It was back down that same stretch of 5 & 20 Friday night for Sheryl Crow and her guest Colbie Caillat at CMAC. While mosquitoes feasted on my blood, Caillat came out in a sparkly go-go dress that glinted in the setting sun. Her first hit, "Bubbly," sums her sound up nicely. She has a pretty voice and keen pop appeal. It's all Malibu sunshine and chill, but based on this show, that's about it. The music is a perpetual plateau - albeit a pleasant plateau - that begs for a little more action. Caillat's stab at Fleetwood Mac came close, but I'd like to hear it come from within. I know she's got the goods to do it.

Talk about the goods, Sheryl Crow came out like the godmother of soul and proceeded to blow the lid off the joint. What an incredible band; horn section, backup singers, the works. And what a change from when I'd seen her last when she was more of a close-to-the-bone rock 'n' roller. But apparently, as the second song in her set goes, "A Change Would Do You Good," and it did for her.

Showcasing songs from her new "100 Miles From Memphis" album, her set was also peppered with most of her hits - "If It Makes You Happy," "Can't Cry Anymore," "Everyday Is A Winding Road," "My Favorite Mistake," "All I Wanna Do," and so on. The show was a non-stop hit parade. Crow was absolutely relentless, shifting from keyboards to guitar, shaking her moneymaker, and working the entire, multi-layered stage in stiletto heels. When she parked behind the piano for what will be a new hit (trust me), "Stop," my blood went cold, much to the chagrin of the ravenous mosquitoes.

The band was a powerhouse of fortified Memphis soul and r&b. I could have stood to hear the horns a little more in the mix, but overall the onstage wall of sound was massive and beautiful. It was visually pleasant as well. When Crow came to the edge of the stage early in the set, I popped off a couple of pics of her high heels and legs. She looked at me funny before smiling uncomfortably. She probably thinks I'm a creep. But hey, if it makes you happy, it can't be that bad.

Headed over to Lovin' Cup next, not because it was close, but because The Deep Blue Dream was debuting new stuff off its new album, "Intrinsically Intertwined," which finds the band progressing in different directions without forsaking its initial "casserole of soul." The Deep Blue Dream is made up of musician's musicians and is talented enough to play practically anything. I came in on the band's second set, where it pulled off George Clinton's "Testify" with a cool harmony that started just south of the intended note before slithering and sliding up on key.

Saturday night and the Indras brought progressive noise to The Club @ Water Street. It was progressive and loud, sonic and youthful. Headliners Minds Open Wide played an intense, edgy, and surprisingly musical set. I say surprisingly because there are remnants of super-heavy acts - Kaged, BML, and Psyopus - in the ranks. This band is really, really good and I thoroughly enjoyed what I heard. See what happens when your mind is opened wide? I don't know, maybe they think I'm a creep, too.