On January 15, Assembly of Dust, Strangefolk and God Street Wine teamed up at the Capitol Theatre for a show billed as Assembly of Strange Wine. While Reid Genauer is a member of two bands (Assembly of Dust and Strangefolk) keyboard player Jason Crosby was the busiest person of the evening, as he performed with all three groups over the course of the five hours.

Assembly of Dust took the stage first and set the tone, with Reid Genauer contributing his familiar warm vocals to a playful “Bootlegger’s Advice.” This version of AOD featured Scott Metzger on guitar as Adam Terrell was unable to make the gig (Metzger also appeared with the group the next night in Boston). Metzger made his presence known a few songs into the set during an extended version of “Revelry.” A bit later Genauer’s three Strangefolk bandmates: Jon Trafton, Erik Glockler and Luke Smith joined in for “Whistle Clock” to underscore the spirit of the evening. This mind-set extended to the version of “Filter” two songs later with God Street Wine joining in before Genauer remained onstage himself for a solo version of “Head on Straight” to close the set.

Strangefolk came next as a five-piece with Crosby on keys, kicking things off with “Fishin’.” The band really moved into gear a few songs later during “In Deep” where Jason Crosby taking an extended solo (this is a tune from Genauer’s era away from the group and it was cool to see it introduced here). Scott Metzger, who performs the music of the Grateful Dead these days in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead” returned for another highlight, a version of “Going Down The Road Feeling Bad.” Then God Street Wine emerged to help out on “Sometimes” and “Westerly.” The former tune was particularly notable as GSW’s Aaron Maxwell sang lead on the Strangefolk classic. The set ended with members of AOD coming back out for an extended, celebratory “Songbeard.”

God Street Wine then closed things out, offering homage to the late David Bowie with “Life on Mars?” which segued into their own “Molly.” Another powerful sequence took place a bit later during the run from “Bring Back the News” into “Goodnight Gretchen” into “Goodbye Oklahoma.” The interplay between guitarist Lo Faber and Maxwell made this a standout sequence, for sure. Another highlight came during “Borderline” when Genauer returned the favor from the Strangefolk set as he sang lead. Things also close out in fine style with another powerful collection of tunes: “Cheap Utah Blues,” “Ballroom” and “6:15.” The encore featured “Oh Wonderful One” then brought things full circle in full-on Bowie mode with “Golden Years.”

All in all this was a sparkling evening of sweet sounds and sizable smiles and one hopes that Assembly of Strange Wine will yet return in 2016.