Sound Menu November 01 2006

THURS/2

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA It's an evening of all "serenades" as ASO principal guest conductor Donald Runnicles makes his first podium appearance this season. Mozart's "Notturno" serenade and the "Serenade No. 2" of Johannes Brahms outline the concert, with Benjamin Britten's lovely "Serenade for Tenor, Horn and Strings" as the centerpiece, featuring ASO principal horn Brice Andrus and tenor Paul Groves as soloists. $16$63. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. Mark Gresham

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BARBRA STREISAND, IL DIVO Ok, you'd better sit down: Streisand is an outspoken Democrat, prone to heated anti-Bush tirades. Shocking, I know. There, now that you've been warned, no refunds are available if you are offended by her remarks, opinions and skits. So settle back in your seat and, as Ms. Streisand might say, "Shut the fuck up" and enjoy the show. At her best, the singer/actress is capable of a spellbinding evening of songs. All recent reports agree that the gracefully aging supastar, America's biggest-selling female recording artist, is as engaging — and buttery — as ever, revisiting songs from her illustrious multidecade, multimedia career. For more on her politics, visit www.barbrastreisand.com. Il Divo opens. $102-$752. 8 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.ticketmaster.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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CHRIS SMITHER He's been doing the same thing for years, but he does it so well nobody ever complains. Smither is an old-school blues-folk singer who is just as comfortable covering other people's songs as doing his own. The new release, Leave the Light On, is a goodie bag of great tunes, and is getting a lot of positive attention from the NPR crowd. $15. 9 p.m. Blind Willie's. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — James Kelly

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FRI/3

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AWESOME COLOR As one of the bands on Ecstatic Peace, Brooklyn trio Awesome Color enjoys the reflected glow and major-label backing of Sonic Youth totem Thurston Moore. But the group wouldn't have earned his favor if it wasn't any good. Its self-titled debut, a bluesy mix of psych-garage heroics, has yielded a college radio hit in "Free Man." Awesome Color played Atlanta a few months ago, but is stopping at Lenny's for a quick one before jumping back on the never-ending Be Your Own Pet Tour. Local goofball Divided Like a Saint's opens. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny's. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — Mosi Reeves

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THE MOUNTAIN GOATS, JENNIFER O'CONNOR The Goats frontman, John Darnielle, has tamed his wide-eyed, indie-folk bellowing into a sad croon, but he's still one of the most prolific songwriters on the block. With his latest release, Get Lonely (4ad), Darnielle binds supple songwriting with a snarky sense of humor. O'Connor churns out folkish tales of love gone sour wrapped in sweet melodies and confessional outpourings. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Chad Radford

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ROBERT EARL KEEN & KEVIN FOWLER The road goes on for Keen, and his musical tales of lovers and losers only get better with age. Recent shows have focused on some newer material but, as long as he covers his storytelling staples, the crowds love it. Fowler is an edgy singer/songwriter of the same ilk, which in this case is not a bad thing. $24. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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SHUTEYE 10th ANNIVERSARY PARTY Shuteye Records' magnate and promo whiz Pete Knapp and his staff celebrate 10 years of music business tonight with a show near their offices. The lineup features the debut of the Blanks (8:30), with sets from Sodajerk (9:30), Blake Rainey and his Demons (10:30) and Wrinkle Neck Mules (11:30). The best part of the whole shindig is the free admission, but a $10 donation is rewarded with a wristband, granting free drinks all evening. Encyclomedia building. 678-986-5110. www.shuteyerecords.com. — LVS

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SKID ROW, NASHVILLE PUSSY, KINGS X With Johnny Solinger firmly established as vocalist since 2000, founding Skid Row members Snake Sabo (guitar), Scotti Hill (guitar) and Rachel Bolan (bass) have their metal company running smoother than in the glory days of pre-grunge '90s. Sure, they have a new album, Revolutions Per Minute, but the old stuff, like tracks from '91's Slave to the Grind, keep the fans coming back. Atlanta's good ol' Southern-rockin' Nashville Pussy shares the hard bill with literate, prog-tinged metal trio Kings X. $21. 8 p.m. Center Stage. 404-885-1365. www.earthlinklive.com. — LVS

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VINCE GILL Touring with a 16-piece band in support of the recently released four-CD set, Gill is doing a marathon show featuring his new music and (of course) a broad sampling of his impressive catalog. Gill is one of the true gentlemen of traditional country music with his place as a superstar virtually cemented. $37-$57. 8 p.m. Arena at Gwinnett Center. www.gwinettcenter.om. — JK

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SAT/4

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu for Thurs., Nov. 2. $23$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

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DEF LEPPARD, JOURNEY The songs of Def Leppard and Journey are like a cocaine-karaoke-cream-dream. Imaginary groupies get wet and are purely slain when the words to "Pour Some Sugar on Me" or "Any Way You Want It" leap off the screen. And when you hear those urban legends about dudes who sprinkle yayo on their you-know and then have an unrelenting 12-hour erection, well, the equivalent sound is hearing "Photograph" and "Don't Stop Believin'" live within the same three-hour period. But all children who accompany their parents be warned: Do your best to not think about how you were likely conceived to one of these arena anthems in a parking lot somewhere. Say it with me, "My momma did not dream of being a groupie, my momma did not dream of being a 'band-aid'!" $39.50-$75. 7:30 p.m. Philips Arena. 404-878-3000. www.philipsarena.com. — Tony Ware

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DETROIT COBRAS, THE KING KHAN AND BBQ SHOW, TAYLOR HOLLINGSWORTH Over a decade into their career, the garage-rockin' Cobras show no signs of wear, except for a constantly evolving lineup. But as long as Rachel Nagy barks out the wonderfully obscure R&B-tinged covers and a few choice originals, the spirit is there and the sweaty party is on! Crazy moanin' King Khan and his sidekick, BBQ, offer raw weirdness with punky, Hamburg melody and more than a touch of Memphis madness. Alabama's Taylor Hollingsworth opens. $12. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.smithsoldebar.com. — LVS

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LUV LOUNGE LIVE W/ ERIC ROBERSON AND RUSSELL TAYLOR This thematic event is hosted by Edwardo Jackson, author of the romantic novel I Do. Roberson is a familiar presence in Atlanta. As one of the country's most successful independent soul artists, his voice is aligned with artists as diverse as DJ Jazzy Jeff ("Rock Wit U" from Jazzy Jeff's The Magnificent), Jill Scott and Osunlade (the house music classic "Change for Me"). While less known than Roberson, Taylor is beginning to make a name: The video for his single "Dope" gets frequent airplay on VH1 Soul. $15-$20. 10 p.m. Sugar Hill. www.sugarhillatl.com. — MR

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MAYA BEISER The "queen of post-minimalist cello" brings her envelope-pushing virtuosity and adventurous, eclectic, genre-bending repertoire to Atlanta with her "Almost Human" program, featuring a "cello opera" inspired by ancient vocal traditions. Created by three women of diverse Middle Eastern backgrounds — Beiser (Israel), composer Eve Beglarian (Armenia), and visual artist Shirin Neshat (Iran) — it blends old and new in a multimedia production encompassing vocal samples, vivid lighting design, film and text. The program also includes new works by composers Michael Gordon and Tan Dun, among others. $15. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Hall. 404-727-5050. arts.emory.edu. — MG

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RESOURCE PRESENTS ROUND AND ROUND TOUR 2006 Keeping it true school for the real soldiers of liquid funk, U.K. drum 'n' bass DJ Danny Byrd celebrates the soul'd-out-not-sold-out. Repping Hospital Records, among others, Byrd lays down a syncopated house music- and melody-friendly set in his first Atlanta appearance. R&B meets D&B. Also debuting locally, Germany's Amaning keeps it atmosfierce with fusion funk logically progressing from the Good Looking/Looking Good school. Additionally on deck(s) are Charlotte's Focus and ATLiens Ideal and Sorted. $8. 9 p.m. Lenny's. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — TW

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ROBERT EARL KEEN & KEVIN FOWLER See Sound Menu for Fri., Nov. 3. $24. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — JK

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SERGIO & ODAIR ASSAD The Assad brothers rank at the top among classical guitar duos of our time, with their innate sense of ensemble and exceptional artistry. The program features works by Albeniz, Rodrigo, Piazzolla, Brouwer, Gnattali, Gismonti, Bittencourt, Dyens and Sergio Assad. $35. 8:15 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org. — MG

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WITCHCRAFT, DANAVA, ZOROASTER Swedish doom metal band Witchcraft churns out blistering metal that's a dead-ringer for early Black Sabbath. The group's production, gear and attitude are as retro as the psychedelic abandon of the post-hippie fallout that colored the 1970s. Portland's Danava is a close cousin to Witchcraft's vintage dirge, but the group delves into more sci-fi-prog-metal terrain. Atlanta's Zoroaster opens the show. $10. 9:30 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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SUN/5

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA See Sound Menu for Thurs., Nov. 2. $18$63. 3 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

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SUSANA BACA Earlier this year, the acclaimed performance ensemble Perú Negro brought its Afro-Peruvian sound to Atlanta. Now, Baca arrives. Perhaps the best-known representative of this tradition, Baca sings contemporary styles as well. From the pop classicism of Damien Rice to the Tropicalia of Gilberto Gil, she sings it all in a coolly light voice. She reveals this range on Travesías, her most recent album for Luaka Bop. It is a feat she will undoubtedly replicate in person. $15-$20. 7 p.m. Agnes Scott College, Gaines Chapel, Presser Hall. 404-471-6430. www.agnesscott.edu. — MR

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MON/6

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PRIMUS If you're gonna have a cult, might as well make it eccentric as fuck. Don't just wear Nikes and drink poisoned Kool-Aid. Sail the seas of cheese and drink pork soda! Be a race car driver and play creatively convoluted prog poppin' slap bass. Conjure up fond memories of Frank Zappa or your name is mud. Besides, sometimes Rush just isn't nerdy enough. $38. 8 p.m. Tabernacle. 404-659-9022. www.livenation.com. — TW

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WUTANG TRIBUTE PARTY With nine members and dozens of side groups and associates in its ranks, the Wu-Tang Clan empire generates enough music to sustain you for days. Unfortunately, Arc the Finger Records' tribute to one of the great musical collectives of our time will only last a few hours. Titled "ATL in Together Now" (a reference to RZA, the Genius, and O.D.B.'s first group All in Together Now), this jam features guest performances, art displays, Wu-Tang videos and, of course, all of your favorite Wu-Tang hits. $5. 9 p.m. Lenny's. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. MR

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WED/8

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WHITE WHALE, THE NEVER, THE SILENT KIDS White Whale crafts overcast pop songs that give an undeniable nod to the '80s alternative rock stylings of Echo and the Bunnymen, XTC and the Kinks. But these classic influences weave into the band members more recent endeavors, including Butterglory, the Get-Up Kids and Thee Higher Burning Fire. The Never and Atlanta's indie-rock five-piece the Silent Kids open the show. $7. 9 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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WHITEY For the past several years, the U.K.'s Nathan J. Whitey has been lying in the gutter and swearing at the stars from the East London electro-rawk fringes. Now — presented in a glowstick-meets-glam collaboration of Liquified and KISS Atlanta — Whitey brings bristly riffs, squiggly synth chirps and static-strewn beats to the Midtown ATHell. Squeeze your nuts into those smelly pegged black jeans, borrow your girl's hair powder and shake ya dix on down, all ye treble rebels. DJ Rory Phillips of London's Trash club DJs. $12. 10 p.m. Eleven50. 404-874-0428. www.eleven50.com. — TW

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THURS/9

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Guest conductor Jun Mäerkl brings his lean, intelligent conducting style to the ASO podium with music celebrating prototypes of the natural daemon/genius: Ludwig van Beethoven's "Overture to the Creatures of Prometheus," Franz Liszt's tone poem "Prometheus," and "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss. The program also features the dashingly elegant playing of violinist Nikolaj Znaider in Beethoven's "Violin Concerto." $18$68. 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org. MG

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BARENAKED LADIES, MIKE DOUGHTY Those clever Canadians in BNL peaked in the late '90s, but their new stuff is just as good, if not better, than Stunt and Rock Spectacle. You know, the stuff you sold at the used-CD store several years ago. Their newest — released two months ago — Barenaked Ladies Are Me, is a great record. If 99X would stop playing Nirvana long enough, you might hear a track or two on the radio sometime. But screw them, anyway; just pick up a copy at the show. And get there early because crafty former Soul Coughing frontman Mike Doughty opens. $30-$60. 8 p.m. Arena at Gwinnett Center. 770-813-7500. www.gwinnettcenter.com. — LVS

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CHEAP TRICK Since the '70s, this Rockford, Ill., power pop band has wanted you to want them. And you do, because this Cheap Trick is rich with melodic, riff-laden jams. As all-time album moments go, there is little more exhilarating than when on At Budokan the band introduces the gloriously sneering "Surrender," at the time the first song on their new album. The group's legacy continues to infuse the hipster illuminati (the Hold Steady's recent "Southtown Girls" is a partial descendant of Cheap Trick's "Southern Girls"). All Cheap Trick wants is to roll some numbers and have someone to love. And tonight, it's you. $36. 8 p.m. Roxy Theatre. 404-233-7699. www.ticketmaster.com. — TW

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•Bands/performers/venues wishing to be included in Sound Menu's noted-acts boxes may send recordings, press material and schedules two weeks in advance to Creative Loafing c/o Heather Kuldell, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: heather.kuldell@creativeloafing.com. To be included in the listings only, e-mail venue and band schedules by Friday at noon (for the issue that comes out the following Thursday) to soundboard@creativeloafing.com.