By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
Wednesday February 22
French singer and producer Arthur H makes his New York debut this evening at Florence Gould Hall. He counts Tom Waits and Thelonius Monk as important influences, and is often compared to Serge Gainsbourg.
Thursday February 23
Regina Spektor's long awaited album is due in May this year. Recorded in LA last summer, the album is the sixth for the Russian–American singer songwriter. Lately she's been touring with Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. At the Rose Theater, Lincoln Center.
Friday February 24
Sharon Van Etten has a sweetly lyrical but lived-in voice - warm and melancholy - and is a fine songwriter with a few tales to tell. Her third album "Tramp" was produced by The National's Aaron Dessner. At the Music Hall Of Williamsburg.
Saturday February 25
Blood Orange is made up of talented Texas-born but England-raised producer Devonté Hynes (aka Lightspeed Champion). Blood Orange's first album, last year's "Coastal Grooves," recalls Prince's late '70s self-produced albums. At the Glasslands Gallery, Brooklyn.
Sunday February 26
The Sidewalk Cafe's annual roundup of exciting music on the underground folk scene is happening this week. Check out the Winter Antifolk Festival if you're in to fresh acoustic sounds and original voices. Tonight (Sunday) looks interesting — it's "No Lights, No Power" night — raw and unamplified performances from 6pm until the wee wee hours. From Feb 22-26.
Monday February 27
Guitar instrumental surf-rock kings The Ventures shake the stage at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill. Even the musically illiterate know their twangin' tunes, like "Walk Don't Run" & "Hawaii Five-O".
Tuesday February 28
Lyle Lovett (and his Acoustic Group) will be playing tracks from his new album "Release Me" at N.Y. Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall. It's a beautiful room and a fitting venue for the rootsish country singer songwriter. Lovett has also dabbled in acting - notably in the off-kilter films of Robert Altman; The Player (1992), Short Cuts (1993) and Prêt-à-Porter (1994). In 1993, Lovett was thrust into the spotlight after his marriage (and subsequent divorce two years later) to Hollywood starlet Julia Roberts. Esquire Magazine wrapped up the idiosyncratic Texan's appeal nicely back in 2006: "The secret of Lyle Lovett's endurance comes down to the three C's: class, charisma and consistency... In the studio and on stage with his giant orchestra, he's spent two decades gracefully matching genuine songcraft with A-list musicianship".
