Jenny Scheinman has an unusual background to be opening Tuesday at the Southgate House for The Flatlanders, the trio of veteran Texas singer-songwriters. Yes, she does have her own Americana-influenced singer/songwriter album, but she also has five instrumental albums featuring her on violin.   

The next couple of weeks are looking to make me busier than a one-legged extra in a Jackie Chan movie. Lots to review, little time to work it all in; to quote the ever ebullient David Lee Roth, might as well jump ... into new CDs from Bruce Cockburn, Steve Forbert, Gomez, The Flatlanders, The Vines, The Decembrists and more, plus vintage albums by Patto.