‘Dig in Deep’ with Bonnie Raitt at the Paramount

Published 7:17 pm Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Bonnie Raitt started as a slow burn.

The blues rock singer released her debut album all the way back in 1971, and her full voice and skilled guitar-playing made her a critical, if not a commercial, success.

By the 1980s, she was well-established enough to start putting little dents in the charts.

Then, in 1989, she released her 10th album, “Nick of Time,” and became a full-fledged pop star, hitting No. 1 on the charts, winning Album of the Year at the Grammys and creating signature songs like “Thing Called Love.”

Arguably, that’s when she peaked, but fans and critics alike would argue she’s hardly slowed down. She will headline the Paramount Theatre at 8 p.m. April 20 as she tours behind her 20th studio album, “Dig in Deep.”

That record included more original compositions, along with some unexpected covers, including her take on songs by INXS and Los Lobos.

Tickets are $40.25 to $95.25 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

The Moore Theatre, meanwhile, has a full bill lined up in the days ahead, starting with a stop from famed folky Arlo Guthrie at 8 p.m. April 16.

The son of Woody Guthrie, Arlo made his own name in the 1960s, first earning acclaim 50 years ago for the album “Alice’s Restaurant.”

He will be celebrating the anniversary of that record during his Seattle show. That disc featured the lengthy 18-minute track “Alice’s Restaurant Massacre,” an unusual and comic song that mixed spoken word bits with Guthrie’s own warble.

Fans may also get to hear another of his songs, “The City of New Orleans,” which was his biggest hit on the pop charts.

Tickets are $35 to $65 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Then the Moore will host St. Germain at 7:30 p.m. April 19.

The French producer has drawn acclaim with his odd fusion of sounds, a blend that placed his latest album, a self-titled disc, in the upper reaches of the jazz, world and electronica charts.

Admittedly, fans had been hotly anticipating that disc. St. Germain originally made his name in the 1990s, and hadn’t released an album of new material in 15 years.

Tickets are $32.50 to $42.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

And then, at 8 p.m. April 21, the current queen of slacker-rock, Courtney Barnett, will visit the Moore stage.

The Australian singer began churning out her journalistic guitar rambles in 2013, turning heads on hip sites like Pitchfork.com. Then she released her first proper full length album, “Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit.”

An immediate success, that album topped the rock charts thanks in large part to her literate lyrics and catchy guitar hooks, showcased on songs like “Pedestrian at Best” and “Elevator Operator.”

Tickets are $23.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

Boyce Avenue, a trio of clean-cut brothers, also is headed to Seattle for a show at the Showbox SoDo at 7:30 p.m. April 16.

The group first made its name on YouTube, and then gained further steam as a contestant on the TV show “The X Factor.” The brothers’ basic shtick is simple. They give acoustic arrangements to already-popular songs by stars like Adele and Imagine Dragons.

Tickets are $25 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.

The Above Ordinary Music Group also is headed to the Showbox SoDo, as the Korean hip-hop label hosts a showcase for its star artists.

The label was founded by Jay Park, a native of Edmonds who became famous in South Korea after going to a talent audition in the U.S. Along with Park, the show will feature fellow Korean hip-hop and pop stars DJ Pumkin, Loco, Simon Dominic and Gray.

Tickets are $75 to $300 at showboxonline.com or 888-929-7849.

A pair of shows will keep the Neptune Theatre active as well.

First up is a visit from the soulful, clean-cut pop act Parachute, which is touring behind its fourth album, the recently released “Wide Awake.”

Tickets are $21.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.

The also-soulful act Rhye will play the Neptune at 8 p.m. April 21.

The group’s sophisticated blend of electronic production and aching R&B vocals is showcased on its broadly acclaimed debut album, “Woman.”

Tickets are $28.50 at stgpresents.org or 877-784-4849.