MUSIC THIS WEEK

Live music and more, tonight through Thursday, compiled by Tom Di Nardo, Shaun Brady, Sara Sherr, Jonathan Takiff and Damon C. Williams.

POP

Howard Fishman: Cult fave at New York's Joe's Pub , this eclectic singer/guitarist brings his Basement Tapes Project to town, fleshed out with tuba, violin, bass and drums. They'll explore the 1967 collaborations of Bob Dylan and the Band at the famous Big Pink house in Woodstock, N.Y., which resulted in a treasured bootleg (and eventually a legit release) that remains a touchstone in Americana music. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 tonight, $20, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials: This small-in-stature but hugely talented, rock 'em, sock 'em bluesman will have you up and boogying in a Philadelphia minute. Warmdaddy's, 1400 S. Columbus Blvd., 9:30 and 11 tonight, $15, 215-462-2000, www.warmdaddys.com.

Alice Peacock: Pretty much under the radar screen, this singer-songwriter deserves more attention for her lovely voice and substantial, sombre songcraft, often in a classic '70s vein. The likewise worthy Peter Bradley Adams (ex-eastmountainsouth) opens. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 7:30 tonight, $12, 215-928-0770.

Asia: Bombastic British supergroup returns in original form: Geoff Downs, Steve Howe, Carl Palmer and John Whetton. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 8 tonight, $39.50 and $49.50, 215-572-7650, www.keswicktheatre.com.

Blue Method: If you love brass-flavored funk, come out to hear, cheer and dance with these stellar Philly musicians celebrating the release of a hard-fought-for and well-worth-it new album. With Disciples of Groove. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, $12-$15, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Adrian Belew: Legendary prog-rock guitar slinger and singer shares a bill with dexterous Philly fiddler Caryn Lin, lately into layered, Middle-Eastern-flavored jams. Sellersville Theater, Main and Temple streets, Sellersville, 8:30 p.m. tomorrow, $29.50, 215-257-5808, www.st94.com.

Straylight Run: The mellower side of emo rock gains prominence in this piano-centric band, featuring a couple guys from much-admired Taking Back Sunday. Sparta shares the bill. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 8 p.m. tomorrow, $15, 215-922-1011, www.livenation.com.

Nightwatchman: Tom Morello, of Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave fame, carries on in equally vital and compelling fashion as a classic, fire-breathing protest folksinger in the Woody Guthrie/Phil Ochs vein. Another sidelining soloist, Dustin Kensrue (Thrice), shares the bill. North Star, 27th and Poplar streets, 7 p.m. Monday, $16, 215-787-0488, www.northstarrocks.com.

Romantica: Led by Irish immigrant (and second-generation musician) Ben Kyle, Minnesota-based, Celtic-flavored roots-rock band looks at America from an outsider's perspective. Upstairs at World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, free, 215-222-1400, worldcafelive.com.

Paula Cole: It's been a long time between albums and tours for this haunting vocalist/composer. The wait proves worthwhile as she summons up lushly lovely and emotion-packed "Courage," a course in survival tactics that many should embrace. Keswick Theatre, Easton Road and Keswick Avenue, Glenside, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, $38 and $32, 215-572-7650.

Ryan Adams: Ever-prolific Americana rocker makes a fast return to showcase the mixed bag of material found on his new (out Tuesday) "Easy Tiger" album. Fillmore at TLA, 334 South St., 9 p.m. Thursday, $35, 215-022-1011, www.livenation.com.

ALTERNATIVE

Jello Biafra: The one-man punk-rock CNN and former Dead Kennedys leader testifies at the Trocadero, 10th and Arch streets, 7 tonight, $16, all ages, 215-922-LIVE, www.thetroc.com.

Sex Dwarf: Co-host Robert Drake continues to celebrate his birthday bash, which also doubles as the birth date of Marc Almond, the co-founder of Soft Cell who wrote the song from which the new wave night takes its name. Fluid, 613 S. 4th Street, 9 tonight, free until 10, $5 after, 215-629-3686, www.fluidnightclub.com.

Gold Soundz: Monthly indie-pop installment from Neal Ramirez (Snow Fairies, Scary Monster) features Brrr, the quieter side project from Brown Recluse Sings' Herbie Shellenberger, as well as the Pastels-like New York band Pains of Being Pure at Heart. Tritone, 1508 South St., 9 tonight, $5, 215-545-0475, www.myspace.com/gobacktothosegoldsoundz.

Dirty Diamond: X-rated Neil Diamond impersonator plays with Stucco Lobster Breadbox, a band frequently compared to They Might Be Giants and Tenacious D. Also on the bill: Scare Ho and Nitty Gritty. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 9 tonight, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Illinois: Back from a tour with the Hold Steady, the much-buzzed-about Philly indie pop band's EP has echoes of Wilco, Pavement and Beck. With the Teeth and Peasant. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Dandelion: In the late '80s and early '90s, depending on whom you asked, they were Philadelphia's answer to Nirvana or to Mudhoney. The quartet's reunion gig (after disbanding in 1996) comes on the heels of playing the School of Rock Festival in Asbury Park. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Monday, free, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Talkdemonic: The Portland, Ore., synth-violin duo's arresting sound (a little bit like the Dirty 3) earned them a tour with the National. They play between West Philly experimental band Grandchildren and the laptop folk of Gemini Wolf. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Monday, $8, 215-739-9684.

Sarah Shannon: The former Velocity Girl frontwoman abandons her indie rock roots for Bacharach and Fleetwood Mac. With Run to Sandy, Betsy Spivak and Laura Gibson. Khyber, 56 S. 2nd St., 8 p.m. Wednesday, $8, 215-238-5888, www.thekhyber.com.

Gang Gang Dance: Brooklyn art-rockers mix Brian Eno and psychedelia with otherworldly rhythms. With Mick Barr and Make A Rising. Johnny Brenda's, 1201 N. Frankford Ave., 9 p.m. Wednesday, $10, 215-739-9684, www.johnnybrendas.com.

Fiery Furnaces: Enigmatic brother-sister duo, who play everything from Captain Beefheart-like squelches to punk-blues, are readying songs from "Widow City," due out in October on Thrill Jockey. With Dios and Roomtone. North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar Streets, 9 p.m. Thursday, $13, 215-684-0808.

HIP-HOP

Tribute to Bob Marley: Twenty-six years after his death, Bob Marley continues to inspire, as he did this tribute event. North By Northwest, 7165 Germantown Ave., 10 tonight, $12, 215-248-1000, www.nxnwphl.com.

Wild Bunch Anniversary: Promotional outfit is celebrating its first year. Helping to celebrate are Jagga B, Peter Blacks and Vybz Xpress. Lancaster Hall, 5151 Warren St., 11 p.m. tomorrow, $20, www.caribbeanbeatz.com.

DUB Magazine Custom Car Show/Concert: The popular DUB Tour stops at the Boardwalk with the best in highly stylized whips. Lloyd and other artists will perform. Atlantic City Convention Center, noon-6 p.m. Sunday, $15 in advance, $20 at the door, 609-449-2000, www.accenter.com.

'The Wiz' @ The Jerk Hut: Enjoy classic Caribbean food while enjoying a classic flick. Laiya from 100.3 The Beat will host. Jamaican Jerk Hut, 1436 South St., 7 p.m. Wednesday, 215-545-8644.

Sound Clash Thursdays: A throwback to the days when reggae sound systems would battle each other with the freshest or rarest singles. This one pits D.C.'s Revolution sound against NYC's Super Gold. Fluid Nightclub, 613 S. 4th. St., 11 p.m. Thursday, $10, 21+, 215-629-0565.

JAZZ

Beau Django: Their name harks to 1930s France, where guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli provided the template for gypsy jazz followed by this Philly quartet, comprised of Croatian-born guitarist Kruno Spisic, violinist Arty Artymiw, guitarist Jon Dichter and bassist Scott Churchman. Philadelphia Museum of Art, 26th Street and Ben Franklin Pkwy., 5:45 and 7:15 tonight, free with regular museum admission of $12, 215-763-8100.

John Swana & his Organ Trio: Philly trumpeter plays locally on a regular basis but keeps things interesting with a variety of guests. This week, saxophonist John Ellis. Chris' Jazz Café, 1421 Sansom St., 9 p.m. tonight, $12, 215-568-3131.

Daniel Peterson: Philly saxophonist premieres his new jazz song cycle, "5 Simple Worlds and Ways of Getting There," which combines his jazz background with elements from indie rock, film and personal experience. Peterson will lead an eight-piece band, plus two vocalists and guest solos by saxophonist Bobby Zankel and trumpeters Bart Miltenberger and Kimbal Brown. Ethical Society Building, 1906 S. Rittenhouse Square, 3 and 4:30 p.m. Sunday, $12, 215-627-6716.

Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey: Expansive trio (Brian Haas on piano and Fender Rhodes, Reed Mathis on bass and Jason Smart on drums) combines modern jazz with rock influences, helped by jam band guitarist Steve Kimock. World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St., 7:30 p.m. Sunday, $16, 215-222-1400.

Stephane Wrembel & the Giants of Gypsy Jazz: Django rears his head again, this time in the form of a 33-year-old Paris-born guitarist. Tin Angel, 20 S. 2nd St., 8:30 p.m. Thursday, $10, 215-928-0770.

CLASSICAL

Philadelphia Orchestra: The final "Best of" program features the Russian gems of Tchaikovsky. Rossen Milanov will lead excerpts from "Swan Lake" and "The Nutcracker," the finale of the Violin Concerto with Curtis-trained artist Stephanie Jeong as soloist, plus "Romeo and Juliet" and the "1812" Overture. Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Broad and Spruce streets, 7 tonight, $10-$80, 215-893-1999.

Delaware Valley Opera Company: Johann Strauss' bubbly "Die Fledermaus" kicks off the three-opera summer season. Sung in English with piano accompaniment, with Doris Coleman conducting and direction by James Weist. Hermitage Mansion, 700 E. Hermit Lane, 8 p.m. tomorrow, plus Thursday and June 30, $20, 215-725-4171, www.dvopera.org.

Concert Operetta Theater: For its season finale, the company presents the familiar, 1924 "Student Prince" of Sigmund Romberg, with its "Drinking Song" and "Serenade" made famous through a hugely popular Mario Lanza LP record. Luke Housner, a master vocal coach at Academy of Vocal Arts and Curtis Institute, will play the piano accompaniment, with Stephen Macdonald as Karl Franz and Jennifer Graf as Kathie. Academy of Vocal Arts, 1920 Spruce St., 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday, $25, 215-389-0648, www.concertoperetta.com.

Philadelphia Youth Orchestra: Before they hit the road on their 14th international tour, this time to Brazil, Louis Scaglione will warm up this talented orchestra with a sizzling program, including the radiant Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto, with the ensemble's concertmaster Francesca dePasquale as soloist. Union League of Philadelphia, 140 S. Broad St., 8 p.m. Monday, free but reservations required, 215-545-0502, www.pyos.org.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Itzhak Perlman is the fabled soloist in the beloved Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in this second Mann program. Rossen Milanov also leads Chabrier's tribute to Iberia, "Espana," and Rodion Shchedrin's colorful adaptation of Bizet's music to "Carmen." Mann Center, 52nd Street and Parkside Avenue, 8 p.m. Wednesday, $30-$50 inside, $10 on the lawn, 215-893-1999.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Ludovic Morlot, the Boston Symphony's assistant conductor, makes his Orchestra debut with Berlioz' rambunctious "Le Corsaire" Overture and Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony. Cellist Alisa Weilerstein solos in the Cello Concerto No. 1 by Saint-Saens. Mann Center for the Performing Arts, 8 p.m. Thursday, $30-$50 inside, $10 lawn, 215-893-1999, www.philorch.org.