Robbie Dupree, Larry Hoppen

WAMC Performing Arts Studio, Thursday

Set the wayback machine for the ’70s, Sherman. We want to introduce you to the virtues of soft rock, so it’s time to meet Grammy nominee Robbie Dupree and ex-Orleans singer Larry Hoppen. With “Still the One,” Orleans had one of the big hits of the summer of ’76; just thinking of it reminds us of the Bicentennial. Their other big hit was the eternally catchy “Dance With Me.” As for Dupree, the smooth Brooklynite made his mark with the rock-and-soul croon of hits like “Steal Away” and “Hot Rod Hearts.” Wait, Sherman: It seems that the two will join forces for a duo performance at the Linda (aka WAMC Performing Arts Studio) tonight (Thursday). Don’t touch the wayback machine; bring us a plate of Milk Bones and a dry Sapphire martini instead. (Jan. 26, 8 PM, $15, 339 Central Ave., Albany, 465-5233 ext. 4)

Deerhoof

Falstaff’s, Thursday

Deerhoof sound a little like Jethro Tull. And a little like Lightning Bolt. And a little like Stereolab. And that’s just on the title track of their 2004 EP, Milk Man. On “Running Thoughts,” from their latest full-length, The Runners Four, they resemble Iron Butterfly and Shonen Knife, the Stooges and Pizzicato Five. Not easily classifiable, we’d say, but unarguably interesting. In fact, Deerhoof might be the only Pitchfork-anointed act in recent memory to truly deserve the hype. Their music—guitar rock raped by free jazz, if you will—smacks of adventure and invention; their songs don’t adhere to structure, but follow a more complex path to greater payoff. Plus, vocalist Satomi Matsuzaki just sounds so damn cute. It’s a heady mix, and well worth looking into. Also scheduled to perform are Leg and Pants Dans Theeatre, who are bringing modern dance to punk-rock clubs nationwide. More power to ’em. (Jan. 26, 6 PM, $8, $5 students, Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, 580-5787)

B.B. King’s 80th Birthday Tour

Palace Theatre, Friday

B.B. King is spending all his birthdays here in Albany these days. Just one year ago, he and Lucille graced the Palace stage for his 79th birthday tour. Granted, his birthday is in September, but he’s got a lot on his schedule, so we’ll cut him some slack. Anyway, the blues legend is calling this one his farewell tour, so Friday may well be your last chance to catch the man with the tone in action. Helping him celebrate will be fellow octagenarian bluesman Ernie Williams, and the much younger, decidedly non-blues Brian Kaplan Band. (Jan. 28, 7:30 PM, $47-$57, 19 Clinton Ave., Albany, 465-3334)

Old Songs Sampler

Old Songs, Saturday

Old Songs is raising money to help fund its 26th Annual Old Songs Festival by holding an Old Songs sampler concert this weekend. The headliners are Annie and the Hedonists, who will perform their brand of swing, jazz and folk. The concert will also feature a performance by Richie and the Renovators; blues and ragtime by Mark Tolstrup; original and traditional songs by Debra Burger and Carole Fults; swing jazz by Dave’s Wednesday Swing Jam; and old-time songs and tunes from Ron Gordon and Mark Schmidt. There also will be a bake sale, raffles for crafts and recordings, and door prizes. (Jan. 29, 8 PM, $15, 37 S. Main St., Voorheesville, 765-2815)

sevendust

Sevendust, Nonpoint

Northern Lights, Sunday

Not too long ago, in a land not at all that far away, the great nü-metal behemoths strode across the land. Championed by Lord Balding Durst, with only the fifth-wave grunge of Creed to restrain them, they left a trail of tattered black JNCO jeans, seven-string guitars and dreaded goateed suburban teens in their wake. Then almost as quickly as they came, the great beasts were felled by a plague of Iggy- and Stooges-influenced locusts that seemingly pecked them off of the charts and into obscurity. Yet, when the Iggy storm subsided, some bands whose guitar players could chug their guitars just hard enough, whose singers could hold a note, managed to retain a spot on alternaradio. Thus, bands like Sevendust and Nonpoint have so toured awaiting the time when their champion Lord Durst will rise from the ashes to rally them once more. (Jan. 29, 7 PM, $20, 1208 Route 146, Clifton Park, 371-0012)

Natalia Zukerman

Simon’s Rock College, Sunday

New York City-based Natalia Zukerman grew up in a family full of classical musicians: Her parents are violinist-conductor Pinchas Zukerman and flutist-writer Eugenia, and her sister Arianna is an opera singer. She was trained on classical violin when she was young, but soon found that the violin was not her ideal instrument. As she got older, Zukerman discovered the folk scene, and decided that it fit her better than the classical world. With two albums under her belt (Mortal Child in 2001 and On a Clear Day in 2003), Zukerman will release her third album, Only One (this one, unlike the other two, is solo), this year. Performing Songwriter has said that Zukerman songs have the “come-hither sultriness of her slinky, earthy vocals.” This Sunday’s concert will take place in the Kellogg Music Center at the college, with a reception afterward in the Student Union. Singer-songwriter Meg Hutchinson is also on the bill. (Jan. 29, 1 PM, $5, 84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, Mass., 413-528-7335)

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