MUSIC

Tom Tom Club was the highlight




Another week of fine music has come and gone, leaving behind new sects of Tom Tom Clubs, amazed aces, and lost but never forgotten heroes. Every week Lexington's musical options get better and better, as our local music scene flourishes with incredible performances from area bands and a plethora of national acts brought to you courtesy of great new venues that offer such talent a great place to spread their music in a city only months ago many had never heard of.

As the turnouts for these shows continues to grow, word is being spread nationwide that Lexington is a place populated by excited music fans of all genres that in turn creates fun and exciting high energy performances, which is what all bands are looking for.

Los Lonely Boys kicked off the week in extraordinary fashion last Wednesday, as they brought their Santana style rock show of self described "Texican" music to The Dame. A great show and a great pity if you missed it.

Thursday brought alt-country specialist Charlie Robison to The Dame, with a performance that would make rockers calm down, and classic country fans heat up. Robison knows how to please, and brought together fans of many genres as he blended styles in a smooth and enjoyable way. Thursday also saw The Larry Keel Experience invade The Starlight Music Club, while rarely seen Lexington hidden treasures Universal Frequency jammed the Library Lounge.

The week's biggest show was without a doubt the Tom Tom Club's performance at The Dame on Friday night. The classic '80s band includes two members of another more notable 80s band. Talking Heads alum Tina Weymouth on bass and Kentucky native percussionist Chris Frantz started the Tom Tom Club as a side project in 1981 as other Heads members began their own projects. The two were married in 1983, and have been making music together since. The Tom Tom Club's Friday night show marked the first time the two had played in Kentucky since the Heads' stop at Memorial Coliseum some 20 years ago. The show was a sellout success, leaving numerous fans on the sidewalk waiting for some earlier arrivals to get tired and leave, giving them a chance to hop on the nostalgic train that was rolling through downtown.

If you're not a big fan of '80s style music, then you may have caught up with some of the other Friday night notables. Voo Doo Symphony brought their chorus line to Cheapside, while The Wordsmiths rhymed the night away to thick beats and scratchy hooks at High On Rose.

The Amazing Rhythm Aces were in town Saturday for a performance at the Starlight Music Club. You may remember the double decade spanning Aces from such hits as "Third Rate Romance" and the Grammy winning "The End Is Not In Sight." The not-quite-country but a whole lotta soul act reunited in 1995 to put together Ride Again, a greatest hits collection, and brought those hits with them to Lexington. Local wild-country troupe The Yonders opened the show.

Saturday also showcased Taildragger, a great local rock group at the Library Lounge, while Long Duk Dong, (man this '80s stuff is starting to get to me) performed at A1A.

This week also has a lot to offer, starting tonight (Thursday) with Ace Weekly's "Best of Lex" after-party featuring Club Dub at 8 pm at the Dame. Come out and see what Lexington has to offer and enjoy great music and the social event of the year.

If you can't make it to the party, you may opt for the jazz/funk ensemble of Barnhouse Effect at Cheapside, or local faves Lucid Grey at A1A.

Friday night offers Atlanta-based The Forty-Fives, a band that has no problem drenching you with crisp, infectious soul, while still pounding hearts with potent rock beats and licks. Definitely a must see.

If you're looking for something a little more mellow, then check out Louisville based Chitara Rhythm Section, a rocking jam meets folk group at the Library Lounge. Also, if you are in a charitable mood, check out The Bridge-Jimmy Hendrix Tribute Food Drive at Common Grounds.

Bonnaroo veterans Drums and Tuba bring their "post rock" sound to The Dame on Saturday. This experimental jazz meets punk funk act is a new sound definitely worth the cover. High energy Latin music gurus Cordero will bring their show to the Starlight Music Club Saturday as well, while local rockers Liquid Snafu will be at High On Rose, and Really Big Box will rock at A1A.

Sadly, this week saw two legends fall. Classic country pioneer Johnny Cash died Friday morning of respiritory failure caused by complications from diabetes. Warron Zevon, a classic rocker also spanning decades died last week from a rare form of lung cancer. Both leave behind new work, and legendary libraries. These heroes are gone, but never forgotten.

Plenty of music to tide you over for the week, so keep it up Lexington, be proud, and until next weekSupport Local Music! n


 

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