Tonight is another night with many good shows, all not too far from each other in the East Village and the Lower East Side.  Chuck Prophet and his band, The Mission Express, are rocking out and playing two shows with separate admissions at Joe’s Pub at 7pm and 9:30pm.  No doubt Chuck will be featuring songs from Temple Beautiful, his album released earlier in the year about San Francisco.

Megan Reilly will lead her band into The Living Room to play haunting, atmospheric rock.  Look for songs from her recently released album, The Well.  At the same time, Freddie Stevenson will be playing recently written songs over at Rockwood Music Hall as he tries out the songs to see which will make it to his next album.

Finally, Julia Haltigan will bring her band into their home turf, The 11th Street Bar, and play her unique blend of rock, 50s pop, Latin rhythms and Tom Waitsian blues during this latest edition of her long-running Tuesday night residency there.

Whatever you choose, you will end up with a great night of music.

Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express, Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette Street between Astor Place and E. 4th Street (R Train to 8th Street, 6 Train to Astor Place, B, D or F Trains to Broadway-Lafayette), 7pm and 9:30pm (separate admissions), $20

Megan Reilly, The Living Room, 154 Ludlow Street between Stanton and Rivington Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for each band is strongly encouraged)

Freddie Stevenson, Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is highly recommended)

Julia Haltigan, 11th Street Bar, 510 E. 11th Street between Avenues A &B (Any train to 14th Street or L Train to 1st Avenue, then transfer to the 14 A bus to 11th Street), 10PM, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is highly recommended)

Although Elliot Murphy is originally from Long Island, he moved to France 20 years ago.  Back in the 70s, Elliott played around these parts a good deal.  These days Elliott makes it to New York City once or twice a year to play.

Elliott’s music is straight ahead rock with interesting, literate lyrics.  He’s held in high regard by other musicians, and special guests on his albums have included Bruce Springsteen, Mick Taylor, Billy Joel, Phil Collins, Sonny Landreth, David Johansen, The Violent Femmes, Cindy Bullens and Shawn Colvin.

Although Elliott’s appearance in New York City have been with The Normandy All Stars (his current band), atonight’s show is just Elliott solo.  Given Elliott’s story-telling songs, his dynamic guitar playing and his easy rapport with an audience, this is certainly a show worth your time and attention.

An Evening with Elliott Murphy, Rockwood Stage 2,196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 7:30pm, $15

Steve and company took the stage a bit after 11pm and played a varied 12 song set which held a few surprises.  The arrangement of Merrittville played last night was one that hasn’t been played since the late 80s; you can hear it on the Dream Syndicate’s Live at Raji’s record.

When Steve and The Miracle 3 had finished Amphetamine, they left the stage and the house music came on.  But the band returned, the house music turned off and everyone came to the front of the stage for a version of 500 Girl Mornings played without the house sound system.

There are a lot of good things to say about Littlefield: the sound is excellent, the stage is big and it’s a comfortable place to watch a show. But the stage lighting is inconsistent: bright in the middle and dark away from the middle.  So taking pictures without a flash as I do is sometimes frustrating there.   But I still managed to get a few shots from the show.  They are below and are followed by last night’s set list.

More photos and a set list after the jump

Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3 at Littlefield 5-19-12
Halloween
Bruises
That’s What You Always Say
Strange New World
Resolution
Merrittville
Out of This World
Death Valley Rain
The Deep End
John Coltrane Stereo Blues
Amphetamine

Encore:
500 Girl Mornings

The best straight ahead rock band in the known universe, Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3 stop off in Brooklyn (Gowanus to be exact) at Littlefield for a show tonight.   That’s Steve along with guitarist Jason Victor, bassist Dave DeCastro and drummer Linda Pitmon in the photo above. Here’s what I said about this band when I bestowed on Steve the Now I’ve Heard Everything Artist of the Decade Award:

Steve and The Miracle 3 are, in my opinion, the best live rock band in America (and probably the world).  They have a great catalog of songs stretching from the 21st century all the way back to Steve’s days with The Dream Syndicate in the 1980s.  They are not afraid of, and understand how to use the power of loudness.  And Steve, Jason, Dave and Linda are excellent musicians who enjoy playing with and off each other.

Also on the bill tonight is Dressy Bessy, a band from Colorado.  Steve has said some nice things about them.

Steve Wynn and The Miracle 3 (appearing with Dressy Bessy), Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street between 3rd and 4th Avenues (R Train to Union Street or D, N, R, Q, 2 or 3 Trains to Atlantic Avenue), doors 8pm/ show 9pm, $12

May 24 – Mancie – Arlene’s Grocery – 10pm

May 27 – Field of Stars featuring Candy & Women (Li’l Mo and Drina Seay) - Treehouse at 2A (Upstairs) – 9pm

This is the last show for this duo for a while. Courtney has accepted a job at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan to head and create the singer/songwriter program. KaiserCartel has stated that because of that, tonight won’t be like another show.

Stick around after KaiserCartel finish their set and you’ll be greeted by Julia Haltigan playing with her band. Julia sings, plays guitar and leads a large band through Julia’s original material along with a cover or two that draw on rock, r&b, latin rhythms, 40s and 50s pop and more.  I’ve been told that tonight, in addition to the usual guitars, bass, drums, trumpet, mandolin and harmonica, Julia’s band will also include a pedal steel guitar.

Rockwood Music Hall, 196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), KaiserCartel, 8pm, $13; Julia Haltigan, 9pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is highly recommended)

Second Dan at Rockwood Stage 2

Second Dan been called Oasis without the posturing.  They are a New York City based band, although the Melbourne accent of  lead singer, Dan Rosen, might lead you to conclude otherwise.  Their lead guitarist, Adam Lerner,  is also a photographer.  As for their music, you can call them rock and power pop.

When last we left them in late 2010, they had released a pretty good album, Angeline, with one of my favorite songs for that year, Today, and a couple of creative videos.  Then they took a break.  I, for one, am happy that break is finally over.

Second Dan, Rockwood Stage 2, 196 Allen Street between Houston and Stanton Streets (F Train to 2nd Avenue, use the 1st Avenue exit), 10pm, No Cover (but a contribution for the band is highly encouraged)

There’s a very interesting Americana/alt country/country show tonight over at Union Hall.  First up will be Alana Amram and The Rough Gems.  Alana and her top flight band (frequently with guitar wiz Jim Campilongo playing lead) are Brooklyn based and frequently play Union Hall and Union Pool (“any place named Union,” Alana jokes).  I’ve seen them a few times and have always come away impressed.

Following Alana will be J. P. Harris and The Tough Choices.  I haven’t seen them, but they are from Nashville.  The tracks they have posted on the web are pretty straight country and sound pretty good.  Then Brooklyn based Michaela Anne (pictured above) will take the stage.  Michaela’s music lies someplace between country, blues, Americana and folk.  Michaela has a great voice and interesting songs. The price for this triple bill is a mere $7.  Well worth it.

Michaela Anne, J. P. Harris and The Tough Choices and Alana Amram and The Rough Gems, Union Hall, 702 Union Street near the corner of 5th Avenue (R Train to Union Street), doors 7:30pm / show 8pm

May 17 – Lianne Smith (short set) – Jimmy’s No. 43 – show 8pm

May 27 – A Celebration of Life for Pete Fornatale, Legendary DJ and Music Historian – The Simon and Garfunkel Songbook featuring Aztec Two-Step & Special Guests – City Winery – doors 6pm / show 7pm

Advance Sale

June 15 – Laura Cantrell – Jalopy – 10pm

June 24 – Martha Wainwright - City Winery – doors 6pm / show 8pm

July 5 – Craig Finn and The Baseball Project – CBGB Festival - City Winery – doors 6pm / show 7:30pm

July 25 - Martha Wainwright - City Winery – doors 6pm / show 8pm

Aug. 9 – BoDeans and Sarah Borges - City Winery – doors 6pm / show 8pm

Aug. 15 - Martha Wainwright - City Winery – doors 6pm / show 8pm