March 4-10, 2004

music

Sound Advice

Get out.

jazz

Hannibal

For composer/multi-instrumentalist Hannibal, the ghosts of Mississippi linger in his memory and his music. So much so, he's written a dramatic long live score and epic prose dedicated to the famed case of three young civil rights activists killed in summer 1964, the haunted season of firebombed churches and Martin Luther King Jr.'s race to salvation. While trumpeter Hannibal plays, on trumpet, a bittersweet melody to rival "Strange Fruit," accompanists Ursula Rucker (narration), Gary Bartz (sax) and others join him in their own personal freedom march to Selma.--A.D. Amorosi

Trilogy, Sat., March 6, 8 p.m., The Painted Bride, 230 Vine St., 215-925-9914

country

Mavericks

It looked like the Mavericks were done for -- especially after singer Raul Malo put out his crooning Latin-flavored solo CD in '01 -- but the band surprised everyone with last year's comeback, which smartly had them ditch the too-cool-for-country image for more straight-ahead pop. (They even cover the Hollies' "Air That I Breathe.") These guys are tight live, and always-fun opener BR549 will undoubtedly get things movin' with their country dancefloor rave-ups.--Nicole Pensiero

Sun., March 7, 8 p.m., $29.50 and $32, TLA, 334 South St., 215-922-1011.

rock/pop

The Cooper Temple Clause

Oasis is sharing a pint with Primal Scream and Squarepusher. Liam Gallagher loses a pool match to Squarepusher, who sinks the eight ball off the break. Clearly miffed, Gallagher smacks him over the head with a "Wonderwall" single. Primal Scream picks up the pieces and stabs Liam with shards of vinyl. Such are the ways of The Cooper Temple Clause, Brits who defy characterization, rock hard and have un-ironic mullets.--Andrew Parks

Sat., March 6, 9 p.m., $10, with Calla, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

rock/pop

Dada

With this week's release of their first album since '98, L.A. power-pop trio Dada is in full-throttle mode, hitting 31 cities in little over a month's time. Their Beatlesque harmonies, bizarro album covers, tight musicianship and onstage stamina have never quite gotten their due, but you never know: The new disc, How To Be Found, has a post-punk, back-to-analog sound that keeps it real, with enough dreamy harmonies to keep it radio-friendly.--Nicole Pensiero

Sat., March 6, 10 p.m., $16-$18, NXNW, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000.

jazz/blues

Dillinger Escape Plan

In the paralytic hardcore punk category (complex time-signature division), few top North Jersey's own death-jazz metal messiahs Dillinger Escape Plan. Though their new CD remains unreleased, 2002's Irony Is a Dead Scene -- which was their first since re-releasing their eponymous debut of 1997 -- shows off their taste for cracked dramatics. Joining the DEP is the equally painful, yet subtly soft tones of Kayo Dot, whose Choirs of the Eye is a sight for sore ears.--A.D. Amorosi

Sun., March 7, 7:30 p.m., $4, with Kayo Dot, Medications, The First Unitarian Church, 2125 Chestnut St., 800-594-TIXX.

jazz/blues

Robben Ford

For a guy who's been around as long as blues/rock guitarist Robben Ford has -- his first album came out 30 years ago -- he's remained surprisingly unknown by the masses. This despite his session and tour work with luminaries such as Joni Mitchell and George Harrison. Ford's latest CD, Keep On Running, is a homage to the Muscle Shoals sound, and it shows off his more refined playing on a gutsy remake of the Clapton-Harrison Cream-era gem "Badge."--Nicole Pensiero

Fri., March 5, 10 p.m., $18, NXNW, 7165 Germantown Ave., 215-248-1000.