music

Russian-bred, classically trained New York piano popster Regina Spektor is a little too cute and precious on her third album, "Far," but look for her humor and cabaret instincts to prevail in concert. She's a canny performer who knows how to balance the serious and silly, the playful and pretentious. Opening is Little Joy, side project of Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti. (7:30 p.m. today, State Theatre, $33.) (J.B.)

One of the standouts at July's Deep Blues Fest, the Black Diamond Heavies are back in town to top off what could be another unforgettable event, Lebowski Fest (see cover story). The Tennessee duo's hard-stomping, organ-fueled, punky Delta blues might actually be a little too high-strung for the Dude's tastes, but he'd like the way it echoes Deep Purple and can be as murky as a White Russian. Local band Little Lebowski Urban Achievers was the obvious choice for opener. (8:30 p.m. today, First Avenue. 18 & older. $20-$22.) (C.R.)

Three reasons the Concrete & Grass Festival stands out as one of the best outdoor music bashes in the Cities: 1) The location. Mears Park in St. Paul's newly thriving Lowertown area is like a downtown oasis. 2) The food and beer. It's all local and fresh. 3) The eclectic entertainment. This year's lineup is as diverse as these things get, especially after Minneapolis lost the comparable Macy's Day of Music. Today's mix includes members of the Minnesota Opera, accordion guru Dan Newton, ex-Suicide Commandos cohorts Chris Osgood and Dave Ahl and pioneering DJ Freddy Fresh. Saturday finds Ordway cast members, Americana stalwarts Romantica, indie-rockers Kid Dakota and Idle Hands and hip-hop poet Desdamona. Sunday ranges from a Ginger Commodore-led gospel set to a St. Paul Chamber Orchestra mini-concert to a finale with St. Paul's own twenty-something hip-hop legends Heiruspecs. (3:30-10 p.m. today, noon-10 p.m. Sat., noon-8 p.m. Sun., Mears Park, 6th and Sibley Sts., St. Paul. Free.) (C.R.)

It's hard to believe that Low has not yet graced a stage in the Twin Cities this year. It might be even harder to buy the fact that Duluth's world-renowned indie-rock trio is finally returning to town to essentially open for "Jaws" -- kicking off the Vita.mn Autumn Movie & Music Series at Minneapolis's picturesque Lake Harriet Bandshell, for which the band picks the movies. Upon further thought, though, Alan Sparhawk's and Mimi Parker's ever-evolving music is a good match for Spielberg's timeless shark odyssey, the way it can move from tranquil waters and smiley faces to manic urgency and even the occasional severing of limbs. (7:15 p.m. Sat., Lake Harriet Bandshell. Free.) (C.R.)

Marilyn Manson's move from the shuttered Myth mega-club -- where he gave a rebound-level performance last year -- to the cozier State Theatre actually suits some of the more introspective, personal songs on the shock-rocker's not-so-shocking post-divorce album, "The High End of Low." Of course, the disc still rocks like arma-friggin'-geddon, especially with guitarist/bassist Twiggy Ramirez back in the fold, so here's hoping the State's seats hold up better than Manson's marriage. (8 p.m. Mon., State Theatre. $42.50.) (C.R.)

"Something/Anything?" was Todd Rundgren's biggest album, thanks to the hits "Hello, It's Me" and "I Saw the Light." But the pop/rock maestro's most influential album was the ensuing "A Wizard, a True Star" from 1973. It was a 56-minute experimental album filled with wildly eclectic music, found sounds and what could be described as precursors to samples. At the request of hard-core fans, he is performing "A Wizard" in its entirety, complete with costume changes and theatrical staging. Read an interview with Rundgren in Sunday's Variety A+E. (7:30 p.m. Tue., State Theatre, $29.50-$39.50) (J.B.)

Megafaun is made up of three former Eau Claire, Wis., musicians who used to be in a band called DeYarmond Edison with future Bon Iver indie star Justin Vernon. Now based in Durham, N.C., the trio is earning a buzz in its own right for sharply harmonized, epic-sized acoustic rock of the Fleet Foxes variety that's laced with rustic, adventurous banjo and violin work. Local jazz heroes Happy Apple open, making this show a steal of a value. (7:30 p.m. Tue., Cedar Cultural Center. All ages. $8-$10.) (C.R.)

If you didn't latch onto An Horse at its riveting set in the Entry in March, the Australian duo -- led by boyish-looking, Liz Phair-sounding, Courtney Love-quoting singer/guitarist Kate Cooper -- is on the road again, gearing up for fall tour dates with the Silversun Pickups, a group that shares its affinity for the '90s alt-rock recipe of loud, fuzzy guitars, catchy hooks and smart, snide lyrics. (9 p.m. Tue., 7th Street Entry. 18 & older. $8.) (C.R.)

Self-described "sophisticated hillbilly" Michelle Shocked has taken her cue from fellow East Texans Willie Nelson and Gatemouth Brown, making music that is eclectic with a capital E. Her latest CD, "Soul of My Soul," veers between love songs to her main squeeze, artist David Willardson, and parting shots at her longtime "nemesis," the Bush administration. (7 p.m. Tue., Bunkers. $25.) (T.S.)

Byrds frontman Roger McGuinn not only made "Mr. Tambourine" famous but he established the jangly sound of the Rickenbacker 12-string. Of course, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer has plenty of noteworthy post-Byrds work, including a monthly folk-song download at the website Folkden.com. Caroline Smith opens. (7:30 p.m. Wed. Cedar Cultural Center, $20-$22.) (J.B.)

Wavves is either this year's most overhyped basement-taper-turned-indie-star or misunderstood kid genius. That's how varied the reaction has been to the freaky, spastic, underwater-howling garage-rock of San Diego-reared wunderkind Nathan Williams, who had a purportedly ecstasy-induced public meltdown at a festival in Spain. At least in the latter case, the kid deserves a break. Fellow Californians the Ganglians open with local psychedelicats Velvet Davenport. (9 p.m. Wed., 7th Street Entry. 18 and older. $11.) (C.R.)

A masterful storyteller and revered songwriter, Guy Clark bolsters his reputation on "Somedays the Song Writes You," due Sept. 22. The title track and "The Guitar" are about making music, but "One Way Ticket Down," about depression, and "The Coat," about morning regrets about the night before, are typical soulful gems. (7:30 p.m. Thu., Cedar Cultural Center, $35-$38.) (J.B.)

Rebounding from the death of its drummer in 2007, Ra Ra Riot put out one of last year's best debut albums, "The Rhumb Line," a hummable, cello-laden, surprisingly upbeat collection that was bittersweet on different levels. After a summer of festival gigs, the upstate New Yorkers are back playing clubs with Chicago's playful, Grizzly Bear-ish pop quartet Maps & Atlases and California newcomers Princeton. (9 p.m. Thu., Varsity Theater. 18 and older. $14.) (C.R.)

The Cedar Cultural Center celebrates its 21st season with a terrific double header. Ralph Stanley, the 82-year-old bluegrass patriarch, has enjoyed a resurgence since the smash 2000 movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Known for exploring the sad and darker side of life, the singing banjo man will publish his autobiography, "Man of Constant Sorrow," next month. Opening is veteran Americana ace Jim Lauderdale, a hit country songwriter (George Strait, Dixie Chicks, Patty Loveless) and recording star who has earned two Grammys for best bluegrass album. (8 p.m. today, Cedar Cultural Center, $40-$50). (J.B.)

Atlanta's Southern rockers Lost Trailers have been trying to find a home in mainstream country with singles like "Country Folks (Livin' Loud)," which salutes Waylon Jennings, Talladega and "The Star Spangled Banner." In concert, these boys rock out, covering everything from Mellencamp and Springsteen to Alabama. (9 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, $18-$20.) (J.B.)

Are you ready for some Hank Jr.? On the same evening as "Sunday Night Football"? While the Packers play da Bears, hell-raising champ Hank Williams Jr. will face a booze-free crowd at Minnesota's famously dry Mystic Lake Casino. Although he's best known for such '70s and '80s hits as "Family Tradition" and "Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound," Junior is still making quality and relevant music as evidenced by the recent single "Red, White & Pink-Slip Blues," from his solid 2009 CD, "127 Rose Avenue." (7 p.m. Sun., $65-$95.) (J.B.)

If your tastes run to "free jazz" and art sounds that are truly of-the-moment, here's a gig with a cool cast of characters: Milo Fine, longtime champion of such fare, will be on drums, bowed cymbals, B-flat clarinet and alto clarinet. Too-seldom-seen sax man Scott Newell will also show off his vocal prowess. Steve Gnitka adds hip, inscrutable guitar licks. And talented youngster Stefan Kac should be a big, bold, brawny plus, bringing his classical and "straight" jazz training on tuba (7 p.m. Mon., Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Av. N., 612-587-0230. $5.) (T.S.)

Touring in support of his new release "Virtue," featuring appearances by Joshua Redman and Nicholas Payton, piano phenom Eldar returns with his trusty trio and prodigious technique. The kid from Kyrgyzstan, just 22 and now ensconced in New York City, has veered in a funky fusion direction with mixed results, but there's still an overwhelming wow factor to his shows.(7 & 9:30 p.m. Wed., Dakota Jazz Club. $12-$20.) (T.S.)

Karl Denson's Tiny Universe is at its catchiest on the new CD "Brother's Keeper," a hook-filled, dance-oriented disc that finds the jazz saxophonist and longtime Lenny Kravitz sideman concentrating on his singing and songwriting, with help from a diverse guests (Meshell Ndegeocello, Black Crowes guitarist Marc Ford, Switchfoot singer Jon Foreman). From the opening notes of the Marvin Gaye-flavored "Shake It Out," it's clear that Denson has his neo-soul hat on. These songs should sound even more sweaty and crucial in person. (9:30 p.m. Thu., Cabooze. $15-$17.) (T.S.)

After summering at scattered festivals, the members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra reconvene for their season opener -- a Vivaldi/Mozart/Beethoven program that showcases four musicians from the ensemble and inaugurates three weeks of leave-taking for conductor Douglas Boyd, last of the SPCO's original quartet of artistic partners. Boyd, who now has gigs in Switzerland, England and Colorado, has grown in his time here; it'll be interesting to hear what he makes of Beethoven's Fifth, which is no soufflé. (10:30 a.m. today, 8 p.m. today-Sat., Ordway Center, St. Paul. $11-$59. 651-291-1144 or thespco.org.) (L.F.)

This week brings two more fundraising benefits for beloved Twin Cities guitar virtuoso Dean Magraw, who's on the mend after a bone marrow transplant. The Oak Center General Store near Lake City, Minn., hosts a multi-pronged all-day event including a concert, potluck buffet and square dance, with music by singer Leslie Ball, jazz bass master Anthony Cox, and world-beat percussionist Marc Anderson. (4:30, 6 and 8 p.m. Sat., 67011 Hwy. 63, 10 miles southwest of Lake City.) A show at the Dakota features singer Cookie Coleman and fiddle ace Pat Frederick, among others. (7 p.m. Mon., Dakota Jazz Club. $10.) (T.S.)

Contributors: Staff critics Jon Bream and Chris Riemenschneider and freelancers Larry Fuchsberg and Tom Surowicz.