SUSAN TEDESCHI WITH JAMES HUNTER
Friday: After playing at the Minnesota Zoo this summer in a band with hubby Derek Trucks, Tedeschi is touring on her own to promote her new "Back to the River," another stirring blues-rock collection featuring Gary Louris, Tony Joe White, Doyle Bramhall II, Sonya Kitchell and Trucks. Known for her big voice, she dials it down on the stand-out ballad "700 Houses," about Hurricane Katrina. Retro British rocker Hunter, who is as hammy as he is musically rewarding, may be the year's best opening act, as demonstrated twice at the zoo this summer (before Irma Thomas and Chris Isaak). (8 p.m. Fri. $47.50. Pantages Theatre, 710 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 651-989-5151.)
JON BREAM
