Janis Ian stole her headliner’s musical thunder. Despite Patty Larkin’s considerable prowess as a singer-songwriter, she failed to match Ian’s charismatic energy Friday night at the Maine Center for the Arts in Orono.

Adding to Larkin’s lusterless performance style was a sound system that distorted the bass and drowned out her expressive and versatile voice. The duo has spent much of the past year touring together – the MCA show was number 99 out of 100 – so the two should have had the gig down pat.

While the women, both 51, are contemporaries, Ian has been performing since she was 15 and topped the charts with “Society’s Child.” Those years of experience showed before the small but appreciative crowd that included “old folkies” over 50 and college-aged folk music fans.

Ian joked about her status as “the Queen of Angst” and told funny stories about herself including appearing on “The Howard Stern Show” twice and getting career advice from Chet Atkins when she turned 50. Ian played not only her hits, but also the driving rock guitar instrumentals that have earned her the backhanded compliment, “You play like a guy.”

She brought the audience to its feet, before heading out to the lobby to sign CDs and greet fans during intermission. Larkin never captured the crowd as Ian did. She seemed unnerved by the questions from fans in the front row about her 15-month-old child and the sound problems.

Larkin performed several songs from her highly praised 2000 album “Regrooving the Dream.” She was never able to overcome the problems with her troubled sound system, which was different from Ian’s. The rich depth of her voice, showcased so originally on her albums, was lost in static and her complex lyrics often swallowed by a faulty speaker.

Despite Larkin’s technical problems, it would have served the audience better had the two performers switched places. Larkin’s more laid-back style and less forceful personality would have proved a better first set and lead-in to Ian’s energetic charisma.

It also was disappointing that the duo did not perform one number together or any of each other’s signature songs. Larkin’s interpretation of “At Seventeen” and Ian’s of “Good Thing” would have added a dimension to a show that on the whole lacked depth, despite Ian’s excellent performance.

For more information on both artists, visit their Web sites at www.pattylarkin.com and www.janisian.com.