It’s been almost 10 years since Lucinda Williams issued Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and—looking back a decade on—it has proven a record that not only has sustained its greatness but has perhaps even bettered with time. It came six years after her previous release, and Williams keyed each note and lyric with a perfectionist’s ear. Her voice and lyrics were the album’s stars, but she was also keen in handpicking contributing players like Emmylou Harris, Charlie Sexton and then boyfriend Gurf Morlix, as well as getting production touches from Rick Rubin, Steve Earle and Roy Bittan. The Grammy-winning record is a perfectly crafted gem of country rock, a raw, unafraid statement about love and personal redemption, a triptych of the Southern USA. Late last year saw an expanded deluxe edition, further distinguishing Car Wheels as a modern masterpiece of country rock. Lucinda may never make another like it and that’s okay. Look no further than her brand new album, West (Lost Highway), for proof. West is downbeat and often dark but nonetheless engaging. Culled from what she calls her most creative period as a writer, it echoes of tumult and loss, from the homespun austerity of the ode “Mama You Sweet” to the smoldering dirge “Unsuffer Me.” Williams rocks here too with the Crazy Horse-like combustion “Come On.” Buffalo finally gets to delight in a long overdue headline show from Ms. Williams as she takes the stage at UB’s Center for the Arts

Ellen West is the nom de guerre of Buffalo singer and guitarist Michele Buono, who spends half her time as one third of the band the Missing Planes and the other half as West, an intense and powerfully honest solo acoustic act. Preparing To Be Forgotten is the name of her last recording, but that won’t be happening to her any time soon. Her music is not to be mistaken for the often-empty words of contemporary styles. She has a presence that comes through with such force it seems as if she uses the stage to cathartically unleash everything that has been bottled up inside her. One can’t really understand the depth of her talent without seeing one of her sets first hand. West will be playing on Saturday with George Skaros’ Short Story Record Co., and Hinkley Jr., a two-man extension of the roots-inspired Rochester band Hinkley. Skaros, formerly of the Buffalo band the Dollar Canon, has been living in New York City and hasn’t played on a Buffalo stage in ages. Also Jen Sojka, who played cello on Preparing to Be Forgotten, will accompany West for her set, which wraps up the show .

If the idea of seeing a live show of ambient Japanese post-rock music makes you politely yawn, prepare to be rudely awakened by Tokyo-based quartet Mono. Highly influential in international underground music circles, the group has steadily climbed the ladder of what passes for success in today’s avant-garde arena— meaning loads of critical acclaim above and beyond what the record sales may show. But what is remarkable about Mono, led by guitarist Takaakira Goto (who concieved the entire project himself prior to searching for band members), is the intensity of the live performances the group delivers. It is difficult to guess just by listening to Mono’s music what’s in store for the audience, but somehow the brooding subtlety of the sound trancends into something incomparably beautiful when they take the stage. Goto’s successful collaboration with Katsuhiko Maeda (the sole force behind World’s End Girlfriend) is evidenced by 2005’s joint venture Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain (Temporary Residence), and continues as the two join forces for this tour. San Fransico instumental group the Drift come along, too.

It is both difficult and admirable for a band to continue performing after losing a band member, especially when that member is your dynamic front-man. The Doors attempted to do so in 1971 after the death of singer Jim Morrison. A decade later, the Wailers were left in the same position after the death of Bob Marley. Bassist Aston “Family Man” Barrett and Guitarist/Singer Junior Marvin were given the reins of the Wailers, and they have taken the band into the 21st century. They have released only a handful of albums since 1981, but have continued to tour around the world, performing in both large and small venues. They play a variety of songs from their recent studio releases, but their set list includes many of the songs that made them famous from 1974 to 1981, including “No Woman, No Cry,” “Get Up, Stand Up” and “Soul Shakedown Party.” This is a great opportunity to see a band that plays songs with meaning, and continues to carry on the traditions of one of the greatest reggae artists in history.