Just got back from the Market St. stage and not a moment too soon. Looks like the second half of Day 3 could be a wash out. Fest Website says it goes on rain or shine, so take out your sow' wester. At least Dutton Street and Boarding House are a def. go. Around 3 p today at the Dance Pav. Mighty Sam McClain was channeling from a higher place. Vamping w/ the blues he brought a higher love to us all. He beams a lot of this emotion and it's not an act. If you haven't caught the blues great (via Nashua NH) you still have time. McClain closes the night at JFk at 515 (that is if the gully washer doesn't stop this show). Bring umbrellas folks, it's gonna be a wet one!

When the crowds go home the music doesn't stop. Over at the DoubleTree last night the merrymaking went into the wee small hours. Musicians were in good spirits and immediately gelled in jigs and reels. Fiddle players from the Canadian, Quebecois, bluegrass and Mountain bands were backed by bassists, banjos, guitars, mandolins and a drum from their respective bands. They quickly settled into jigs and reels, seemingly stuck in the loop for at least two hours. Instead of dueling banjos, there were dueling Canadian dancers as their foot work drove the rhythm late into the night. (dancing on what seemed to be an abandoned legless tabletop). After midnight the Creole cowboys wailed on the accordion with sound that seemed to flow seamlessly into the river from the delta. Oh what a night!

Need we say more? You must catch Skatalites before LFF 08 is through. I saw their early show at Dutton St. 12 noon and feel I witnessed ska royalty. They play JFK at 515p and close the night back at the dance pav. at 845 p. Really, it's like seeing the stones or beatles, these guys invented a genre and play so seamlessly — mixing War w/ "Pop Goes the Weasle" — is simply artful. I almost passed out at JFK Plaza to Sister Marie Knight. The gospel pioneer might have thought I was enraptured, sorry sister it was too damn hot. The best place for shade is St. Anne's Church yard. Caught some of the world string discussion, but it was hard to focus w/ all the street noise. I think these workshops would be better inside. What do you think?

It's 87 degrees on Market Street and the Folk Fest faithfull are arriving. There's no stopping this crowd. If you're coming out today bring hats, water and peace of mind. Last night's kick-off was picture perfect and Day 2 is about to start. Im headed to Balla Kouyte and the Skatalites, will blog back in a few. What's your plan of attack today?

DTL turns into party central this weekend as Folk Fest 22 takes over our old mill town. But nothing seemed old about the lively opening scenes last night, from rain-weary throngs packing BHP to long lines at the ever-popular Filipino food booth to to crowded beer tents to a pack of youngsters trying their hand in the Wii tent set up by Nintendo at the Dutton Street dance stage. Music rocked from the bluesy sounds of piano master Henry Gray to the two-stepping dance tunes of the the Creole cowboys. Loved the free Nestea and Moxie samples. Chowed on chicken on a stick and other Thai delights from Buddachak at Dutton and sampled some yummy grape leaves walking by the Athenian. Feel like volunteering? Mike Wurm of the National Park could use more on Sunday. Just stop in at the Visitors Center on Market St., and they'll give you a job. What turned you on tonight at the Fest? What do you look forward to tomorrow?

There's been a flurry of activity recently at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium, and a few new music shows have been booked for later this year. This weekend is a two-night helping of girl-power rock with Melissa Etheridge, Friday and Saturday night, beginning at 8 p.m. Tickets are $57-$102.

On Tuesday, August 12, a trio of 1990s bands will be in town to take thirtysomethings back to their beer-soaked college days (which almost makes me obligated to go). Live, Blues Traveler, and Collective Soul bring the rock beginning at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $49.75. Hey, that's only $16 a band - I paid more than that in a night of binge drinking back in these bands' heydaze.

On Wednesday, August 20, the young 'uns will be invading Lowell when 2007 American Idol winner Jordin Sparks headlines a show that includes an opening set by Jesse McCartney (formerly of the boy band Dream Street). Show is at 7:30 p.m. Tix are $39.50 and $49.50, and they go on sale tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

On Saturday, September 13, veteran folkie John Prine will bring his memorable tales to town in what is sure to be an oustanding show. That show starts at 8 p.m., and tix are $41.50 - $56.50.

Finally, on Friday, November 21, the Dark Star Orchestra will recreate the Grateful Dead experience once again, and with Bob Weir's closest stop being in Mansfield next month, this might be your best local Dead fix for a while. Tickets are $30.50 - $35.50, and they go on sale next Monday, July 21, at 10 a.m.

Someone's trying to give the Lowell Summer Music Series a run for their money, so take advantage of the friendly competition!

Holy crap! Has it been a week since my last post? Sorry 'bout that - got food poisoning after being out of town for a week. What a whirlwind. Good thing I'm back to my old self again, just in time for a kickass weekend of music in beautiful downtown Lowell!

It's week four of the Lowell Summer Music Series, and there are four straight nights of music under the stars planned for those of us willing to take it all in. Call it a little something to whet our music appetites for next weekend's Folk Festival. Whatever the case, there's everything from bluegrass to reggae to blues on tap this weekend, starting tonight with a set by Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet, featuring everyone's favorite banjo player, Bela Fleck. But it's a lot more than a banjo affair (although there are two of them in the band). Filling out the band are cellist Ben Sollee and fiddler Casey Driessen. Together, these guys play something akin to chamber music for high-brow bluegrass fans. That's the best I can figure, at least. Show starts at 7:30. Tix are $21 in advance and $25 at the gate.

Tomorrow night (July 18), Bob Marley's former backup band The Wailers will be in town, bringing the reggae sounds that they helped make famous. From their beginnings in Jamaica back in the late 1960s to their more recent collaborations with artists like Sting and Carlos Santana, these guys have sold over 250 million records. I guess you could say they're kind of a big deal. Show starts at 7:30. Tix are $21 in advance and $25 at the gate.

On Saturday night, July 19, R&B legend Jimmie Vaughan will bring his retro blues to Lowell, and who could forget the hits from Vaughan's heyday with the Fabulous Thunderbirds? Admit it - you wanted to be as cool as that lead singer in the beret on the "Wrap It Up" video...with or without the 'stache. Vaughan will be with blues singer Lou Ann Barton, and opening the night will be a set by gospel/bluegrass/country up-and-comers Ollabelle. Show starts at 7:30. Tix are $21 in advance and $25 at the gate.

Finally, on Sunday night, July 20, bluegrass Dobro legend Jerry Douglas will be ripping sounds from his steel-stringed beast at Boarding House Park along with his backup band from Nashville. His show starts at 7:30. Tix are $16 in advance and $20 at the gate. Douglas has lent his trademark slide sound to more than 1,500 albums, and he's also a key player in Union Station, the backup band for Alison Krauss. In true Southern fashion, Douglas is a likable, down-to-earth guy, as I discovered in my interview with him for this week's Lowell Sun Nightlife article.

Well, it's week 3 of the Lowell Summer Music Series, and the ladies are taking over. On Saturday night, July 12, three-time Grammy winner Lucinda Williams brings her country-tinged R&B sound to Boarding House Park. Although she's been around for almost 30 years, Williams has a less-than-prolific track record, releasing only 8 albums in that span. It was her 1998 album Car Wheels on a Gravel Road that put her on the map, and her three albums since have all been well-received critically. She'll most likely premiere some new songs this weekend from her next album, due later this year. I saw her 7 or 8 years ago in Memphis (the Essence tour) at an outdoor festival, and the music was perfect for the setting. No doubt that will be the case on Saturday as well. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the gate.

First up, though, is an evening with Emily Saliers and Amy Ray, also known as the folk-rock duo Indigo Girls, on Friday night, July 11. After taking things in a new direction on their last album, Despite Our Differences, courtesy of production maestro Mitchell Froom, Ray and Saliers inexplicably found themselves dumped by their brand new label Hollywood Records, even though it was only the first album in their five-album contract (gotta' love those major labels!). It doesn't sound like it phased our fearless heroines too badly, though, as they funded their new album, due in early 2009, themselves. For this week's Lowell Sun Nightlife article, I had the pleasure of interviewing Saliers about what's going on in the Indigo world.

Wow - I'm actually glad that I'm down in Florida this week, so I don't have to decide which shows I'm going to see in town. As if there isn't enough going on already this weekend, Martha Wainwright is going to be at the Firehouse Center for the Arts in Newburyport on Friday night, July 11. To those not hip to this future starlet, she is the sister of Rufus Wainwright (one of my favorite performers), which means she's the daughter of Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle, both amazing performers in their own right.

Martha is a singer/songwriter, more known for her live performances than her recordings, and with a voice that elicits chills. Her new album, I Know You're Married But I've Got Feelings Too, is getting great reviews, and the Firehouse's intimate setting is the perfect venue for her show. I've never seen her solo, but I've had the chance to see her with bro Rufus, and their live version of his beautiful song "One Man Guy" was breathtaking.

If you're within 20 miles of Newburyport on Friday night, drop in and see Martha Wainwright live. It'll be a beautiful thing. The show starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $25.

Well, the ladies may be owning the stage at Boarding House Park this weekend, but bookending the Lowell Summer Music Series will be performances from two music legends up at Hampton Beach Casino. On Thursday, July 10, the Godfather of Funk himself, George Clinton, will be tearing it up with Parliament Funkadelic in the Casino Ballroom. The two times I've seen this outfit were non-stop parties, with one ten-minute funk epic following another and barely a second to breathe in between. The show starts at 8 p.m. and tickets are $27.

On Sunday, July 13, legendary Beach Boy Brian Wilson will be back in town, hopefully bringing some of his infamous summer sounds with him. This show is being billed as "an intimate evening with," which, given Wilson's personal history, sounds a little threatening, but let's just hope it means a night of warm, smile-inducing tuneage. That show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $80 (Gold), $50 (Reserved), and $35 (General Admission).

Summer music is in full swing, as evidenced by the slew of concert series that have been popping up lately. One of the latest is Manchester, New Hampshire's "Thursday Night Live" Summer Concert Series, which will be held every Thursday night (duh!) in July at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park downtown. Even better, these shows are all FREE!

The Palace Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Robert C. Babb, kick things off this Thursday, July 10, while bluegrass/blues/country quartet Ollabelle bring their unique combination of traditional sounds to the stage on July 17. I saw these guys at the Newport Folk Festival several years back, and I was thoroughly impressed, mainly with their haunting harmonies.

The fun continues on July 24 with Martha’s Vineyard jam band Entrain, and rounding things out will be Latin rock renegades deSol. I’ve seen these guys several times, and they always bring a rump-shaking party.

If the Lowell Summer Music Series just isn’t giving you enough, then hit Manchester on Thursday nights this month to fill in the gaps. Any of these bands are worth the trip up.

Speaking of Manch Vegas, the Great White North's original prog rock power trio, Rush, will be at the Verizon Wireless Arena this Friday night, July 11, bringing a slew of classic rock hits to a venue sure to be packed with pony-tailed dudes and their music-nerd friends (or reluctant significant others). I saw Geddy and co. - for the first time, I'm ashamed to say - at the Garden in Boston five years ago, and all I can say is I would probably be up in Manchester this weekend if I wasn't out of town for business.

So if the Indigo Girls in Lowell ain't your cup of tea (and if you're interested in Rush, they most certainly aren't), then head up to Manchester and relive the days of your youth, when you had more than enough time to study every awe-inspiring lyric and sci-fi themed album cover you could get your hands on.

Daryl Hall plays Boarding House Park tonight, July 3, and to all you music snobs out there - before you start snickering about Hall & Oates and they're quintessential 80s sound, I'd like to give you a little background. The duo were together for years exploring things like Simon & Garfunkel singer/songwriter fare, organic soul, and even some light funk before finding that magical Top 40 sound that made them the most famous duo in music history (look it up), and now the butt of countless jokes the world over.

Researching their history to prepare for my interview with Hall, I not only discovered some hidden gems in the Hall & Oates library, but I also re-discovered some of their hits that I'd hastily tossed aside over the years simply because I thought I was above them (and because of Oates's 'stache). The truth is, there's some great songwriting underneath that electronic 80s sheen.

And Mr. Hall has brought things full circle with a new monthly live webcast called Live from Daryl's House, which strips down those hits and lesser known gems from the 70s and 80s and presents them in an acoustic fashion, recorded live in any one of Hall's houses, which he buys and restores himself (I think he owns like the oldest house in Maine or something). The guy also calls some of his old music pals, like Nick Lowe, and even some up-and-comers, to join him, which has yielded some pretty impressive results.

All this and more is in the article I wrote for this week's Lowell Sun, and included here is my full interview with Hall. I'm actually excited about seeing the guy tonight, not to mention an opening set by local soul queen Jen Kearney and her Lost Onion. Join me if you like to think you have an open mind for music.

Ah, the wonderful Fifth of July. That day after the Fourth, when you’re all fireworked up and ready to see a great live show…or at least buy some tickets to one later in the year. It turns out those of us in the Merrimack Valley will have the chance to do both this Saturday.

Okay, I know the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston isn’t exactly in the neighborhood, but based on the shows I’ve enjoyed there, the Courtyard outdoor performance space in the center of the museum is to smaller outdoor venues what Boarding House Park is to larger outdoor venues – more intimate, better organized, and an all around better time…which makes it worth detailing this season's MFA Concerts in the Courtyard.

Well, I didn't make it to Richard Thompson on Saturday night - I was out at Tanglewood watching the live broadcast of Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion (featuring great bluegrass and gospel music by the Del McCoury Band!) - but I hear the performance was one for the record books, and that Madame Nature had mercy on everyone. Unfortunately, the lawn dwellers at Tanglewood with their high-falutin' picnic spreads weren't so lucky.

So here we are at week two, and Daryl Hall is going to be bringing his blue-eyed soul to town on Thursday night, July 3, to start the holiday weekend off right. For those of you who don't know it, Hall has a new webcast called Live from Daryl's House, and it is actually a pretty cool setup. He plays acoustic arrangements of his hits (and some lesser-known gems) and also teams up with up-and-comers so's to reach out to the young 'uns. It's good stuff, and I'm pretty excited about seeing him live. I did an artist spotlight on Hall for this week's Lowell Sun, and I'll post that interview right here on Thursday. In the meantime, pick up a ticket for Thursday's show if you don't already have plans.

On Saturday night, July 5, New York jam band Assembly of Dust will be dropping their "hick funk" (their words, not mine) on unsuspecting Lowellians. AOD were formed in 2002 after Reid Genauer left Vermont-based Strangefolk and hooked up with some funk and jazz cats in upstate NY.

It's a great summer of music in Lowell thanks to the Summer Music Series. So go see some shows before the summer goes.

www.lowellsummermusic.org