5 Live Music Musts - January 30, 2015 - The Best Dive Bars
Ken Abrams, GoLocalProv Music Critic
5 Live Music Musts - January 30, 2015 - The Best Dive Bars
Restaurant owners would shudder at the thought of their business being referred to as “a dump.” Not the case though, for hip drinking establishments where the term “dive bar” can be a badge of honor.
In fact, some of the best ones are literally a hole in the wall, sometimes just an aisle, a hallway spanning the short distance between virtue and indecency. The cheap beer on tap, the scent of stale smoke (even though smoking has been banned for years), and the occasional “regular” pouring his own - it all add to the charm of the dive bar. This week, we present “5 Live Music Musts" Dive Bar special edition. Remember, if your shoes dont stick to the floor, you haven't stayed long enough.
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We lead with Nick-A-Nees, an award winning Providence establishment that’s the perfect combination of neighborhood joint and dive bar. Music happens regularly here and tomorrow night is no different with RI based folk/blues artist Otis Read, who’s been performing since 1971. There’s no cover and the music begins around 9PM. Check the Facebook page or the mirror behind the bar for updates on future shows.
Blues and Rock at The Parlour
The Parlour (formerly the Penalty Box) on North Main St. in Providence easily qualifies as a dive bar, although it’s been “hipped” up a notch. Tonight, they’ve got Ms. Marci and the Lovesick Hounds, a blues band from Connecticut led by bassist Marci Chevian-Hooper. The show is free and music begins at 6PM. Tomorrow, it’s a rock show with Sweet Love, Barrens, and Hector 3. There’s a $5 cover, show begins around 9PM.
Rock and Roll at Jimmy’s Saloon
Jimmy’s Saloon in Newport is a favorite local hangout and has a damn fine rock show scheduled for Saturday night. Four popular local bands will be in the house – Six Star General, Bad Motherf*#@ers, Mothor, and Jets Cant Land. Jimmy’s is known for good eats, reasonably priced drinks, darts and two pool tables. Show is at 9PM – tickets only $5.
News Café in the Bucket
The News Café at 43 Broad St. in Pawtucket is advertised as an “art gallery, concert venue and dive bar.” The venue clearly meet our criteria. The next show is Saturday February 7 when they welcome Sea Urchin with Steve Delmonico opening. Tickets are $5 and music begins at 8PM. They don’t have web site (apparently another dive bar requirement), but check their Facebook page for future events.
Tom Rush at the Greenwich Odeum
Breaking from today’s theme, the Greenwich Odeum has folk veteran Tom Rush tomorrow night. Rush has been hailed as "the" original singer/songwriter, and is known for singing covers by Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor. The “little theatre that could” in East Greenwich is putting together an impressive line-up in the months ahead including Grammy winners Marc Cohn in March and Taj Mahal in April. Stay tuned! Show is at 8PM - tickets start at $40.
Have suggestions for “5 Live?” E-mail Ken Abrams here.
Top 5 Winter Concerts
Fleetwood Mac at the Dunk
Fleetwood Mac, one of the original super groups of the 70s, returns to the area with a show at the Dunkin Donuts Center on January 28. The band totally killed it at two sellout shows this fall in Boston and we expect the same from the legendary group when they play the Dunk. Of course, the highlight for many fans will be the return of Christine McVie, who had been on hiatus since 1997. Check our review of the Boston show here for a little of what you can expect. Meanwhile, don’t stop thinking about this show.
Indigo Girls at PPAC
The Indigo Girls were in the forefront of the folk-rock revival in the 1980s. They’ve continued to develop artistically with fresh harmonies and ever relevant lyrics. With over 14 million albums sold, they’re the only duo to have Billboard Top 40 titles in the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s and 10’s. We’re looking forward to seeing how their usually stripped down sound plays when they are joined by the RI Philharmonic Orchestra at the Providence Performing Arts Center. The show is Friday the 13th of February, but we guarantee good fortune!
Nick Lowe at The Narrows
The absolute coolest holiday show around comes to the Narrows Center on Wednesday December 17 as Nick Lowe brings his “Quality Holiday Review” to Fall River. Along for the ride and backing Lowe will be Los Straitjackets, known for their Mexican wrestling masks and jammin’ guitar chops. Lowe is a well known producer and songwriter having penned hits like “Cruel to be Kind” and “What’s So Funny ‘bout Peace, Love, and Understanding.” Don’t miss this show next week at the Narrows Center.
George Clinton at Lupo's
The spectacle that is George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic is our funkiest pick for the Winter concert season. Clinton has been touring with a diverse group of musicians since the late 60s. He’s a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the largest band ever inducted) and is coming to Lupo's on Friday February 20. They're even bringing along a new release – First You Gotta Shake the Gate. Good times are guaranteed for this one.
Mardi Gras Ball at Rhodes
Laissez les bon temps rouler! Boogie down to Rhodes on the Pawtuxet on February 28 for the 23rd Annual Cajun and Mardi Gras Ball. The biggest party of the season is always a sell out and this year should be no different with headliners Beau Soleil with Michael Doucet and Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. Can’t wait another six months till Rhythm and Roots? Then don’t miss the Mardi Gras Ball.
Honorable Mention I
Did we mention that it’s a really busy winter concert season? The Dunkin Donuts Center has a rock show with Linkin Park, Rise Against, and Of Mice and Men on January 24. Another legend, Mr. Neil Diamond, will shake up the Dunk on March 10. Mother Falcon returns to the Columbus Theatre on January 11 and Uncle Tupelo co-founder Jay Farrar is there on February 8. And catch rocker George Thorogood at Cranston's Park Theatre on March 8.
(Pictured: Neil Diamond)
Honorable Mention II
Acclaimed Indie artist St. Vincent, who’s 2014 album made numerous “Best Of the Year” lists is coming to Lupos on Sunday March 7th. Dianna Krall is at PPAC on March 4, on her “Wallflower” tour where she will re-interpret classic rock tunes. Other highlights include legendary party rockers NRBQ, who arrive at the Narrows Center for a pre-New Years Eve show on Tuesday December 30. The Narrows Center also has a Winter Blues Festival over MLK weekend with artists including Selwyn Birchwood, Yound Neil and the Vipers and Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds.
(Pictured: St. Vincent)
Coffeehouse Highlights
Common Fence Music in Portsmouth has its popular "Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen" on January 24 hosted by John Fuzek. You can also find folk-rocker Patty Larkin there on February 7. Stone Soup in Pawtucket has Marc Douglas Berardo with Tracie Potochnik and Steve Allain on February 7 and Roots performers Atwater-Donnelly visit on March 7. And Sandywoods has a Celtic holiday concert with Matt and Shannon Heaton on December 20.
(Pictured: Patty Larkin)
