THURSDAY, JAN. 12
BILLY JOEL As he ventures out of his Long Island manor, expect a sobered-up and hopefully slimmed down Billy. Since he hasn't released any new pop-oriented material in quite some time, you can also expect a good-time romp through his songbook, and an animated stage presence. Joel has something to prove, and that virtually ensures that he'll give up the goods in concert. There's no Elton to play off of, so he has to carry the night himself. I'm wagering that he will. (St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa) ERIC SNIDER
LINDA RONSTADT/STEVE TYRELL Ronstadt at this point has performed every genre out there except for screamo and blip-hop, and believe me, there's a fan base out there if she should ever go for it. She began with country and folk, played the pop field for a while, hit Broadway, went south of the border and now makes a killing (check the $85 price tag here) kicking out the adult contemporary jams. Steve Tyrell? He dresses up old standards by Sinatra, et al. in shiny new clothes. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) COOPER LANE BAKER
USF FACULTY-GUEST RECITAL: MOZART & MORE Those genteel and knowledgeable classical-music folks over at USF are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the birth of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in style. Associate Professor Brian Moorhead presents a program of some of the composer's best-loved work, and will be joined by both USF alumni and some compadres from the Florida Orchestra — Moorhead's their principal clarinet, you know. This 7 p.m. performance will be held in room FAH 101 up at the main Tampa campus. (University of South Florida, Tampa)
FRIDAY, JAN. 13
SNOOP DOGG The Doggfather and his crew return to Jannus Landing for what almost certainly will be another sold-out night of party mayhem. Last time, Snoop had a full live band with him, and begged controversy by smoking pot onstage; no word on how the stage show will be formatted this time around, but I think I can safely say that controversy will rear its ugly head in some form or other — we are talking about Calvin Broadus, here. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
FORENSICS/JINXED AT 12/LIGHT YOURSELF ON FIRE/HISTORY Fredericksburg, Va.'s Forensics splits the difference between frayed noise and tight, compelling brutality extremely well — just when you think it's just a noisecore band, it gets all rock 'n' roll on you, then mellows out before hitting you over the head again. Good stuff. Jinxed at 12 appears to be a fairly frenetic D.C.-area act; Light Yourself on Fire is a scary local groovecore act featuring former members of Scrog and, hell yes, The Guff; and History is a Jawbox-esque Orlando band that includes ex-members of Sound The Alarm, and escapes my usual ire at groups with generic, hard-to-research names because it's good, and because it's made up of really nice people. (Skatepark of Tampa, Tampa)
MICHAEL TROY Troy's a Massachusetts native whose latest — Romancing the Moon — features his Dylanesque-but-deep singing voice and finger-picking guitar. Troy's lyrics aren't exactly Dylanesque, but whose are, really? (Fogartyville Café, Bradenton) CLB
SATURDAY, JAN. 14
GALACTIC w/THE STOOGES BRASS BAND Ever since parting ways with its singer, New Orleans' Galactic has locked more steadfastly into the spry, elastic funk that has built them a solid following on the jam-band circuit. Witnessing the groove-ology of drummer Stanton Moore is worth the price of admission alone. The Stooges Brass Band comes from the same Crescent City second-line tradition as the Dirty Dozen. I can't remember: Does Shemp play tuba or trombone? (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg) ES
THE STEVE KIMOCK BAND Though San Francisco jazz-jam guitarist Kimock is perhaps best known for his collaborations with ex-members of the likes of the Grateful Dead and Quicksilver Messenger Service, he's helmed well-regarded bands of his own, like Zero and KVHW, since the early '80s. He's released records as Steve Kimock & Friends, but last year's Eudemonic introduced the Steve Kimock Band. Tonight he'll be joined by soulful, semi-legendary jazz keyboardist Robert Walter (whose resume includes co-founding Greyboy Allstars and collaborations with the likes of Melvin Sparks and Gary Bartz, among others). (Skipper's Smokehouse, Tampa)
THE DAVE BRUBECK QUARTET Impressively straddling the line between creativity and commercial acceptance for 50-odd years now, Brubeck — who just turned 85 — has still got it. Give a listen to 2005's London Flat, London Sharp and dig the way Brubeck can make his piano work with the rhythm or pound away against it. Saxophonist and flutist Bobby Militello's an underrated soloist as well, and while he doesn't quite break free in the manner of the most forward-thinking players, he can nevertheless throw down some exciting solos. For a closer look at this sax ace, see the Music Feature. You're bound to hear the best from London in addition to the classics that might just bring down the house: "Blue Rondo Á La Turk" and "Take Five" amongst all the others. In our abysmally smooth-jazz-oriented town, this show is seriously not to be missed. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) CLB
AN ALBATROSS w/NEW BRUISES Philly's An Albatross has been here before, and is known for two impressive things: One, the group's got a skronky, punky spazzcore sound that manages to incorporate elements of prog and psychedelia without sacrificing terror; and two, the band's live show is, seriously, fucking nuts. We're sure there'll be more bands added to this bill, but at press time, we know that the able Tampa punk combo New Bruises — which features guys from Mid Carson July and does a blistering take on what might be called "the Gainesville sound" — is confirmed and worthy support. (Masquerade Infinity Room, Ybor City)
NEW GRANADA PRESENTS SUMMERBIRDS IN THE CELLAR/DEAR & GLORIOUS PHYSICIAN/GREYMARKET Our favorite Tampa label continues its series of New World Brewery shows, this time bringing in some talent from beyond our borders. The hard-touring Summerbirds in the Cellar hails from Orlando; the group used to be indie-pop sensation Pilots vs. Aeroplanes, but got a new name and has gradually gravitated toward a far more synth-driven, moody sound. Gainesville's Dear and Glorious Physician wowed a bunch of people with its catchy but substantial indie-rock the last time the band came to town. Local support comes courtesy of angular two-piece GreyMarket. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
SUNCOAST BLUES SOCIETY'S JOOK JOINT SERIES We've lost count of how many underground blues artists the SBS has brought to town in the guise of its Jook Joint Series, but the music is almost always good, and a night out at Dave's Aqua Lounge is almost always interesting. Vidar Busk is a young Norwegian blues-rocker, and that's about all we know, because all the information we found about him online is in, you know, Norwegian. Proceeds from tonight's show will go to the Diamond Teeth Mary Really Got The Blues Fund, which helps musicians with things like medical bills. (Dave's Aqua Lounge, St. Petersburg)
LOUIS DEMETRIUS ALVANIS Classical pianist Alvanis was born in London, studied at Britain's Royal Academy of Music, and is a highly regarded attraction throughout Europe. Tonight's program features selections by Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin, as well as Alvanis' own compositions. (Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center, Tarpon Springs)
MONDAY, JAN. 16
SIMPLE PLAN Ugh. Simple Plan morphed from a less-than-mediocre snotty pop-punk band into a less-than-mediocre pop band that was still kind of snotty, but sensitive enough to write the big ballads, and scored a huge all-ages TRL following. The group's music isn't really striking enough to qualify as horrible, but the kids love 'em, and tonight, the kids can see 'em FOR FREE. This gig is sponsored by Alltel and Samsung, and apparently, free passes to it are available on each company's website; rumor also has it that whatever tickets are still available will be doled out at the Jannus gates when doors open. Soccer moms, meet me for a drink at Mastry's while your spawn pogo their little brains out. (Jannus Landing, St. Petersburg)
ROBERTA FLACK She occupied an appealing niche in the soul music's early '70s hey-day; Flack's sultry voice and laid-back sensuality covered the jazzier side of things. If she took the stage and played just her signature hits — "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Where is the Love," "Killing Me Softly With his Song," "The Closer I Get To You" and "Feel Like Makin' Love" — I'd leave the show happy. But you'll get more than that, of course, tunes from throughout her prodigious recording career. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) ES
TUESDAY, JAN. 17
AEROSMITH w/LENNY KRAVITZ Arguably one of the most enduring and instantly recognizable rock 'n' roll bands in American history, Boston's Aerosmith survived an apocalyptic drug- and alcohol-fueled late-'70s burnout to recoup, hire a stable of song doctors and return to the top of the rock pile for most of the late '80s and early '90s. These days, the group doesn't rack up the hits like it used to, but enjoys respected elder-statesmen status nonetheless. That last one basically goes for Lenny as well, though he's much younger and boasts an interestingly immortal sort of hipness in some circles. In any case, both camps are widely reputed to still be capable of unleashing a hell of a rock show. (St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa)
LIZA MINNELLI Judy Garland's daughter has made quite a name for herself, having become one of those iconic female performers that have dominated popularity-wise every form they touch, be it theater, concert hall or film. And as is the case with most icons, we've basically run out of things to say about her. Love her? Go see her, tonight or tomorrow. Hate her? Stay home. (Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Sarasota) CLB
WEDNESDAY, JAN. 18
KIND OF LIKE SPITTING/SWAYZE/WARREN HIXSON KOLS is the outlet for one Ben Barnett, a veteran singer-songwriter who might've paved the way for quieter and acoustic acts' continuing vogue within the indie-pop set. Barnett's not as well known as, say, Dashboard Confessional, but his hardcore fans are unwaveringly loyal, and compare him to such greats as Elliott Smith and Guided by Voices' Robert Pollard. The mostly acoustic Gainesville quirk-pop act Swayze and freak-blues purveyor Warren Hixson open up. (New World Brewery, Ybor City)
This article appears in Jan 11-17, 2006.
