The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 22

iiiMii BY JEFFREY LEE PUCKETT, STAFF COLUMNIST Album captures the rain chorus' melodic spirit Whenever the rain chorus performs, no matter how seamless the playing, there's always a lingering doubt for leader Danny Flanigan: Are the lyrics being un Of PUCKETT habits, the pair is making music that doesn't run from its earlier aesthetic but instead builds on the elements that kept us listening even as we wondered why. Tonight, Royal Trux stops by Uncle Pleasant's, 2126 S. Preston St. (10:30 p.m., $5). Local music historians might want to attend for the opening act alone.

It's Grayson Hall, the latest band fronted by Michael O'Bannon and Tari Barr-O'Ban-non, and featuring Brent Holsclaw and Mark Gordon. Michael's unrepentant brother, Wink, will sit in. Fans intrigued by the presence of Johnson, whose contribution to the rain chorus has been crucial, if quiet, relative to his many talents will be happy to learn that he and Flanigan have begun co-writing. Johnson is also a formidable writer, and it was inevitable that he and Flanigan collaborate. "I'm glad I waited this long to co-write because I needed to find my confidence as a writer," Flanigan said.

Flanigan is being modest; no one else in town is writing music quite like his. Even when his message has the subtlety of a fist, the music delivers it with a caress. Some listeners respond only to the caress, thinking of the rain chorus as "that band with pretty songs." "I like that word, Flanigan said. "If that's what they say, I say 'Thank Songs are the essence of what we are." Leo plays guitar Leo Kottke was grand enough as a deliciously original guitarist, with 21 albums brimming with instrumental beauty. But he upped the ante last year with "Great Big Boy," his first all-vocal album, on which he proved himself a fine lyricist and a communicative singer.

Now we have two ways to enjoy Kottke's melodic gifts. Check out both tonight at Cliffhangers, on Payne Street in the Distillery Commons (9 p.m., $10). Kottke has amazed with his playing since the late 1960s, and he sounds as fresh as ever. Concert calendar Lexington: Tuesday at the University of Kentucky, Harry Belafonte (606-257-4929). Louisville: Tonight at Cliff-hangers, Leo Kottke, Warren Ray; Friday, Junior Wells and His Blues Band (502-583-3507).

Tonight at Freedom Hall, Luther Vandross, En Vogue, Lewis DLx (502-361-3100). Tomorrow at Louisville Motor Speedway, Collin Raye, free. Tuesday at Coyote's, the Fabulous Thunderbirds; Thursday, Brother Phelps (502-589-3866). Next Saturday at Kentucky Center for the Arts, Abbey Lincoln (502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777). Ticket office Tickets are on sale for these concerts.

Bowling Green, Sept. 30 at Western Kentucky University's Diddle Arena, Dwight Yoakam, Brother Phelps (502-361-3100). Lexington: Oct. 28 at Rupp Arena, Rod Stewart (606-233-3565). Louisville: Oct.

7 at Coyote's, Restless Heart (502-589-3866). Sept. 26 at Louisville Gardens, Robert Plant; Oct. 8, Pe-tra (502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777). Sept.

26 at Phoenix Hill Tavern, Jimmie Dale Gilmore; Oct. 5, Widespread Panic; Oct. 18, Adrian Belew, Dave Alvin (502-589-4957). Oct. 14 at Macauley Theatre, Los Lobos (502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777).

Oct. 23 Kentucky Center for the Arts, Kentucky Salute to Bluegrass and Country Music with Ronnie Milsap, Johnson Mountain Boys, Mark O'Connor, Mike Marshall (502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777). Oct. 30 at Louisville Gardens, Aretha Franklin (502-584-7777 or 800-775-7777). Canned goods, music derstood, or even heard, by the audience? "I could be up there singing (anti-greed anthem) 'Money Country' and for all they know I could be a hard-core Flanigan said, laughing both at the potential misconception and the notion of himself as a money-grubber.

Flanigan is breathing easier with the release of the rain chorus' first album, "Sun Over Rain." The lyrics are featured prominently, laying out his ideas in black and white. "People can sit down and listen, find out what we're about," Flanigan said. "They can get closer to the music or further away. Hopefully closer." "Sun Over Rain," which does a coolly atmospheric job of capturing the Louisville band's melodic spirit, is a pleasure delayed. It was released several weeks ago in Indianapolis and Bloomington, where radio program directors are big fans.

With that Northern exposure firmly in place, the album is being released here, celebrated by a performance Wednesday at the Phoenix Hill Tavern, 644 Baxter Ave. (9 p.m., the Hawkins Brothers open). Flanigan likes the record with the kind of qualifications typical of his perfectionist nature. "Things can always sound better. I guess the ultimate test is if you can listen to yourself, and I can listen to it.

Performance-wise, it's the best thing I've ever been a part of." With a band like the rain chorus, that must have come fairly easy. Flanigan is a strong singer and rhythm guitarist; the rhythm section of bassist Mike Baker and drummer Cary Shields is tasteful yet insistent; and guitaristvocalist Todd Johnson is simply one of Louisville's best. Musicianinstigator Chaz Rough has put together the Harvest Showcase, a benefit for Kentucky Harvest, Friday and next Saturday at the Silo Microbrewery Complex, 630 Barret Ave. In order Friday, it's Stick People, Drunk Monkey, Candy Says, Nervous Melvin the Mistakes, the rain chorus -and Poke-A-Dott. Saturday, it's Warren nOlt tciKCS Kay, joes Keport, war nippies, cnaz, Rabbit Manor and Voodoo Love Taxi.

All bands will be taped for a planned CD release. Showtime is 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. each night; admission is $3 plus three canned goods. The Floating Men is a Nashville band that makes acoustic rock and pop sound vital.

Formerly Louisville favorites the Little Saints, the Floating Men have released a fine album, "Tall Shadows," and are celebrating Wednesday at the Butchertown Pub, 1335 Story Ave. (9:30 p.m., $2). Two of this town's finest bands Rodan and Hula Hoop share a stage tonight at Tewligans, 1047 Bardstown Road. Ruby Falls shares the bill. There are two shows, an all-ages bash at 6 p.m.; 21-and-over version at $5 covers both shows for ages 21 and up.

Royal Trux is dead long live Royal Trux. Because they were drug-addled, Jennifer Herrema and Neil Hagerty have led Royal Trux through some spectacularly drug-addled music. Now that they've kicked heroin "7 TTflSt. Leonard mo Bi 1 E57 0XM0ORX2Z3 STONYBROOK 10 SSOIJS HURSTBOURNE PKWY. TAYLORSVIILE RD.

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