BOB DYLAN AND ELVIS COSTELLO
October 6. Dylan. What more is there to say? At least that’s what the folks thought who titled Bob Dylan’s latest career retrospective box set. Released on Oct. 1, Dylan is a three-CD set featuring 51 tracks spanning the five-decade career of America’s finest songwriter. And while Dylan is headed into Albany with his usual touring band, Elvis Costello will be going it alone with an intimate solo performance. Amos Lee is along for the ride, too, just in case you needed something more. 7pm. The Times Union Center, Albany, New York. $39.50 ($29.50 for Siena College students), $49.50 and $69.50. (800) 303-8368.
www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.
THE AVETT BROTHERS
October 5. The Avett Brothers have earned nominations in three categories for the upcoming Americana Music Awards to be held in Nashville later this month. Not only was the band nominated for Best Emerging Artist and Best Duo/Group of the Year, but their album Emotionalism also garnered a nod for Album of the Year. 8pm. Revolution Hall, Troy, New York. $13 in advance; $15 on the day of show. (518) 274-0553.
www.revolutionhall.com.
THE SHEILA JORDAN TRIO
October 6. Congrats to the Eighth Step coffeehouse for hanging in there after losing its home at the Cohoes Music Hall five years ago. No longer homeless, the Step reopens at the new GE Theatre at Proctors with 78-year-old jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan. With the death of Anita O’Day last year, Jordan is one of the last great veteran jazz singers still on the scene, and she can still dazzle. 7:30pm. The Eighth Step at Proctors, Schenectady, New York. $25. (518) 346-6204. www.proctors.org.
SIRSY
October 20. One of the most popular pop-rock combos on the Capital Region music scene, Sirsy—the dynamic duo of singer-drummer-flute player Melanie Krahmer and guitarist-bassist Rich Libutti—celebrate the release of their new CD, Revolution. 9pm. Revolution Hall, Troy, New York. $5 in advance; $10 on the day of show.
(518) 274-0553. www.revolutionhall.com.
ERIC ANDERSEN
October 21. The Buffalo-born troubadour penned such ’60s folk-boom classics as “Thirsty Boots,” “Close the Door Lightly When You Go,” and “Violets of Dawn”—but singer-songwriter Eric Andersen hasn’t spent the ensuing decades staring into the rearview mirror. 1973’s Blue River is one of his best albums, though Ghosts Upon the Road, from 1989, is even better. He recorded a pair of strong albums with Rick Danko, and he’s co-authored tunes with Lou Reed. This time in town, he’s got former new wave rocker Robert Hazard opening the show. 7pm. Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs, New York. $20 ($18 for members). (518) 583-0022. www.caffelena.org.
QUEEN LATIFAH
October 26. Hip-hopper Queen Latifah has already proven that she can make the leap from rap to acting and singing with her acclaimed performance in the movie musical Chicago. She dipped her toes into the world of jazz with her well-received 2004 disc, The Dana Owens Album, but now she’s diving into jazz head-first with her new CD Travelin’ Light, and a tour with a 13-piece big band. 8pm. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy, New York. $79, $85. (518) 273-0038. www.troymusichall.org.
THE CHARLES LLOYD TRIO
October 28. Like Dylan, Charles Lloyd has been making beautiful music for five decades. One of the most spiritual saxophonists since John Coltrane left the planet, Lloyd crashed into the national spotlight back in the ’60s with an all-star ensemble (Keith Jarrett, Jack DeJohnette) and such groundbreaking albums as Forest Flower and Soundtrack. Lloyd is still at it, and this time around he’ll be joined by drummer Eric Harland and bassist Reuben Rogers. 7pm. The Egg, Albany, New York. $28. (518) 473-1845. www.theegg.org.
This article appears in October 2007.
