Brett Dennen’s latest album, Smoke and Mirrors, spotlights two distinct sides to Dennen’s music. Mainly acoustic, fairly stripped-back songs like “Only Want You,” “Sweet Persuasion” and “Don’t Mess With Karma” capture the more intimate and honest personality of Dennen’s early albums, while “Wild Child,” “Not Too Late” and “When We Were Young” are more up-tempo, breezy and fun.
In either setting, the songs are highly melodic, sound unforced and show Dennen in good form as a songwriter. Dennen’s current tour is an intimate, multi-media affair dubbed “Watercolors: A Special Acoustic Evening.” Showcasing his other great passion — painting — Dennen created 13 watercolor works specially crafted for each city on the tour. Limited signed copies will be available at the show.
Brett Dennen plays 20th Century Theater 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. $50 package. Proceeds benefit the non-profit Fernside, which helps families deal with death-related grief. 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, the20thcenturytheatre.com.
