There are so many shows this summer that I really want to cover with interviews but that space is spoken for quickly. I finally figured out that what I really needed to do is review the current albums by those artists as kind of a preview of their shows -- hence this week's three selections.

First up is Donna Hughes' "Gaining Wisdom." She's performing at One Longfellow Square in Portland tonight (www.onelongfellowsquare.com or 761-1757). This, her Rounder Records debut, was produced by Tony Rice (who also contributes guitar work on several tracks) and features guest appearances by Sam Bush (mandolin), Rob Eckes (dobra), Rhonda Vincent, Mary Chapin Carpenter (harmony vocals) and many more.

Hughes is a gifted bluegrass singer (she would remind you a lot of Alison Krauss, who also happens to contribute backing vocals on "One More Time") as well as a fine songwriter (she penned 12 of the 14 tracks). This Feb. 27 release is a wonderful bluegrass/folk/acoustic album that will please anyone who is a fan of this music. For me, one of the defining moments is when she covers "Time After Time" (originally done by Cyndi Lauper).

Wednesday, also at One Longfellow Square, is the venue debut for another singer-songwriter, Chris Pureka. Her latest album in her sophomore effort titled "Dryland" and it's a sparse, heartfelt release that is understated and powerful, courtesy of commanding lyrics and simple melodies.

The use of primarily acoustic instrumentation makes the 11 tracks extremely intimate and warm -- a moving and rewarding listen, for sure, and her show on Wednesday should be worth the trip south.

Lastly, for all you Cowboy Junkies' fans a road trip is definitely in order if you wish to catch them in Maine this year. They are playing two nights at the Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield on July 31-Aug. 1. Their new release is a DVD/CD set titled "Trinity Revisited" where the quartet goes back to Toronto's Trinity Church to re-create their "The Trinity Session" album from 20 years earlier.

This time around, they're joined by Ryan Adams, Vic Chestnutt, Natalie Merchant and Jeff Bird -- and a camera crew that captured the entire session in high definition and 5.1 Surround Sound (the film on the DVD portion was done by Pierre and Francois Lamoureux).

That 1987 album kick-started the Junkies career and became the touchstone for many, many artists, including the four who appear on this set.

This new revisiting will be popping up in collections around the world, I imagine, and will be held in equally high regard.