User-Friendly Couple Delete the Psychodrama

Clive Gregson and Christine Collister are widely known as members of Richard Thompson’s band. But there was another whiff of deja vu Saturday at McCabe’s: Watching songwriter Gregson pick guitar and mandolin, alternating Manchester-accented lead vocals with Collister’s superior alto, it was impossible not to think of . . . well, of the pre-divorce Richard and Linda Thompson.

Except for the lack of psychodrama. At the second of two sold-out shows, only “Not a Day Passes”--from the English duo’s debut studio album, “Mischief”--threatened the kind of tension Thompson specializes in (and specialized in more when his ex-wife shared his stage). This pair leans toward more user-friendly material, perhaps befitting their relationship; gregarious Gregson reeled off gentle jokes, the shy Collister giggled and looked embarrassed, and no one wanted to leave the room. Highlight: a brilliant, dynamic set-closing rendition of the Elvis hit “Trying to Get to You,” sung by the lady as if it was the last ballad she’d ever belt.

Always-reliable L.A scene stalwart Phranc opened het set with the topical “Everybody Wants to Be a Folk Singer,” an amusing way of saying “I Was Acoustic When Acoustic Wasn’t Cool.” She’s earned the right.