2008/11/11  The Loft; Dallas, TX Edwards' encore performance dazzles audience at Palladium Intimacy becomes Kathleen Edwards. Less than a year after her cozy, magical gig at Dallas' Bend Studio with her husband Colin Cripps, the Canadian singer/songwriter returned Tuesday night to North Texas and Dallas' equally snug Loft at the Palladium Ballroom with fellow troubadour John Doe for an evening of spare brilliance. Indeed, it was a thrilling instance of lightning striking twice: Edwards' second area appearance was no less dazzling than her first. Eschewing opening acts, the pair dived right in, trading raw harmonies and spirited acoustic guitar licks, pulling songs from each other's back catalogs. The entire evening was informed by a casual, cheerful energy, generated by from the duo's easy chemistry (they met four years ago at a Gram Parsons tribute; Tuesday, they performed the Parsons tune - We'll Sweep Out the Ashes in the Morning - that brought them together) and punctuated by breezily profane banter. The backdrop - a stunning view of downtown Dallas, the sky strewn with low, slate-gray clouds - played a role in the relaxed atmosphere as well. The low-key living-room vibe was further enhanced by audience members moving easily from the outdoor patio as the night air grew more chilly into the dimly lit performance space. Billed as the "Hurtin' and Flurtin' Tour," the only real emotional turbulence was evident in the tunes being performed (Edwards, in particular, wrung raw pathos from Asking for Flowers, the title track to her latest album). Otherwise, most of the 90-minute set had the sparse but enthusiastic audience cheering, swaying and swooning along. Preston Jones Star-Telegram				Album reviews Feature articles Interviews Show reviews