WEDNESDAY 1.28
Cary Hudson — Without bemoaning the demise of Blue Mountain, a wonderful “just under the radar” Americana band, Hudson marches on with his mastery over guitars and wordplay. He can wield the beast, acoustic or electric, with ease and brings the weight of southern American music into the greater fold, occasionally with a trio, other times just by his lonesome. With Chad Edwards of the late Lou Ford. The Room (Shukla)
THURSDAY 1.29
Dark Star Orchestra — DSO take the notion of “tribute/cover” band to an extreme. Rather then cover tunes from their chosen band, in this case the Grateful Dead, they recreate entire Dead shows from the past, down to the last detail. Each night they take a specific gig from the archives and play every tune in the same order. This may sound like a turnoff for seekers of original music, but don’t write them off so easily. Their legitimacy lies in the fact that they do it bloody well, and have had Dead members, namely Bob Weir, show up and jam with them onstage. DSO have also created their own tape-head culture while keeping alive the musical traditions of the greatest jam band ever. Visulite Theatre (Shukla)
FRIDAY 1.30
Corey Harris — I like Ben Harper and all. He’s good in sort of a Richie Havens-at-Woodstock kind of way, all sepia-toned and marijuana-warmed. That said, I like Corey Harris better. His last one, Downhome Sophisticate, wasn’t only one of the best blues recordings of last year, it was one of the best CDs of that year, period. Equally at home playing a psychedelic field chant, sea shanty or some jagged blues, Harris can do it all, with the confidence of a man following his bliss rather than attempting to reach some sort of vague world-beat “target demographic.” The Evening Muse (Davis)
DJ Colette — One of the few DJs to shun the “my favorite records” mix-disc approach in favor of adding her own voice (literally), the Chicago native has been at work on a follow-up to 2001’s Our Day that should come out soon. She’s been working with producers like Home & Garden and Drew K on her debut artist recording, From a Record Player, so this is an opportunity to see if she’ll unveil any new material. Matt Bolick, Suspence and Andre More open. Liquid Lounge (Schacht)
Rapture 80s Night — Ah, nothing like the 1980s. A conservative in office, paranoia running rampant, big business out of control, and the absolute worst popular music in over a half century. Well, hey ya! Sounds familiar, don’t it? Good news is that 20 years later, a lot of that bathetic pop backwater doesn’t sound all that bad, considering. It’s melodic, it’s usually sort of fun, and it beats the hell out of listening to Switchfoot or Nickelback or Killswitch or whatever compound-named alterna-lite band the majors are currently pushing. With Nighthawk, a local all-star band of sorts, and our own Hope Nicholls and Scott Weaver. The Steeple Lounge (Davis)
SATURDAY 1.31
baleen CD Release Party — According to baleen’s Mike Vagianos, the band’s newest recording is the first baleen record completely written by all five members. Figure more of an even mix of the band’s electro-organic sound than on their last, Soundtrack to a Normal Life, with more horns, more vocals, and a bit more of a pop lean to the proceedings. Or would that be a pop ba-lean? Visulite Theatre (Davis)
Carnivale — Stare at the swinging medallion and repeat after me…you are not getting sleeeeepy. Another of Mythos’ popular multimedia affairs, tonight’s fetish/freak circus features hypnotist Paul Moses, Jr.; a trapezist, Ambra; local fave Matt Bolick spinning a hardcore blend of industrial and electroclash in the main room; and Jim Grindle in the VIP lounge. In addition, there will be something called “digital penetration” by Radiance Pool. (I’m guessing that means a light show.). Mythos (Davis)
Chris Whitley — Texan Whitley takes his falsetto on a moody and bumpy ride littered with rock, blues and jazz layers, diving in headfirst and coming up for air only when survival is at stake. His haunting originals and shimmering covers, like the Doors’ “The Crystal Ship,” showcase the sound built by a visionary singer/songwriter. Whitley’s most recent recording is the acoustic disc Hotel Vast Horizon (Messenger Records), with musicianship and writing that prompts one to stand at attention, voluntarily or otherwise. Double Door Inn (Shukla)
Murphy’s Law / The Pietasters — The kings of NYC party-core, Murphy’s Law have been “advertising” their pro-weed and drink platform since about the time Peter Tosh started his campaign. Jimmy G. and company have never had a problem telling off the straight-edgers, being as they are much more fond of things with three Xs than one. The Pietasters’ newest, Turbo is a nice slice of the band’s 8-piece ska, heavy on the horns, and ought to be a nice palate cleanser after the Murphys’ set. Also appearing are New Blood Revival and The Semantics. Tremont Music Hall (Davis)
Scott Miller & the Commonwealth — Hats off to the former V-Roys leader, who is touring on an Amtrak train — the Crescent — to support the idea that we might want to re-think the whole oil thing — or, as he alternately suggests, just for shameless self-promotion. Taking what he’s dubbed “The Mule Train” from the Big Easy to the Big Apple, Miller and his band make 15 stops on the 22-day run. Charlotte’s right in the middle so any kinks ought to be worked out by now. With Damion Wolfe and Tom Eure. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
WEDNESDAY 2.4
Tarbox Ramblers — Touring in support of their new disc, A Fix Back East, the Boston-based Ramblers unveil a bigger, darker, nastier sound. Recorded in Memphis and Beantown, the disc features production by the legendary Jim Dickinson (Big Star, Replacements), Paul Kolderie (The Pixies) and Sean Slade (Uncle Tupelo), and sounds like an unholy alliance between Muddy Waters and Nick Cave, rather than the Robert Johnson/hillbilly vibe of their debut. Banjo virtuoso Ross Nickerson opens. The Evening Muse (Schacht)
This article appears in Jan 28 – Feb 3, 2004.
