Quick picks ... last for 2014

Life should slow down at the holidays .. time for end of year reflection, etc., etc., ... but NO ... we're all running around like headless chickens!  ... So find your head, screw it on tight, and take it to some soul-soothing music ...

Like an all out jumpin' up and down soulful Christmas extravaganza tonight at Dante's ... the Stumptown Soul Holiday Spectacular ... big fun and a benefit for Shriners Hospital ... 8 pm, $10

At the Doug Fir tonight it's an excellent triple-bill of The Lower 48, Brownish Black, and Moon Bayou ... 9 pm, $10

Other shows to check out include Pretty Gritty at the Ranger Station, Counterfeit Cash at Biddy McGraws, Lisa Mann at The Lehrer, Robbie Laws at Duff's, and more ...

For Saturday, good early choices are Ron Rogers & the Wailing Wind honky-tonkin' at the Landmark Saloon  (6 pm, no cover) ... and, Everything's Jake doing their brand of gypsy jazz at the Secret Society (6 pm, $5).

The David Friesen Christmas Concerts have been taking place every December for the past 39 years in Portland ... and will happen Saturday at Woodstock Wine & Deli ... 8 pm, free

Fernando and Seattle's Smokey Brights will be at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $8

And on Sunday Ashleigh Flynn will host a Grand Solstice Celebration at the Secret Society to celebrate the longest night of the year. This night will offer a seasonal cycle of songs written and curated by Flynn and featuring a crack-shot band of Portland luminaries. This will also be a live recording session! ... 7 pm, $12

And back for a second performance (the first was Thursday), X and The Blasters will rock the Star Theater for the X-mas season ... 9 pm, $27.50

OK, that will do it for me until 2015.

Have yourselves a wonderful, joyous, peaceful, and musical holiday season!

See ya out and about!