Elizabeth Cook
The Royal Theater, Danville, Ind.
Saturday, Nov. 17
www.royaltheaterdanville.com

Elizabeth Cook, out of Nashville, Tenn., applies a rock ’n’ roll sensibility to traditional country material, while sounding nothing like the scores of faceless “alt-country” bands dotting the current musical landscape. What she sounds like, instead, is a true and natural Queen of the Honky Tonks. Her big, twang-heavy vocals (squarely in the tradition of heroes Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton) are her biggest asset — though smart original material and a sly sense of humor don’t hurt any.

Her latest (and best) album, “Balls” (31 Tigers Records), has been raising a lot of eyebrows. The title track was just nominated for Song of the Year at the Americana Music Awards. The album’s centerpiece, however, is a jaw dropping, soulful reading of the Velvet Underground’s “Sunday Morning,” that actually trumps the original.

See a rising star in an intimate setting this Saturday, when Cook plays the Royal Theater in Danville. Hoosier-philes, take note: Cook’s lead guitarist is Tim Carroll, of late Indiana punk outfit The Gizmos; and Indy’s own Otis Gibbs, himself a recent transplant to the Music City, will be back in town to open this show.