Santana. Samba Pa Ti

Tonight: Santana and Steve Winwood @ Walnut Creek

Tonight, guitar God Carlos Santana performs at Walnut Creek with British rock and blues star Steve Winwood of Traffic and Blind Faith. Santana's outfit consists of impossibly talented players, including top percussionists Karl Perazzo and Raul Rekow. Known for his distinct sound - compared occasionally to jazz guitarist John McLaughlin - Carlos Santana has remained relevant over the years by recruiting chart topping pop stars, such as Rob Thomas of Matchbox Twenty, to sing his songs. This tour will actually welcome his newest record, Guitar Heaven - the Greatest Guitar Classics of All Time, out September 21st. This album will again include Rob Thomas and a handful of other pop stars performing classic rock favorites such as Deep Purple’s "Smoke on the Water", Zeppelin’s "Whole Lotta’ Love", and AC/DC's "Back in Black."

Steve Winwood remains at the top of his game touring the world performing a well balanced mix of tunes from his days with Eric Clapton through his hits from the 80's and into the present. A canonized rock mogul, Steve Winwood's voice recalls the history of British blues inspired rock and roll.

(You will surely hear "Dear Mister Fantasy" and "Back in the High Life Again.")

Chuck Prophet -"Doubter Out Of Jesus"

Chuck Prophet @ The Berkley Cafe Friday 7-23

Singer Song writer Chuck Prophet is playing the Berkley Cafe in Raleigh July 23rd. Well known and highly respected as a peer among artists of the highest ilk, including the late Warren Zevon and Leonard Cohen and Randy Newman. Green on Red, his first band enjoyed moderate success in the 1980s releasing several records to critical praise. Prophet released his first solo record, Brother Aldo, in 1990 and continued on offering new albums about once a year gaining acclaim from critics, fans and the musical community. His style is wholly American, with some suggestions of western imagery, the everyman blues and big city swagger. Many of his tunes are tales of the heart being broken or stolen and even taking the form of a hammer. Prophet's voice is gruff and beautiful at the same time, while his guitar work is melodious and tough. Songwriters would give anything to possess his talent and musicians line up to have him play on their records. Having Chuck Prophet perform at one of our small venues is a rare honor which we should recognize and celebrate. It's not every day a legendary musician of his stature breezes through town.

Tonight: JJ Grey & Mofro, and Amelia's Mechanics @ The Pour House

The Pour House in Raleigh welcomes two bands to the stage this evening: Florida born rock, soul, and funk outfit JJ Grey & Mofro and Amelias Mechanic's . Familiar to the southeast, Mofro has been appearing at festivals, rock clubs, and mid sized music halls since the late 1990's appealing to fans of raw funky jam rock. Led by Molly Miller on lead guitar and ukulele with Molly McGinn on rhythm guitar, pedal steel, and vocals ,Ameila's Mechanics offers a fresh take on folk and Americana music. If you're looking for something to do tonight, by all means get down to the Pour house.

Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang

Chelsea Handler, the reigning queen of comedy, is coming to the Raleigh Amphitheater July 3oth as part of her Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang book tour. The Performance will surely consist of her raw, self deprecating sense of humor and racy observations on pop culture and celebrities. Handler made her first television debut on Girls Behaving Badly, a sketch comedy program showcasing woman getting themselves into ridiculous situations. It was like Jack Ass for girls with a hint of Candid Camera. Achieving minor success, Girls Behaving Badly was eventually canceled and Chelsea Handler was offered her own late night chat show on E ! - Chelsea Lately. The formula began with a short monologue by Handler followed by a round table discussion of current events ( in the world of celebrity gossip) with three top comedians, concluding with Handler interviewing a guest celebrity. Since the show began, Handler has published three best selling books: My Horizontal Life: A collection of One Night Stands, Are You There Vodka? It’s me Chelsea! And Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang. Handler's success is built around her blunt honesty that leaves no subject off limits - (especially her sexual misadventures and love of alcohol), her beauty, and the simple fact that she is indeed very funny. Chelsea Handler's performance here should not be missed. I think we're all hoping she brings Chuy along for the tour.

Tonight! July 17 2010

Raleigh's The Love Language are performing at Cat's Cradle this evening in celebration of their latest offering, Libraries. Playing around town for the last few years and garnering attention from music lovers all over the triangle, The Love Language have reached a level of disitinction and respect on the local indie rock scene and beyond. Stuart Mclamb's far reaching vocal ability meshes perfectly with the robust instrumentation provided by the rest of the band, creating a dense ,rainy sound scape dotted with lights. Their shows are known to be quite entertaining, so try and make it out to the Cat's Cradle. The Light Pines and Shit Horse will open.

Recommended Listening:

This Room

Summer Dust

This Blood is our Own

Government Mule @ The Raleigh Amphitheater July 16th

Allman Brothers Band side project Government Mule will play the Raleigh Amhphitheater on July 16th. Warren Haynes, the hardest working man in rock , teamed up with the now deceased Allman Brothers bassist Allen Woody in 1995 to form the Mule. Initially accepted as a radio friendly rock band, the group reached popularity within the Allman Brothers' fan base and the live music circuit at large. Now a major touring act on the jam band scene, Government Mule performs bluesy , funky improvisational rock to enthusiastic audiences and are known to bring out special guest performers during their shows.