Singer/songwriters Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch have kept a low profile in the United States, but judging by 11/12/13, these "Western beat" performers created quite a stir on their 1999 trip to Australia.

This album chronicles a three-night stand (Nov. 11–13) at the Continental in Melbourne, where the duo were clearly appreciated. Kane and Welch "sit down and start swapping songs," as the liner notes tell us, beginning with Welch's modern-day classic "Something 'Bout You" (RealAudio excerpt). It's the simple tale of a rugged loner succumbing to romance: "But I whiskeyed up my coffee cup/ Settin' here tryin' not to call you up," Welch sings. Kane counters with "Eight More Miles" (RealAudio excerpt), a beautifully observed and picked tale of coming home, Southern style.

And so it goes for 14 songs, including Kane's unexpected, moving ode to an Arkansas "Table Top Dancer" (RealAudio excerpt) that features the two performers lending each other subtle support on guitar and vocals. The pair also pulls from two notable songwriters, John Hiatt ("Train to Birmingham") and Hank Williams ("Ramblin' Man").