Jackson Free Press

Aural pleasures kick off smoothly this week with some of Mississippi's best singer/songwriters. I highly recommend Martin's this Thursday night for alt.country/folk rockers Owen Beverly and David Gatlin. Beverly's works defy the intimate acoustic-folk stereotype, instead taking it to a more heartfelt young Jeff Buckley-meets-Iron-and-Wine sound. Check him out while he's still local. Two other street shows on Thursday will get you away from the TV, and they're both at Hal & Mal's. The free jazz show features Barry Leach, Sergio Fernandez, Denny Burkes and Adib Samir in the restaurant, while the big room jukes out with the annual Jesse Robinson's Birthday Blues Bash at 8 p.m. This is a must for every blues connoisseur.

Hearing enlightened grooves in church is a spiritual inspiration, regardless of your religious inclination. This Friday night, check out the CD release party for Claire Holley at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Andrew's Cathedral on Capital Street. Her Mississippi-bred-Thacker-Mountain sound, which resembles the acoustic "new southern roots" of Cary Hudson and Caroline Herring, makes her a truly original, world-class singer-songwriter. In 2005, Herring joined Holley to record a live album in St. Andrews, and since that time, Holley's music has been featured nationally on ABC's "Men in Trees" and in several upcoming films. She will be performing songs from her new album "Hush."

Two other top-notch acts perform on Friday. The best free pick is long-time area favorites Nekisopaya for world/jazz fusion-funk at Fenian's, 9 p.m. Area garage-punk favorites the Hypnotic Chickens open for the much-lauded, Seattle-based guitar-smashing Boss Martian's at Sam's Lounge, 10 p.m. $7. Iggy Pop gave props by lending a voice on their recent album, and they have gotten tons of play in all the right places.

Saturday night is just as strong with the nationally renowned North Mississippi Allstars in Hal & Mal's big room, Willie Heath Neal (garage country) at Martin's and Maria Y El Sol for the free world jams at Fenian's. The Wood Brothers featuring Chris, of Medeski, Martin & Wood, and his brother Oliver Wood perform at Hal & Mal's next Thursday, June 5. Visit thewoodbrothers.com to hear their

Now that school's out, you probably have your sights set on a low budget road trip. Try Collective Soul at Ameristar Casino in Vicksburg, June 7; B.B. King at the Vicksburg Convention Center, June 12; or Ringo Starr in Biloxi, July 5. If you can't afford the gas for a trip, come out for Jubilee!JAM June 13 and 14. Advance tickets are available now at Be-Bop, the coliseum box office or Ticketmaster.com, $23 each day or $40 for the two-day pass. At the gate it will be $28 and $50. Details are at jubileejam.com.