Friday 21
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HEM Dan Messe, the leader of this New York octet, has professed his admiration for countrypolitan, a sound designed in 60s Nashville to put a more urbane pop veneer on country music via heavy string parts and soft-focus background vocals. And only a few weeks ago the New York Times discussed Hem, along with Lambchop and Mike Ireland, in a piece about the new breed of countrypolitan acts. But while the production on Hem’s recent second album, Eveningland (Waveland/Rounder), has the style’s requisite thickness–with arrangements recorded in Bratislava by the Slovak National Radio Orchestra–the semiaudible pedal steel, mandolin, and banjo don’t provide enough country to keep it from sounding like Judy Collins with the Boston Pops. OK, the down-tempo originals are darker than that, and Sally Ellyson’s restrained vocals put her closer to Norah than to Judy; still, Eveningland is about as effete and dull as music gets. Hem also plays Thursday, January 20, at the same time and venue; David Meade and Dawn Landes open both shows. 10 PM, Schubas, 3159 N. Southport, 773-525-2508, $12. –Peter Margasak
WEBB WILDER & THE NASHVEGANS An obsessive cataloger of rockabilly, classic R & B, and British Invasion singles since the mid-80s, Nashville cult artist Webb Wilder has been determined to put compact tunefulness back in its rightful place as a criterion for greatness. (Wilder regularly makes his case by DJing on satellite radio, where he spins country as it’s most loosely defined.) A new Webb Wilder album is forthcoming from Landslide Records in the spring. 9:30 PM, FitzGerald’s, 6615 Roosevelt, Berwyn, 708-788-2118 or 312-559-1212, $15. –Monica Kendrick
Sunday 23
ANTONIO PITINGO A year ago Spanish singer Antonio Alvarez, aka Antonio Pitingo, made his international debut here, performing with the veteran flamenco guitarist Gerardo Nunez. His performance at the Chicago Cultural Center knocked out the crowd, and he’s returning to kick off the Flamenco 2005 festival with a headlining gig. The 24-year-old Pitingo hasn’t issued an album yet, but on a live recording I’ve heard, his slightly feminine cry drips with pathos and joy; he eschews gruffness in favor of sinuous movement and a sweet, soaring vibrato. Pitingo will be joined by guitarist Luis Miguel Valle Manzano and dancer Fernando Soto Valencia. He also performs Fri 1/28 at Hothouse; see listings for more. 7 PM, Preston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, 312-744-6630. See also Wednesday. Free. All ages. –Peter Margasak
