Three for tonight ... decisions, decisions ...

Just when you thought I'd disappeared (heck, I was beginning to think I'd disappeared), it was hard to resist posting with so much happening this weekend. It is a great autumn of music around town ... as it gets cool and rainy, warm yourself with live music at some of Portland's outstanding music venues.

Tonight starts strong with the a trio of shows that are tough to choose between. First, there's the fabulous Chris Smither at the Alberta Rose. It's a busy year for Chris, one of my favorite folk/blues songwriter and performer. He's in town to celebrate the release of his new CD, Still On The Levee, a career retrospective with new recordings of many of his favorites ... plus special guests. And a very special tribute recording was released.

In celebration of Chris’s 70th birthday, Signature Sounds has released Link of Chain: A Songwriters Tribute to Chris Smither. The album features friends and peers like Loudon Wainwright III, Bonnie Raitt, and Dave Alvin performing gems plucked from Chris’s deep catalog. Music fans know that Chris has written a countless number of masterful songs during his 50-year career, but hearing this eclectic set of interpretations is a startling reminder of the depth of Smither’s catalog.

Depth indeed ... one of the best, and you can catch him tonight ... 8 pm, $23

At the Secret Society you get three mighty fine songwriters ...

It's a troubador trifecta as two national singer-songwriter tours converge at Secret Society, Thursday, October 9. North Carolina's Jonathan Byrd and his guitar-wizard sidekick Johnny Waken meet up with midwest greats Tim Grimm and Krista Detor for a night of sweet harmony and word wizardry.

Byrd has been called "one of the top 50 songwriters of the last 50 years” ... show up and judge for yourself ... 8:30 pm, $20

And, at the Aladdin, it's the Lone Bellow and it's leader Zach Williams. Williams is gaining recognition for a songwriter of depth and emotion, fronting an energetic band with a roots rock sound that blends folk, blues, and gospel ... and some sublime harmonies ... a great newer band to check out ... 8 pm, $20


Tough choices ... if you can only be at one ... what to do, what to do?

Hell, you can't go wrong with any of them, so pick one and go!

 ... and tomorrow at the Aladdin is Greg Brown ... no lack of top notch touring songwriters around town this weekend.