Sisters Unite
Four of Tampa Bay’s top women singer/songwriters join forces to raise money for charity and play the acoustically pristine Murray Studio Theater, a 200-capacity listening room located within the Ruth Eckerd Hall complex. Lorna Bracewell, who has played the main REH stage numerous times in recent years as an opening act for people like Heart and Chris Isaak, brings the gritty, Melissa Etheridge vibe. Rebekah Pulley skews a bit more alt-country, thanks in large part to her rich Texas drawl. Geri X is the chanteuse of the local coffeehouse circuit, with lyrics that are highly introspective and peppered with telling details. Relative newcomer Lexi Pierson might not have the same name recognition as her counterparts on this roster, but one listen to the evocative, melodic tunes she has posted online (myspace.com/LexiPierson) has me convinced she’ll have no problem holding her own here.
On This Earth concert to benefit YMCA of Tampa Bay w/Lorna Bracewell/Rebekah Pulley/Lexi Pierson/Geri X, Sat., July 28, 8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.), Ruth Eckerd Hall, Clearwater. $18/$30 for two people. —Wade Tatangelo
Roughed Up Right
On its face, garage rock is easy. Simple chords, straight-ahead beats, roughed-up vocals, greasy production. But garage rock is not easy, not if it’s done right. It’s all about feel, about finding that sublime blend of rhythm-and-blues and rock ‘n’ roll, the right amount of brawn and finesse, melody and mayhem. The Mooney Suzuki, out of New York, get garage rock right. On stage, they’re raucous and visually compelling, a tight band always on the verge of coming apart. The Dark Romantics bring a bit more polish to the proceedings and hark back a bit to ’80s new wave. Leslie, out of Charleston, S.C., likes to bring the straight-up rock. Tampa’s Win Win Winter has a gentler, acoustic/indie-rock sound.
The Mooney Suzuki w/The Dark Romantics/Leslie/Win Win Winter, Mon. July 31, 8 p.m., Crowbar, Ybor City. $8. All ages. —Eric Snider
Legends in Their Own Time
It’s become common knowledge in these parts that you don’t miss the Legendary J.C.’s when they make their quarterly visit to the Skipperdome. Not if you dig vintage, horn-laced R&B, the kind that used to feature Stax artists like Otis Redding ripping through the famed chitlin’ circuit in the ’60s. In fact, the Orlando-based J.C.’s have been known to make good on a Redding tune or two in addition to their spicy originals steeped in the sounds and feels of classic, Southern-fried soul. Attendees can expect two combustible sets from J.C.’s led by firebrand frontman Eugene Snowden. Also from Central Florida is Soul 2 Earth, perhaps the funkiest gospel ensemble this side of New Orleans. The lyrics are sacred, but the bass lines might just make audience members do something wicked.
The Legendary J.C.’s w/Soul 2 Earth, Fri., July 27, 8 p.m., Skipper’s Smokehouse, Tampa. $7/$10 at the door. —WT
This article appears in Jul 25-31, 2007.
