Second Season Arts: Roots
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Old-timey music of the future — today!
Mucca Pazza
Mucca Pazza
This is a marching band with attitude. The headgear on some members of Mucca Pazza brings to mind Marvin the Martian, with speakers on top to help the quieter instruments compete with the masses of horns. Expect snappy drumming and Balkan-esque tunes along with pom-pom guys and gals. When an accordion plays a theme from the arcade, the band’s choreography approximates a pixelated chase. Fun doesn’t even begin to cover it. Jan. 22, Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill St., undergroundarts.org.
Reverend Horton Heat / Dale Watson / Rosie Flores
Calling this the Baddest of the Bad Tour is fair warning. Reverend Horton Heat does wailing, driven, muddy roots music while Dale Watson is a one-man crusade for country/honky-tonk “Ameripolitan” sounds, with an affected hick accent. Rosie Flores is purely rockabilly, the heir to Wanda Jackson’s crown, alternating vocals with electric guitar leads. Jan. 23, Underground Arts, undergroundarts.org.
Vusi Mahlasela / Hugh Masekela
The honey voice of South Africa’s Vusi Mahlasela represents a man as sweet as his tones, singing of peace not just in his mother tongue, but in literally dozens of languages from across the continent. Legendary trumpeter Hugh Masekela is long away from South Africa, with a world of classical training and pop hits since his departure, but the sounds of his youth echo for collaborations like this celebration of the 20 years since apartheid’s fall. Feb. 21, Annenberg Center, 3680 Walnut St., annenbergcenter.org.
FullSet
Irish traditional music is in good hands with FullSet representing the next generation. Dance tunes alternate with old songs, and all given the deluxe setting with everything from pipes to button-box accordion to bodhran and the usual stringed suspects. Feb. 27, Commodore Barry Club, 6815 Emlen St., theirishcenter.com.
Elaine Hoffman Watts
Elaine Hoffman Watts is still setting the tempo for klezmers from around the world; witness all the young players who flock to her workshops. She’s a direct link to the time when Philly had its own klezmer style, of which her father Jacob Hoffman was king. Feb. 28, Mt. Airy Art Garage, 11 W. Mt. Airy Ave., pfs.org.
The Travelin’ McCourys
Bluegrass born and bred, Del’s boys The Travelin’ McCourys will be joined by the Jeff Austin Band to set the Main Line on fire with their picking and surprise us with songs we never imagined could be bluegrass. March 5, Ardmore Music Hall, 23 E. Lancaster Ave., ardmoremusic.com.
Earls of Leicester
Dobro lovers have already got their tickets to see Jerry Douglas leading the Earls of Leicester through a short course in bluegrass history via highlights of Flatt and Scruggs’ repertoire. March 7, Colonial Theatre, 227 Bridge St., Phoenixville, thecolonialtheatre.com.
Celtic Connections
Zakir Hussain’s Celtic Connections is not leaping as great a chasm as it might first appear. After all, Celtic loves complex rhythms. Listen for the sizzle. March 27, Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine St., paintedbride.org.
More from the Second Season Arts Guide:
Saxophonist Darryl Yokley composes a jazz symphony inspired by the PMA’s new African-American art exhibition. | Soundtrack of a sarcophagus: Relâche plays music for mummies. | Plus our experts highlight the upcoming season in: Classical/Opera | Jazz | Rock/Pop | Visual Art | Dance | Theater
