Jessy Carolina's songbook might be old, but it certainly ain't lame. The Brooklyn-based singer-percussionist (does washboard count?) and her band, the Hot Mess, parties like it's 1929. After all, somebody's got to carry that torch, and Carolina's got the smokin' hot pipes to back it up. For this show, the troupe lines up as a svelte quartet, with the horn section of Satoru (sousaphone, trumpet, trombone, coronet) and Mario (sax, clarinet) taking turns playing bass lines. Jerron, a fine vocalist himself, holds down the rhythm part on banjo and piano if there's one in the house. It's all good fun and a legit (not campy) attempt to rekindle some great tunes.

Jessy Carolina and the Hot Mess perform Friday, September 14, at 10 p.m. at Abilene Bar & Lounge, 153 Liberty Pole Way. $8-$10. 232-3230, abilenebarandlounge.com.