Our Critics Picks
With hipsters becoming parents at an alarming rate, the market for kids stuff that’s not only cool, but cool, has skyrocketed. Once jumper-wearing, Pitchfork-reading breeders get wind of Steve Lee, you might have to threaten to confiscate their lattes to calm them down. A local songwriter originally from Arkansas, Lee is set to release What Did You Do Today Stephen Scott Lee?, a wonderfully irreverent indie-pop record about a day in the life of young Stephen. In between songs, skits tell a narrative about waking up, going to school, heading to the zoo and all the mishaps that happen along the way—like an altercation with a bully (Bang Bang Bang frontman Jaren Johnston in a hilarious cameo) and a bump on the head. But what parents will really love, other than the bright, quirky melodies, is the plethora of succinct, positive messages on topics like sharing, dealing with bullies—“You know a bully is not just a person, it can be a group, a company or even a regime”—peer pressure and, most of all, love. Lee plays as part of The Gabe Dixon Band’s First Annual Christmas Show, which also features David Mead, Leigh Nash and more. Lee’s CD release show will be in late January. (myspace.com/stevelee) The Rutledge —LEE STABERT
MUSIC
THURSDAY, 21ST-FRIDAY, 22ND
MESSIAH Perhaps the weirdest thing about this classical music blockbuster is that it was originally written as an Easter piece. Indeed, many of the greatest tunes in Messiah have more to do with Christ’s death (that magnificent, time-stopping aria “He was despised”) and Resurrection (the ever-popular “Hallelujah!” chorus) than with his birth. Still, the first part does open with the Nativity and includes some appealing arias (“O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion” and “For unto us a child is born”). And besides, only the most hardened Scrooge would want to miss Messiah at Christmas. The Nashville Symphony Orchestra’s performance will include an outstanding roster of soloists—soprano Laura Whalen, mezzo-soprano Marietta Simpson, tenor Roger Honeywell and bass-baritone Michael Dean—along with members of the Nashville Symphony Chorus. George Mabry will conduct. It should be great, and may this music reign forever…and ever. Schermerhorn Symphony Center —JOHN PITCHER
THURSDAY, 21ST
|
---------------------------Advertisement---------------------------
|
|
---------------------------Advertisement---------------------------
|
SUSAN ALCORN & LADONNA SMITH Common knowledge holds that improv and avant compositions are typically all-boys’ clubs. There are too many counter examples to list (from Eliane Radigue to Pauline Oliveros), but two of the best living American examples are coming together for a rare show. Susan Alcorn’s extended techniques and slowly escalating crescendos for steel guitar could earn her the heretic title in Nashville, but her stylistic tendencies are remarkable for their moments of pure lucidity. Vocalist and violinist LaDonna Smith has been working in outer improvisational realms for three decades, and any engagement with her is beyond noteworthy. Ruby Green —GRAYSON CURRIN
FRIDAY, 22ND
ZOROASTER & NACHTMYSTIUM As far as bands generically (and oft erroneously) grouped into the doom-metal uprising go, Zoroaster is nothing fancy. But that’s exactly why they matter: while Southern Lord Records favorites such as sunn 0))) and Boris hover above meta-metal and Florida fuzz-masters Torche mine for bigger, badder tones, Zoroaster are just a thundering hard-rock band that somehow managed to materialize into brittle metal beneath the Atlanta sun. Their self-titled debut (released by Illinois’ Battle Kommand Records but distributed by Southern Lord) is more colossal than conceptual, with static, lumbering guitars wearing their Big Muffs on their sleeves and the drums—martial, beating, defeating—pushing it uphill like the serial orders of a warlord. On record, Zoroaster can pull through a bit thin, but live—and under the aegis of a sound engineer who understands loud—expect no prisoners, just converts. Labelmates Nachtmystium open, along with Loss and March into the Sea. Springwater (thezoroaster.com) —GRAYSON CURRIN
WILL KIMBROUGH & ROD PICOTT This show warrants a question: does Will Kimbrough ever sleep? He’s married with two children, but spent a portion of the year touring alongside Rodney Crowell. He also managed to release his post-9/11 manifesto on stateside patriotism, Americanitis, to rave reviews in July, and in the past few years, he’s worked on records by Jimmy Buffett, Kate Campbell, Amy Loftus and Jeff Black. He even updates his own website. Could Kimbrough not just come home for Christmas (he was born in Alabama but has called Nashville home for two decades) and be satisfied? Apparently not, and that’s fine with us, so long as he speak-sings his way through “Pride,” a hopeful diatribe on political flightiness. Nashville songwriter Rod Picott’s “Tiger Tom Dixon Blues,” released on his 2001 album of the same name, is one of the songwriting achievements of the decade, its tale of a brilliant boxer who debauches himself into ineptitude a worthy preamble to Kimbrough’s screeds. Mercy Lounge (rodpicott.com); (willkimbrough.com) —GRAYSON CURRIN
JOE NICHOLS This past year hasn’t been the biggest year for neo-traditional country, and part of the reason must be that Joe Nichols hasn’t had a record out. The crooner from Arkansas hasn’t retreated from his warm twang or wavered from his old-fashioned approach since his 2003 debut, Man With a Memory. But Nichols has had commercial success anyway. (It doesn’t hurt that the covers of his CDs feature his chiseled good looks.) His last album, III, generated a couple of popular singles, including the strained, should-have-jacked-up-the-tempo novelty number “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off.” There were much better songs on the record, especially the wondrous “Talk Me Out of Tampa.” Since Nichols put out a CD of traditional Christmas songs in 2004, audiences at the Ryman can expect to hear the classics done by one of the richest voices in country music. Ryman Auditorium (joenichols.com) —WERNER TRIESCHMANN
ALECIA NUGENT Nugent’s A Little Girl…A Big Four-Lane is likely going to turn up on more than a few best of 2006 lists soon, and for good reason. The Louisiana native has an intimate familiarity with the rhythms, inflections and emotional directness of bluegrass and classic country, but also a taste for the polish, clarity and harmonic sophistication of the best of contemporary country. Applied to a set that ranges from ’grass staples to tightly constructed, elegantly written modern ballads—and combined with a strong, haunting voice—the blend works wonders, and her like-minded young band is as deft as the album’s all-star cast in offering just the right support. The Station Inn —JON WEISBERGER
SATURDAY, 23RD
TONY LAIOLO, DIANA JONES, JEFF & VIDA Like any formula, Nashville’s songwriter-in-the-round format can be tediously predictable. But in recent months, Laiolo has shown there’s still power in the guitar-pull idea. As always, the key is in the casting: an observant storyteller and witty host, Laiolo pairs gut-punch veterans like David Olney, Mark Germino and Joy Lynn White with strong discoveries like Irene Kelley, Charlie Degenhart and Courtney Little. This week, he’s in talent scout mode, sharing his stage with the stunningly austere songs of Diana Jones and New Orleans acoustic hoedown couple Jeff & Vida. In any crowd, Laiolo’s first-person stories and tender-yet-masculine tone stands out. His songwriting, like his hosting, turns on clever bon mots, but his best work reveals how even the most charming among us must deal with love, loneliness and trying to recognize the difference between the light and the dark. Douglas Corner —MICHAEL McCALL
VIVID’S HIP-HOP CHRISTMAS Celebrate Christmas hip-hop style with a select group of Nashville’s urban music talent. Headliner ViVid, who moved down from hip-hop central, Queens, N.Y., specializes in club bangers that mix Brooklyn attitude and Southern bounce. Kyhil, host of the “Not Just Country” radio show, is also on the party-music tip, though he often imbues his rap with a taste of country and western, as in the banjo samples on the song “Boytoy Cowboy.” Additional performers such as Latino Saint, who represents production company La Familia Del Sol, will bring his mainstream rap approach, while Kurtis Stanley comes off like the Ca$hville playa, spittin’ Jay-Z-like rhymes over grinding beats. Krystel, the highly regarded singer with a variety of styles from danceable pop to heartache ballads, brings soul to the party. The Rutledge —MARK MAYS
COW CHRISTMAS WITH THE JOHN COWAN BAND Drifting back from a long stretch during of—in Cowan’s words—trying to be a rock star, the one-time New Grass Revival electric bass-man and singer has eased into the bluegrass scene once more—and that’s a good thing. The change is underlined by his latest, New Tattoo, a release attributed to the John Cowan Band (where previous efforts carried only his name). And this ain’t your grandpa’s bluegrass. Cowan’s intent on perfecting an incrementally updated sound, not recapping musty classics. He was just coming off a throat-ravaging bout with the flu earlier this month at the Inn’s annual benefit for the homeless, so he should be in prime form on the eve of Christmas Eve. The Station Inn —JON WEISBERGER
ANN TILEY Many people know Ann Tiley from sight: she’s often seen around town behind an easel, painting Hillsboro Village cityscapes and other landmarks. But for two decades the Nashville artist and singer-songwriter has issued tapes of homespun recordings that function almost as newsletters—updates about her travels and where and how she’s living now. She’s performed for more than 20 years in Springwater’s fabled “Working Stiff Jamboree” alongside talents such as Tom House and her Cherry Blossoms comrades John Allingham and Peggy Snow. Tiley has just released her 31st album, You’re the One for Me, and like the others it’s a collection of plainspoken back-porch songs that commemorate milestones in her life at the moment—as large and public as Hurricane Katrina and the death of Rosa Parks, as small and private as the trip she took last year to Scotland, from which she emerged with newfound appreciation for Tennessee sun. She performs at 8 p.m. with Carole Edwards, Tim Jones, Al Wiseman and Dean Goodsell—a sweet Christmas present indeed. Brown’s Diner —JIM RIDLEY
CORTNEY TIDWELL Expertly combining stasis and equipoise, Cortney Tidwell’s Don’t Let Stars Keep Us Tangled Up is a remarkably assured full-length debut. Recorded in Nashville and featuring contributions by Lambchop’s Ryan Norris, Kurt Wagner and William Tyler, Don’t Let Stars was released in the U.K. earlier this year to glowing reviews. A domestic release is planned for February 2007, but in the meantime, this show should afford listeners an opportunity to catch a talented, ambitious singer and songwriter in her hometown. Don’t Let Stars works as soundscape, but its rich texture doesn’t obscure the impact of a beautifully crafted song like “La La,” which recalls Brazilian singer Gal Costa’s languid tropicália. This fall, Tidwell played a string of well-received European dates. Tonight’s appearance, part of the Springwater’s second annual Festivus celebration, promises to be an event that will preclude any airing of grievances. (everrecords.com) Springwater —EDD HURT
THEATER
THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF COOTIE SIMONE In the last couple of years, local playwright Myra Anderson has produced a mixed bag of original works that have spanned from fairy-tale spoofs to social dramas of more serious intent. Her latest is billed as “a charming Southern parlor comedy,” which takes place in Atlanta in 1939 at the time of the world premiere of Gone With the Wind. Domestic and romantic complications supersede the grand opening of the movie, and a temporary case of amnesia keeps all the principals guessing. Anderson directs, and she’s assembled an interesting cast that includes Lauren Atkins, Obadiah Ewing-Roush and Tony Wakefield. This is one of the few theatrical offerings through the holidays, and it might be worth a look as a light diversion from seasonal intensity. Performances are Dec. 21, 22, 23, 29 and 30 at the Darkhorse Theater. For reservations, call 423-5304. —MARTIN BRADY
COMEDY
THE JACKASSES OF COMEDY Las Vegas has the Rat Pack, and Tennessee has this loose consortium of stand-up comedians, who’ve been alternating gigs in Knoxville and Nashville, with an occasional side trip to beautiful downtown Jackson. It’s a revolving lineup, with this Dec. 23 Cafe Coco laughfest featuring old reliables Jesse Perry and Chad Riden along with newer performers Rob Haynes and Spencer Ashmun (all of a decidedly precocious 15 years old). The fun begins at 9 p.m., and if you’ve made a serious dent in the holiday shopping, this might be a good spot to treat yourself to a brew and some cathartic chuckles. Call 321-2626 or visit nashvillestandup.com. —MARTIN BRADY
TELEVISION
THE INVISIBLE AMERICA A needed reminder of hard times in the season of shopping mania, this hour-long documentary by local producers Penney Carlton, Cindy Montano and Alicia Parker records the conditions of living homeless in Nashville, from interstate overpasses and makeshift camps to shelters. Working with Nashville filmmaker Patrick Isbey and a crew of volunteers, the makers seek out people instead of statistics, finding veterans, displaced people with college backgrounds, and families with children as well as the mentally and physically ill. The doc will air 6 p.m. Dec. 23 and 7 p.m. Dec. 26 on Channel 5+ (Comcast Channel 50) and at 5 p.m. Dec. 30 on WTVF-Channel 5. —JIM RIDLEY
FILM
SPOTLIGHT ON MONTY PYTHON & TERRY GILLIAM If sweet seasonal fare is quickly sending you into a diabetic coma, clop your coconuts over to the Belcourt for the Hillsboro Village theater’s five-day salute to director Terry Gilliam and the Python troupe. Not only can you see Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Monty Python’s Life of Brian and the original And Now For Something Completely Different on the big screen, you’ll also get a look back at Gilliam’s dystopian classic Brazil along with the first Nashville screening of his latest film, the haunting fantasy Tideland. The series starts Tuesday, Dec. 26; for more information, see belcourt.org and the capsule reviews in our Movie Listings on p. 69. —JIM RIDLEY
FILMS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED Looking back over 2006, the Belcourt gives local audiences a second shot at some of the year’s most acclaimed movies, including Robert Altman’s final film A Prairie Home Companion, Neil Marshall’s claustrophobic shocker The Descent and Michel Gondry’s romantic fantasy The Science of Sleep. The series continues through Christmas Eve, alternated with holiday screenings of It’s a Wonderful Life. —JIM RIDLEY