It’s no contest. The Triple Door in Seattle simply offers the best selection of quality shows in a variety of musical categories in the Puget Sound.
Consider the next seven-day period: Singer-songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins with Two Loons for Tea; singer-songwriter Karla Bonhoff with Catie Curtis; instrumentalists California Guitar Trio with Zoe Keating; progressive rock guitar legend Adrian Belew; and bluesman John Lee Hooker Jr.
Sophie B. Hawkins: The New York City pop singer-songwriter who began her career as a percussionist (she also plays guitar, cello and keyboards) returns to Seattle with a Top-40 hit, “Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover,” an appearance in NBC’s “Hit Me Baby One More Time” and a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. Two Loons for Tea opens. Expect to become a fan of either, or more likely both. Tonight, Seattle.
Karla Bonhoff: The singer-songwriter helped launch The Triple Door in its first month and returns for a third time. She was in the first wave of singer-songwriters taking root in the U.S. 35 years ago. “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me,” “If He’s Ever Near” and “Lose Again” were hits for Linda Ronstadt, and Bonhoff’s “All My Life” won Ronstadt and Aaron Neville a Grammy. Folk-rock singer-songwriter Catie Curtis opens. Expect right-on-target takes on issues of the day. Last March, Curtis won the grand prize of the International Songwriting Competition for “People Look Around,” co-written with Mark Erelli. Saturday, Seattle.
California Guitar Trio: This trio can knock out the surfing classic “Pipeline” and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in the same evening. The Belgian, Japanese and American musicians create music that has been heard on television and the space shuttle Endeavor. Opening is Zoe Keating, cellist for the alternative rock band Rasputina. Sunday, Seattle.
Adrian Belew: He doesn’t visit Seattle very often, so catch the ever-creative progressive-rock guitarist on this trip. He’s played with David Bowie, King Crimson, Frank Zappa, Talking Heads, Tori Amos and many more. Tuesday, Seattle.
John Lee Hooker Jr.: The W.C. Handy Award-winner and Grammy-nominated bluesman is carrying on a family tradition these days, singing the blues in the footsteps of his father while creating a new take with his mix of blues, jazz and R&B. Wednesday, Seattle.
Elsewhere:
Paul Stanley: The force behind KISS, the band’s frontman is touring with his first solo recording in 28 years, “Live to Win.” Composer of “Love Gun,” “God of Thunder” and “Black Diamond” for KISS, Stanley also can sing ballads without the glitz. Tonight, Seattle.
Hanneke Cassel: The 1997 U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Champion’s exuberance is tempered with clarity and charisma. She holds a degree in violin performance from Berklee College of Music and has performed and taught violin in several countries. Saturday, Seattle.
Tuck and Patti: The classically trained guitarist (Tuck Andress) and classically trained vocalist (Patti Cathart) have performed together since 1978, applying their skills to jazz, pop, rhythm and blues, gospel, folk, rock and Brazilian music. It’s a can’t-miss concert. Tuesday through Thursday, Seattle.
Ciara: Just turned 21, Ciara Princess Harris has won a Grammy (with Missy Elliott for Best Short-Form Music Video, 2006) and turned out a Billboard R&B and Hip-Hop chart-topper with the single “Goodies,” one of three top-10 singles from the album of that name. Her single “Get Up” is on the soundtrack of the movie “Step Up,” and she won the BET Award for best collaboration for her hit “1, 2, Step.” Wednesday, Seattle.
Adrienne Young: Pop-inflected old-time music combined with compassion, a poet’s heart and an independent spirit are her trademarks. Her most recent recording, “Art of Virtue,” finds room for a Grateful Dead classic (“Brokedown Palace”), a gospel standard (“Farther Along”) and old-time fiddle tunes. Wednesday, Seattle.
Ray Lamontagne: The thoughtful and expressive singer-songwriter’s 2004 debut on RCA Records, “Trouble,” sold a quarter-million copies. He’s followed that with “‘Till the Sun Turns Black,” with songs that have poured from an emotional center rather than a desire to entertain. Wednesday, Seattle.
California Guitar Trio performs Sunday in Seattle.
Karla Bonhoff
Tuck and Patti have a three-night engagement at Seattle’s Jazz Alley.
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