“Humans are storytellers … some just damn liars,” says singer-songwriter and Western North Carolina native Malcolm Holcombe in his bio. “The truth lives beyond songs and poetry, fables, folklore weighed down by human embellishments, hearsay and emotions.” Those musings on his new album, Pitiful Blues, are heavy, but so is the 10-track song collection. Still, even with song names like “Savannah Blues” and “Another Despair,” the album is not without its moments of levity. Holcombe’s trademark growl is deftly matched by lithe melodies, gentle rhythms and shimmering strings tones that are more otherworldly than melancholy. Holcombe is a master of his craft, tirelessly traveling the world with his guitar. He plays a rare local show at The Grey Eagle on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 8 p.m. Jared Tyler also performs. $12/$15. thegreyeagle.com. Photo by Ray Kennedy
Smart bets: Malcolm Holcombe
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