A few recommendations . . .

Politics, World Series, music . . . wow . . . a lot of choices about where to place our attention this week! Mine is divided among all three . . . but just so you know a few of your music choices, here's a few (besides Randy Newman tonight) worth noting:

Thursday
If you're in the mood for some solid rootsy country music - Texas style - Hayes Carll will be at the Doug Fir. Carll has been getting good press and steadily building an audience around the country. Check out this column from Peter Carlin of the Oregonian. Canadian singer/songwriter Corb Lund opens. 9 PM, $12

Nick Jaina, Chris Robley and These United States are at Holocene. Couple of our finest locals joined by a band that's getting some buzz . . . sounds like a show worth checking out.

Friday
Jaina and Robley figure in another recommended show at the Doug Fir - a benefit show for (or musical tribute to) Lone Fir Cemetery. We don't often here odes to cemeteries, but we will tonight (it must be getting near Halloween) with an allstar cast of Portland musical characters that includes Jim Brunberg, Matt Sheehey, Adam Shearer, Amelia, Storm Large & the Balls, Pete Krebs, Richie Young and Courtney Hameister (host of LiveWire Radio). This project began with putting together a CD called (D)early Departed: True Lies in Song Unearthed from Lone Fir Cemetery. It's described as 15 origninal songs from local musicians inspired by the untimely departures of "residents" of Lone Fir Cemetery. I think this show will be a lot of fun. 9 PM, $15

The sublime duo of vocalist Rebecca Kilgore and pianist Dave Frishberg will be at Jimmy Maks. This is a CD release show for them and I understand that OPB's Oregon Art Beat will be there to record the event for a future show. 8 PM, $10

And Ms Michael Jodell and the Dim Sums (Matt Brown & Alan Hunter) will be at the Press Club on SE Clinton. If you've never checked out a show here, you should - it's a cool and casual little neighborhood bar/restaurant with excellent music on the weekends. 8:30 PM, Free

All for now . . . maybe more about Saturday and beyond tomorrow (or not . . . we'll see) . . .