Nightspots
Saturday Feb 6, 2010
The Ark: Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys
The 82-year-old Stanley is an ace clawhammer-style banjoist who also possesses one of the most stirring, starkly authoritative voices in all of country music, a sweetly lonesome, mournfully soulful tenor that’s the perfect instrument for his repertoire of Appalachian folk ballads, blues, and gospel tunes- -some of which he composed himself or in collaboration with his late brother, Carter Stanley. A longtime icon among folk and country musicians, Stanley gained the attention of mainstream audiences with his appearance on the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? sound track. His 2006 CD A Distant Land to Roam is an acclaimed collection of 13 Carter Family gems. $35.
The B-Side: Overcast Skies
Local jazz-rock band. Opening acts are The PR Catastrophe, a local one-man rock band, and Kro- Magnon, an experimental metal band from Canton. Also DJ Vudu.
The Blind Pig: “Bob Marley Birthday Bash”
Headliner is Universal Xpression, a veteran Detroit- based band that plays reggae, soca, and calypso. Opening acts are 2 Detroit reggae-inflected hip-hop MCs, King Jazzy and Negus Arubis. $25 cover.
Conor O'Neill's: Joshua & Jeremy Sprague
An eclectic mix of rock covers by veteran local singer-songwriter Jerry Sprague’s 2 sons.
Crazy Wisdom Tea Room: The White Ravens
Indie rock trio led by local siblings Amy and Will Bennett. They celebrate recently released the CD, Gargoyles and Weather Vanes..
Elbow Room: The Bears of Blue River
Chicago sextet that plays soul-flavored pop-folk. Opening acts TBA.
Guy Hollerin's: Steve Nardella Rock ’n’ Roll Trio
See review. Ann Arbor's most passionate and compelling roots-rocker performs fiercely cathartic, blues-drenched reworkings of rock ’n’ roll and rockabilly classics and obscure gems, along with some authentic Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker blues.
The Habitat Ultralounge: Jerry Ross Band
7-piece Detroit show band.
Live at PJ's: The Bobby Streng & Liquid Street
Jazz-funk fusion quartet led by U-M saxophone student Streng.
The Quarter Bistro: Terry Jacoby
Acoustic alternative rock singer-songwriter.
Tap Room: “Wendy Luna Fund-raiser”
A benefit for cancer patient and U.S. Army sergeant Wendy Luna. With Outshine, a Detroit-area classic rock quartet, and Angie O’Plasty & the Broken Hearts, a Detroit pop-rock cover band fronted by vocalist Niki Appleman. Free pizza with $5 or more donation.
