Millsap stays consistent, and that's a good thing

Parker Millsap's been at it for more than a decade and six albums. He's had a presence on the Americana scene, played the prestigious Newport Folk Festival (though he rocked out more that day) and received a few nominations for Americana Music Awards.

The hour-long show demonstrated why. Throughout his career, Millsap has been a steady performer of Americana with some folk, country and blues in the mix, and tonight, is solo acoustic outing was more of the same. That was a good thing.

He has a slightly scuffed-up voice and an intensity about him. One got the distinct sense that Millsap really feels the emotion of his songs – closing his eyes pretty much on every song and getting to the heart of them, while strumming his acoustic guitar.

And he has the vocal delivery as well where he can bring it on even more.

Perhaps no song better epitomized that than "Heaven Sent," a song about growing up a gay person facing rejection from his preacher father, while seeking his love and acceptance. Millsap related that some of his friends encountered difficulties for not fitting in sexually while growing up in Oklahoma. As sung by Millsap, this remains one heart wrenching, relatable song. "Heaven Sent" rings true every single time that Millsap has inhabited it in concert (at least in these parts).

Millsap has always been a consistent performer with the songs to back him up. He offered a few new unrecorded songs, including "Before the Curtain Closes" and the folkie "The Day Feels New," which stood up well to his catalogue.

There may have been only 75 or so people in the crowd, but make no mistake about Millsap. He may never be a star or receive the full acclaim he deserves, which has nothing to do with abilities. Yet again, Millsap delivered.

Michigan blues artist Nat Guy acquitted himself well during his opening stint. Millsap brought Guy back for a joint encore of Mississippi John Hurt's "Make Me as Pallet on Your Pallet Floor." With Guy showing his blues guitar skills, Millsap blew harp while also showing an affinity for the genre. A nice way to close out the evening.