Abbey Road - Live!
Here’s a daunting task: playing The Beatles’ classic, densely-produced studio album Abbey Road live onstage, from start to finish, without relying on re-recorded tracks or tons of musicians. It’s a challenge The Beatles themselves never attempted to tackle — for they knew how difficult it would be to recreate such a baroque construct with only 4 people (no matter how talented). This All-star group of experienced rock musicians from Athens, Ga. attempts to do just that. Do they completely succeed? No, but then, it’d be shocking if they did. They do manage, however, to do justice to an amazing song cycle that is often overlooked even by Beatles fans. Plus, they finish with plenty of other Fab Four tunes, most drawn from the years after the band gave up touring and devoted themselves to increasingly complex arrangements. Sat., 10 pm, Locos Deli & Pub.
Frank Black, Reid Paley
Considered by many to be the most hotly-anticipated local club-sized rock concert of the year, this intimate show (co-sponsored by this magazine) finds legendary Pixies singer and guitarist Black breaking in a brand-new band (featuring veteran players who’ve toured and recorded with everyone from PJ Harvey and Capt. Beefheart to Lucinda Williams and Steve Earle) with a retrospective show that covers his entire solo career since the early ‘90s. Opening act Paley is a rough-and-tumble, barking film-noir bluesman in the Tom Waits and Charles Bukowski vein who beats the hell out of an old guitar while moaning hard luck tales and threatening boasts. Tickets are still available for this must-see gig, and can be charged online at www.tinyteamconcerts.info, or bought with cash at Primary Art Supply, Le Chai Wine Gallerie, Annie’s Guitars & Drums, Marigold Beauty Concepts, Angel’s BBQ and Silly Mad CDs. $30 adv. /$33 at the door. Sun., 8 pm, Savannah Smiles (MLK, Jr., Blvd & Bay St.) - 21+ only.
JeWop, Subversivo!
This inventive, brainy, and bizarrely entertaining Fl. hardcore duo of electric bass prodigy Adam Safer (a Savannah native) and drummer Steve Caglianone make cathartic, manic bursts of explosive and contemplative punk-jazz that function best as musical exclamation points — like John Zorn directing the Minutemen. Subversivo! formed locally under the name Crippled Masters before relocating to Athens and honing their quirky, surf-rock meets Klezmer meets speed-metal sound. This will be an adventurous night that will defy most expectations and attempts to categorize the groups. Fri., 10 pm, The Jinx.
Will Rast & Friends
One of the most dynamic and funky jazz pianists to play a nightclub in Savannah in years, this Washington, D.C.-based artist plays in Grammy winning R & B vocalist Mya’s touring band, and leads his own group of ace players. With influences as diverse as Keith Jarrett, Jimmy Smith, Pat Metheny, James Brown and The Grateful Dead, odds are this 3-night stand —including a rhythm section and sax— will be one of the best weekends of free jazz downtown will see this year outside of the recent Jazz Fest. Fri. - Sat., 9 pm + Sun., 7 pm (solo piano show), Jazz’d Tapas Bar.
“Safe Shelter Benefit Show”
This family-oriented event features tons of local bands in a variety of genres donating their time and talent to help raise money for a worthy cause: confidentially helping victims of domestic violence. Family activities (like pottery, face painting, and amusement park-style rides) will be available through 4 pm, at which time the beer will start to flow, and the music kicks up a notch. Acts include: 7 Gates To Elsewhere, The Structures, The Train Wrecks, Hazzard County feat. Jason Courtenay, Argyle, Flamin’ Yawn, Broken Tyme and Sinister Moustache. Sat., noon to 10 pm, Grayson Stadium - ALL-AGES.
The Sandcarvers
Called “The Midwest’s Premiere Celtic Rock Band,” this critically-praised group is touring behind the 6th indie CD, Dealin’ Craic. They mix traditional Irish instruments and song structures with a kick-ass backline that propels the songs along with an infectious fervor. This is merely the latest in a long series of top-notch Celtic rock and punk bands being brought into this venue. Fri. - Sat., 10 pm, Murphy’s Law.
Vinx
The great Stevie Wonder says of this passionate, internationally-acclaimed singer/percussionist/composer/producer, “Vinx is the gift you give to someone that you really care about.” His powerful voice and warm, spiritually-aware persona combine to create musical art that’s captivated everyone from Sting (who featured him on the Soul Cages CD and tour) to Herbie Hancock, Taj Mahal, Sheryl Crow, Cassandra Wilson and Branford Marsalis. Oh yeah, he teaches at Berklee now, too. It’s a trip that he’s playing a little coffeshop on Forsyth Park. So, like, um, don’t miss it, OK? Sat., 8 pm, The Sentient Bean.