Eddie Shaw's been around, you know. He blew his sax for Muddy Waters before jumping ship and landing in with Howlin' Wolf. After Wolf's big adios in 1976, Shaw kept it going with the Wolf Gang. And though Shaw hails from the Mississippi Delta, the man is all Windy City blues.

Shaw honked tight and bright - a little reminiscent of Big Jay - last Wednesday at the Dinosaur as I was face to face with some medium-rare black angus. He pulled out a rather fast version of Ivory Joe's "Since I met You Baby" that kinda took the melancholy out, but sounded nice all the same. His band was a little stiff, however, and the guitar player - despite being strapped to a triple-neck guitar - had a lousy tone. But again, they played Ivory Joe, so I got over it.

Friday night at Montage Live Music Hall displayed a healthy, diverse array of music fans there to hear Shelflyfe and assorted guests. Goth kids, frat boys, jocks, geeks, freaks, and girls in tight, tight jeans (hi-ho, the camel toe) piled into the joint. Openers Orchard Drive is a progressive trio that fills up an amazing amount of sonic space. The lone guitar was harmonically rich and the band's overall energy sold songs that teeter-tottered between aggressive and melodic.

And Shelflyfe? These cats have their show down. The band has slick production (fog, lights, loose choreography) and an intense delivery. The cool thing is, it's a blend; the mix of influences is still rather rough-hewn. So the merging of metal, hardcore, pop, and even some industrial components still shows the assorted shards. I like this a whole lot better than when bands stir the batter too much.

Polarus is fine bluegrass outfit from Ithaca that I caught Saturday at Chalet Leon a little past Watkins Glen. A 175-year-old mandolin, a washtub bass, and folk tunes of a subversive nature were great for stompin' around in the dirt.