This Week In Music: Dec 25 - 31

                                                  Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

THIS WEEK IN MUSIC: DEC 25 – 31

Monday, December 25
Michael Powers
Terra Blues
$15

Powers, a Blues club stalwart, has been gifted not only with a rare guitar-playing prowess (he started playing at the ambitious age of 7) but also a tremendously soulful voice. If by "soulful" you're thinking Usher or Common, think again. Powers possesses the vocal complexity that comes from a cocktail of years playing in smoky clubs, tremendous passion and a whole lot of miles traveled. Having played with everyone from Chuck Berry to John Lee Hooker and influenced by the likes of Jimmy Reed, Billie Holiday and Muddy Waters, this is an opportunity to see and hear a genuine Blues icon.

Tuesday, December 26
Jeff Lewis Band
Mercury Lounge
$8
Brought up on a healthy diet of comic books, drawing and the music of New York's Anti-folk scene, Jeff Lewis found a home at the label, Rough Trade. He writes appealing, introverted, sometimes quirky observational pieces that deal with angst, self-doubt and humor.


Wednesday, December 27
The Psychedelic Furs
BB King's Blues Club & Grill
$33

Seminal New York based/ UK Post-punk/New Romantic act The Psychedelic Furs had their first real success state-side in 1981 when their, Talk Talk Talk album was released. Hits like Pretty In Pink (which formed the inspiration for John Hughes' classic 1986 film of the same name), Dumb Waiters, Heaven, and Love My Way cemented them for many as a cornerstone to their 80's experience.

Thursday, December 28
Christina Courtin's Running Kicks
Mo Pitkin's
$10

Violin & vocal phenomenon Christina Courtin has a voice that is naturally rich, strong, and soulful. She performs classical harmonies over a blend of jazz, traditional, acoustic, & blues music. Christina Courtin, Kyle Sanna, & Mathias Kunzli perform together as the Running Kicks, a vibrant ensemble based in New York City who create a unique blend of classical, jazz, traditional, acoustic, blues, & soul.

Friday, December 29
Patti Smith
Bowery Ballroom
$40

Legendary punk artist Patti Smith performs the first in a trio of shows,  in this case the night before her 60^th birthday. Though not commercially successful, Smith's influence across many music genres is immense. She is truly an icon of New York's original punk scene but her talent as a singer-songwriter, poet, and human rights advocate has seen her transcend any genre or label.

Saturday, December 30
Spoon
Webster Hall
$32 adv/ $35

Though yet to release their long-awaited new album, Trouble Minx (their sixth) that will see the light of day in early 2007 through Merge Records, one can expect some test-flight performances this night. Your indie-rock never sounded so good. What better way to end the year than to be able to put a check next to the box that says, "hear new Spoon songs live!"?

Sunday, December 31
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Hammerstein Ballroom
$42

The deafening noise surrounding this act (yes, they do sound a little like Talking Heads – now move on) has finally started to subside. Now you can check them out, not because they're the latest "hype" band but because they're simply a clever pop band with good, catchy songs. With the release of Some Loud Thunder slated for release in early 2007 and an imminent European tour on track for Jan/ Feb, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah have afforded you the opportunity to check 'em out and be able to say to your pals, "Yeah, I saw 'em back in '06".

Tags:   Acoustic, Anti Folk, Billie Holiday, Blues, Bowery Ballroom, Christina Courtin, Chuck Berry, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Classical, Indie, Indie Rock, Jazz, Jeff Lewis Band, Jimmy Reed, John Hughes, John Lee Hooker, Love My Way, Merge Records, Michael Powers, Muddy Waters, New Romantic, New York Bands, Patti Smith, Post Punk, Pretty In Pink, Punk, Rough Trade, Singer Songwriter, Soul, Spoon, Talking Heads, The Pschedelic Furs, Webster Hall

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Posted on 12/24/2006 ( Permanent Link )
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