More than a dozen guitars circled the four chairs as Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller took the stage of a sold-out Pabst Theater on the coldest night of 2008. Sure, it was a Saturday evening, but temperatures had to look up to see the zero mark. And that was before the wind chill index figured in.

The Three Girls and Their Buddy show worked as a song pull where everyone takes a turn. But the unspoken rule in these setting is you better bring your A-List. All four participants have been around the block and this was going to be no open-mic night.

Opening with "Orphan Girl" Harris was backed by Miller on baritone guitar and the sound of that deep, rich twang would fortify more than half of the evening's tunes. With the three women offering background vocals and occasional percussion, Miller would serve as the one-stop utility infielder supporting his compadres on guitar, mandolin and baritone. (Aside from his work as producer, solo albums and collaborations with his wife Julie, he plays in Harris' band, and played with Colvin in the Dixie Diesels during the '70s.)

Each time Patty Griffin's turn came round it became obvious a vocal section of the audience was there to see her. And she did not disappoint, opening with "Useless Desires," a song as devastating as a left hook. That raised the bar for Colvin who offered an austere "Wichita Skyline" complete with a Miller solo recalling Glen Campbell's "Galveston."

This left the finale of round one to Miller who said "I'll probably get the lyrics wrong" and appropriately delivered a medley of "What Made Milwaukee Famous/Milwaukee Here I Come."

And for two hours The Pabst became one big living room, with stories introducing songs and a low-tech light & toy monkey show offering distraction during tuning breaks. If Harris was the marquee name (a 40-year career -- solo and collaborations with Gram Parsons, Neil Young and Bob Dylan will grant you a measure of status) she certainly has good taste in travel companions.

From Colvin and Griffin sharing a chair to read lyrics to add background vocals to Miller turning over his acoustic guitar to drum a rhythm on "Didn't Leave Nobody But the Baby," the evening was a relaxed team effort.

What translated to the audience was a level of musical respect and just how comfortable these artists are around each other. And in what hopefully becomes a trend, The Pabst offered live music by Milwaukee's Longacre in the lounge after the concert.