Lighting the torch
Go! has spent quality time with both Sam Phillips and her ex T-Bone Burnett, and we're not going to take sides in this little "War of the Roses." We love 'em both. (Truth be told, they seem to have the most amicable of splits.) But tonight Phillips (right) -- Christian music singer turned born-again pop singer, actor, songwriter -- is in our midst, so it's she upon whom we will concentrate. The pain of the breakup, she has said, opens up a person as a songwriter, and her latest album, "A Boot and a Shoe," has a lot do with desire and betrayal. When you think about it, the turbulence of romance has long been grist for her mill, even during the happy days of "Martinis & Bikinis," released a decade back. We saw her Paradise show then and remember her sophisticated sex appeal, her stoic, avian presence. But Phillips was in her maybe-I-can-be-a-pop-star phase, enamored of what she's called "wanting to hide behind all this beautiful sonic scenery." Then she began listening to Elliott Smith and became impressed with what he could do with so little, and that affected her approach. Tonight at the Paradise you can expect Phillips -- and her band, which includes a string quartet, a percussionist, and a keyboardist -- to create an intimate sound, delve into torch songs, and wrap you around her little finger. Ramona Silver opens this 18-plus show at 8 p.m., followed by the Section; $15.967 Commonwealth Ave., 617-562-8800.
Knock-knock
Wu-Tang Clan is the octopus of hip-hop, its tentacles stretching out every which way. (They actually have nine members, as opposed to the octopus's eight tentacles. We know that.) They may be the best hip-hop collective since Public Enemy. Tonight the Clan's GZA (a.k.a. Genius), who modestly terms himself the group's "fountain of wisdom," takes the stage at the Middle East Downstairs. GZA's lastest solo effort is "Legend of the Liquid Sword," and again he proves his prowess for painting pictures with words. He likes irony, metaphor, and puns -- "Pete's Rose lay on Vanessa's Red Grave," he raps at one point. GZA likes it if you're not sure whether he's mainstream or abstract or hard-core. His rapping is dense and intricate; you might not catch it all right away. Critic Chuck Creekmur opined: "GZA's eyes are windows into a seemingly endless abyss of thought. . . . Every word, with every verse contained in every song, is meticulously placed together like Frankenstein manufacturing his monster." (Hmm, didn't that monster go a little nuts and wreak havoc when he found he was unloved?) Listen to GZA in concert, and he will probably tell you he's "the bomb" a few dozen times. You probably won't disagree or mind the repetition. Opening up this 9 p.m., 18-plus show is Chan, followed by Amadeus. Tickets $24. 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-864-3278.Enemy mine
Eric d'Arbeloff and Howard Cohen of the film distribution company Roadside Attractions had a surprise hit this year with theVive la France
A Frenchman walks into the office. He stops by a podmate's desk to chat. Go! is introduced to the Frenchman. Polite, well spoken, handsome fellow. (Go! is secretly embarrassed by the many French jokes we've made over the past few decades. Makes mental note to flagellate self later.) The man happens to be a pianist by the name of Pierre Hurel and is part of a trio that bears his name. The next day Hurel drops off a live CD of standards ("Just a Gigolo," "Makin' Whoopee," "When You Wish Upon a Star") called "The Crush.") We're listening to the CD on the discman as we write. Very pleasant. Very different vibe from Globe office norm. Gently transporting. Contemplative, finger-snapping. Turns out Hurel's trio -- which includes bassist John Funkhouser (great name for a bassist!) and drummer Mike Connors (great name if you once played TV detective JoeMannix) -- has two engagements at the Reggatabar tonight, at 7:30 and 10. Tickets are $12. 1 Bennett St., Cambridge, 617-395-7757.Events can always be canceled, rescheduled, or sold out; call to confirm. Go! can be reached at go@globe.com or by calling 617-929-8257.
