The Big Gigs for week of 1/20

POP/ROCK

Quintessential New York rocker Garland Jeffreys has painted his masterpiece more than once, but 2011's "The King of In Between," his first U.S. studio album in 19 years, is as impressive a late-career masterwork as anything by Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan or Paul Simon. A discussion of politics, mortality and life, it's a heady mix of roots rock, reggae and blues. Jeffreys is touring in an acoustic duo. Read an interview at startribune.com/music. (8 p.m. Fri., Ritz Theater, $27-$30.) Jon Bream

After years as a violin maker, folk-blues-bluegrass mainstay David Bromberg returned to performing and recording five years ago. His second comeback album, 2011's "Use Me," is his most ambitious effort in a 40-year career. He asked some favorite songwriters -- including Levon Helm, Dr. John, Keb' Mo' and John Hiatt -- to pen a tune for him. The results are eclectic and intriguing, from Los Lobos' Tex-Mex waltz "The Long Goodbye" to the sassy funk of Widespread Panic's "Old Neighborhood." Always an impressive picker, Bromberg also vocalizes with a certain world-weary panache, and he enlisted Linda Ronstadt to help on "It's Just a Matter of Time." Bromberg is traveling with his bluegrassy quartet. Minnesota bluesman Tom Feldmann opens. (8 p.m. Fri., Cedar, $30-$40.) Bream

In the Twin Cities, there have been a lot of woulda, coulda, shoulda singers and bands. My vote for the best rock singer who should've found a wider audience is Tina Schlieske. Maybe Tina & the B-Sides weren't everybody's cup of tea, but any rock fan who loves Elvis, the Stones and Aretha will adore Tina's alter ego, Lola and the Red Hots. And you'll be amazed by Lola's version of "Maybe I'm Amazed." Promise. (8:30 p.m. Fri., Cabooze, $12-$15.) Bream

There's a lot of black and very little church in Black Church Service, a snaky, grinding, organ-deepened quartet with libido-wagging traces of "Aftermath"-era Stones, Muddy Waters and Ted Nugent. After making a strong impression at the Replacements tribute in November, the Twin Cities rockers are touting a self-titled debut EP, highlighted by the howler opener, "Testimony," and one mighty stranglehold of a seven-minute epic, "Delirious." Fellow blues-baked power mongers Poverty Hash open with all-female surf-punk quartet L'Assassins. (10 p.m. Sat., 7th Street Entry. $5.) Chris Riemenschneider

It's hard to beat the convenience of an all-in-one record shop and live music venue, and the Triple Rock will be that for one night thanks to Hymie's Record Road Show, part of the club's Schlitz Kickin' Country Series. The crew from the East Lake vinyl mecca will bring crates of LPs to sell and spin between acts. Onstage, look for multiple generations of master pickers, starting early with West Bank vets Spider John Koerner and Papa John Kolstad and continuing with brotherly country crooners the Cactus Blossoms, acoustic-blues stalwarts the Brass Kings and young Gram Parsons tribute band the Flying Dorito Brothers, featuring members of Night Moves. (6 p.m. Sat., Triple Rock. $6.) Riemenschneider

Partly a benefit for a cancer victim and partly a celebration of two people who helped make the Turf Club a cornerstone of the Twin Cities music scene, the Rock for the Rules concert offers nine acts featured on an online charity album of the same name (available via Bandcamp.com). They include the Tisdales, Little Man, Molly Maher, Jennifer Markey, Crossing Guards and the most poorly named all-star band since Chickenfoot, the Crotch Rockets, with Eric Kassel, Kent Militzer, Heath Henjum and Dave Wiegart. All came up through the Turf under the tutelage and support of Rob and Leah Rule, the latter of whom resumed chemotherapy this month but still plans to take the stage with the Mammy Nuns. Also look for a special appearance by Slim Dunlap, who reportedly wrote a song for Leah. (8 p.m. Sat., Amsterdam Bar & Hall. No cover, but donations accepted.) Riemenschneider

This is the month for tributes at the Cabooze: Johnny Cash, "The Last Waltz" and now Janis Joplin. A quartet of local ladies -- Katy Hays, Debra G, Monica Heuser and, best of all, Jill Mikelson, who starred in a Joplin musical at the Ordway -- will do "Mercedes Benz," "Piece of My Heart," "Me and Bobby McGee" and other tunes from the late Rock Hall of Famer, who was born on Jan. 19 with a ball and chain. (8:30 p.m. Sat., Cabooze, $10-$12.) Bream

Former Boston street singer Martin Sexton has an amazingly elastic, supple voice, a penchant for dramatic, romantic songs and an enviable rapport with live audiences. He also has a new EP: "Fall Like Rain," with four originals and a cover of the Buffalo Springfield classic "For What It's Worth." At $4.99, it's as cheap "as a soy latte," the singer cracks. Adam Gontier (of the Canadian band Three Days Grace) and Bhi Bhiman open. (7:30 p.m. Sat., Fitzgerald Theater, $29-$31.) Tom Surowicz

It's hard to get a handle on the masterful Meshell Ndegeocello. The Los Angeles Times described the singer/songwriter/bassist as a fiend for art and communion. Musically, she and her band will cover the spectrum from jazz and funk to new-wave and country to punk and Prince. You can have her John Mellencamp duet on "Wild Night"; I'll take her sultry "Crazy and Wild" from 2011's deliciously atmospheric "Weather." (7 p.m. Sun.-Mon., Dakota Jazz Club, $40.) Bream

Like many veteran artists who spent years on major labels, Keb' Mo' released his latest, "The Reflection," on his own label. He's well connected enough to get Vince Gill, Dave Koz and India.Arie to contribute, and he's inventive enough to turn the Eagles' "One of These Nights" into a mellow song of yearning. Always considered a gentle and happy bluesman, Mo seems more like a James Taylor acolyte on "The Reflection." Opening is guitarist/singer Anders Osborne, a smokin' bluesman who, sans band, also can play it like a thoughtful singer/songwriter. (7:30 p.m. Mon., Guthrie, $46-$48.) Bream

One of the more accessible bands in Swedish death metal -- which is sort of like saying cyanide is one of the better tasting poisons on the market -- In Flames is tearing through the United States in support of its first album in three years, "Sounds of a Playground Fading." The record has slightly slicker production and more prominent melodies, enough so that Kerrang dubbed it "Sounds of a Sell-Out," but fans are still devouring it. At least the concert should be a sell-out, with Florida metalcore favorites Trivium also on the tour. Chicago's Veil of Maya and California newcomers Kyng open. (6 p.m. Tue., First Avenue. All ages. $22.50.) Riemenschneider

You may know Jordan Knight from New Kids on the Block, or from reality TV's"The Surreal Life." But you probably don't know him from his solo singing career -- four albums, including last year's "Unfinished," with contributions from hit-crafter Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. But hey, if Knight's solo gig is half as exciting as last year's surprisingly terrific NKOTB/Backstreet Boys tour, it'll be worth checking out a 41-year-old boy-band idol. (7 p.m. Thu., Cabooze, $35-$40.) Bream

R&B

Mint Condition has been busy, opening shows for Prince, touring with Jill Scott and Anthony Hamilton, and being the house band on TV One's "Way Black When" series. Twenty years into its career, Mint is stubbornly old-school, and we're better for it. As "7," its seventh disc since 1991, demonstrates, Stokley Williams has a creamy voice, and the band is impressively versatile -- getting funky with the classic Minneapolis Sound, soothing with midtempo numbers or seducing with ballads. Read an interview with Williams at startribune.com/music. (9 p.m. Fri., Fine Line, $30-$35.) Bream

HIP-HOP

Thanks to his mentoring and social activism, I Self Devine's shadow looms large in the local scene, even though he hasn't put out an album since 2005's "Self Destruction." He'll step back into the limelight May 8 when Rhymesayers drops his new full-length, "The Sounds of Lower-Class America." In the meantime, he's issuing one free mixtape per month in the so-called "Culture Series." The first is "L.A. State of Mind," a get-the-party-started set whose release party will feature Brother Ali, Muja Messiah, Alicia Steele & the Endeavors and DJs Kool Akiem, King Otto and Just 9. (9 p.m. Sun., 7th Street Entry. $10.) Riemenschneider

Kenny Lee Lewis has been the "other" guitarist in the Steve Miller Band since 1981. Before that, he was a California studio musician. Yet as a bandleader, Lewis prefers jazz forays. His 2009 CD, "New Vintage," offers funky smooth jazz, originals and covers of Stevie Wonder, AWB and Harold Arlen while showing off his fluid electric guitar work. This weekend, his band the Barflyz will feature longtime Miller bandmate Billy Peterson. (9 p.m. Sat., Artists' Quarter, $15.) Surowicz

Retro fun abounds when Bay Area blues and jazz vamp Lavay Smith & Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers take the stage. If your tastes run to 1950s salty mamas -- think Dinah Washington, Big Maybelle, Helen Humes -- you'll get a kick out of the very photogenic Smith, who delivers jump blues, boogie and sexual innuendo to spare. (8 p.m. Sat., Dakota Jazz Club, $20.) Surowicz

FOLK

Longtime "Prairie Home Companion" favorite Peter Ostroushko has played at venues all over the globe, often alongside more famous folks (Chet Atkins, Emmylou Harris, Taj Mahal, Mr. Rogers!). But the mandolin and fiddle master likely has never appeared in a space more intimate than the Riverview Cafe, a coffee and wine bar with comfy chairs and some sofa seating. (8 p.m. Sat., 3745 42nd Av. S., Mpls. $15.) Surowicz

CLASSICAL