It's October with rain and music in the air

Who threw the rain switch? The outdoor shows are over . . . but lots of great indoor music coming up.

I'm a little busy and behind this week . . . but a quick look at the next couple of days brings these thoughts on shows . . . .

Tonight

The very fine chamber folk outfit, Loch Lomond, is doing two shows at Mississippi Studios tonight to celebrate the release of a new CD, Paper the Walls. . . . 7 and 10 PM, $8

James Low is back for happy hour at the Laurelthirst for Saturdays in October.

Sunday

If you're looking for Sunday brunch with side of some outstanding music . . . Rebecca Kilgore and David Frishberg will be at Pine Street Bistro (formerly Abou Karim) in downtown Portland. noon-3:00pm 221 SW Pine Street . . . New place and it looks like Rebecca and David will be regulars there.

Sunday night at the Crystal Ballroom will be the return to Portland of M. Ward. Great songwriter, singer and guitar player, Matt and his band toured all summer as the opener for Nora Jones - great exposure for a really creative artist. Definitely a show to check out. 9 PM, $15

If you're looking for something less cerebral, the rhythmic body shot of reggae legend Toots and the Maytals will be at Berbati's. Choices, choices. 9 PM, $24


Monday

Nick Lowe at Aladdin. 8 PM $25 . . . . a rocker, a balladeer, a producer (Elvis Costello, among others), a songwriter (What's So Funny About Peace Love and Understanding - one of my favorite songs in a huge catalog), bass player, . . . and even a former son-in-law to Johnny Cash, Lowe has been making great music for 35 years and still going strong. This is one of those infrequent chances to catch one of my favorite British exports.

But I am so conflicted because . . . .

Fred Eaglesmith will be at the Fez Ballroom . . . 7:30pm, $22/$20 advance @ brownpapertickets.com
I don't know how I missed this on the radar, but this is my pick of the week. Eaglesmith writes "songs that rattle around in your head like empty beer bottles in the back of a pickup," as one critic puts it. An amazing talent - not just as a songwriter, but as one of the most engaging performers anywhere. He is an iconoclastic Canadian - one part redneck farmer, the other a Buddhist intellectual (really!). Fred is a uniquely talented guy who you shouldn't miss. Attending his shows always results in turning what were perfectly sensible people into Fredheads (and not the Fred Thompson ilk who have hijacked the moniker). This is billed as an "intimate evening" with Fred, so he may be doing this solo. Here's a good capsule review of Fred and his last CD, Milly's Cafe. One of the funniest and most socially/politically astute performers I've ever seen - but you really have to experience a Fred show to understand. Hope to see you there!

All I have time for at the moment . . . . more next week . . . . lot's coming . . . .