Houston's Top Weekend Concerts: Tyrant of Texas Funk, Henry and Richard, a Woman of Song, and a Young Troubadour

The Houston area throbs with the beats and screams and chords and discord of music of all genres, from classical to punk to zydeco to rock (to name but a few of the thriving genres in the area). While the city's radio stations might be lacking, live music is alive and well.

Patch loves gigs of all types, and this weekend is full of them. Here are four worth your attention.

First up is a genuine original. His name is Mike Barfield, and some people call him the Tyrant of Texas Funk. He's at The Continental Club on Friday, January 27, and it's a show you won't soon forget. As his PR states, he might be the only human to have ever opened for both Merle Haggard and P Funk's Bernie Worrell, an eclectic pair indeed. Barfield is scheduled to take the stage at 10 p.m.

Here's a look at "She's Got What it Takes":

Next, opera. Yes, the Houston Grand Opera's production of Nixon in China is a worthy one, and on January 28 at 7:30 you should be at the Wortham Theater Center. Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Mao Tse-tung, and Pat Nixon, plus myriad other characters ... they're all here in a classic by John Adams that premiered at the HGO on October 22, 1987 (in fact, it was commissioned by the HGO).

This is the final performance of this run, so if you want to see it this it your notice. And now, enjoy this:

And how about some Tish Hinojosa? Don't know her? Well, that's perhaps forgivable, but not wise. Her career has taken her and her music around the world, and she's doing a show at the legendary Anderson Fair on Saturday. She is a songwriter extraordinaire, and her guitar playing is something to behold. (I know, you can't be at this show AND the opera, but that's life. I am conflicted as well.)

Finally, at the Mucky Duck, Griffin House goes on at 7:00 p.m., and though all that remain are standing-room tickets, you won't regret catching this young man.

"If you are looking to be blown away by raw talent, then look no further than Griffin House." So wrote American Songwriter, and I can't disagree. I caught a set of his in 2016, and was impressed by his wit and soul. (The Duck is one of my favorite venues in Houston, by the way, and if you have yet to see a show there, add doing so to your to-do list.)

— Image of Griffin House courtesy griffinhousemusic.com