Play stump the band with The Hi-Risers and you will surely lose. The trio warmed up the crowd at Highland Bowl Friday night before a special 35 mm print screening of "American Graffiti." The band dug deep into the movie's soundtrack, poured in some originals, and sh-sh-shook it. With some barbeque and some chocolate-covered pretzels, me and the missus dug the whole affair while luxuriating on lawn chairs and donating about half a pint of blood each to the Save A Mosquito Foundation. Apparently I've seen Babayaga before, and according to the band I even wrote something. Regardless, it felt

I'm guestimating I heard "opa!" about 2000 times this week, as I live across the street from the Greek Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit on South Avenue, which last weekend held its Greek Festival. The Aegean Greek Orchestra played all weekend long, and provided a kind of crash course in Greek folk music. The dominant instrument, the bouzouki (kinda like a mandolin), plinkled and twinkled throughout the weekend like a giant music box. And where Greek folk music is relatively strident (perhaps even a distant cousin to polka), the vocals meander and intone with ease and romance. And don't

Back to school means cool concerts that non-academic joint can't always splurge on. Here're a few happening at RIT:Nas w/The Knux Friday, October 10, Gordon Field House, RIT, 7 p.m., 232-1900, $40Jimmy Fallon Saturday October 11, Gordon Field House, RIT, 5 p.m., 232-1900, $40Boys Like Girls w/Cute Is What We Aim For, Lights Sunday, October 12, Gordon Field House, RIT, 5 p.m., 232-1900, tix on sale September 13, call for info

Two new shows added to Water Street Music Hall's calendar: Little Feat Saturday, October 18, 8 p.m., $30-$35 Buddy Guy Monday, November 24, 8 p.m., $35-$40Water Street is located 204 North Water Street. For more information visit Ticketmaster or the Water Street website.

Record Archive's Dick "The Dancing Record" Storms and I were sparring over semantics at Java's a couple of Saturday mornings ago. I was bemoaning the fact that the use of the word "delightful" as an adjective describing music was on the decline. I thought it offered a lilting, good-natured joy where other words fell short. Dick said "delightful was only a momentary lapse in pain." But after seeing Mulgrew Miller and Johnny O'Neal go head to head on two pianos at the Hyatt Regency Friday night, it's safe to say we're both right.It was beautifully apparent that these cats both

With virtually no fanfare or hype, founding Doors members Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger blew through town last Tuesday with their new outfit Riders on the Storm. This band is as close as we're ever gonna get to seeing The Doors without a Ouija board. I've always been a Doors fan, and Krieger's and Manzarek's contributions to the band. Manzarek also produced the first few X albums, so I guess you could say I really dig the cat.I was a little conflicted on how to feel. Riders on the Storm play all Doors tunes, and nobody's more qualified than these

Did I ever tell you about my love affair with Ryan Adams? We were just two crazy kids running from our pasts, and still wildly in love with the music that got us to where we stood.