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Steep
Canyon Rangers
Caffe
Lena, Thursday
You’d think it might be hard to make your mark in the field
of bluegrass (music) these days, but the Steep Canyon Rangers
have made it look pretty easy. They were picked as Emerging
Artist of the Year in 2006 by the International Bluegrass
Music Association, pretty much the authority on all things
picked and grinned. The title track from their latest Rebel
Records release, One Dime at a Time, topped the Bluegrass
Unlimited National Bluegrass Survey. And in October, they
made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry. So far, it’s all been
up, up, up for the Rangers; see a band at the top of their
game—and the world—when they play Caffe Lena this evening.
(Feb. 12, 7 PM, $18, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 583-0022)
Jane
Monheit
The
Egg, Saturday
Grammy-nominated jazz-pop song-stress Jane Monheit will provide
a fitting Valentine’s Day performance for those craving more
than just another stale rendition of L-O-V-E. Over the past
eight years Monheit has established herself as a singer of
standards with a hint of sex appeal and Brazilian jazz. Her
recently released The Lovers, the Dreamers and Me includes
versions of more modern fare like Fiona Apple’s “Slow Like
Honey” and Corinne Bailey Rae’s “Like a Star.” What stands
out most about Monheit, though, aren’t her song choices, but
emotionally driven performances that draw out new meaning
to old favorites, the clarity and strength of her voice adding
depth to the sweetness of the songs she performs. Think chocolate-covered
cherries, not conversation hearts. (Feb. 14, 8 PM, $28,
Empire State Plaza Concourse, Albany, 473-1845)
Kori
Withers
Mass
MoCA, Saturday
“Does
it run in the family?” That is undoubtedly the question on
most music fans’ minds when they first encounter the name
Kori Withers. It’s certainly a valid concern, for Kori’s dad,
Bill, was the man behind such effortlessly soulful and timeless
tunes as “Ain’t No Sunshine” and “Lean on Me.” You can all
relax: Kori is, much like her old man, a deeply talented singer,
songwriter, and performer, though her piano- and guitar-accompanied
folk-soul might also recall one of the elder Withers’ peers,
Roberta Flack. This is all to say that if you’re into something
smooth, sweet, and substantial, Saturday’s show should not
disappoint. (Feb. 14, 8 PM, $18, $10 students, 1040 Mass
MoCA Way, North Adams, Mass., 413-662-2111)
The
Valentine’s Spectacular
Proctors
Theatre, Sunday
Before
the days of Facebook super poke, speed dating, and standing
outside a girl’s house with boombox raised high a la John
Cusack, courting a crush involved flowers, chocolate, and
sweet four-part harmonies. Call us old-fashioned, but nothing
says “wanna neck?” like a couple bars of “Earth Angel.” For
all those romantics who feel the same, you can cruise dad’s
Chevrolet over to Proctors to catch Little Anthony and the
Imperials, Lou Christie, the Teenagers, the Shangri-Las, and
the Bronx Wanderers—that is, before heading up to Make-Out
Point. All that doo-wop should get your honey nice and ready
for you to give her your pin. (Feb. 15, 2 PM, 432 State
St., Schenectady, $34.75-$49.75, 346-6204)
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Owl
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Owl
Savannah’s,
Wednesday
The Capital Region has produced its fair share of renowned
musicians, but only one (as far as we know) auditioned for
Metallica. Bassist Chris Wyse, longtime bassist for hard-rock
stalwart the Cult, has been a major player on the national
scene for some time, but he hadn’t fronted his own project
until now. Owl reunites Wyse with his high-school classmate/bandmate,
Dan Dinsmore, whom area music fans will recognize as the drummer
for the Clay People. The band, rounded out by guitarist Jason
Achilles, released their debut record last week; it’s an intoxicating
blend of Alice in Chains-style goth-edged heaviness and prog-rock
virtuosity, topped by Wyse’s surprisingly palatable vocals.
The band make their area debut with a free show Wednesday
night. (Feb. 18, 8 PM, free, 1 S. Pearl St., Albany, 426-9647)
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Noted |
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Young
and Divine
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The
Linda has two history-themed shows this week:
Tonight (Thursday), the Gospel Train will
present “Lincoln and Liberty”; in celebration
of our 16th President’s 200th birthday, the duo
will present a family-friendly evening of historical
music and commentary—in costume, no less (8 PM,
$10, 465-5233 ext. 4). . . . Tomorrow (Friday),
Johnny Rabb, Jim Haggerty, Pete
Vambaco, and John and Graham Tichy will
look back 50 years to Feb. 3, 1959—the Day the
Music Died—in a celebration of the music of Buddy
Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper (8 PM,
$20, 465-5233 ext. 4). . . . Friday at 51 3rd
Street in Troy, catch the lo-fi noise grooves
of Miami Ice Machine, the debut of Hudson
band Cave Weddings, and a duo set from
Scientific Maps (9:30 PM, $5, 271-1798).
. . . Sing for your supper Friday at Revolution
Hall at the Capital District Karaoke Stars Competition,
a benefit for the Literacy Volunteers of Rensselaer
County; there’ll be a judged competition for prizes,
as well as an open round for those of you with
less-than- American Idol ambitions (5:30
PM, $5, $13 to participate, 274-0553). . . . Really
free: Saturday at the Sanctuary for Independent
Media, free-jazz percussionist William Hooker
will improvise a soundtrack to Oscar Micheaux’s
1920 silent film The Symbol of the Unconquered
(8 PM, $10, 272-2390). . . . Wisconsin’s Lucas
Cates Band play Jillian’s Saturday night,
in support of their new album, All The Pieces
(11 PM, $5, 432-1997). . . . Who spreads the spirit
of love and affection better than Ed Hamell? Lots
of people, but Hamell on Trial will still
play Red Square on Saturday (8 PM, $12, 465-0444).
. . .Bluesman Guy Davis plays a free concert
at Berkshire Community College this Tuesday afternoon
(12:15 PM, free, 413-499-4660). . . . Wednesday,
heavy-touring local act Young and Divine
play a homecoming show at Valentine’s with guests
Last Minute Letter (6 PM, $12, 432-6572).
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