Lookin' ahead on 9-20

So peering into my crystal ball (with a vital assist from the Willamette Week), the following shows caught my attention . . .

Tonight (Thursday)
New Orleans guitar player, singer and songwriter Anders Osborne will be at the Doug Fir Lounge - 9 PM / $16 . . . Anders was last here in July at the Waterfront Blues Festival as part of the Tab Benoit led Voices of the Wetlands, who did one of the highlight sets of the festival. Anders has a new CD being released nest week.

The first of two nights at the Crystal Ballroom with Built to Spill and Camper van Beethoven . . . 9 PM / $20 . . . should be a rockin' couple of nights at the Crystal.

. . . and every Thursday night at a relatively new local spot in Sellwood, The Muddy Rudder (at SE 7th and Tacoma), the fine rootsy sounds of Lauren Sheehan - 8-10 PM, no cover . . . . Lauren is another of Portland's musical treasures and an excellent interpreter of traditional American music. All at a very comfortable neighborhood place (with an excellent beer selection, I might add) . . . The MR also has music on Fridays and Saturdays (various acts) and the excellent slide/national steel playing of Bob Shoemaker every Wednesday.

Friday
One of the all-time jazz greats, Sonny Rollins at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall. This will be the first show after Tuesday's 50th Anniversary performance at Carnegie Hall in NY. At 77, this "saxophone colossus" is still performing, still winning awards, still producing vital, outstanding work . . . This is the music event of the weekend. 8 PM / $45 - 76.50 and available at the PCPA box office.

Katty Mattea at Aladdin Theater - 8 PM / $ 33

Commander Cody at the Cascade Bar & Grill in Vancouver

Pete Krebs Gypsy Jazz Trio at the Press Club (SE Clinton & 26th), a cool little eatery on Clinton with a nice music vibe. And music is always free and starts around 9 PM.

Saturday
East coast folkie Cheryl Wheeler at the Aladdin . . . Cheryl has a reputation of being one of the most entertaining live performers out there - a funny storyteller and excellent songwriter . . . one of those must-see troubadours . . . she's garnered great press and rabid audiences over the years . . . another fine choice for a show this weekend. 8 PM / $22

On the local scene and a considerably less expensive ticket (though no less entertaining!) . . .
The James Low Band continues happy hours at the Laurelthirst 6 PM / no cover
Kaitlyn ni Donovan and Rachael Taylor Brown at the Press Club 9 PM

Sunday
Joe Bonamassa at the Aladdin for all you blues hounds . . . a young gun in the house! 8 PM / $22

Monday
Oakley Hall at Doug Fir . . . cosmic Americana from the critically acclaimed band from Brooklyn (NY) . . . . 9 PM / $10


Radar alert . . . .
They Might Be Giants on Thursday at the Roseland
Tony Furtado Friday at the Doug Fir

all for now . . . . see ya at a show!

and remember to tune into Mississippi West from 3-6 pm Saturday on 89.1 KMHD . . .