tour.

As always, Live Wire’s low stage, intimate environment, and multi-colored lights present both challenges and opportunities to those of us with cameras . . .

And my apology to the drummer — in small clubs in Savannah it’s almost always impossible for me to get decent shots of you guys.

• Charlie Daniels and Little Big Town will be performing in Forsyth Park in a free show sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance in conjunction with the Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf tournament. Cross your fingers for good weather.
• Trigger Hippy with the longtime rocker Joan Osborne is playing a Live Wire Music Hall.
• Bottles & Cans is releasing their first album with a show and party at Blowin’ Smoke.
• The Flannery O’Connor Childhood Home is hosting a garden party.
• Painter and SCAD prof Morgan Santander has a great show opening at Little Beasts.
• Armstrong’s senior art majors have the reception for their big group show at Savannah Mall.
• Armstrong also has a performance of Much Ado About Nothing.
• Nicholas DeBruyne’s “Architecture and the Absurd” opens upstairs at Moon River.
• SCAD Style wraps up with several events.
• Molly Wright has a show at Skidaway Art Works.
• The Savannah Urban Arts Festival has three events: a block party hosted by SeeSAW, a performance at Muse Arts Warehouse, and a mixer at The Sparetime.

And I’m sure I’m missing a bunch of stuff. Please feel free to add other events tonight in the comments.

UPDATE: Sins of Godless Men and Free Candy are hosting a dual CD release party tonight at The Jinx.

Enjoy.

Here’s Trigger Hippy:

Trigger Hippy is an American Rock and Roll supergroup composed of Black Crowes drummer Steve Gorman, Ex Black Crowes guitarist Audley Freed, singer Joan Osborne, singer/songwriter Jackie Greene and bassist Nick Govrik.

Formerly of the group is Widespread Panic guitarist Jimmy Herring.
The group was initially formed as a casual collaboration between Freed, Govrik, and Gorman. The three had met together to jam on multiple occasions, constantly cycling a fourth musician. Trigger Hippy made its live debut on February 2, 2009, at the Cox Capitol Theatre in Macon, Georgia with Herring filling out the lineup. Due to Herringâ€s tour commitment to Widespread Panic, the group recruited Greene and Osborne.

The current lineup toured the American South in the summer of 2011, playing shows in Atlanta, Birmingham, Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga; performing both original and cover material.