Back with us for the first time since performing two great opening sets for Iris Dement in September, Bay Area artist Caren Armstrong returns to the Freight backed by local groove whiz Joshua Zucker on bass and vocals. Armed with a slew of guitars (including her latest fascination: slide guitar), Caren presents a passionate, multi-dimensional show full of buoyant music played straight from the heart.

Whether performed live or on CDs like her recent Everything, Caren's work is clearly defined by the adage, "Arm yourself with impeccable technique and throw yourself on the mercy of inspiration." Her songs transcend the self-revelatory and speak universally to the human condition in all its humor and outrage, and her playing style references folk, country, blues, jazz, traditional and popular music, yet is distinctly her own.