Don’t let Sami Akbari’s small frame deceive. Big on sass, the vocalist/front woman/keyboardist/ guitarist, aka sami.the.great commanded the stage and charmed the audience at Mercury Lounge on Saturday night. Backed by her trusty band, the leading lady performed several new tracks, a couple which had never been played with a full band, from her self-titled album due out at the end of the month, among some “oldies but goodies.” Her loveable presence and witty banter between songs kept all eyes and ears on the stage, as she boogied along to her doo wop- meets-pop stylings and yearning lyrics. sami.thegreat’s first single, "Dresser Drawer," can be download for free on Bandcamp http://samithegreat.bandcamp.com/, and she will embark on a tour in early March, gracing the stages out west. www.samithegreat.com –Meijin Bruttomesso