If you are a lover of literate lyrics and haunting melodies, you're probably planning to attend the Bruce Cockburn concert anyway. This is just a reminder to get there early enough to hear Sam Phillips sing. She's a woman of mystery and surprise. The mystery starts with her name and goes on from there. The surprises are everywhere. On her 1988 album, "The Indescribable Wow," the beguiling singer/songwriter was a wild-eyed romantic with a thing for psychedelia and girl-group pop. Last year, she confounded everyone by releasing "Cruel Inventions," a collection of ominous warnings and dark meditations from an oracle who couldn't live with her own visions.
What Sam Phillips will do on Sunday is anyone's guess. You can be sure that her soprano will be clear and icily beautiful, and you can bet her songs will be smart and true.
The rest is a mystery. And a surprise.