THIS WEEK: MIXED BAG AT UNIVERSALEclectic is...

THIS WEEK: MIXED BAG AT UNIVERSAL

Eclectic is the word to describe this week’s musical offerings at Universal Amphitheatre.

Dwight Yoakam’s brand of country music being presented at the venue tonight was to have been followed by the raunchy, outrageousness of R&B; singer-comedian Millie Jackson on Friday. But, the Jackson concert has been canceled. On Sunday, the amphitheater will present two of the biggest recording stars of the late 1950s--Pat Boone and Connie Francis.

Starting with her 1957 recording of “Who’s Sorry Now,” Francis had a string of Top 10 records that extended into 1962. That string also included “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar,” “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool,” “My Mind Has a Heart of Its Own” and the title track from her 1960 debut film, “Where the Boys Are.”

Boone sold more records during the late ‘50s than any other artist except Elvis Presley. He was, in fact, considered to be the clean-cut, sunny alternative to the darker, brooding Presley.

Many of Boone’s hits were tame, white-bread versions of R&B; songs such as Little Richard’s “Tutti-Frutti” and Fats Domino’s “Ain’t That a Shame.” Television and movie roles followed. More recently, he has performed material of a country-gospel flavor.

Earlier this year, Boone made news when he announced he was going to make an album of heavy-metal rock songs sung in his own crooning style. Maybe Pat should stick around for Wednesday’s show starring Alice Cooper and the Scorpions.

The Scorpions burst upon the international heavy rock scene with the album “Lonesome Crow” in 1972. Other albums by the German rock band include “Virgin Killer,” “Taken by Force,” and “Love at First Sting.”

One of the original shock rockers, Alice Cooper is famous for his outrageous stage performances. His early hits in the 1970s included “School’s Out” and “Eighteen.” In 1989, he reached the Top 10 for the first time in 12 years with “Poison.”

This Scorpions-Cooper package has been doing good business in concert venues across the country. Cooper is said to be drawing a new, younger audience which considers him a heavy metal pioneer.

Universal Amphitheatre, 100 Universal City Plaza, presents:

* Dwight Yoakam at 8:15 tonight. Tickets are $15-$33.

* Pat Boone, Connie Francis at 8:15 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $13-$35.

* Alice Cooper, Scorpions at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. Tickets are $20-$36.50.

Call (213) 480-3232.

MOONLIGHT OASIS

Maria Muldaur, who sings at the Moonlight Tango Cafe on Tuesday, retains a devoted following dating back to her days in the Jim Kweskin Jug Band in the 1960s.

Her first solo album, 1973’s “Maria Muldaur,” was a million-seller and also contained the sultry hit single, “Midnight at the Oasis.” In the course of her career, she has also worked and recorded with Stevie Wonder, Ry Cooder, Ray Brown and Benny Carter among others. Other hits for Muldaur include “Squeeze Me” and “Don’t You Feel My Leg.”

On Tuesday, she will perform with Paul Cacia’s 23-piece jazz orchestra. Cacia, who describes himself as a high-note trumpeter in the tradition of Maynard Ferguson, describes Muldaur’s current repertoire as having a jazzy, soulful, R&B; feel.

* Maria Muldaur sings with Paul Cacia’s 23-piece jazz orchestra at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Moonlight Tango Cafe, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. $9.95 minimum plus $13 cover for the early show, $9 late show. Call (818) 788-2000.