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Orchestra Baobab
Harbourfront Centre (235 Queen’s Quay West), tonight (Thursday, July 10)
The kings of Senegalese Afro-Latin swing tear it up by the lake. Could be the show of the year. See cover story, page 30.
Mary Gauthier
Hugh’s Room (2261 Dundas West), tonight (Thursday, July 10)
Hardcore folk fans underwhelmed by Lucinda Williams’s recent work will be knocked flat by Gauthier’s gutsy revelations.
Nathaniel Mayer and the Shanks
Graffiti’s (170 Baldwin), Friday ( July 11) Here’s a shocker – legendary Fortune label 50s R&B belter Nathaniel Mayer (Village Of Love) makes a rare appearance outside Motown backed by the Shanks, led by ex-Detroit Cobras guitarist Jeff Meier. Don’t miss it.
Billy Bragg, Geoff Berner
El Mocambo (464 Spadina), Friday (July 11)
A solo show by Billy Bragg, revisiting the Woody Guthrie songs from his popular Mermaid Avenue project, promises a good dose of comedy and insightful political commentary. See feature, page 32.
Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Atomic 7
El Mocambo (464 Spadina), Saturday ( July 12)
Cali honky-tonk heroes roar back with their well-schooled mix of country and Cajun-flavoured roots rockin’ performed with period-perfect panache. See Celebrity Spins, page 43.
Robert Randolph and the Family Band
Horseshoe (370 Queen West), Monday (July 14)
Sacred steel hotshot Robert Randolph previews the room-shaking songs from his forthcoming Unclassified disc. See feature, page 32.
Tom Waits Tribute
El Mocambo (464 Spadina), Monday ( July 14)
Local indie rock dynamos including Kathryn Rose, Matt Barber, Broken Social Scene’s Andrew Whiteman and Brian Borcherdt pay homage to the gravelly voiced one. The funder for a music therapy trust fund is hosted by folkie crooner Tory Cassis.
Umbrellamusic Live
Rivoli (332 Queen West), Wednesday (July 16)
Check out sultry dream pop up-and-comers Hawaii and power pop superheroes the Carnations at cool indie rock Internet portal Umbrellamusic’s intimate showcase.
