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Top 10 Live: The week's best concerts
Posted: Jan 30, 2008 in Things to do, Music
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Top 10 Live is a collaborative effort between the Indy.com staff and Indianapolismusic.net.
1. Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys
9 p.m. Feb. 2, $22, Music Mill, (317) 841-1850.
Ralph Stanley is one of America's musical treasures. Along with his brother Carter Stanley, he brought the bluegrass music native to his home in the Virginia Appalachians to the masses. Now recognized as one of the fathers of bluegrass music, Stanley has been performing over six decades. He added a new generation of fans in 2000 with his contributions to the "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack.
2. B.B. King w/ June Millington
8 p.m. Feb. 2, $49.50-$65, Murat Theatre, (317) 231-0000.
B.B. King's name is synonymous with the blues. King got his start in music in 1947 and has since defined the blues guitar and vocal sound and style. Now 82 years old, King shows no signs of slowing down. He has more than 60 concerts scheduled through July of this year. Opening act June Millington also has a unique place in music history. Her band, Fanny, was one of the first all-female bands to sign with a major label.
3. Carrie Newcomer
7 p.m. Jan. 31, $15, United Methodist Church, (317) 846-3404.
Acclaimed Hoosier folk singer Carrie Newcomer can take her music from theaters to outdoor festivals without having it ever feel out of place. This event is billed on her Web site as a short performance accompanying a lecture by activist Parker Palmer. Newcomer will be a more familiar figure on concert stages in the coming months. She launches a tour in support of her new album, "The Geography of Light," later this month.
4. Down
9:30 p.m. Feb. 2, $22.50, Murat Egyptian Room, (317) 231-0000.
Saturday promises to be a busy night at the Murat Centre. While B.B. King brings his blues to the theatre, Down will be laying down the heavy rock in the Egyptian Room. This New Orleans-based band is a metal supergroup. They're fronted by former Pantera front man Phil Anselmo. He's backed by members of Corrosion of Conformity, Crowbar and Eyehategod. Expect a night of heavy riffs on par with what the members delivered with their other bands.
5. 20th Annual Gospel Fest
7 p.m. Feb. 2, $10-$25, Clowes Hall, (317) 940-6444.
Born in churches throughout the United States, gospel music has led worship services and influenced other popular styles of music. This event, now in its 20th year, celebrates both traditional and modern gospel sounds. Butler's Voices of Deliverance Gospel Choir joins with a collection of other area and university choirs with guest appearances by Marvin Sapp, Deitrick Haddon and Donnie McClurkin for this event.
6. ISO Celebration of Black History
7:30 p.m. Feb 5, free, Hilbert Circle Theatre, (317) 236-2040.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra helps kick off Black History Month with an event featuring African-American artists. Maestro Leslie B. Dunner conducts the ISO through works by Dr. David Baker (right), Dorothy Rudd-Moore, and traditional songs. Soprano Carolyn Sebron and the Asante Children's Theatre Kwanzaa Community Choir are scheduled to appear.
7. Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue
9 p.m. Feb. 5, $25, Slippery Noodle, (317) 631-6974.
A quartet of acts brings classic R&B to the Noodle as part of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue Tour. Tommy Castro (above), a California-born bluesman who's collaborated with many living legends, and his band serve as the event's centerpiece. He's joined by J. Geils Band harmonica player Magic Dick, Chicago blues guitarist Ronnie Baker Brooks, and blues/boogie pianist and sax player Deanna Bogart.
8. Lazarus w/ Blaknote
9 p.m. Feb. 2, $5, Birdy's, (317) 254-8971.
Russell Johnson has taken on many stage names in his time on Indy's music scene. No matter what name he performs under, he always delivers as one of our city's most electrifying frontmen. He's now known as Rusty Redenbacher, and his latest group is the funk/rock/rap combo Lazarus. The group reunites him with his Birdmen of Alcatraz bandmate, guitarist Dino Codalata. They share the bill with Tool- and Incubus-influenced hard rockers Blaknote.
9. Antje Duvekot
8 p.m. Feb. 1, $10, Indy Hostel, (317) 727-1696.
German-born and Boston-based folk singer Antje Duvekot has won praise from her peers, along with awards in a number of competitions. The highest praise has come from acclaimed folk songwriter Ellis Paul, who tabbed Duvekot as "the next great American folk singer-songwriter." Others have agreed. Her song "Soma" won the grand prize in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest in 2000. She also won the Best New Folk competition at the 2006 Kerrville (Texas) Folk Competition.
10. Governor Davis 60th birthday
9 p.m. Feb. 1, $5, Slippery Noodle, (317) 631-6974.
If you're looking for the state's most popular governor, Mitch Daniels would have to take a backseat to Governor Davis. "Gov" has become one of Indiana's favorite blues artists. He's celebrating his 60th birthday this weekend at the Slippery Noodle Inn with his backing band, the Blues Ambassadors. If you can't make it Friday, the group also performs at the Noodle on Saturday. Nigel Mack & the Blues Attack also perform this weekend.
