Concert Notes: Tickets for Rodriguez, The Black Angels, Sky Ferreira, & More on Sale Friday

Rodriguez, the subject of the acclaimed documentary "Searching for Sugar Man," continues his incredible true-story comeback ride with a show at the Beacon Theatre in April, that that's just one of the shows going on sale Friday, Jan. 25th.

The recently rediscovered musician Rodriguez is back on tour, and playing the Beacon on April 8th.

Below are some of the more notable concerts, listed in order of show date. All of these gigs go on sale at 12 Noon, except where indicated.

* Lord Huron at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Sun., Feb. 24th (2nd show added; Feb. 23rd show sold out).
* Sky Ferreira at Bowery Ballroom, Wed., March 20th, and at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Thurs., March 21st.
* Little Green Cars at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Tues., March 26th.
* The Black Angels at Webster Hall, Mon. April 8th.
* Rodriguez at the Beacon Theatre, Mon., April 8th. On sale Friday at 11 a.m.
* The Joy Formidable at Music Hall of Williamsburg, Wed., April 17th. and at Bowery Ballroom, Thurs., April 18th.
* Akron/Family at Bowery Ballroom, Wed., April 23rd.
* Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers at Town Hall, Tues., June 25th.

And here are a few shows at City Winery that should be of interest to readers of this blog (all are currently on sale):
* Kathleen Edwards with Sera Cahoone, Wed., Jan. 30th and Thurs,. Jan. 31st.
* Southside Johnny and the Poor Fools, Thurs., Feb. 7th.
* Ian Hunter, Sun., Feb. 9th and Mon., Feb. 10th.
* Richard Shindell, Mon., Feb. 18th.
* Sara Watkins, Tues., March 26th.

Free Album Streaming: New CDs from Sara Watkins, Marilyn Manson, Santigold, & More

This week's offering of free album streams has something for everyone, with new albums from artists ranging from the down-home Americana of Sara Watkins (of Nickel Creek) to the infectious pop/new wave/reggae of Santigold, as well as Brian Jonestown Massacre, Marilyn Manson, and a whole bunch of indie rockers and singer-songwriters. (Greg Kot of "Sound Opinions" says the new Santigold album "Got my summer album locked down" in his 3.5 out of 4 review.)


Above: Video for Santigold's "Disparate Youth" from her new album.

As a fan of rock en español and other Latin-influenced rock and pop music, I'm looking forward to checking out the new album by Chicha Libre, which, NPR Music says, plays a type of music known as chicha, "best described as a psychedelic mash-up of surf guitar, cheesy analog keyboard sounds and a funky Amazonian take on cumbia."

I'm also looking forward to hearing new releases from indie acts such as The Parlotones, Reptar, Hope for Agoldensummer, Archie Powell & the Exports, and Father John Misty.

Another album to check out is "Mischievous Moon," the new release by Canadian singer Jill Barber. Its lush orchestral arrangements of tunes that sound like they could have been hits in decades past has "echoes of everything from Burt Bacharach to Blossom Dearie and Patsy Cline" (Toronto Star). "Mischievous Moon" is streaming at the Outside Music website.

And for something really different, there's "Pat Boone Sings a Tribute to The Ink Spots Feat. Take 6" by Pat Boone. This one should be a better fit for the old-time crooner than his famous album of metal tunes years ago. For fans of show tunes, the cast of the NBC TV show "Smash" is out with an album.

It's a very diverse smorgasbord this week, enjoy.

NPR First Listen:
"Sun Midnight Sun" by Sara Watkins
"Master Of My Make-Believe" by Santigold
"Royal Headache" by Royal Headache
"Canibalismo" by Chicha Libre

Spinner.com's Listening Party:
"Aufheben" by Brian Jonestown Massacre
"A Monument" by Tu Fawning
"A Different Ship" by Here We Go Magic
"Fading Light" by Justin Jones
"Journey Through the Shadows" by The Parlotones
"Body Faucet" by Reptar
"Fear Fun" by Father John Misty
"yellow//gold" by The Spring Standards
"Great Ideas in Action" by Archie Powell & the Exports
"Wallpaper Music" by Cheap Time
"Bury a Dream" by Driver Friendly
"The Only Way to Kill You" by Greylag
"Seeds" by Hey Rosetta!
"Life Inside the Body" by Hope for Agoldensummer
"Homewrecker" by Little Hurricane
"Fog Electric" by North Atlantic Oscillation

AOL Music Listening Party: 
"Born Villain" by Marilyn Manson
"The Music of 'Smash'" by "Smash" Cast
"Ad Astra" by Shevy Smith
"That Noble Fury" by That Noble Fury
"Pat Boone Sings a Tribute to The Ink Spots Feat. Take 6" by Pat Boone