The Big Gigs: Our critics' music picks

Except for the horn section, Tower of Power has probably had as many personnel changes in its four decades as has Santana, that other Bay Area institution. Lenny Williams was the voice behind the hits "What Is Hip" and "So Very Hard to Go," but to deliver its new "Great American Soulbook," TOP turned to some great soul singers, including Sam Moore, Tom Jones and Joss Stone. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Minnesota Zoo, $31.) (J.B.)

In addition to having one of the best band monikers in years, Sex With No Hands has distinguished itself as one of San Francisco's best new party bands. Imagine a collision of Brave Combo with Minnesota's Boogie Wonderland. That translates to double-accordion polka-funk with busy hands, colorful outfits and an irresistible dance beat. (9 p.m. Tue., Lee's Liquor Lounge, $5.) (J.B.)

Australian alt-country charmer Kasey Chambers has been missing in action while raising her two young children. She and hubby Shane Nicholson are touring behind their first recording project together, "Rattlin' Bones," which suggests Emmylou Harris and Gram Parsons doing material that would have been at home in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" This stripped-down, old-timey music is penetrating, heart-wrenching stuff, especially the super-twangy "Sweetest Waste of Time." Opening is Justin Townes Earle, Steve Earle's kid, whose sophomore release "Midnight at the Movies" proves that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. (7:30 p.m. Wed. Fitzgerald Theater, $25.) (J.B.)

Since its South by Southwest-buoyed gig at the 400 Bar in April, Blind Pilot has signed on as summer-tour openers for fellow Portland, Ore., folk-rockers the Decemberists (though not at next weekend's Rock the Garden concert). It's a good fit for the younger sextet, which writes dramatic, bookish, elegant songs driven by vibraphone, accordion and other acoustic instruments. (9 p.m. Wed., 400 Bar. $10.) (C.R.)

He won't have the same cool Lemonheads lineup that he did last time (with ex-Descendents Bill Stevenson and Karl Alvarez), but Evan Dando does have an interesting new record. "Varshons" is a fun if ramshackle all-covers record produced by fellow rehab vet Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers) and featuring serious tunes by Townes Van Zandt and Leonard Cohen balanced by slightly less lofty fare from G.G. Allin and Christina Aguilera. (10:30 p.m. Thu., Triple Rock. $16-$20.) (C.R.)

In concert, Eric Clapton improves immeasurably when he's inspired by a collaborator. He's found the perfect partner in Steve Winwood, his old pal and bandmate in the 1969 supergroup Blind Faith. They reunited last year for three nights in New York to explore Blind Faith's lone album as well as their own songs and a couple of Hendrix tunes. With a live DVD/CD in stores, the two Rock and Roll Hall of Famers are doing 14 shows this summer. (8 p.m. Thu., Xcel Energy Center, $75-$150.) (J.B.)

The Ike Reilly Assassination returns to the scene of the legendary four-night run that jump-started its still-revving Twin Cities fan base in 2001. After last year's outtakes collection, "Poison the Hit Parade," Libertyville, Ill.'s most wanted are readying a new album that we should get a taste of at this one-off gig. (9 p.m. Thu., Turf Club. $15.) (C.R.)

As they demonstrated last year at the State Fair, 3 Doors Down has America's most anonymous rock singer (the aptly named Brad Arnold), but 3DD's "Kryptonite" and "Here Without You" still resonate with KDWB- and Cities 97-loving rock fans. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Mystic Lake Casino, $66-$79.) (J.B.)

COUNTRY

For its second year, Country Splash has splurged for Nashville A-listers Kenny Chesney and Rascal Flatts. Opening the three-day camping-and-country fest next Thursday, though, is honky-tonk hero Travis Tritt, with the harmonious Little Big Town, Luke Bryan and newcomer Katie Armiger. (Thu.-next Sat. Float-Rite Park, Somerset. Wis. www.countrysplash.com) (J.B.)

JAZZ

The scaled-down Twin Cities Jazz Festival, just one long weekend and all in St. Paul this year, kicks off Thursday with a "Jazz Night Out" club crawl featuring the Five, too-seldom-seen post-bop guitarist John Penny, folk, blues and swing vet Papa John Kolstad, and the pairing of Chicago piano marvel Jon Weber with uber-precocious saxophonist Alex Han. (Info at www.twin citiesjazzfestival.com.) (T.S.)

With such inane but infectious singles as "Crank That," "Kiss Me Thru the Phone" and "Turn My Swag On," Soulja Boy has become the poster boy for hip-hop's cranked-up dumbing-down. The Atlanta-reared rapper/singer, born DeAndre Way, is readying a new and purportedly more serious album for an August release that could earn him the respect that hasn't come with platinum record sales. What's it called? "The DeAndre Way," of course. Lil' Wayne probably doesn't need to watch his back. (6 p.m. Thu., Epic. All ages. $30-$50.) (C.R.)

FOLK

Best known for his 1971 hit "Sunshine," Minnesota-born songwriter Jonathan Edwards has had a long and varied career in TV, film, folk, bluegrass, record production, musical theater, children's music, you name it. Most recently, he scored the new movie "The Golden Boys," starring Bruce Dern and David Carradine, and plays a preacher in the flick. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center. $18-$20.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancer Tom Surowicz.