Rickie Lee Jones has had a brilliantly quirky career. Jones, 49, first made a splash in the late 1970s singing jazzy R&B numbers and winning the love of critics with her stellar self-titled debut, which featured the hit Chuck E.'s In Love.
Back then, Jones ran around with Tom Waits, Little Feat's Lowell George and other street poets who sang of life's grit, scenes Jones knew well: The singer spent the early part of her life traveling the country with restless, vagabond parents. Jones got kicked out of high school in Olympia, Wash. Her unconventional upbringing fueled her spirit and songwriting, and gave her an appreciation for life's kooky characters. Jones also wrestled with the demon alcohol, which sidelined her singing for a spell.
Jones' sharp songwriting, featuring loose and vivid wordplay, can be found on the brilliant Pirates (1981), which boasts the heartbreaking We Belong Together, and the impeccable Flying Cowboys (1989), a comeback of sorts.
Jones' remakes, too, are amazing. 1991's Pop Pop runs the gamut of Tin Pan Alley and rock. Check out Jones' laid-back, sublime rendition of David Bowie's Rebel, Rebel on 1993's Traffic from Paradise and understand how this lady can do something unique with a tune.
Rickie Lee Jones performs at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 1010 N W.C. MacInnes Place, Tampa. $37.25. (813) 229-7827.
Allstars stage a welcome return
The North Mississippi Allstars, above, never seem to disappoint. The group's blistering set was a highlight of the 2002 Tampa Bay Blues Festival, and the act draws big crowds in its frequent Tampa Bay area appearances.
The boogie-woogie blues group formed in 1996 with Luther Dickinson on guitar, mandolin and vocals, his brother Cody Dickinson on drums and Chris Chew on bass. Two years ago, the trio added Duwayne Burnside on guitar. The Dickinson brothers, sons of longtime Memphis producer Jim Dickinson, played in punk rock bands before returning to the blues and Americana.
The North Mississippi Allstars perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa. $15 advance, $18 day of show. (813) 977-6474 or (813) 287-8844.
