An enigmatic singer-songwriter, master guitarist, and a powerful, evocative singer, Richard Shindell keeps his listeners on their toes with his rapid shifts between the bitterly comic and the profoundly spiritual.

Now living in Argentina, the former New York seminary student began composing during the late 1980s, quickly earning a word-of-mouth cult following as a meticulous craftsman of vivid song portraits. After several solo albums, Richard teamed with Dar Williams and Lucy Kaplansky in the group Cry Cry Cry. The trio toured for two years and released a widely acclaimed self-titled CD.

Returning to his solo career, in 2000 Richard released Somewhere Near Paterson (Signature), an irresistibly powerful, dark collection that secured his place as a master among songwriters.

Richard's latest CD, South of Delia (Koch), features his unique take on songs by other famed artists, from Robbie Robertson's "Acadian Driftwood" to Woody Guthrie's "Deportee."

Meg Hutchison opens tonight's show.