Lyle Lovett and K.D. Lang each shocked and awed the country world in the mid-1980s. Lovett's self-titled debut came out on MCA in '86 and proved the Texas singer/songwriter was not your typical Nashville star, thanks to after-hours crooning on smart, biting breakup ballads like "God Will." Lang's breakthrough album Angel with a Lariat came out the following year on Sire and showed her to be a jaw-dropping torch singer in the Patsy Cline mode, but with a wicked sense of humor. In the past 20 years, both artists have distanced themselves from the country crowd — particularly Lang — while maintaining loyal followings thanks to consistent, classy output. In short, these are two performers who make music that is timeless and should appeal to folks from the country, pop and alternative circles.
Lyle Lovett and K.D. Lang, Thurs., June 14, 7:30 p.m., Ford Amphitheatre, Tampa. $15-$29.25 (lawn) $37-$72 (reserved). —Wade Tatangelo
Lil big man
Southern rap often gets a bad rep for being mere party music, but over the years, New Orleans' Lil Wayne has successfully established himself — both as a member of Hot Boys and as solo artist — as a thinking man's MC, one who delivers his intricate rhymes with the grit and grace of an accomplished soul singer. Yeah, most songs are machismo brags about defeating opponents by all means necessary and getting paid — Wayne is the president of the famed Cash Money label — but his lyrics are laced with witty wordplay and contemplative musings that reveal a sensitive side. Lil Wayne grew up in the crime-ridden 17th Ward that was wiped away by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The rapper responded to the tragedy by raising money for victims and recording the FEMA dis "Feel Me," which is on his 2005 CD The Carter, Vol. 2. The songs that will get the biggest audience response Saturday will be hits like "The Block is Hot," "Go D.J." and his new one, "You Ain't Know."
Lil Wayne w/Big Bud, Sat., June 16, 8 p.m., Jannus Landing, $39.99 (adv.), $44.99 (day of show). —WT
Flower power
Regular readers of CL's music content — or if you caught last week's cover story — will know that we're seriously on the Ditch Flowers tip. Veteran pop-rock singer/songwriters Brian Merrill and Ed Woltil pooled their talents to concoct a CD, Carried Away, that stands up to anything on a national scale. Their music is adult-oriented, highly melodic fare that fans of everyone from The Beatles to Fountains of Wayne should dig. Ed and Brian have enlisted guitarist Steve Connelly, bassist Michael Hoag and temporary drummer Stan Arthur to round out the personnel. As high as we are on The Ditch Flowers, there are other very good reasons to attend this show — namely top-notch Bay area acts Experimental Pilot, Ronny Elliott and Hangtown. And one other bonus: Dave's will be outfitted with a P.A. and soundman. Be there.
The Ditch Flowers/Experimental Pilot/Ronny Elliott/Hangtown, Sat., June 16, 8 p.m., Dave's Aqua Lounge (10820 Gandy Blvd., St. Pete) $5. —Eric Snider
This article appears in Jun 13-19, 2007.