BLACK MOUNTAIN — Rhoda Weaver and the Soul Mates proved to be a smash with Weaver’s lush vocal performance of the Etta James’ classic “At Last” during a Dec. 5 concert at White Horse music hall.

Other highlights from the two-set concert spanning 2.5 hours were Weaver’s vocal pyrotechnics on Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools” and her masterful adjustment to a completely different vocal style (1977-era rock) on Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.”

With the Christmas shopping season and yule activities in full tilt on a chilly night, the crowd totaling maybe 50 people was sparse, but it made up for the size with effusive enthusiasm for the performers.

When the show ended with a rousing rendition of Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart,” the crowd — en masse — took to its feet, cheering and applauding, at length. That prompted the band to perform one encore, The Temptations’ “Shakey Ground.”

Weaver opened the concert by announcing that “we’re going to bring you people a little bit of everything tonight.” The band’s flyers announced that it played Motown, soul, “R&B” and more.

The group featured Weaver as lead vocalist, except for a few songs on which Famous Amos Jackson, the keyboardist,  sang lead. The four-piece backup group also included a guitarist, bassist and percussionist.

Hold On, I’m Comin’,” followed by Eddie Floyd’s “Knock on Wood” and Tracy Chapman’s “Give Me One Reason.”

Without a doubt, “Chain of Fools” was the first set’s highlight,” but Weaver also sang a soulful, deliberate and hauntingly beautiful version of John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Bill Withers’ “Lean on Me” in which she had the audience clapping along — and joining her to sing the last verse.

Weaver was masterful with her powerhouse vocals, but the band, at times, had a bit of a muddy sound, for whatever reason.

Jackson’s vocals on such songs as “A Change Is Gonna Come” and “Ain’t That Peculiar,” were passable, but not in the same ballpark as Weaver’s and, therefore, seemed incongruous.

In the second set, “At Last” proved to be Weaver’s shining moment of the night and is, arguably, her signature song at this point in the Asheville native’s career. 

Also memorable was her version of “Hallelujah,” with the accompaniment of just one bandmate on acoustic guitar.