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Justin
Townes Earle
The
Linda, Friday
Chip off the old block: After fronting a few bands of his
own, Justin Townes Earle joined his dad’s touring band (you
may recognize the surname) only to be fired for his “bad habits.”
Which is a little like Steven Adler being jettisoned from
Guns N’ Roses or Scott Weiland from Velvet Revolver. Whatever—the
rejection resulted in the Earle kid getting his shit straight
and making a couple of solid, rootsy solo records, including
the new Midnight at the Movies. His music has drawn
comparisons to such revered names as Lambchop, Magnetic Fields,
and Randy Newman; draw your own conclusions when the young
troubadour makes his way to the Linda on Friday. (April
24, 8 PM, $17, 339 Central Ave., Albany., 465-5233 ext. 4)
Reflection
Eternal
Skidmore
College Sports and Recreation Center, Friday
In the world of hip-hop, it can take several life cycles for
a project to come to fruition. Which explains the nine-year
gap between Reflection Eternal records. Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek
have made several appearances together on record, but only
one official release, 2000’s Train of Thought, bears
the duo’s official moniker. That’s due to change in ’09 with
the release of a new Reflection Eternal disc, tentatively
titled Trainspotting. They’ll give the new tracks—and
some classics—the live test this Friday at Skidmore. After
which perhaps Kweli can ring up Mos Def and get back to work
on that Black Star record we’ve all been waiting for. (April
24, 8 PM, $20, $5 students, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs,
580-0000)
’60s
Spectacular
Proctors
Theatre, Saturday
It’s time for the boomers to set the way-back machine to 1966,
because four notable acts of the day are bringing the flower
power to Proctors. Headliner Tommy James and the Shondells
had a long string of hits, from the gleeful primitivism of
“Hanky Panky” and “I Think We’re Alone Now” to the sophisticated
pop psychedelia of “Crimson and Clover.” The Association were
seven-part vocal awesomeness personified on “Along Comes Mary,”
“Cherish” and “Everything That Touches You.” And there’s the
excellent news that original members Russ Giguere, Larry Ramos
and Jim Yester are in the current lineup. Also on the bill:
the New Rascals (which is the Rascals minus either original
lead singer) and the Happenings (“See You in September”),
who, presumably, will not sing their brain-melting cover of
Jolson’s “My Mammy.” (April 25, 7:30 PM, $34.75-$49.75,
432 State St., Schenectady, 346-6204)
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Stefon Harris and Blackout
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Stefon
Harris and Blackout
Massry
Center for the Arts, Sunday
We kind of wonder what his mom said when Albany High grad
Stefon Harris first came home and said he wanted to play the
vibraphone. That’s a beast of an instrument to fit in the
station wagon. Regardless, Harris has become one of very few
top names on his instrument in the jazz world, rising from
the ranks of the Empire State Youth Orchestra to tour the
world, front his own bands, and pick up three Grammy nominations
along the way. We could name all the crazy dudes this guy’s
played with, but instead you’ll just have to trust us that
he swings—hard. (April 26, 7:30 PM, $10, College of Saint
Rose, 1002 Madison Ave., Albany, 454-5102)
Fall
Out Boy
RPI
Fieldhouse, Sunday
Yes, yes, it’s that time of year again: When college kids
get schwilly in their school’s gymnasium and try not to puke
on their significant other before the long summer apart. Why
a bunch of engineering nerds are getting down to Fall Out
Boy is a little beyond us (you don’t need to pay $40,000 to
shop at Hot Topic), but maybe we’ve overlooked some subtle
nuance. A spring show would not be complete without an army
of opening bands, so Cobra Starship, All Time Low, Metro Station,
and Hey Monday round out the bill. Bring your eyeliner. (April
26, 6:30 PM, $36, $28.50, $17 with student ID, 1900 Peoples
Ave., Troy, 276-6262)
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Noted |
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Rupert Wates
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Songsmith
and author Tommy Womack is at Valentine’s
tonight (Thursday) with guests the Restys
(7 PM, $7, 432-6572). . . . The new Muscle Shoals
sound will be in effect tomorrow (Friday) when
Alabama duo Boombox bring their live electronica
to Red Square (8 PM, $10, 465-0444). . . . Friday
and Saturday at the Moon and River Café will bring
two special appearances from well-regarded and
rewarded songwriter Rupert Wates and guest
Jack Harlan (7 PM, free, 382-1938). . .
. For those of you who haven’t received your tax
refunds yet, there’s a bunch of more-bang-for-your-buck
bills coming up this week: The Landing Zone in
Latham will host a concert to benefit animal rescue
and pit bull awareness on Saturday; Rival Mob,
Slouchback, Final Friday, Coughing
Fit, and Marijuana Mountain are scheduled
to perform (5 PM, $7, 785-3670). . . . Sunday
afternoon’s bill at the Holiday Inn Express in
Latham is the best value, as it’s free; the Jazz
Appreciation Month Gala features music from Doc
Scanlon, the Joe Finn Quartet, and
more (1:30 PM, free, 221-3737). . . . Also Sunday
afternoon, Tess’ Lark Tavern will host a benefit
for the ClearView Center, a local not-for-profit
mental-health agency, featuring music by Black
Mountain Symphony, Jefferson James,
Union Boots, and more (2 PM, donations
accepted, 463-9779). . . . The Music as a Weapon
Tour hits the Glens Falls Civic Center on Monday
with headliners Disturbed and Killswitch
Engage and a host of others (2 PM, $38.75,
798-0366). . . . And on Wednesday, the AP (Alternative
Press) Tour brings the band with our current
least-favorite name—3OH!3—to Northern Lights,
along with Family Force 5 and several more
hot, young “rock” acts (6:30 PM, $18, 371-0012).
. . . Also Wednesday, singer-songwriter Nancy
Walker helps celebrate the 7th annual Women’s
History Awards at the Crandall Public Library
(6:30 PM, free, 792-6508).
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