Anonymity Can't Obscure Mickey Newbury's Talent

Mickey Newbury is always neglected in the eloquent circle ofTexas-born singer/songwriters. Newbury wrote such hits as "JustDropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Is In)" for KennyRogers and the First Edition, and "An American Trilogy" for ElvisPresley. He also is a dramatic vocalist whose tenor can launch intoa Roy Orbison orbit.

Newbury is not surprised by his anonymity. At 55, he choosesnot to tour much, preferring to remain in his mountaintop home inOregon. But Newbury is on the road for a few dates to promote"Nights When I Am Sane," a live 14-song CD he made for Winter HarvestRecords, the Nashville-based label.

About 75 fans turned out Sunday at FitzGerald's in Berwyn to seeNewbury's first Chicago area appearance in more than 20 years.Newbury asked about the Quiet Knight nightclub, recalling one-armedpiano player Eddie Balchowsky, an inspiration to many a songwriter.He inquired about Mister Kelly's nightclub and reminisced aboutPlayboy Mansion parties with songwriter Shel Silverstein. They allare gone now.Looking wistful for a moment, Newbury swallowed a cough drop andbegan to sing. Accompanied by South Carolina-based gut-stringguitarist Jack Williams, Newbury sang with splendor and reneweddesire. Taking a pass on "Just Dropped In," Newbury did include hisclassic "San Francisco Mabel Joy," the epic story of a Georgiafarmboy and a Bay Area hooker, redone for the fifth time on "NightsWhen I Am Sane," and his tender ballad "Genevieve."The real glory came in Newbury's new material, which revealedthat he hasn't lost a step as a songwriter. His gritty new ballad"Shades of 43" provided the most memorable line of the evening - "IfI get drunk, or if I pray/Either way I'll be on my knees" - while thewaltzlike "Three Bells for Stephen (Safe Harbor)" was inspired by thedestitute life of songwriter Stephen Foster, who died after he fellon a whiskey bottle in a St. Louis mission.Waylon Jennings paid tribute to Newbury by singing the praisesof "Hank Williams pain songs and Newbury train songs" in his own hit"Luckenbach, Texas." On Sunday, Newbury rolled in from out of therain, singing and yodeling like a train whistle. By distancinghimself from Nashville for years, Newbury has kept his songs full ofdistinction and integrity.Besides accompanying Newbury, Williams opened the show byplaying tunes from his own "Dreams of the Song Dog" (on WinterHarvest). Williams set the troubadour's tone for the evening,remarking how he writes more about the road, where he has worked for38 years, than love. That's saying something. Williams, 52, is onhis fourth marriage.