Jeff Black: Bringing his songs of wanderlust to Wilbert's.

The Holmes Brothers' musical roots extend back to the late '50s, when the trio played individually and collectively with a variety of the era's pop, R&B and blues stars. In 1979 singer-guitarist Wendell Holmes, his singer-bassist/brother Sherman and drummer Popsy Dixon teamed up to form the Holmes Brothers, and they've been hailed by fans, critics and their musical peers ever since. But even with the acclaim, the trio's profile was relatively low until it signed with Alligator in 2001 and released the universally beloved Speaking in Tongues and its equally lauded 2004 follow-up, Simple Truths. On their third Alligator outing, the stunning State of Grace, the Holmes Brothers combine their greatest assets. As interpreters, the Holmes Brothers are unmatched, and their covers on State of Grace drive the point home like never before, from the slow, church-choir reading of Cheap Trick's "I Want You to Want Me" to the Cajun shiver of CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" and the gospel-blues prayer of Elvis Costello's "What's Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding?" The Holmeses are no slouches as writers either, as evidenced on powerful originals like the blues jump of "Smiling Face Hiding a Weeping Heart" and the shuffling thump of "Gasoline Drawers." The Holmes Brothers have made their musical way with passion, faith and boundless talent and the results of their gifts are woven throughout State of Grace. The Prayer Warriors open at 9 p.m. at Wilbert's (812 Huron Rd. E., 216.902.4663). Tickets: $12. - Brian Baker

Thursday, March 13

A Fine Frenzy

Alison Sudol, the singer-songwriter who goes by the name of A Fine Frenzy (she took the name from a Shakespeare quote that accurately describes her creative process), doesn't mind all the Brit-pop comparisons her debut, One Cell in the Sea, has gotten. Compared to piano-based acts like Coldplay and Keane, the album has an eloquence to it that seems to have more in common with UK acts, even though Sudol was born in Seattle and raised in Los Angeles. Sudol, now 22, started writing the material for Cell when she was 18 and signed a record deal after the word of mouth generated by her living room shows where friends would come to hear her perform and get a sampling of the cookies her mother handed out. This marks her second appearance in Cleveland. Touring behind his debut, Aliens and Rainbows, singer-pianist Ferras opens at 8 p.m. at the House of Blues' Cambridge Room (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555). Tickets: $12-$15. - Jeff Niesel

Jeff Black

Still touring behind his latest album, 2005's Tin Lily, folk/Americana singer-songwriter Jeff Black is a guy with a penchant for moody, self-reflective songs. A Missouri native with a blue-collar background, Black sings about what he knows, namely wanderlust ("Home") and the cornfields of Southern Illinois ("Hollow Of Your Hand"), all the while covering musical territory that recalls everything from Jackson Browne to John Mellencamp. He's in the midst of recording a new album, so expect to hear some new material at this show as well. It all starts at 8 p.m. at Wilbert's (812 Huron Rd. E., 216.902.4663). Tickets: $10. - JN

Friday, March 14

Black 47

Hearing a bunch of songs about the debacle in Iraq doesn't sound particularly festive, especially when you're an Irish band playing close to St. Patty's Day. But Black 47 and its leader Larry Kirwan don't adhere to stereotypes about Irish music and/or St. Patrick's Day traditions. Whatever your politics, there's no denying the power of the band's latest album, Iraq, an explicit anti-war effort. With horns ripping through the opening track, "Stars and Stripes," and the sound of whirling helicopter blades punctuating "Downtown Baghdad Blues," Iraq is a terrific call-to-arms. The Mickeys open at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124). Tickets: $15 advance, $17 day of show. - JN

Fu Manchu

Fu Manchu pumps out a mishmash of stoner rock and surf punk that's powered by a deadly combination of driving drums and gritty guitar. Its latest album, last year's We Must Obey, marks its 10th release to date. Following its release, the Southern California band embarked on its first North American tour in almost two years and hasn't been off the road since. The quartet has earned its reputation as a diesel-fueled powerhouse through tours with hard-rocking bands like Clutch, Monster Magnet, Motorhead and Social Distortion. Burning Bridges and ASG open at 8 p.m. at Peabody's (2083 W. 21st St., 216.776.9999). Tickets: $12 advance, $15 day of show. - JN

Saturday, March 15

The Song Is You

Local radio host/Great American Songbook historian Bill Rudman is back with his latest installment of his The Song Is You series, and the featured songwriters should be at least passingly familiar to most. Titled Thou Swell, Thou Witty, it focuses on the output of one of Broadway's greatest teams ever, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. Rudman, along with pianist Joe Hunter, and vocalists Eric Kufel and Patrick Hanson, will perform the sophisicated, grown-up material the duo wrote, accompanied by film clips, photos, recordings and narration to tell the full story. It has two performances, at 8 tonight at Tri-C's Eastern Campus Performing Arts Center (4350 Richmond Rd.) and at 3 p.m. tomorrow at Tri-C Metro's Main Stage Theatre (2900 Community College Ave.). Tickets: $17, $15 for seniors. Call 216.241.6000. - Anastasia Pantsios

Sunday, March 16

John Abercrombie

John Abercrombie's recordings range from great to spurious at best. After attending the Berklee College of Music, Abercrombie played with a number of interesting jazz figures. Working with performers as well-known as Chico Hamilton and appearing on Billy Cobham's live Shabazz, an early '70s fusion disc, helped spread Abercrombie's name. Since that time, he has recorded with a veritable laundry list of contemporary jazzbos. He makes a stop at Nighttown (12383 Cedar Rd., 216.795.0550) at 7 p.m. Tickets: $25. - Dave Cantor

Tuesday, March 18

Take Action Tour

Now in its seventh year, the Take Action Tour raises money for nonprofit organizations while promoting hot new indie bands. This year's line-up includes melodic hard rockers Every Time I Die along with From First to Last, the Bled, August Burns Red and the Human Abstract and will give fans the chance to purchase Take Action Vol. 7, a compilation that features exclusive tracks from the latest screamo, hardcore and emo acts. The show starts at 7 p.m. at the House of Blues (308 Euclid Ave., 216.241.5555). Tickets: $18.50-$21. - JN

Wednesday, March 19

Hopewell

"In Full Bloom," the gorgeous opening track on Hopewell's latest album, last year's Beautiful Targets, combines Radiohead's atmospheric parts with the emo soundscapes of Death Cab for Cutie. It's a meticulously recorded bit of music that shows how much the upstate New York-based band, which is led by former Mercury Rev member Jason Russo, has evolved over the course of a decade. With producer Bill Racine (Rogue Wave, Mates of State) helming, the group successfully incorporates strings and samples while keeping a good balance with the organic instrumentation. The Dreadful Yawns open at 9 p.m. at the Beachland Ballroom Tavern (15711 Waterloo Rd., 216.383.1124). Tickets: $6. - JN