Briefs

The Western Lands

presents

“Metropolis”

Date: Oct. 26 at 9 p.m.

Venue: The Temple (351 St. Francis St.), 433-7920

Tickets: Free

The Western Lands continues to be one of Mobile’s most interesting and talented musical groups. Witnesses to their performances are treated to an eclectic mélange of rock, metal, jazz and psychedelia. Frankie Little (guitar), Chris Murphy (bass) and Mike Lane (drums) have decided to take on a new challenge by providing a freshly written soundtrack to Fritz Lang’s science fiction/silent film masterpiece “Metropolis.” The idea came to the trio spontaneously during their regular practices.

“The house that we practice in, actually Mike’s house, when we would practice, his roommate is into all kinds of different music and weird movies and stuff,” Little says.”He would put on ‘Metropolis’ when we would practice and just watch it. He would tell us how cool it was.”

After winning over Arts! Alive with their idea, they began the tedious labor of laying down fresh tracks to be performed live as the movie was playing. This was done with group and individual jam sessions while watching the film, which evolved into freestyle composing during practices.

So, how would they describe the process?

“Hard,” says Lane. “You have to make up and compose new material in a matter of three months for two hours worth of film. That on top of having a deadline makes it pretty hard.”

“And having to sync it in time with the movie and get the tempo was probably the hardest part,” Little adds. Whereas it would usually take them a year to put out a regular release, this composition was done in a matter of months.

The band plans to record this performance and would love to do so on a regular basis with proper sponsorship. As far as a preview of this show, they will have an old school organ for that classic silent film feel, but plan on breaking out their trademark cornucopia of sound tinted with surf rock, jazz and Middle Eastern sounds.

Angel Ride feat. Delbert McClinton, Gregg Allman, Wet Willie and Curtis Cabella

Date: Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3 with gates at 3 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. on Saturday

Venue: Oak Hollow Farms, Hwy 98 E. in Fairhope, www.oakhollowfarm.net

Tickets: $20 for Friday, $40 for Saturday and $50 for weekend pass available at the gate and at www.bestsouthtickets.com

What started out as an event for charity has turned into quite the musical event. The Angel Ride Foundation raises money in order to financially assist needy families with sick children. The music line-up this year is stellar with the Curtis Cabella Band kicking things off and the ever-charming Delbert McClinton rounds out the night with his endless musical talent. After a bike show and the Angel Ride, Wet Willie will once again rock the Gulf Coast followed by Southern rock icon Gregg Allman.

Willie Nelson

Date: Saturday, Nov. 3 with gates at 7 p.m.

Venue: The Amphitheater at The Wharf, 4550 Main St., 1-877-942-7325

Tickets: $49.50, $39.50, $29.50 available through Ticketmaster

Willie Nelson has been called the “Father of Modern Outlaw Country” and the “Red Headed Stranger.” His spontaneous picking method, charming lyrics and rebellious nature already gave him legendary status beyond the confines of country music and co-founding Farm Aid also earned him status as a social activist of the highest respect.

One would assume after his recent tour with Ray Price and Merle Haggard Willie would want to let the road cool, but he’s back at bringing his music to the masses but not before accepting a few honors.

On Oct. 19, Nelson traveled to his homebase of Austin, Texas to be honored with a “Bridging Divides” award. This award sponsored by UT/Austin Project on Conflict Resolution is given to those who have built a reputation for resolving conflicts in a positive, peaceful nature. So, Nelson can now add “Ambassador for Peace” to his long list of titles.

The Rundown

It began with vinyl, then music lovers saw the birth and death of the eight-track. As the ‘80s began, cassette tapes were all the rage until compact discs came along and brought death to the cassettes. These days, it seems as if music lovers are all going digital with various pocket-sized digital music players. With this music format growing into an industry juggernaut, the wireless phone companies are getting in on the action, but with the price and the exclusive service nature of the iPhone, it seems as if there isn’t an alternative in sight until now. Verizon wireless is hitting the digital music marketplace with three excellent, affordable alternatives to the iPhone just in time for the holiday season.

The Samsung Juke will be the first on the scene. Boasting 2 GB of internal storage, this phone comes with external headphones, a VGA camera and VZ Navigator.

On the next rung up the ladder is the LG Venus. With Bluetooth technology, the Venus allows the user to have a wire free headset. The dual screens (with the lower one touch sensitive) provides an attractive look for this phone, and with a microSD card, this phone/player will hold 8GB.

The crème de la crème of this series is the LG Voyager. It has a huge touch screen, a full QWERTY keypad and also has an expandable memory of 8 GB courtesy of a microSD card.

What makes these phones/wireless music players most appealing is its access to the “Get It Now” downloadable applications. This allows the user to download everything from Maroon 5 to Mr. Bungle. If you want to lay tracks down on a CD, then access an online account and snatch it up for keeps. Another selling point is “Song ID.” Just put your phone up to the radio and in a matter of seconds, it will tell the user everything they need to know from artist to album and provide an option for download. Clearly, these will be popular stocking stuffers.

Native son returns

Will Kimbrough will be making his way back into the Port City on Sunday, Nov. 11 for an intimate show at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club on Charleston. While enjoying the show, pick up a copy of his 2006 EP “Americanitis.” Kimbrough uses his talent to give his take on the state of the union since 9/11. His latest EP will also be for sale. This is Kimbrough’s “folk” record filled with rootsy Americana-infused tracks that could be considered his album for the working man. Callaghan’s fave, New Orleans’ Theresa Andersson will co-headline this bill.

Ticket information is still being determined.

Stephen Centanni is Lagniappe music editor. Contact him at scentanni@lagniappemobile.com.

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