The Jayhawks
Madison is treated to a lot of live music love this Valentine's week, with shows by Jim Brickman, Karl Denson's Tiny Universe with Anders Osborne, Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaire, The Jayhawks, Wrack, Cate Le Bon, Sage Francis, and Emancipator.
Monday 2.13
NOTEWORTHY: Soviet Union expels dissident author and Nobel laureate Alexander Solzhenitsyn, 1974.
Tuesday 2.14
NOTEWORTHY: Seven of Al Capone's rivals gunned down in Chicago garage during St. Valentine's Day Massacre, 1929.
Overture Hall, 7:30 pm
The prolific composer and pianist, practitioner of a New-Agey sort of pop romanticism, presents "An Evening of Romance." With singer/former pro football player Ben Utecht.
Karl Denson's Tiny Universe with Anders Osborne
Majestic Theatre, 8 pm
In addition to being an ace guitar player, Anders Osborne has a soulful voice that's recently won praise from Paste. As a valentine to Madison fans, he'll share bluesy selections from his latest album, American Patchwork, and join musicians from Karl Denson's Tiny Universe to perform the Rolling Stones' Sticky Fingers.
Wednesday 2.15
NOTEWORTHY: Leon Spinks upsets Muhammad Ali in split decision for heavyweight title, 1978.
Charles Bradley & His Extraordinaires
High Noon Saloon, 8 pm
Discovered by Daptone Records at age 62, this old-school soul man croons about hard knocks with a verve that's likely to summon James Brown's ghost (see Tour Stop).
Thursday 2.16
NOTEWORTHY: King Tut's burial chamber unsealed, 1923.
Barrymore Theatre, 7:30 pm
The Jayhawks enchant audiences with hooks and harmonies easily mistaken for vintage folk-rock gems by the Byrds or one of Neil Young's many collaborations. Bask in the magical sounds of their latest album, Mockingbird Time, at this show. With Kaiser Cartel.
Audio for the Arts, 8 pm
Equipped with an oboe, a bass, a viola, a bass clarinet and an extensive collection of percussion instruments, this quintet of improvisational music-makers blows minds by pairing hints of Euro-American classical modernism with shards of post-punk and avant-jazz.
Frequency, 9 pm
The protégée of Super Furry Animals' Gruff Rhys, this Welsh songstress fills her folk-pop with vocal textures reminiscent of the Velvet Underground's Nico and melodic flourishes that have earned comparisons to a Barnum & Bailey circus. Savor selections from her sophomore release, Cyrk, tonight. With Pioneer.
High Noon Saloon, 9 pm
Loved by fans of spoken-word poetry, this brainy bard was the first rapper to sign with the punk-rock label Epitaph. His latest album, Li(f)e, is a collaboration with tuneful folks like Grandaddy's Jason Lytle, Death Cab for Cutie's Chris Walla and composer Yann Tiersen, who penned the soundtrack to Amélie. With Kristoff Kane and Metermaids.
Majestic Theatre, 10 pm
Though this inventive trip-hopper resides in Portland, Ore., he's achieved most of his fame in Japan, where celebrity producer Nujabes helped deliver his debut album to thousands of fans. Sample Emancipator's latest release, Safe in the Steep Cliffs, in the big downtown room. With Little People.
