Dwight Yoakam goes it `Almost Alone' for new tour.

Byline: Lewis Taylor The Register-Guard

When he's not busy acting alongside Jodie Foster (in "Panic Room") or directing Billy Bob Thornton (`South of Heaven, West of Hell"), Dwight Yoakam can be found on stage singing country songs that put the cardboard cowboys of popular country music to shame.

Vanity Fair magazine said of the California-based maverick: "Yoakam strides the divide between rock's lust and country's lament."

Yoakam's latest music project also is one of his film projects. His songs appear on the soundtrack to "South of Heaven, West of Hell," a gothic Western he wrote, starred in and directed. The film also stars Thornton, Vince Vaughn, Bridget Fonda, Peter Fonda and Paul Reubens.

POP NOTES

Now on his so-called "Almost Alone" acoustic tour, Yoakam will trot into the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, 285 E. Broadway, on Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. performance.

It's part of the Now Hear This series presented by the Oregon Festival of American Music. Tickets are $30 to $60 through the festival box office, 687-6526.

Crooked Fingers beckon fans to Sam Bond's

Crooked Fingers is the latest project of Eric Bachmann, an enigmatic songwriter who formerly fronted the Archers of Loaf.

Crooked Fingers came together in early 2000. Instead of producing the high-energy noise pop for which the Archers were known, this band took a more reflective look at its surroundings.

Bachmann's gravelly vocals, down-and-out tales and spare acoustic arrangements have earned him comparisons to Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.

On his latest release, "Red Devil Dawn," he brings a welcome ray of hope to the music with the addition of horn and string arrangements.

Crooked Fingers will play at 9 p.m. Sunday at Sam Bond's Garage, 407 Blair Blvd. The cover is $6.

Grammy nominee Hart takes to the Shedd stage

Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, a W.C. Handy Award winner who's been nominated for a Grammy this year, comes to the Shedd at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for a solo performance that's also part of the Now Hear This series.

Although he's often labeled a blues artist, Hart, 35, has been known to delve into roots, country, R&B, acid jazz, honky-tonk and swampy Southern rock.

He often refers to himself as the "cosmic American love child of Howlin' Wolf and Link Wray."

Hart's eclecticism no doubt has something to do with his childhood, which was defined by his family's frequent relocations. The trend continued into adulthood after Hart joined the U.S. Coast Guard.

Raised on the jazz and blues records in his parents' collection, Hart was also inspired by the psychedelic sounds of the 1960s.

His 2000 release, "Start With the Soul," is his best-selling album to date. Named the top blues record of the year by the BBC, the album also topped The New York Times' best of the year list.

Tickets to Hart's performance are $12.50 to $24.50 at the Oregon Festival of American Music box office. Half-price tickets are available for students (high school age and younger).

CAPTION(S):

Grammy nominee Alivn "Youngblood" Hart will visit the Shedd this Tuesday for show sure to be tinged with blues, jazz, honky-tonk and Southern rock.