Winda Benedetti

1. Sarah McLachlan, creator of the Lilith Fair, a national tour of feamle acts. Photo by Ken Settle 2. Lise Loeb, a romantic lyricist and skilled guitar player. Photo by Associated Press

Global Divas Tuesday, Feb. 25, The Met When the Global Divas took the stage at The Met Tuesday night, it felt like The Lilith Fair had gone world music. While the show at The Met was a good bit smaller than the all-day event at The Gorge last summer, both programs found female musicians not only sharing their talents but doing something good for womankind at the same time.

Mark Munn, Barb Schiff and Dave Deibler of House of Large Sizes.

Matchbox 20, above (with producer Matt Serletic), and Cool For August perform Sunday at 8 p.m. at the Opera House. The concert is sold out.

1. Charlie Butts and the Filtertips join seven other groups at a Bronco Tavern charity gig to help disadvantaged kids buy musical instruments. 2. Acoustic and slide guitarist Nick Vigarino plays the Fort Spokane Brewery tonight and Saturday.

Stella Chiweshe (top right), Tish Hinojosa (middle left) and Susana Baca perform Tuesday.

Moral Crux headlines the show at Ichabod's tonight. Photo by Allen Ferris

Wayne Kissire steps on stage wearing his black sequined jacket and his shirt unbuttoned to midchest.

Christian pop artist Amy Grant will perform at the Spokane Opera House on April 13. Tickets range from $27.50 to $37.50 and go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at all G&B; Select-A-Seat outlets or call (800) 325-SEAT.

Much of the Pearl Jam's appeal lies in the voice of lead singer Eddie Vedder, and he's at the center of the new disc, 'Yield.' Photo by Associated Press

1. Mumbo Jumbo's new (and first) album is "Shiny Metal Objects." 2. The Mayfield Four's "Motion" EP was recorded at Outback Jack's.

Sister Hazel, Alana Davis Tuesday, Feb. 3, The Met Having listened to Sister Hazel's radio hits - "Happy" and "All for You" - as well as their latest CD - "Somewhere More Familiar" - I was prepared to brush this band off as yet another group taking advantage of the increasingly popular yet ever so indistinguishable roots-based rock thing. Sounding like a cross between Dave Matthews and Hootie and the Blowfish, these five guys from Gainesville, Fla., sure can play a catchy tune, but they certainly break no new musical ground. However, during Tuesday night's show at The Met, Sister Hazel took on an energy that neither the radio nor their CD capture.

Flourescein "High Contrast Comedown" (DGC Records) *** Four guys from Los Angeles explore the plastic world of Southern California to the tune of crunchy-yet-pleasing pop rock. Sounds like that new formula-for-success so many young bands seem to be trying out, doesn't it? Perhaps. But there's something here that sets this album - the first from the band on DGC Records - apart from the masses of so-called "power pop" flooding the market.

Swamp Mama Johnson plays the Fort Spokane Brewery tonight and Saturday.

1. Sister Hazel 2. Alana Davis

Hum "Downward is Heavenward" (RCA)*** Listening for the first time to Hum's fourth full-length album (second for RCA) requires a bit of patience. Swooping melodies careen through crushing riffs and shards of dissonance, landing the listener in the depths of some sonic neverland the ears can't ... quite ... plumb. But take time to soak in this Illinois quartet's work. At its core, this is soaring pop rock, layered thick with fuzzed guitar and competing harmonies.

Too Slim and the Taildraggers will be cranking out the blues at Schweitzer Mountain Resort's Taps bar on Sunday.

With a name like Snot, these guys have a sense of humor.

Slobberbone doesn't need complicated adjectives. Just call them good.

Man Ray plays with Salmon Davis at Outback Jack's tonight.

1. Goldfinger's unusual sound is probably best enjoyed if you're between the ages of 14 and 19. 2. The Stoics, who open the show.

Various Artists "Invocation" (Six Degrees/Island Records) *** The thing I hate about the vast majority of new age albums is that they seem so much world music watered down into white-washed contemporary adult listening. Dull and insincere. That's the difference with "Invocation." From the haunting string work of Erik Ian Walker and Cameron Ember to the chanting of the monks from Glenstal Abbey in Ireland, artists from around the world have created an album that is both reflective and evocative. Here, the late Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan mingles his Sufi mystical singing with a Gregorian chant ensemble from Italy. The Bulgarian Women's Choir wrap their extraordinary voices around the soul while Canadian artists Danna and Clement create winding electronic soundscapes. "Invocation" touches places both aerial and spiritual. It moves slowly for the most part, but remains an intriguing journey.

Flourish is at Outback Jack's tonight.

Civilized Animal includes a drummer, a percussionist and three horn players.