In the late ’80s, Blue Rodeo’s records were always for sale via that

39-cassettes-for-a-penny scam that appeared in Star magazine. Little

did we know that these savvy roots-rockers from up north were digging

Gram Parsons and the Flying Burrito Brothers long before those punks

in Uncle Tupelo and the Jayhawks. Of course, it was the ’80s, which

meant Blue Rodeo’s earnest jams also sounded a lot like Crowded House,

the Proclaimers, and cheesy Bruce (the one who busted Caucasian moves

in the “Dancing in the Dark” video). Yet there’s no denying that

Diamond Mine album from ’89; “Girl of Mine” is just an awesome chunk

of country-soul. Hell, even last year’s Small Miracles contains a good

20–25 minutes of country-rock heaven. The organ tones rule. With Luke

Doucet. Triple Door, 216 Union St., 838-4333. 7 & 9:30 p.m. $25

adv./$30. JUSTIN F. FARRAR

Mon., May 19, 7 & 9:30 p.m., 2008