By Daniel Jumpertz
Special to DNAinfo
Wednesday, May 16
Portland-raised, but NY-based, The Blow is Khaela Maricich, a musician and visual artist. Originally part of the indie pop duo Yacht, Khaela currently is collaborating with artist Melissa Dyne on a new album. At Mercury Lounge.
Thursday, May 17
Reggae legend Lee "Scratch" Perry is one figure who has revolutionised sound and music culture. He recorded Bob Marley's earliest records and was hugely influential in the creation of dub — particularly from his Jamaican studio, Black Ark. He has recorded more than 50 of his own albums. Check him out at Gramercy Theatre.
Friday, May 18
As singer and songwriter with The Jam, Paul Weller led one of Britain's best-loved bands of the late 1970s. Consistent chart-toppers at home with their catchy, mod-inspired guitar anthems, The Jam never made much of a splash in the U.S. After The Jam split in 1982, Weller formed the soul, R&B and jazz influenced Style Council, recording six albums during the 1980s, and then releasing his first solo album in 1992. His 11th solo album "Sonik Kicks" was another UK chart topper, reaching the top spot in March, 2012. It features a duet — "Study In Blue" — with his wife Hannah Andrews, whom he married in 2010. At Best Buy Theater. (also Saturday)
Saturday, May 19
Lil' Kim has released just three albums since her 1996 breakthrough R&B/hip-hop album "Hard Core", but none since 2005's "The Naked Truth". Her "Return Of The Queen Tour" signals her reemergence into the music game, after a particularly tumultuous seven years. Lil' Kim (Kimberly Denise Jones) was convicted of conspiracy and perjury for lying to a Federal grand jury about a 2001 shooting outside the Hot 97 radio studios in Manhattan. She was released from prison in 2006 after serving 12 months behind bars. Catch the second show on her comeback tour at Paradise Theater in the Bronx.
Also tonight: "The Empress Of Soul", Gladys Knight plays St. George Theatre on Staten Island. Best known for her work with the band The Pips, Knight sang on such classics as "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia".
Sunday, May 20
This weekend, Brooklyn’s historic Prospect Park will transform into "The Great GoogaMooga" — thanks to 75 food vendors, 35 brewers, 30 winemakers and 20 live music performances, today featuring blue-eyed soul legends Hall & Oates, and Fitz & The Tantrums, among many others. At Nethermead Meadow, Prospect Park.
Also today: Rancid headline "Black N Blue Bowl 2012" at Webster Hall. Doors open at 2 p.m., and you'll find more than a dozen fine hardcore and punk bands on the bill.
Monday, May 21
Jack White's long-awaited solo album "Blunderbuss" was released last month to universal acclaim — the album already has hit number one in the U.S. and U.K. — and features all-new material written and recorded during 2011. About the album, White says: "I've put off making records under my own name for a long time but these songs feel like they could only be presented under my name. These songs were written from scratch, had nothing to do with anyone or anything else but my own expression, my own colors on my own canvas."
White formed the White Stripes with his then-wife Meg White in 1997, and also has been an integral member of The Dead Weather (with The Kills front woman Alison Mosshart) and The Raconteurs. White also has run a record label and recording studio, Third Man Records, in Nashville since 2009. In support, Alabama Shakes. At Roseland. (also Tuesday.)
Tuesday, May 22
Gossip are an American funky punk band, fronted by dynamic blues-and-country-tinged singer Beth Ditto. The band formed in 1999 and signed to Music With a Twist, a subsidiary of Sony, concentrating on LGBT musical acts. Their fifth album, "A Joyful Noise" is available for pre-order now, check out their new single "Perfect World" here. At Terminal 5.
For more Gigs of the Week, follow @bandupdate on Twitter.
