Singer Eilen Jewell chats and charms at Tin Angel

On the whole, the fine art of stage banter is downright scarce in today's popular music - a shame. Eilen Jewell, the Boston-based singer-songwriter and tune-interpreter working freely across the wide realms of folk, country, blues, and rock and roll, is one performer who doesn't pass up such opportunity.

Throughout Friday's set with her seasoned three-piece band at the Tin Angel, she took the time to connect with the crowd and set up songs - worthy endeavors that also helped establish the Idaho native's unique, low-key charm, bringing even her own talkativeness into her musing.

After she announced her second top-notch Loretta Lynn cover of the evening, "Who Says God Is Dead!" (Jewell also sang Lynn's "The Darkest Day"), it was welcome news to learn that she and the band had just recorded it for their Lynn-tribute side project, Butcher Holler, an album due soon.

On the other hand, it took time away from song execution, with Jewell squeezing in 14 tunes in about 70 minutes. That half were covers was not a problem. But hearing so few of her choice originals left one wanting more. To be fair, Jewell acknowledged early on that, because of time limits, her show would be condensed. And given her affecting, expressive vocalizing backed by the cooking capabilities of drummer Jason Beek, Johnny Sciascia on upright bass, and, particularly, the all-purpose prowess of veteran electric guitarist Jerry Miller, it is hard to say how much would ever be enough. (The group returns May 14 for the "Camp Jam in the Pines" in Monroeville, N.J.)

Jewell's sultry reading of Billie Holiday's "Fine and Mellow" seemed to suspend time, her languid phrasing all her own, never falling into the soundalike tendencies of some Lady Day-covering vocalists. Other highlights included the request-honoring country classic "Satisfied Mind" and her nimble, maracas-shaking take on the 1960 rocker "Shakin' All Over" by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.