A look ahead at shows worth seeing (and hearing) this week ...
COUNTING CROWS
They haven't put out new music in a while -- the recent releases have been last year's live album, a solo album of covers by singer Adam Duritz and now a band album of covers, "Underwater Sunshine" (Bob Dylan, Richard Thompson, Teenage Fanclub) -- but the well-meaning '90s band is still known for putting on a great show.
At 7:30 p.m. April 22 at the Riviera Theatre, 4746 N. Racine. Tickets: $47.50. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com.
ORGANIK VIBE TRIO
Two-time Grammy winner and Chicago native Dave Samuels is looked to as one of the nation's top vibes players, playing with musicians as varied as Oscar Peterson and Chet Baker to Frank Zappa and Bruce Hornsby. Samuels returns home this weekend (after some time) with his jazz trio featuring Hammond B3 and drums.
At 9 p.m. April 20 at the Green Mill, 4802 N. Broadway. Tickets: $12 at the door. Call (773) 878-5552; greenmilljazz.com.
LOUDON WAINWRIGHT III
Never has death and decay been as uplifting and poignant as on singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright's latest LP, "Older Than My Old Man Now." The typically wry, self-effacing and brutally honest lyricist reflects whimsically and ruefully on the September of his years (featuring the whole family as guests, plus Dame Edna). Expect the same on stage, along with the usual tongue-wagging.
The Pines open two shows at 7 and 10 p.m. April 21 in the Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N. Lincoln. Tickets: $24-28. Call (773) 728-6000; oldtownschool.org.
NICK LOWE & HIS BAND
Still cruelly kind with his honeyed voice and smooth, gentlemanly style, British pub rocker Nick Lowe showed off some wonderful new country tunes, from latest album "The Old Magic," last December as the opener for Wilco at Chicago's opera house. At 63, the magic is older but still very potent.
At 7:30 p.m. April 20 at Park West, 322 W. Armitage. Tickets: $30. Call (800) 514-ETIX; jamusa.com
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