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Published: Oct 18, 2006

CLASSICAL

The annual Fuller Capanna faculty recital at Settlement centers on bracing music from Hungary, with works by Bartok, Kurtag and the late Gyorgy Ligeti (pianist Linda Reichert will play one of his extraordinary etudes). Brand new music, as well, from Settlement boss Robert Capanna and high-flying violinist Gloria Justen (self-performed).

Sun., Oct. 22, 3 p.m., free, Settlement Music School, Mary Louis Curtis Branch, 416 Queen St., 215-320-2686, www.smsmusic.org.

steel guitar

With the sudden popularity of Sacred Steel, the sounds of steel guitar have never been so omnipresent and dobro ace Jerry Douglas is digging it. "Robert Randolph is out there doing it, the Campbell Brothers are out there doing it and it is just coming on strong," Douglas marvels. Plus, he says, Nashville seems to be starting yet another roots revival when "all the steel and fiddle players start working again." A dobro player opening Paul Simon dates is yet another good sign. Often seen gigging with Alison Krauss and Union Station, Douglas is touring with his own band in support of The Best Kept Secret.

Tue., Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., $55-$93.85, with Paul Simon, Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow sts., 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

jazz

With all the random bursts of noise and headphone-rewarding spatial dynamics, Mat Maneri's Pentagon may seem as devoid of strategy as the one in Washington. But in this case, there's a method to the madness: namely, exploring the same terrain as Bitches Brew-era Miles, only with hip-hop-colored glasses. Maneri's electric violin apes wah-drenched electric guitar just as Davis' trumpet did, creating an eerily similar hybrid from the opposite direction.

Wed., Oct. 25, 8 p.m., $12, Rose Recital Hall (Room 419), Fisher-Bennett Hall, University of Pennsylvania, 34th and Walnut sts., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

rock/pop

Pop-rock wunderkind Kweller — who plays everything from slide guitar to drums to xylophone on his third, self-titled CD — brings youthful idealism, coupled with enough edge to keep things interesting. As for Canuck superstar Roberts, well, he's earned a rep as one of the best frontmen out there, plowing through songs of struggle and transcendence with passion to spare.

Thu., Oct. 19, 8 p.m., $21.50-$28.85, with Hymns, Electric Factory, Seventh and Willow sts., 215-336-2000, www.livenation.com.

jazz/rock

Violins look like such demure instruments, so small and daintily tucked under the chin. But audiences going back to Paganini's time knew that those four strings could channel the devil. For Dying Ground, that opening-for-Slayer band name isn't a joke. Even in his musique concrète compositions, Eyvind Kang prefers to keep things menacing and abrasive. Kato Hideki provides the dirge-thrash bass while Philly's Grant Calvin Weston brings a brutal funk backbeat.

Fri., Oct. 20, 8 p.m., $12, Community Education Center, 3500 Lancaster Ave., www.arsnovaworkshop.com.

singer-songwriter

She's always been a highly personal songwriter; her just-released CD, Long Night Moon (Compass), focuses on new motherhood, winters in New England and the social issues (i.e. gay rights) that mean so much to her. With her richly textured voice and onstage warmth, Curtis is an unassumingly charming performer; the intimate Tin Angel will complement the living-room feel that exemplifies her best shows.

Sat., Oct. 21, 7 and 10 p.m., $22, with Mark Erelli, Tin Angel, 20 S. Second St., 215-928-0770, www.tinangel.com.

 

Local Support 017
Into the Groove
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The Trolleyvox
Mojave 3
Amos Lee
Curtis Symphony Orchestra
Tomasz Stanko Quartet