Tuesday night the glorious Camera Obscura appears at the Wiltern. Desire Lines is their latest gem. Also on the 18th, Eleanor Friedberger showcases her solo outing, Personal Record, on an Echo bill with Teen and Icewater.

Hymn to Her stop by Genghis Cohen for a set of their rough-hewn roots music. Punk stalwarts Come, featuring guitarists Chris Brokaw and Thalia Zedek, have reunited for a few shows to salute the reissue of Eleven:Eleven. One show is the 19^th at the Bootleg. Tara Jane O’Neil, an avant-garde vet, opens the show. You can dig The Dig at the Bootleg on the 20^th. These New York rockers recently released a new CD, Midnight Flowers.  Classic rock fans will be rockin’ down the highway to the Greek Theater to see the Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller playing the hits. By the way, Miller’s school pal and early bandmate, Boz Scaggs will bring his Memphis tour to the Segerstrom on Sunday.

Friday offers a range of choices. Pop classicist Jonathan Wilson performs (with string!) at Largo, while Sea Wolf and Savoir Adore make for an interesting pair at the El Rey. Meanwhile, the Howling Brothers serve up some raucous roots noise that careens from punkgrass to New Orleans stompers to other roadhouse stops along the Americana highway.

The Troubadour lives up to its name with weekend. Saturday’s headliner is the eclectic singer-songwriter Joseph Arthur, while Josh Rouse (whose new one The Happiness Waltz is his latest set of wonderfully well-crafted tunes). The Wadsworth Theatre hosts a “global fusion” concert (to benefit the Antelope Valley’s Hindu Temple) featuring jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, blues harmonica ace Corky Siegel among others. Blues guitarist Guitar Shorty will be at the Arcadia Blues Club and if you feel like a little drive, you can catch Father John Misty at the Glass House. If you can find the Invisible Manor near DTLA, you can see Jules Shear and Pal Shazar perform.

The First Unitarian Church hosts two special appearances with this weekend. Saturday, Iris DeMent will be there, while Iron & Wine performs on Sunday. Each show will be a religious experience in its own way.

Probably the standout show for this week is at the Hollywood Bowl on Sunday where there’s the “musical showdown” pitting She & Him with Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell. Opening for these duos is a solo set from Matthew E. White.

A couple of L.A. music survivors have local shows too. Dave Alvin shares his treasury of tunes at McCabe’s Saturday and Sunday nights. Johnette Napolitano, of Concrete Blonde fame, has an acoustic set at Hotel Café, which rates as a rare treat.

The Toronto band, Austra showcases their electro-pop music at the Troubadour on the 23^rd. Fellow Canadians the Barenaked Ladies are part of the Last Summer On Earth tour with Ben Folds Five and Guster. Those bright bands from the ‘90s play the Greek. Detroit area honky tonkers Whitey Morgan & the 78’s will kick up some Sunday afternoon fun at Long Beach’s Alex Bar. Lastly, but far from least, the Treetop Flyers – a UK band with a strong SoCal country rock vibe (beyond the fact that their name comes from a Stephen Stills song) – play the Bootleg on the 23^rd. Their very impressive debut Mountain Moves is out on the 25^th.

Capitol/UMe has announced a mega 6-CD Beach Boys collections, entitled Made In California, which is slated for release on Aug. 27. Packed with over 7 1/2 hours of music (including 60 never-before-released tracks), this deluxe set offers a vast and vivid overview of this band’s legendary career, including a treasure trove of memorabilia.

Jeff Beck is guesting on the new Brian Wilson album.

Brian Wilson is working on his next solo album, which will include a guest appearance by guitar icon Jeff Beck. It’ll be interesting to see what these two innovative musician come up with. Not only will Beck play on the upcoming disc, but he will also be part of the Brian Wilson/Al Jardine/David Marks concerts at L.A.’s Greek Theatre on Oct. 20.

If you are looking to find out more about the Beach Boys, or just rekindle fond memories, you will make a surfin’ safari to the Grammy Museum – if you haven’t already done so – to view the Good Vibrations: 50 Years of The Beach Boys exhibit, which runs through the end of September.

Beach Boy aficionados should also note that Stevie Kalinich, who contributed to several Beach Boys tunes (including some appearing on Made In California) as well as Dennis Wilson and Brian Wilson solo tracks, is working on a followup to his Mark Linnett-produced Shortcuts to Infinity/Symptomology album that came out last year.

Ringo Starr, who has an exhibit opening this weekend at the Grammy Museum, has announced that he is writing a children’s book based off of his Beatles tune, “Octopus’s Garden.” The question isn’t why, but why has it taken so long for this natural adaptation. By the way, Ringo’s Peace & Love exhibit is a really cool show, filled with a treasure trove memorabilia and some neat interactive features.

The quirky character comedy Waitress (directed by Adrienne Shelly who sadly was murdered before the film’s release) will be turned into a stage musical. A quite talented (and appropriately woman-centered) creative team is behind this project: singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles will do the music, Diane Paulus (who just on a Tony for Pippin) will direct and Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel will do the book.

The Newport Folk Festival will head Horace Greeley’s advice and “go west.” It will stage an L.A.-based version of its festival on the Santa Monica Pier Oct. 5-6. The announced lineup for Way Over Yonder includes Conor Oberst, Neko Case, Justin Townes Earle, Shovels & Rope and more acts that add up to what would be an truly awesome musical experience. Find out more at www.wayoveryonder.net.

The glorious Parson Red Heads will be at the Detroit Bar on the 11^th and the Bootleg on the 13^th. The impressive Said The Whale is on the bill as is Desert Noises. The Radar Brothers appear at the Satellite (Radar – Satellite, seems like a perfect conceptual match) on the 12^th, with Ola Podrida opening. The 88 celebrate their new CD, Fortune Teller, with a hometown show at the Troubadour on Wednesday. Aaron Embry opens. Americana fans should know that the Levon Helm documentary Ain’t In It For My Health screens at the Silent Movie theater at the 12^th.

Josh Ritter’s Grammy Museum is sold out on Thursday night, but the Mint has a great bill featuring Shurman, Marc Ford, Rod Melancon and Mando Saenz, whose new album Studebaker is one of the best things out there now. Melissa Ferrick, who also has a new CD (the truth is) performs at the Hotel Café on the 13^th. Emily Wells brings her orchestral folk music to the Echo, while another ethereal songstress, Beth Orton headlines the Troubadour on Thursday with the promising young UK singer/songwriter James Bay opening.

The terrific Ruthie Foster has a solo show at the McCabe’s on Friday night. Also worth checking out is Cecile Hortensia, an interesting singer-songwriter whose music reflects her native France as well as her current residence, Arizona.

Saturday stands out as a great night to experience music. The great Texas story-teller Robert Earl Keen headlines the El Rey. Blues guitar master Guitar Shorty returns to Harvelle’s in Long Beach, while Joe’s Great American Bar & Grill hosts a benefit for ailing bluesman Finis Tasby. They Might Be Giants will spin their twisted pop gems at Anaheim’s House of Blues. At the secret Silent Cinema location in the Hollywood Hills, Michael on Fire, Amilia K. Spicer and Jackie Bristow (who ranks in my “you should know her music” category) will take part in a songwriters-in-the-round show.

My top show for Saturday would be the Lady Lamb The Beekeeper/Torres show at the Bootleg. Lady Lamb (aka Aly Spaltro) creates beguiling music that forms more of a spider metaphor in my mind – quietly drawing in the listener before wrapping them up in noisy guitars blasts. Something like PJ Harvey, although quite different too. I’m less familiar with Torres, but the few tracks of hers also have a powerful blend of soft and hard elements.

Sunday finds two veterans playing on opposite sides of town. Junior Brown twangs his guit-steel at McCabe’s while Peter Case shares his ramshackle story-songs at the Echoplex, with Deep Ellum as his openers. There will be a rare sighting of The Bats, who were part of that great New Zealand indie rock scene of the ’80s and ’90s, at the Satellite on Sunday. Also on the 16th, Alice Smith  (her terrific album She reveals her to be a dynamic soulful singer)  has a free in-store show at Amoeba before her Monday show at the Troubadour.

And speaking of Monday the 17^th, Rhett Miller will reign again at Largo, while John Grant come to the Echo to showcase his new album, Pale Green Ghosts. Sixties rocker Gary U.S. Bonds, who get some Springsteen-supported career revival, has a book signing of his memoir, That’s My Story, at Book Soup on Monday too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZrDALCsKwI

The story is something about two aliens who land in Brooklyn and, instead of taking over the Earth, they become a popular folk duo. The question is whether the film’s quirkiness stays amusing or just gets annoying before the end titles roll.

Is the soundtrack worth listening to? Hell, yes. Any album that includes performances by Elvis Costello, Neko Case, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Bingham, Kris Kristofferson, Taj Mahal, Rosanne Cash, John Mellencamp and both Alvin brothers is something to hear.

This Yep Roc release pairs the audio CD (which also includes the voice work of actors Matthew McConaughey, Samantha Mathis and Meg Ryan) with a DVD featuring a “making of” documentary and a video of Mellencamp’s in-studio recording of the disc’s closing number “Truth.”

It’s available at the Yep Roc’s web-store, http://yeproc.11spot.com.

Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings

Here’s wishing her well on her proposed surgery and subsequent recuperation/recovery. She always seemed like a tough lady so if anyone can defeat this cancer diagnosis if would be Ms. Sharon Jones.

But first, here’s what is happening the end of May. As previously reported, John Fogerty combines a birthday bash and CD release party at the El Rey on Tuesday. Undoubtedly there will be some very special guests involved. The 28^th also finds Lissie bringing her haunting acoustic-based music to the Hollywood Forever’s Masonic Lodge.

Portland’s Radiation City lights up the Satellite with its delightful pop tunes on the 29^th. Largo hosts a special show on Wednesday as Inara George and Van Dyke Parks collaborate on a night of Brazilian music. Thursday offers a Rolling Stones salute (and a Sweet Relief benefit) at the Fonda, with Butch Walker, Juliette Lewis and Michelle Branch numbering among the musicians and Jason Sudeikis, Will Forte and Danny Masterson scheduled to appear too.

David Olney

Friday hosts a pair of great shows. Master tunesmith David Olney (and his trusty accompanist Sergio Webb) shares his songs at McCabe’s with fabulous Anne McCue also on the bill. Over at the Mint, the Bluegrass Situation welcomes the lovely acoustic sounds of Joy Kills Sorrow, whose new CD, This Unknown Science may be short, but it’s definitely sweet. Trixie Whitley and Rocco Deluca perform at the Troubadour, while you can hear the local band the Blank Tapes at the Satellite.

June starts off on a busy note. The eclectic Insects vs. Robots has a show at the Venice Townhouse, while the retro cool Shannon and the Clams are at the Echo on the 1^st and Santa Ana’s Observatory on the 2^nd. The Mint has an early show from L.A. via N.Y.C. troubadour Jonah Smith while Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin & Wood) teams up with Wil Blades for the late show. The Wiltern will rumble with the sounds of the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

A Hawk And A Hacksaw

Jeremy Barnes and Heather Trost, better known as A Hawk and A Hacksaw, perform their cinematic Americana at the Bootleg. Their new one You Have Already Gone To The Other World is a tasty poppycosh of Eastern European sounds. Edging out as Saturday’s top show is Joe Pernice’s appearance at McCabe’s. Pernice, who was a shining light of the No Depression scene in Scud Mountain Boys, makes an all-too-rare appearance in SoCal.

Saturday also is Make Music Pasadena Day, with acts like Taken By Trees, We Are Scientists, Superhumanoids and Will Courtney performing around the city. Courtney, formerly of the Austin band Brothers and Sisters, will also play Long Beach’s Wine Bar (6/2), Echo Park’s Lot 1 Café (6/3), Pasadena City Hall (6/8) and the Cinema Bar (6/9).

Sunday, you can hightail it out to the San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino where Mumford & Sons bring their Gentlemen of the Road tour (which includes Michael Kiwanuka, Eels and other acts). Closer to town, Sam Outlaw, Drive He Said (Maxim Ludwig) and Chris Shiflett & The Dead Peasants share the Grand Ole Echo bill. McCabe’s has another fine bill featuring Sara Watkins, Tom Brosseau and Z Berg. The Ohms (Pete Yorn’s project with JD King) will be at the Troubadour Sunday night while Bjork will give her disc Biophilia an intimate yet multi-media production at the Palladium the 2^nd and the 5^th.

Mondays in June will be Summer Twins nights at the Bootleg. June 3^rd also begins Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers’ residency at the Fonda (they also play there on the 4^th, 6^th, 8^th, 9^th and 11^th, but good luck getting tickets).

Alpine

It’s International Night at the El Rey on the 4^th as young Australian band Alpine serve up some summer-y sounds (check out their delightful debut A Is For Alpine) with Spanish rockers Crystal Fighters also playing. Another Australian artist, Lenka, performs at the Hotel Café on Tuesday as she showcases songs from her upcoming Shadows album. Power Pop fans will be salivating over the chance to view the new Big Star documentary, Nothing Can Hurt Me at the Grammy Museum. Following the screening, there will be a Q&A and Big Star’s Jody Stephens will play a few tunes with Luther Russell and Jason Hiller.

The Parquet Courts take over the Echo on the 5^th. Their scruffy rock ‘n’ roll has been getting a lot of attention. Total Control (yet another Australian band – is there discount airfare from Sydney now?) will rule Anaheim’s Chain Reaction on Wednesday and the Echoplex on Thursday. Gold Fields and Capital Cities also do the Anaheim/L.A. shuffle, playing Anaheim’s HoB on the 5^th and the El Rey on the 6^th.  Largo welcomes Ron Sexsmith on Wednesday. He has brought a band along to showcase his latest, Forever Endeavor. Jewel will spend the night in Beverly Hills as she has a show at the Saban Theater. But if you are looking for something good and cheap on the 5th, then head to Origami Vinyl where Debbie Neigher and Doe Eye share an in-store appearance. Both ladies create beautifully intriguing music.

Debbie Neigher

On Thursday, Paul Adelstein brings his current project, Doris, to the Witzend, while Friday offers Sam Amidon at the Bootleg (his debut Bright Sunny South is out on Nonesuch) and the impressive Minnesota rock band War Poets visit the Whiskey. UK rockers The Boxer Rebellion has a new album Promises and a show at the Avalon on Friday night. Also on Friday,

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals have a show at Pomona’s Fox Theater. Friday’s top show is at McCabe’s where the Living Sisters deliver their wonderful harmonies and special musical vision along with Carly Ritter (she’s Tex’s granddaughter) also on the bill.

The Jubilee Music & Arts Festival takes place on Friday and Saturday night. Free Energy, Black Lips, Cayucas, The Drums and Fool’s Gold are a few of the festival’s acts.

Pinata Protest

You can spend Saturday night with Rufus Wainwright at the Valley Performing Arts Center. Another artful show takes place at the Culver City’s Taylor De Cordoba, where Little Wings (aka Kyle Fields) performs at an opening of his art show there. Blame Sally wings down from the Bay Area for a McCabe’s appearance on the 8^th and Patty Larkin sings there on Sunday.  Bob Malone has a Saturday night set at the Mint and Naama Kates will sit down at Molly Malone’s piano to performs her emotion-filled songs. The accordion-powered Pinata Protest (an intriguing Lone Star band that fuses punk rock and Tex-Mex music) plays with Girl In A Coma at the Satellite on the 8^th and Riverside’s Pixels on the 9^th.

The summer “remember your youth” amphitheater season starts this weekend with the Greek Theater welcoming Cheap Trick & Pat Benatar. Go early, however, to catch the opener Brynn Marie, a young singer with impressive vocals. Topping the weekend’s fare is the annual Iron ‘n’ Ink Ball. You don’t have to be tattooed, or get tattooed, to enjoy this festival’s lineup. On the roots side, there’s a terrific lineup including JC Brooks and the Uptown Sound, Wanda Jackson, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Rev. Peyton’s Big Damn Band, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, the Growlers and, quite naturally at a Tattoo Festival, the Fleshtones. Punk rock fans will rejoice with the chance to see such classic bands as The Stranglers, Sublime with Rome, The Offspring, Bad Brains, NOFX, Rocket from the Crypt, Dead Kennedys and the great Iggy and the Stooges.

http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/cannes-review-inside-llewyn-davis-92546

The reviewer Sasha Stone called it “breathtaking” and “likely to be one of the best films of the year.” Which is nice to hear, although it would be on my list of must-see movies even with bad reviews. On one hand, it is by the Coen Brothers whose films are always interesting in my book (whether the film all comes together or not). And the story takes place the Greenwich Village folk scene of the early Sixties. While the title character certainly has his Dylanesque qualities, the story actually is loosely based on folk singer Dave Van Ronk’s memoir.

Judging just from the trailer, Oscar Isaac looks quite convincing as a Village troubadour and the film also stars Carey Mulligan, Justin Timberlake, John Goodman and a rather Mitch Miller-looking F. Murray Abraham.

Despite its recent Cannes’ screening, the film is set to come out in December so maybe it’s best not to think too much about it yet.

On this new collection, Fogerty has recorded a dozen of his classic tunes with a wide range of great musicians, from Bob Seger (“Who’ll Stop The Rain”) to My Morning Jacket (“Long As I Can See The Light”); Keith Urban (“Almost Saturday Night”) to Jennifer Hudson (“Proud Mary”). Rounding out the disc are two Fogerty solo efforts: “Mystic Highway” and “Train of Fools.”

Who will be Fogerty’s special guests? It’s not for me to guess.

If you can’t score tickets, the show will be broadcast on AXS TV.