Vibes
JIMMY HERRING BAND Herring, longtime sideman in bands such as Aquarium Rescue Unit, The Allman Brothers Band and the Dead (and current gunslinger for Widespread Panic) is making his second stint as a bandleader on this tour — and what a band it is. Along with Herring, JHB features drummer Jeff Sipe (Aquarium Rescue Unit), keyboardist Matt Slocum (Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks), and Neal Fountain on bass (Col Bruce Hampton). Those who've seen the guitarist in person know that Herring's style — a pepperpot of raga-inspired rags, clean, piercing runs and free improvisation — ought to accent his jazzbo-jam backing band to a T. $23-$26, Visulite Theatre, www.visulite.com (Timothy C. Davis)
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DAVE BARNES Born in South Carolina, this Mississippi-raised singer/songwriter has taken a lifetime of R&B/soul, blues and rock influences and transformed that into a soulful, folk rock of his own. Completely immersed in the Nashville scene, his music isn't what that city usual puts out, but it's certainly got the same heart behind it. Who would've expected this from someone whose first CD was Young MC? $20, The Evening Muse, www.theeveningmuse.com (Mike McCray)
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PACKWAY HANDLE BAND Another good ole bluegrass outfit from the fertile musical plains of Athens, Ga. Nothin' fancy here, just Southern, rural heartland music. Time-tested acoustic instruments and melodies are played with heart and a sense of belonging. Now coming up on a full decade of making music, their tight-knit harmonies and swift plucking remain intact. Count PHB among the genuine. With Big Daddy Love. $5, Double Door Inn, www.doubledoorinn.com (Samir Shukla)
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