A few years ago, when top-notch fiddler and all-around girl-about-town Odessa Jorgensen left the local group John Courage and, subsequently, the state of California, I'd prepared myself to never hear her pull a bow again. But soon after moving to Nashville, Jorgensen wandered into North Carolina and joined a hell of a group called the Biscuit Burners, who make possible Jorgensen's return to Sonoma County in a home-turf appearance this Sunday in Cotati.

Covering the gamut of bluegrass styles, the Biscuit Burners are as ferocious on shit-kickin', banjo-driven instrumentals like "Rockville" as they are tender on sweet laments like "Take Me Home." Jorgensen's vocals blend wonderfully with bassist Mary Lucey on duets reminiscent of Emmylou Harris and Gillian Welch's from O Brother, Where Art Thou?, and a left-field highlight of the band's current set is a long, Middle Eastern-flavored drone with Billy Cardine's resophonic guitar mimicking a sitar perfectly. Having been spotlighted on NPR, featured onstage at the Ryman Auditorium and booked at the world-famous Bonnaroo festival, the Biscuit Burners have accolades behind them and a bright future ahead--and a touring bus, filled with dogs, to take them there.

The Biscuit Burners perform this Sunday, Aug. 12, at a private house concert in Cotati. 7pm. $15. For directions and more info, call 707.795.6057.

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