Music picks for Oct 19 . . .

Gotta be brief, but here's what I'd recommend for the upcoming weekend . . .

Friday
Iris Dement at the Aladdin (8 pm, $25) . . . Iris hasn't released a recording of new material in almost 10 years. Word is that she's writing again and it's pretty strong stuff . . . and that's really good news. She's a direct, honest and captivating performer.

Norfolk and Western and John Weinland are at the Mission Theater (9 pm, $10) Two very fine local bands worth checking out.

Saturday
Paula Sinclair at Vino Vixens Wine Bar (8 pm, $5). Paula celebrates the release of her CD, The Good Horse. This recording is a collection of poems by five Oregon poets (with a heavy dose of the great William Stafford) which Paula has turned into songs. I know this has been a labor of love for Paula, and I really like the way it turned out - words, music and voice are all quite compelling. There's an excellent review in today's Oregonian A&E. This is definitely a show to check out. BTW, Vino Vixens is at 2929 SE Powell Blvd.

Matt the Electrician is up from Austin and playing at the Alberta Street Pub (9:30 pm, ) . . . another one of those very fine Austin-based songwriter/performers. Portland-Austin . . . think we should just start a regular music exchange program.

LiveWire Radio show recording at the Aladdin (8 pm, $15). Looks like a great show with guests including the very entertaining B-movie actor and author, Bruce Campbell, and musical guests Loch Lomond and Viva Voce. Always a fun evening!

James Low continues his October happy hour shows at the Laurelthirst (6 pm) -- and the band keeps sounding better and better . . . it's next to last show before the happy hour run ends next week.

Monday
Finally, it's Neil Young on Monday at the Keller Auditorium (8 pm, $ lots). Tickets are ridiculously expensive and the show is sold out. After-market ticket services and private parties via Craigslist, etc are commanding $300-400 per ticket (bastards! - okay you had to be at the amazing Tom Russell show last night at Mississippi Studios to get that one . . . but I digress)
. . . all of this strikes me as madness. Okay, it's Neil, but give me a break -- is a couple of hours of music, even with one of the icons of rock and songwriting, worth $400! Sorry, for me, the value equation doesn't compute . . . . but I know there are those who will beg to differ.

Guess that last one was a commentary, not exactly a show recommendation.

And be sure to tune into Mississippi West on KMHD (89.1) - every Saturday from 3-6 PM . . . for roots, blues, americana, local music, interviews, and whatever else we can intelligently throw at ya . . .

See you at a show!