JAZZ FILMS
July 1. Local documentary filmmaker Burrill Crohn’s jazz-themed work covers such artists as Wynton and Branford Marsalis, Carmen McRae, and Chick Corea and has aired on television and at film festivals around the world. This rare screening at Muddy Cup/Inquiring Minds presents Joe Williams: A Portrait in Song, an in-depth look at the majestic jazz and blues singer who worked with Count Basie, and the short subject A.K.A. Fathead, a tribute to late saxophone giant and Woodstock resident David “Fathead” Newman. 7pm. Free. Saugerties. (845) 246-5775; www.myspace.com/muddycupsaugerties.
CONNOR OBERST & THE MYSTIC VALLEY BAND
July 2. As his überconfessional, acoustic alter ego Bright Eyes, the 29-year-old, Nebraska-grown Oberst has been called both the Bob Dylan and the Jonathan Richman of his generation. After shelving the Bright Eyes moniker in 2008, the earnest Oberst decamped to Mexico to record with his new Mystic Valley Band, a loose grouping of players with a decidedly Wilco-ish bent. Count on a big turnout for this post-emo icon’s first-ever Bearsville Theater engagement. (Fountains of Wayne play on July 5.) 8pm. $22, $25. Bearsville. (845) 679-0008; www.bearsvilletheater.com.
MENTAL ABUSE
July 4. To quote one punk obscurantist blog, infamous, pioneering New Jersey unit Mental Abuse has it all: missing members, dead members, mentally unstable members, you name it. Nearly 30 years after it began, the band is led by singer, guitarist, and sole original member Dave Jones, who once drummed for the legendary Agnostic Front. Celebrate the nation’s rebellious birth at Kingston’s newly revamped Basement with one of our truest outlaw exports, classic hardcore punk. With Stench, Downward Hacking Motion, and Major Potential. (The Punk Buttons festival on July 10 and 11 promises Landmines, Dirty Tactics, and more.) 8:30pm. $4, $6. Kingston. www.myspace.com/thebasement744.
BILL MALCHOW
July 9. Roots pianist and vocalist Bill Malchow divides his time between the Big Apple and the Big Easy—which sounds about right, since his percolating, second-line style bubbles and boils with Fats Waller-style Harlem stride and the steaming New Orleans sounds of Dr. John, James Booker, Allen Toussaint, and Professor Longhair. Some locals may recognize Malchow, who performs at the swank Piggy Bank bistro for its hep Tiki Thursdays series, from his stints with recently transplanted Brooklyn trio the Jack Grace Band. (Catch New Paltz faves the Big Takeover on July16 and the Trapps on July 23.) 5pm. Free. Beacon. (845) 838-0028; www.piggybankrestaurant.com.
EILEN JEWELL
July 23. Just a shotglassful of Eilen Jewell’s sweet, deep, desert-dry voice, and rollicking, high-twangin’ band makes it clear enough why she’s the reigning queen of America’s new roots landscape. Currently riding the rails in support of her stunning just-released third album, Sea of Tears (Signature Sounds), Jewell revisits the Rosendale Café to once again raise a ruckus and jerk a few of those titular tears. This writer’s heard a lot of music over the years, but very little of it gets better than Jewell’s. Beyond recommended. (Bluegrass diva Claire Lynch plays on July 3; bluesman Louisiana Red returns on July 16.) 8pm. $15. Rosendale. (845) 658-9048; www.rosendalecafe.com.
OLIVIA MAXWELL WITH RICHARD LLOYD
July 31. It’s natural that the tunes of singer-songwriter Olivia Maxwell are rich with cinematic flair; the acoustic troubadour is the daughter of acclaimed filmmaker Ron Maxwell. But for this performance at Bearsville’s coziest new venue, Alchemy, there’s an added bonus for rock fans: Lending Maxwell’s tunes an extra sheen of drama is none other than guitar god Richard Lloyd. As a founding member of the groundbreaking New York band Television, Lloyd torched the sonic horizon and took the electric six-string to whole new solar systems. It’ll be an absolute revelation to hear him on low-key fare in this intimate setting. (Uncle Monk, starring Lloyd’s punk-era pal Tommy Ramone, plays on July 11.) 9pm. $15. (845) 684-5068; www.myspace.com/alchemyofwoodstock.
