Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat CD-release parties

5 p.m. at The Old Angle Tavern, 1848 W. 25th St., 216-861-5643. And 10 p.m. at Parkview Nite Club, 1261 W. 58th St., 216-961-1341.

By D.X. Ferris 

Published: March 12, 2008

When your blues résumé runs as long as Austin "Walkin' Cane" Charanghat's, one party isn't enough to introduce your new record to the world. So he's throwing two. The veteran has newly struck out on his own after dissolving the Walkin' Cane Band. But worry not: On Murder of a Blues Singer, he's still refining his sound, playing old-style grit with modern polish. Another old friend who won't be on hand is Robert Lockwood Jr., who inspired the record and was slated to play on it, but passed away before tape rolled. Charanghat pays tribute to him on the album, in a spirited take on Lockwood's "Ramblin' on My Mind." Catch the early show, and we'll bet you follow him to the late gig too.