The two singer-songwriter-musicians, both well studied and enjoyed by the world’s public for decades — Dylan since the 1960s, Mellencamp the 1970s — have continued to make their music important even though, the times, they are (always) a changin’.

“The Doobies have always been about playing live. We’re not a studio hot house group and we’re not a concept album band,” describes Pat Simmons. But to keep it interesting, The Doobie Brothers’ 13th studio album will be released in September during their extensive North American and European tours.

An intimate evening at the Aladdin Theater with the lead singer of Travis, Fran Healy touches the audience with his emotive authenticity and humorous storytelling.

It was one of those times when a performer is so spellbinding, surprising, riveting and spectacular that the audience reacts as one living, breathing entity, absorbing the deepest kind of musical pleasure.

Local duo Jenny Wayne and Peter Murray make up the core of John Heart Jackie, but for their debut full length, they’ve added a cast of collaborators that includes members of Blind Pilot and Guster. The result is a finely balanced and charming folk record that expertly blends both the bitter and the sweet.

Mo Phillips Rock ‘N’ Roll Kindy, Johnny and Jason, Dave Orleans and others.

Portland Folk Festival begins tonight. This afternoon, at the Old Church, the Portland Cello Project (and the singers who will accompany them — including Peter Yarrow) rehearsed tonight’s Woody Guthrie show which will be at the Mission Theater. WATCH Yarrow talk about the relevance of the song “Deportees.”

Gulfsongs Oregon distributed over $1800 raised by its first five show to two organizations in Louisiana that are helping people on the coast most affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. Checks were sent to the Second Harvest Food Bank and to Gulf Aid Acadiana (for distribution to Bayou Grace Community Services). The Food Bank received $540 and Gulf Aid Acadiana $1310.

The understated, tender indie-folk acts are playing as part of this weekend’s Portland Folk Festival.

Making only two solo stops in the US, Fran Healy will play songs from his new solo album as well as classic Travis hits on Friday, August 20.

This festival is in-town, convenient, and offers a lot of folk for your buck…

Rod y Gab do what they always do: captivate and enthrall a full, enthusiastic lawn on Saturday evening with truly amazing flamenco-fused metal played on classical Spanish guitars.

Print this. Then see if you can avoid beating your head against the wall trying to choose between your faves.