Pickwick at the Neptune Theater ::: Photo by Josh Lovseth

For last night’s very sold out Little Big Show benefiting ArtsCorps, Pickwick was no doubt the main attraction. But in the bigger picture this week has been about the release of Damien Jurado’s 10th LP titled Maraqopa. All this week the Seattle Times Andrew Matson has been premiering four bands who committed a Jurado cover to tape in honor of the occasion and his past efforts, a song a day. And of the four chosen, Pickwick of course went after the deepest cut. With the Mayor in the crowd and the “Godfather” himself watching from sidestage, for the encore’s first two minutes Pickwick ominously covered “I am the Greatest of all Liars” live for the first time, and then let loose on “The Ostrich.” Now that’s what I call an encore.

Take a moment yourself to download all the covers from Matson’s Blog, that also includes covers by Jeremy Enigk, Dolorean’s Al James, and the Head & The Heart’s Jon Russell.

For tonight’s nearly sold out record release show also at the Neptune Theater, Jurado will be premiering his new band, and in the spirit of Maraqopa, we’re likely to hear a similarly more developed take on songs old and new. Probably more new though as Jurado has now shed the shackles of the singer-songwriter and strives for something much, much more ambitious. Whatever he’s doing he continues to sound utterly original while doing it. Be smart and show up early tonight to snag one of the remaining tickets and catch openers Bryan John Appleby and Gold Leaves.