MUSIC

Anderson Fair presents Albert and Gage.

Christine Albert and her husband and musical partner, Chris Gage, are a perfect example of why Austin, Texas, has such a thriving music community, not just a “scene.” In addition to various musical collaborations, they’ve lent their talents to countless benefits (for organizations like Meals On Wheels, United Way, and the Austin Children’s Museum, and often to help fellow musicians out of a bind), and Christine’s speaking engagements have included everything from the Family Violence Task Force to the Rotary Club.

Christine Albert and Chris Gage have a personal and musical chemistry that can’t be denied or ignored. Their energy on stage is infectious. Together they travel through their musical roots moving from country, rock, swing and folk to blues and French chansons. Their rare blend of voices creates a unique sound, whether they are performing originals, songs written by close friends or well chosen covers. Chris Gage is a master of the guitar, piano and accordion, effortlessly switching instruments throughout their set to follow the mood of the music.

On any given evening, a concert by Albert and Gage might take you from the dusty backwoods of Texas to a bistro along the Seine, from a Louisiana jive joint to a high plains gospel sing. The pair moves easily and without a break from their own original music to Ray Charles, Gram Parsons, Edith Piaf, George Jones, Dan Hicks, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Daniel Lanois, and back again. "It is spontaneous, "Gage said. "I can start a certain song on the piano and she'll know the next two or three songs, or I can see where she's putting the capo on her guitar and I'll know what song she's thinking about."