By Paul T. Mueller
The Mastersons – guitarist/singer Chris Masterson and multi-instrumentalist/singer Eleanor Whitmore – finished up their current tour March 12 with a matinee show at the Old Quarter Acoustic Café in Galveston, Texas.
The duo, longtime – and now former – members of Steve Earle’s band, The Dukes, got rhythmic support from Eleanor’s sister Bonnie on bass and drummer Falcon Valdez, playing 12 songs, including several from their most recent album, 2020’s No Time for Love Songs. The Mastersons’ sound might be described as folk with a rock ‘n’ roll heart – thoughtful lyrics and two- and three-part harmonies backed by Chris Masterson’s skillful guitar and Eleanor Whitmore’s excellent violin, guitar and synthesizer. Highlights included “Eyes Wide Open,” an anthem to taking life as it comes, and an encore cover of Townes Van Zandt’s “No Place to Fall,” in honor of Van Zandt’s March 7 birthday. Bonnie Whitmore, also an accomplished singer-songwriter, performed a couple of her own songs mid-set – “Fine” from her 2020 album Last Will and Testament and “Cardiac Disaster” from an upcoming EP. Opening the show was a set by the Whitmore Sisters – same players, different name – featuring six songs from their 2022 album Ghost Stories.