Sound Menu February 07 2007

THURS/8

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ATLANTA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Pianist Peter Serkin is soloist for not one, but two concerti: Johann Sebastian Bach's "Keyboard Concerto in D-minor" (BWV 1052) and the bipolar "Concerto for Piano and Wind Instruments" by Igor Stravinsky. Robert Abbado is guest conductor for the concert, which includes Beethoven's "Symphony No. 3." $21-$73. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. Symphony Hall. 404-733-5000. www.atlantasymphony.org — Mark Gresham

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RASTA ROOT'S BIRTHDAY PARTY W/ CAMP LO Rasta Root is a key figure in the city's local soul and hip-hop community, hosting parties and rocking turntables at all the right spots. When guys like him throw a party, you want to be there, too, because you know all the right people will be celebrating with him. Tonight he'll be celebrating two occasions: his birthday, and the release of a new mix CD, Classic Example Vol. 1. Camp Lo. $10. 9 p.m. Django's. 404-347-8648. www.djangoatlanta.com. — Mosi Reeves

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FRI/9

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THE BUSY SIGNALS, THE CARBONAS, GENTLEMEN JESSE AND HIS MEN Tonight brings together three bands more hopped-up than a glass of malts. Chicago quintet the Busy Signals plays punky power-pop that's perfect for jittering around goofily. Local favorite the Carbonas thrash about and make a raging noise. Gentlemen Jesse and his Men take you back to the era of Cheap Trick, but without the funny '70s haircuts. $6. 9 p.m. Lenny's Bar. 404-577-7721. www.lennysbar.com. — MR

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DONNA THE BUFFALO One of the consummate acoustic jam bands, DTB has an amazing following that hangs on every note and every word. Some of its musical meanderings get a little too far into the patchouli cloud for me, but there's no denying their talent and appeal. $17.50. 8:30 p.m. Variety Playhouse. 404-524-7354. www.variety-playhouse.com. — James Kelly

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dp3, H(k)at Atlanta jazz ensemble dp3 wields a pastiche of spacey and chaotic horn blasts over funky rhythms to forge a noir, sci-fi soundtrack to the greatest Philip K. Dick stories you've never read. The moods of the music rise and fall as each song unfolds like tales from a post-apocalyptic "Hotel California," where each and every room tells stories of deceit and retribution. H(k)at opens. $5. 9 p.m. Eyedrum. 404-522-0655. www.eyedrum.org. — Chad Radford

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MATTHEW RYAN, TIM EASTON, MATTHEW KAHLER Three very different singer/songwriters will show you just what Eddie's is all about. Ryan's acoustic pop tunes are rich in hooks and melody, while over the past two years Easton has gradually shifted from a very unique, quirky style to something reminiscent of Bob Dylan. Local favorite Kahler opens. $15. 8 p.m. Eddie's Attic. 404-377-4976. www.eddiesattic.com — JK

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SOWETO GOSPEL CHOIR This South African-based collective titled its debut album Voices from Heaven, and that's a fair description of its sound. Ladysmith Black Mambazo might have gotten to Western ears first, but hearing these 26 voices harmonize in a variety of languages is pure goose-bump-raising bliss. Covers of uplifting Bob Marley and U2 tunes almost dilute the approach since the traditional spirituals from their homeland are more powerful and authentic. $20-$37. 8 p.m. Robert Ferst Center for the Arts. 404-894-9600. www.ferstcenter.gatech.edu. — Hal Horowitz

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SOULIVE As its name implies, the trio (drums, keyboards, guitar) whips up a classic R&B vibe complete with Crusaders/Rufus-style funk, and is best appreciated in concert where they can work a groove and jam like the soul-jazz masters that inspired them. Top billing allows them the space, time and sympathetic audience to flex their substantial chops. $20. 9 p.m. The Loft. 404-885-1365. www.theloftatl.com. — HH

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THE WOGGLES, TIGER! TIGER!, DAN MELCHOIR, 8-TRACK GORILLA Pop rockers the Woggles open, but get there early for a full night of immense hooks. Tiger! Tiger!, solidified with last year's addition of former Catfight! (another band with an exclamation point) drummer and Helgas (wait, where's the punctuation?) guitarist Susanne Gibboney, is poised for greatness. Check out garage/roots expert Melchoir's combo, too. He's collaborated with Billy Childish and Holly Golightly in recent years. The 8-Track Gorilla usually sings to tracks. 8-tracks. As in tapes. $8. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — Lee Valentine Smith

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SAT/10

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CHARLES WALKER & THE DYNAMITES, SARAH BORGES & THE BROKEN SINGLES, AGENT 45 & T1 Charles Walker is an old-school soul man who's been at it since the 1950s. Backed by an explosive ensemble, the Dynamites, Walker leads a wallop of super soul jams. Bostonians Sarah Borges & the Broken Singles seamlessly blend honky-tonk twang and big-beat jazz. DJs Agent 45 & T1 spin records between sets. $10. 9:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — CR

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JOSHUA BELL One of People magazine's list of "50 Most Beautiful People" and one of the first classical artists to have a video appear on VH1, Grammy-winning violinist Joshua Bell performs the music of Robert Schumann, Ludwig van Beethoven and Edgar Meyer on his prized 1713 Gibson ex Huberman Stradivarius violin. Pianist Jeremy Denk is Bell's musical sidekick for the evening. Note: Sold out — waiting list only! $5-$56. 8 p.m. Schwartz Center, Emerson Hall. 404-727-5050. www.arts.emory.edu — MG

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THE QUEERS, THE HEART ATTACKS, THE MANSFIELDS Some of the best fizzy-pop music in the world has sprung outta the fertile brain of Queer guy for the punk guy, Joe King. The prolific component — and the sole stabilizing force — of the Queers continues to churn out a dizzying amount of irresistible, amped-up ditties, the most recent batch captured on the incendiary Munki Brain. The Heart Attacks and the Mansfields open. $10. 9 p.m. Star Bar. 404-681-9018. www.starbar.net. — LVS

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SUN/11

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GEORGIAN CHAMBER PLAYERS Spousally hinged duo-pianists Valentina Lisitsa and Alexei Kuznetsoff open the concert with Sergei Rachmaninoff "Suite No. 1 for Two Pianos" and Maurice Ravel's "La Valse." The piano-dominated "Piano Quartet No. 1 in G minor, Op. 25" by Johannes Brahms forms the latter half, performed by Lisitsa with fellow GCP core players, violinist Beth Newdome, violist Reid Harris and cellist Christopher Rex. $30. 3 p.m. Spivey Hall. 678-466-4200. www.spiveyhall.org — MG

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WED/14

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VALENTINE'S DAY IS FOR SUCKERS Tonight, kiss off the suckage of the holiday with an irreverent and, let's face it, probably downright naughty display of frivolity from some of Atlanta's finest alternative performers. The legendary Diamond Lil, the city's most (in)famous gender-bending chanteuse, headlines the sassy event. And no, you are not at the Clermont Lounge, but yes, that is Blondie, the Clermont's adult-entertainment institution and poet, live on stage at the Earl. Tonight she'll be in spoken-word mode — after a sexy Bump and Grind session. Atlanta's newest all-female band the Coathangers also perform, bringing the rock to a, *cough* heart place. $7. 8:30 p.m. The Earl. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com. — LVS

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THURS/15

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DEBBIE DAVIES Decades spent leading a blues band is no way to ensure a stable lifestyle, let alone income. Add being female to the equation and the cards are further stacked against you. Even guitar-playing Davies, a veteran of Albert Collins' band and thousands of one-nighters with her trio, will tell you that. But she soldiers on, playing her original melodic blues mixed with a few classics from her old boss, routinely tearing the roof off clubs to little wide acclaim but nightly standing ovations. $10. 9 p.m. Blind Willie's. 404-873-2583. www.blindwilliesblues.com. — HH

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GANG GREEN, THE DESPISED Remember the days of shredding curbs on your Natas skateboard while Gang Green's Older... (Budweiser) cassette tape blared from the ghetto blaster you carried around? Of course not. The '80s were a lifetime ago. Gang Green doesn't remember them either, so the group has returned for a history lesson on what made shitty, Reagan-era skate rock so special. Local punks the Despised open the show. $10. 9 p.m. Drunken Unicorn. www.thedrunkenunicorn.net. — CR

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INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS A deceptively young sextet with a combined musical résumé that will knock your socks off, the Dusters prove themselves as soon as they hit their first few notes. Touring in support of their excellent new debut Sugar Hill CD Fork In The Road, this amazing band could define the future of bluegrass. $7. 9 p.m. Red Light Café. 404-874-7828. www.redlightcafe.com — JK

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THE DEVIL STOLE THE BEAT A multiact, two-day "industry" showcase without the stench of Atlantis or the bustle of South by Southwest. The whole thing kicks off on Valentine's night with a party at the Loft, then moves over to Smith's Olde Bar for BMI and ASCAP showcases on Thursday (Feb. 15) and Friday (Feb. 16). Wrangled by Confidence Creative, Ticket Alternative and Caren West PR, Thursday night's acts include Sonia Leigh, Andy Zipf, Audrey Spillman and Right Away, Great Captain in the Atlanta room. The Less, Nathan Angelo, Owen Beverly and the Working Title play in the main room. For showtimes, visit www.thedevilstolethebeat.com. $6 per night or $10 for a two-day pass. 8 p.m. Smith's Olde Bar. 404-875-1522. www.ticketalternative.com. — LVS

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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 Rodney Carmichael, 384 Northyards Blvd., Suite 600, Atlanta, GA 30313, or e-mail information to: rodney.carmichael@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.