UNPLUGGED PURISM

With slick, videogenic acts dominating today’s pop charts, the local rock scene’s pendulum-like reaction has been a return to unplugged purism. Saturday night at the Lhasa, an all-acoustic show starring ex-Plimsoul Peter Case and Dream Syndicate headman Steve Wynn--and stolen by Victoria Williams--made for three transfixing hours of eclectic entertainment.

Working on the gentler side of Lou Reed, Wynn displayed the barbed humor, melodic flair and dramatic sense that mark him as a singer-songwriter to be reckoned with.

On the eve of their announced wedding at Johnny Otis’ church, Case and Williams performed separately and in tandem. Case started slowly, but soon the combination of his Lennonesque vocals and his potent new material caught cold-steel fire. Plus, on piano, Case contributed a Fats Domino-does-Bob Dylan’s “I’ll Keep It With Mine” that sounded as good as it does improbable.