Working out of Club Voodoo on West End Avenue (next to Arirang Korean restaurant), local promoter Electric Lounge has been bringing some first-rate live hip-hop to town (including recent performances by Mr. Dibbs and Peanut Butter Wolf). This Friday’s show looks like a can’t-miss event, featuring Vinroc, a member of San Francisco’s Triple Threat crew. Vinroc’s associates include members of the Invisibl Skratch Piklz and DJ Q-Bert, and a few years ago he took top honors at the International Turntablist Federation World Championships. All of which is to say that his skills at the wheels of steel are impressive indeed and should make for a most excellent evening of scratching and soulful grooves. Also on the bill are Bronx-based rare groove/hip-hop DJ D.Lost and the evening’s host, DJ Chozen. More guests are to be announced. For more information on Vinroc, visit www.vinroc.com, and for more information on Friday’s show, e-mail electriclounge32@aol.com.
—J.M.
Thursday, 26th
Al-N Local rocker Mark Allen has made an ambitious debut with his self-released (and almost completely self-performed) American in the 21st Century, a catchy amalgam of socially conscious folk music and swingin’ electro-pop. Some of the songs are heavy-handedly ironic, but the inventive instrumentation and a general good spirit puts across what might be insufferable if it were heavier. It’s definitely worth seeing how he translates his complicated music to a live setting at his Trafalgar Square appearance.
—N.M.
Feable Weiner This local brat-punk quartet provides a witty, appealing take on hooky bash-’n’-pop—too bad they have such a lousy name. They’ll be trying to overcome that handicap by playing loud at Sebastian’s.
—N.M.
Friday, 27th
The Fairfield Four The past year has been one of heartbreak and jubilation alike for the unstoppable Nashville a cappella gospel group. Just as the group was on the verge of reaching its widest audience to date through appearances in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and on its chart-topping soundtrack album, the Four lost their mighty baritone James Hill last summer at age 83. But the Four, whose origins date back to the 1920s at Nashville’s Fairfield Baptist Church, have survived in various incarnations since the 1940s; and when they harmonize, the unearthly sweetness and rugged conviction of their voices testify to concerns that will outlast us all—and to the promise of better days. To see how a state-of-the-art auditorium can be turned into a rafter-rocking house of the Lord, don’t miss their performance at The Arts Center of Cannon County.
—J.R.
Metroscene This Atlanta quartet has some serious Anglophilia going on, but it’s eclectic Anglophilia. Their debut LP First Light at Last Orders shows inspirations ranging from early Cure to The Jam to Pulp to The Damned, all focused on the harder edge of those top-drawer Britpoppers. They’ve got good taste, and they know how to channel it into something more than mere apery. Check out Metroscene’s unique take on furious urbane angst at The End.
—N.M.
DANA CERRICK and S.T.F.U. Don’t let the singer-songwriter guise fool you. Dana Cerrick’s songs pack a lot of punch, thanks in no small part to her ass-kicking band, S.T.F.U. They are joined by Knoxville’s Mustard at the Springwater.
—T.A.
Kevin Welch Welch is Music Row’s answer to Jackson Browne—a hipster whose incisive, confessional songwriting flashes a well-developed poetic side. He’s a hell of a singer too. He plays at the Bluebird.
—B.F.W.
Static X An evening of tuneless, hop-up-and-down industrial metal at 328 Performance Hall, featuring Godhead, Endo, and Deadsy, and headlined by the California band (by way of Illinois) Static X, whose blistering stage show almost makes up for the fact that their thrashing grind hits a wall after two-and-a-half minutes.
—N.M.
Saturday, 28th
The Shazam While working on a new album, Nashville’s most dynamic rock superheroes are also preparing to re-release their debut in a freshly remixed, partially re-recorded version. All of this while continuing to put on blistering live shows, as they’ll be doing at Exit/In.
—N.M.
Greg Trooper Trooper calls what he does “loud folk music,” and with his stentorian baritone and chiming, hook-rich originals, that’s as apt a description as any. Even more resounding, though, is the humanity that brims from his music, whether in the guise of empathy, hard-won faith, or a lusty exuberance for life itself. Trooper celebrates the release of his new CD with a show at The Sutler. See the story on p. 44.
—B.F.W.
Mercator Sebastian’s hosts these Murfeesboro math-rock merchants, currently riding the success of their self-released 12-inch EP split with Lotushalo. Yet another band who’ve melted down their Bastro, Bitch Magnet, Slint, and Squirrel Bait records to create a black-vinyl likeness of Steve Albini, they share a bill with the fearsome We Eat Vultures and Charter Oak.
—C.D.
Widespread Panic One of the most popular Southern-rock touring acts drops by the Murphy Center at MTSU for an evening of extended jamming rooted in blues, country, jazz, bluegrass, and a slightly spacey hippie sensibility that’s more Frank Zappa than David Crosby.
—N.M.
The Hoptown Tigers Imagine the Rat Pack going punk after blowing through a case of Hot Damn, some Cramps records, and a dusk-to-dawn marathon of KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park—all on a subway-token budget. Well, this hepped-up quartet is as close as you’re likely to get in Music City. All they need are songs distinctive and memorable enough to match the over-the-top ballsiness of their stage show—which, on any given night, could feature fireballs, chainsaws, dancing girls, blaring video screens, and even some production values—and there won’t be an arena big enough to hold ’em. In the meantime, wear your sharpest asbestos suit to The End.
—J.R.
Dan Dowling Guitarist Dowling is another of Nashville’s underpublicized jazz stalwarts. He’s a solid soloist who doesn’t indulge (at least on record) in any flamboyant technical shows, yet can still demonstrate his command of his instrument via some nicely chosen phrases and elegant lines. He’s the featured performer Saturday afternoon at Jazz@Bellevue Center; the occasion doubles as a CD release party.
—R.W.
Sunday, 29th
The Fucking Champs Listening to the comic Nintendo metal of The Fucking Champs’ latest offering, IV (Drag City), I ponder a dilemma often associated with modern-day wank-ensembles à la Don Caballero and Trans Am. Are these guys unashamed prog-dweebs, displaying their adolescent worship of Rush and Gentle Giant in the most irony-oblivious fashion imaginable? Or are they slick hipsters disguising their adolescent worship of Rush and Gentle Giant in a cloak of faux post-rock credibility? Either way, the results are endlessly entertaining. Half the time the Champs conjure up the shadows of Joe Satriani or Randy Rhoads, the other half of the time they resemble the sort of hyperactive cheese rock that played in the background of such arcade games as Double Dragon. Whether it’s all a big joke or not doesn’t really matter; the dork-synthesizers and harmonized guitar phrases could win over mullet-yobs and easily amused indie kids in equal measure. Catch them at The End.
—W.T.
April Barrows Barrows initially built her career in Nashville as an instrumentalist and writer, although singing was and remains her first true love. Now she has picked the toughest genre in the business—jazz singing—to make a living, yet she has become one of Nashville’s more intriguing and popular performers. She’ll be at F. Scott’s.
—R.W.
Jeffrey Gaines This Pennsylvania singer-songwriter brings his soft flannel voice and electrified folk music to 3rd & Lindsley. Gaines’ stated influences derive from early ’70s R&B and late ’70s British new wave, but the soulful mid-tempo ballads he produces are more reminiscent of early ’90s modern rockers like Toad the Wet Sprocket and Lenny Kravitz. His strongest material is his diverse slate of covers which Gaines imbues with fresh nuances.
—N.M.
Molly Hatchet/Cab Over Pete Here’s an odd bill at Rich & Amy’s Roadhouse II. Veteran hard-rock boogie band Molly Hatchet headlines, after an opening set by the fist-pumping, bottom-heavy, stop-and-start, riffage-happy Cab Over Pete, a local band with admirable passion and limited range.
—N.M.
Monday, 30th
WRVU-91.1 FM Free Summer Bash As a thank-you to the community for supporting the station, Vanderbilt’s essential 91 Rock hosts a free night of music featuring some of Nashville’s best bands. That means if for some reason you’ve put off seeing individual shows by Stoogey garage-rockers The Obscure, fusion free-funkers Schfvilkus, pop power trio Lifeboy, or presidential punks The Carter Administration, there’s no excuse for missing them in this one-night-only bill at the Exit/In. Hell, we’re the ones that ought to be thanking WRVU.
—J.R.
Tuesday, 1st
Bernard Allison It might be a tired cliché that the children of the famous suffer twice as much trying to follow in their parents’ footsteps, but Bernard Allison still had to earn respect from the toughest taskmaster around, namely his father, Luther, a brilliant guitarist and singer. Bernard worked alongside Luther for several years, but has steadily developed his own voice and style since leaving his father’s employ. Now, some four years after Luther Allison’s cancer-related death, Bernard ranks among the upper echelon of contemporary blues stylists. He returns to Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar.
—R.W.
Jeff Coffin On the heels of a recent winning streak—a Nashville Music Award for his solo album, Commonality, as well as a Grammy for his higher-profile role as reedsman for the Flecktones—Coffin stops by Bean Central to host his fortnightly jazz jam. He invites all comers to sit in with his crack ensemble that has included such instrumental luminaries as Chester Thompson and Paul McCandless. In doing so, Coffin provides a crucial function in the local jazz community.
—C.D.
Tuesday, 1st- Wednesday, 2nd
Let’s Rock Wildhorse Saloon hosts the first two in a series of double-bills to be taped for the TNN program Let’s Rock, which is scheduled to debut later this summer. Tuesday night’s showcase features two blues-rock veterans, Edgar Winter and Jethro Tull. The Tubes and Night Ranger tape segments on Wednesday night. Each will play a 50-minute set, which will be edited to 30 minutes for TV. And you thought most television was crap?
—C.D.
Wednesday, 2nd
Alejandro Escovedo Perhaps the most respected, beloved, celebrated, etcetera contemporary Austin-based singer-songwriter makes one of his periodic swings through Nashville for a show at 12th & Porter. Escovedo’s new album A Man Under the Influence—also hitting local stores this week—continues his winning formula of sandy vocals, spidery acoustic guitar, slightly roughed-up rock rhythms, and percussive strings. And oh, the songs! Bittersweet laments saturated with profoundly felt emotion are presented in lovely melodic packages as pretty as fresh salsa and twice as zingy.
—N.M.
The Smithereens Still mowing down audiences with some of the fattest riffs in the history of guitar-rock, this venerable power-pop quartet records infrequently, but can still light fires with songs they wrote 10 years ago. They’ll be preaching to the converted at 328 Performance Hall.
—N.M.
Roomful of Blues Roomful of Blues have kept the swing and jump banner flying since their inception in the late ’60s. Their list of all-star alumni include Duke Robillard, Ronnie Earl, and Ron Levy, while they’ve also made monster records in collaborations with such giants as Earl King and Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson. Because robust arrangements, sparkling solos, and tight interaction have always been their trademark, the group has flourished through the years despite these huge defections. With an outstanding new disc coming in late May, they play Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar.
—R.W.
Last Train Home This D.C. five-piece is something of an anomaly among alt-country-identified bands, an ensemble that relishes melody and isn’t afraid of dealing with feelings without hiding behind masks of irony and attitude. Jimmy Webb, Jesse Winchester, and Willis Alan Ramsey are three of the band’s obvious touchstones, but there’s also plenty of Bakersfield in Last Train Home’s sound, especially in those freight-train rhythms they can’t get enough of. And in principal singer-songwriter Eric Brace, they have a razor-sharp observer of human foibles, most notably his own. Last Train Home plays at Radio Cafe.
—B.F.W.
Film
Memento Don’t miss it. A first-rate brainteaser that ripples and resonates in the mind, Christopher Nolan’s ingenious thriller concerns a man (Guy Pearce) who searches for his wife’s rapist and murderer. But he’s hindered by a medical condition that has wiped out his short-term memory, leaving him dependent on snapshots and notes to remember anything that’s just happened. Did we mention the story’s told backwards? This must-see movie opens Friday at Green Hills. See the story on p. 47. Also opening at Green Hills: Me, You, Them, based on the true story of a Brazilian woman who found three husbands to satisfy her needs.
—J.R.
The Princess Bride Inconceivable! Rob Reiner’s fairy-tale send-up was only a minor hit when released in 1987, but it frequently turns up in lists of people’s favorite movies—so much so that after many patron requests, the Belcourt booked the romantic fantasy for a week starting Friday. Also playing for one more week at the theater: one of last year’s best movies, Edward Yang’s engrossing family drama Yi Yi (A One and a Two).
—J.R.
Driven Woo hoo! Sylvester Stallone pops his clutch and tells the world to eat his dust in this race-car actioner penned by Sly and directed by Renny Harlin (Deep Blue Sea). It opens Friday, along with Warren Beatty and Diane Keaton in Town and Country; Liv Tyler and Michael Douglas in One Night at McCool’s; and the vampire saga The Forsaken. See our Film Listings and Movie Clock for more information.
—J.R.
The Graduate At Vanderbilt, yearly screenings of Mike Nichols’ 1967 satire are as much a graduating-class tradition as “Pomp and Circumstance”: The Dustin Hoffman-Anne Bancroft comedy has been playing annually for at least the past 20 years, and likely many years before. It plays Thursday through Sunday at the Sarratt Cinema.
—J.R.
DVD/Video
Mon Oncle/Rififi/The Scarlet Empress/Spartacus The Criterion Collection adds four new masterpieces of world cinema to its DVD library, each with the pristine presentation and thoughtful extras that have become synonymous with the company. Jacques Tati’s playful slapstick comedy Mon Oncle comes with an introduction by Monty Python’s Terry Jones and a rare Tati short film; Jules Dassin’s elegant caper flick Rififi includes an interview with the director; Josef von Sternberg’s biopic of Catherine the Great, The Scarlet Empress, has been bundled with a documentary about von Sternberg and a tribute by avant-garde filmmaker Jack Smith; and Stanley Kubrick’s gladiator epic Spartacus makes its DVD debut in a two-disc edition with new and old interviews, lengthy coverage of the Hollywood blacklist (and how it affected the film’s screenwriter Dalton Trumbo), and a commentary track that includes interviews with Kirk Douglas and Peter Ustinov that were recorded 10 years ago for the original laserdisc version.
—N.M.
Dance
CINDERELLA/RED ROSES The Nashville Ballet will present a program of two dance pieces, Prokofiev’s Cinderella and Stephen Mills’ Red Roses, a haunting tribute to French singer Edith Piaf performed to her indelible music. Ballet artistic director Paul Vasterling mounts the choreography for Cinderella, which will feature ballerina Kathryn Beasley in the title role for her final appearance with Nashville Ballet. There will be four shows, Apr. 27-29 in TPAC’s Polk Theater.
—M.B.
Theater
BILOXI BLUES Neil Simon’s 1985 Tony Award-winning play is the middle piece of a trilogy that includes Brighton Beach Memoirs and Broadway Bound. It is the final offering of ACT I’s 2000-2001 theater season, and represents the first time in its 11-year history that the company has ever produced a Simon play. The show opens for three weeks on Apr. 27.
—M.B.
DAMN YANKEES It’s spring, baseball is in the air, and Circle Players concludes its 51st season with this fantasy classic about pennant-hungry Joe Boyd and his deal with the devil. The first-rate Adler-Ross score features at least one great song, “(You Gotta Have) Heart.” It opens Apr. 27 at TPAC’s Johnson Theater.
HOW BLAK KIN EYE BEE? Produced in conjunction with the Fisk Stagecrafters, Amun-Ra Theatre presents an original one-man show featuring the talents of Nashville actor/ writer/poet Jeff Obafemi Carr. Carr, who has done both stage and film work, explores nine distinct and memorable characters that help to bring into focus what it means to be black in America. Performed Apr. 27-28 in Fisk University’s Memorial Chapel.
—M.B.
THE MUD MAN: EVOLUTION/BORN FROM TEARS This is a one-shot deal: If you blink, it’s gone. But for those with an adventurous spirit, this “chorepoem” by painter/writer Henry L. Jones might wake up some slumbering gray matter. Presented from 8-9 p.m. on Apr. 27, the interactive production includes visual art, music, sound effects, and original poetry, as Jones unleashes the images and voices of the black experience.
—M.B.
PORTAL He’s the greatest magician in the world, so what more need be said? The internationally acclaimed David Copperfield brings his mind-bending magic act to TPAC’s Jackson Hall for two shows each day, Apr. 29-30. Besides the usual feats of sleight of hand, Copperfield will engage in a bit of teleportation, and some lucky audience member gets to tag along for the ride.
—M.B.
SMOKE ON THE MOUNTAIN The BellSouth Musical Series at the Ryman Auditorium continues with the only 2001 Nashville-area engagement of Smoke on the Mountain. Audiences flock time and again to this folksy gospel musical about a mountain family and the characters in and about the Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. The current cast includes hit songwriter Bobby Taylor, local favorite Jason Ross, and Smoke national tour veteran Rhonda Wallace. It opens Apr. 27 for a three-week run.
—M.B.
Art
Auld Alliance Gallery Enjoy Claudia Hartley’s brightly colored views of the French Riviera and Dorsey McHugh’s sun-drenched scenes of southern France, along with a glass of champagne that’s probably not from France, at the opening reception 5-8 p.m. Apr. 27. Recent works by Diane Ainsworth and Janet Tillery are also included in the show.
—A.W.
Local Color Gallery Night scenes of Venice and other new works in oil by Charles Cox are featured in a show that marks the 11th anniversary of this Nashville gallery. Over the years, gallery owner and artist Ron York has carefully screened hundreds of local artists and rented the select few a certain amount of gallery space in which to hang their works. The result is a wide variety of quality art at surprisingly affordable prices. Currently on view are works by about 40 artists, many of whom will be on hand to help celebrate at the birthday party and artist reception 5-8 p.m. Apr. 28.
—A.W.
Sunset Grill Janice Zeitlin of Zeitgeist and Randy Rayburn of Sunset Grill join forces to present Nashville artist Paul Harmon’s homage to six art greats, ranging from Salvador Dali to Pablo Picasso. The suite of six new works on paper is on view during serving hours at Sunset Grill and is also available in seven original editions for purchase through Zeitgeist art gallery. With the purchase of each suite, dinner for four will be prepared at Harmon’s own 1793 farmhouse in Brentwood by a chef from Sunset Grill.
—A.W.
Zeitgeist To Atlanta-based artist Susan Sisk, art—like life—is about making choices. “I was thinking about life as a stepping-stone path of choices, or about how something seems to be one thing but turns out to be another,” Sisk says of her new series of acrylic and collage works called “Balancing Act,” now on view at Zeitgeist. Sisk’s philosophy translates visually into 1950s Cadillac convertibles traveling blue highways through towns of tall towers and road signs in one work and fortune cookies and Lego building blocks huddled together in another. Her funneling of recognizable objects into an abstract setting is tinged with humor and allows viewers to choose for themselves what vintage cars or classic toys mean to them. The exhibition is on view through May 26.
—A.W.
Books
Willie Morris An eerily and aptly titled posthumous release, Taps is Morris’ last “coming of age” tale set in his beloved Mississippi Delta. It is the story of a 16-year-old trumpeter who performs “Taps” at the many funerals of fallen Korean War soldiers. With the release of Taps, the book world is only beginning to feel the aftershocks of Morris’ death, as the author leaves behind a legacy of Southern humor and beauty. Morris’ widow, JoAnne Prichard Morris, will be reading and signing his book 6 p.m. Apr. 26 at Davis-Kidd Booksellers.
—A.M.
Stephen Harrigan In his third novel, The Gates of the Alamo, Harrigan takes the less traveled path, opting to relay the stories of fictionalized secondary characters whose lives were impacted by the 1836 events surrounding the Texas fort. The approach is a refreshing perspective on a story whose outcome is well known. Taking cues from Larry McMurtry, Harrigan provides characters that are both interesting and substantial, exploring mood and mind-set in the moments prior to the impending battle. Don’t miss Harrigan’s signing and discussion of the newly released paperback, 6 p.m. Apr. 30 at Davis-Kidd Booksellers.
—A.M.
Events
Franklin Main Street Festival This low-key, family-oriented event is a great way to fritter away this weekend in Franklin’s picturesque downtown. You’ll be able to wander through the nearly 200 craft booths; check out the kids’ activities and live musical entertainment; and munch on something fattening but delicious from one of the food vendors. The festival is Apr. 28 and 29.
—A.W.
An Evening With the Arts This fourth annual celebration of Nashville’s artistic side offers patrons a chance to sample performances by Nashville Ballet, Nashville Symphony, Nashville Opera, and Tennessee Repertory Theatre, as well as the works of local visual artists and the culinary efforts of Nashville restaurants. It all happens 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 1 at TPAC.
—A.W.
Bindlestiff Family Cirkus and Autonomadic Bookmobile Roadshow Lay-dees and gen-tlemen, return to the days when circuses were equal parts humor and horror, magic and mystery, flim-flammery and forbidden feats! This popular New York-based touring troupe includes, among others, Rocket Johnny the Human Cannonball, Kinko the Human Blockhead, Fireplay the fire-eating duo, and SXIP’s musical mastery of the tampon applicator and the “obnoxiphone.” Plus, there’s a bookmobile dedicated to the wares of small indie publishers. The Cirkus pitches its big top at the Belcourt for one show only, 8 p.m. Friday; for mature audiences only.
—J.R.
Picks written by Todd Anderson, Martin Brady, Chris Davis, Bill Friskics-Warren, Jonathan Marx, Angela Messina, Noel Murray, Jim Ridley, William Tyler, Angela Wibking, and Ron Wynn.
