FITZGERALD HARTLEY CO.

From divas to Dark Ages

Richard Thompson With local opening band the Bobby Ingano Trio Where: The Doris Duke Theatre, Honolulu Academy of Arts When: 7:30 p.m. today and tomorrow Tickets: $50 for both evenings; or $30 advance, $35 at the door per performance. Available at the academy's front desk, Island Guitars at Ward Warehouse, and Hungry Ear in Kailua Call: 532-8700

Tonight, he'll play selections from his long and acclaimed career, dating back to his years with the seminal '60s English folk rock band Fairport Convention, through his marital and musical association with his former wife Linda, and up to his later solo career, including work from his latest album, "The Old Kit Bag."

Fans of Los Lobos should remember the band's powerful cover of Thompson's "Shoot Out the Lights" played during their recent Honolulu concert, one of many songs Thompson himself may perform. Some of the songs from his new album that he may do solo are the passionate "A Love You Can't Survive," the topical "Outside of the Inside" and "Happy Days and Auld Lang Syne."

Tomorrow night's set will be the rarely performed "1,000 Years of Popular Music," originally commissioned by Playboy and Los Angeles' Getty Museum. It is a history of song dating back to the 12th century through the present, and Thompson plays with his usual witty and erudite verve songs from such people as Louis Armstrong, Hoagy Carmichael, The Who, The Beatles, Prince and, yes, even Britney Spears.

It's the rare evening where you can hear convincing renditions of a medieval madrigal and "Oops! I Did It Again" in one concert.