Anais Mitchell

It's safe to assume most folks attending the singer-songwriter showcase Monday at St. Paul's O'Shaughnessey Auditorium were primarily there to hear a pair of Grammy winners, "Praire Home" favorite Sara Watkins and Patty Griffin, whose catalog has been scavenged by the Dixie Chicks and Emmylou Harris.

But it was the "third wheel" that nearly stole the show.

Anais Mitchell may have five albums to her credit, but she's relatively unknown compared to the artists she shared the stage with Monday as part of a League of Women Voters campaign to encourage political participation.

She should be a folk favorite RIGHT NOW, at least in the Twin Cities.

The concert format had the three women on stage simultaneously during the entire 90-minute show with each one taking turns on lead. That comes out to just six opportunties for each to be in the spotlight, but Mitchell took full advantage of the limited exposure with a collection of songs delivered with the guise of sweet innocence and lyrics that packed a wallop.

While Watkins and Griffn played the role of experienced, been-there-done-that vets, Mitchell went into each of her numbers as if it was she was auditioning for "American Idol," jerking and wincing with every cutting line and occasionally wrapping her left foot behind her right ankle, as if she was being possessed by the some of folk angel. Her songs, most notably "Tailor" and "Your Fonder Heart," are steeped in tradition with a contemporary bent, not unlike those from Ani DiFranco who -- no surprise -- has been a supporter since 2007.

If Griffin and Watkins were concerned about "the kid" stealing their thunder, they didn't show it. The evening was all about supporting each other. While each singer stepped up to take lead, the other two provided backup lyrics and percussion with Griffin even taking her seat behind a small drum kit tucked in back during one of Mitchell's numbers. Watkins went out of her way to showcase guitarist David Pulkingham, who accompanied the headliners on most numbers, during the Jimmie Rodgers' footstomper, "Any Old Time." Griffin and Mitchell do-si-doed (fairly badly) during one of Watkins' instrumental clinics.

The trio mentioned that they were working without a set list, but the selection didn't stray too far from performances over the past couple months of touring. The most notable exception was the closing encore, the premiere of their "Rainbow Connection" with guest saxophonist Michael Lewis, best known as a member of the Minneapolis jazz trio, Happy Apple, and harmonies that conjured up the spirit of the Andrews Sisters.

Mitchell said the cover of "The Muppet Movie" classic was a gift from the gals in honor of her birthday, which she celebrated this past Saturday.

Can't wait to see what she gets next year.

Setlist

1) Love Throw a Line (Griffin)

2) Instrumental (Watkins)

3) Dyin' Day (Mitchell)

4) Standing (Griffin)

5) Lock and Key (Watkins)

6) Tailor (Mitchell)

7) Long Ride Home (Griffin)

8) You and Me (Watkins)

9) Young Man in America (Mitchell)

10) There Isn't One Way (Griffin)

11) New song from Watkins, only second time in performance

12) Your Fonder Heart (Mitchell)

13) Coming Home To Me (Griffin)

14) Any Old Time (Watkins)

15) Why We Build a Wall (Mitchell)

16) Mary (Griffin)

ENCORE

17) Long Hot Summer Day (Watkins)

18) The Rainbow Connection (ensemble, with guest Michael Lewis)