Kansas.com: Music

Colorful creations

Eagle staff — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:08 CST

Three and a half bells (Jive)

What's on it: A collection of 13 Christmas classics that feature a surprising sophistication and an even more surprising lack of cheese factor.

Joyful noise: Archuleta's range shines — and the classical arrangements are gorgeous — on sings such as "Joy to the World," "Angels We Have Heard on High," "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "O Holy Night."

Maroon 5 staying sharp

Ed Condran — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Catching a band between albums can be a good thing — for both hard-core and casual fans. When Maroon 5 performs Sunday at Charles Koch Arena, the pop-rock band will preview a few cuts from its forthcoming but as yet untitled album, which will drop in early 2010. The band will also render the hits.

"I think this is a situation where everybody wins," guitarist James Valentine said while calling from Fairfield, Conn. "We get to go out and try a few new songs. We'll definitely be playing this new song, 'Last Chance,' which has gone over well.

"It's just good to get out there. We took almost too much time off. If you're not out and it's approaching two years, that's too long for me. We need to get out to keep up our chops as musicians. It's only a three-week tour, but it's something we need to do. We need to stay sharp and get it together before we go back to Switzerland."

Regional concerts

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Wichita

* CENTURY II , 225 W. Douglas. Tickets available at www.wichitatix.com, 316-219-4TIX. Information, 316-264-9121.

Ron White, comedy show, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 16. Tickets $40.75.

Art galleries, museums

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Today

Opening reception for the Kansas Watercolor Society National Exhibition, 5-7 p.m., Wichita Center for the Arts, 9112 E. Central. On exhibit 1-5 p.m. Tue.-Sun., through Jan. 3. Free. Information, 316-634- 2787.

Public reception for "A Few Small Steps," conceptual and interactive works by Hack Art Lab, 5-7 p.m., Steckline Art Gallery, DeMattias Fine Arts Center, Newman University. On exhibit 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or by appointment, through Dec. 18. . Free. Information, 316-942-4291, ext. 2199.

Skulking and super, Them Crooked Vultures have landed

Chris Richards — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

When rock bands swarmed Earth 40 years ago, they seemed otherworldly — hirsute tribes clad in kaleidoscopic garb, brandishing their guitars like medieval weapons. But over time, these mongrel hordes and their misshapen songs assimilated into American culture so seamlessly, they practically vanished into the normalcy of popular music. Today, our guitar heroes reside mostly in video games.

In that sense, supergroup Them Crooked Vultures makes for an evocative throwback, recalling an era when riff-hurling rock troupes felt dangerous. And bizarre. And totally worth listening to.

This is a trans-generational supergroup that's earned its "super." Vultures' singer-guitarist Josh Homme leads Queens of the Stone Age; Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl reprises drummer duties from his days in Nirvana; and bassist John Paul Jones once laid the bedrock for the mighty Led Zeppelin.

eVENTs

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Today

"Seven Samurai," Cowboys and Samurai Film Series, 7:30 p.m., Murdock Theatre, 536 N. Broadway. Tickets $5. Information, 316-263-1665.

Saturday

Blues benefit

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:09 CST

Rhythm & Blues for Christmas is a benefit auction featuring music by The Macy Brothers and RKO. It starts at 5:45 p.m. Sunday at Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley. Doors open at 5. Proceeds will benefit Maude Carpenter Children's Home and Henlock Price Boys Ranch. Admission is $8 at the door or by calling Donna Davis at 316-264-9660. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

'Revolve' release

Popular local musician Nikki Moddelmog will perform at a CD release party for her new album "Revolve" at 7 p.m. Saturday at Abode Home, 1330 E. Douglas. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the music starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $5. Moddelmog will be joined by many other Wichita musicians, including Steve Hatfield, Mark Foley, Bean Jarvis, Gary Palsmeier, Steve Story, Dennis Hardin, Tanya Tandoc and Shalen Scheltgen.

Symphony offers feast for ears

David Baxter — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:06 CST

The Wichita Symphony delivered a wonderful array of musical selections Sunday easily likened to the courses of a gourmet meal. The orchestra was led in this concert by guest conductor Daniel Hege, who will become its new director next season.
The appetizing opener featured Claude Debussy's impressionist masterpiece Nocturnes. Each movement of this atmospheric piece evokes pictures and moods suggested by their titles — Clouds, Festivals and Sirens. Debussy was highly innovative in creating imaginative colors and harmonies with the forces of the orchestra.
There are numerous solo passages and each soloist in his turn did them justice. Pitch in the woodwinds was occasionally challenging, however, and phrasing in the trumpets in the second movement wasn't well unified. But the ensemble between the flute and harp in the first movement was impeccable.

Regional concerts

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:04 CST

Wichita

* CENTURY II , 225 W. Douglas. Tickets available at www.wichitatix.com, 316-219-4TIX. Information, 316-264-9121.

Jim Brickman — Beautiful World Tour, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 23, Concert Hall. Tickets $39, $49.

Many rivers to cross

Jason Dilts — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:04 CST

On a cold night in early October, hundreds of people crowded into Rock Island Live to witness a milestone in a Wichita artist's career.

Aaron Newton, guitar in hand and voice penetrating through the audience's cheers, performed that night to celebrate the release of his first EP, "Two Rivers," a six-track compilation of bluegrass-tinged songs.

For the singer-songwriter, who will perform Saturday night at the Riverside Perk, the scene was a long way from where he started.

Art galleries, museums

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:04 CST

Today

Opening reception for "Sharing Visions," USD 259 faculty exhibit, 5-8 p.m., The Fiber Studio, 418 Commerce; on exhibit by appointment or chance, through November. Free. Information, 316-303-1996.

Artists' reception for "Classic Glass Art Show," works by various artists, 6-9 p.m., Karg Art Glass, 111 N. Oliver, Kechi, with glassblowing demonstrations and music by Trevor Stewart. On exhibit 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., through Jan. 15. Free. Information, 316-744-2442.

David Cook understands the pressure of winning

MIKE OSEGUEDA — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

David Cook is part of an exclusive club — one that comes with 30 million potential fans and alums such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

He's an "American Idol" winner and there are only seven others like him.

Cook has fared pretty well to this point in his post-"Idol" career.

Swift takes center stage as CMA entertainer of year

CHRIS TALBOTT — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

NASHVILLE, Tenn. —It's been Taylor Swift's year, and Wednesday was her night as she became the youngest person and the first solo female act in a decade to win the Country Music Association's entertainer of the year award.

Swift won all four awards for which she was nominated, making history on a historic night that included Darius Rucker's win as new artist.

"I'll never forget this moment because in this moment everything that I have ever wanted has just happened to me," Swift said through tears as she accepted the association's highest honor during ceremonies at Sommet Center.

CMA winners

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

Winners at Wednesday's 43rd annual Country Music Association Awards:

* Entertainer of the Year: Taylor Swift

* Single: "I Run to You," Lady Antebellum

Country at the center of pop

jon bream — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:03 CST

Taylor Swift has sold more albums than anyone in 2009. Kenny Chesney had the year's biggest concert tour. And Carrie Underwood — who will co-host tonight's CMA Awards with Brad Paisley — will make more TV appearances in the next month than Santa Claus.

Those household names and the new generation of fans they've attracted have put country music — that twangy, redheaded stepchild — at the center of pop for the first time since the heyday of Garth Brooks and Shania Twain nearly a generation ago.

Old prejudices are disappearing as country gains a foothold across the TV dial, in urban music venues and on the Internet. And kids — even urban and suburban — can dig country songs without any fear of reprisal. That's because the younger generation encounters music in a different way than its parents did. It's an iPod-shuffling generation with eclectic tastes.

Irish vocalists Celtic Woman hoping for even more success

Alan Sculley — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:01 CST

As singer Alex Sharpe sees it, the timing for Celtic Woman's "Isle of Hope" tour couldn't be much better.

The show, which began last spring and goes through this fall, took on new meaning that couldn't have been anticipated when it was conceived.

"With a new president in office in America, I think a lot of people there are very inspired and full of hope," Sharpe said in a recent phone interview. "I think the theme of the tour goes in harmony with the hope that America has with a new president and ... with the hope that the Irish had coming to America, the hope for a better life. There's kind of a synergy there."

First Friday line-up

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

November's First Friday music crawl will showcase a cross-genre sampling of Wichita music talent at a dozen venues. Additionally, the Rokict anniversary party and Web site relaunch will take place at Rock Island Live tonight.

Rokict founded the music crawl earlier this year.

In addition to live music, local art will be displayed by Stacy Renee, Deb Gardner, Mary Streepy, Travis Hinnen and Zee'ana Lynn. The Gyro Cart will sell meat and vegetarian gyros outside Rock Island Live, 101 Rock Island.

ICP has the last laugh

Brian McCollum — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:07 CST

In 1994, a New York record executive caught a glimpse of a Detroit music kingdom in the making.

Jeff Fenster, a vice president with Jive Records, had jetted into Detroit for a show by Insane Clown Posse, a rap duo with a fetish for Faygo and painted faces. He was struck by the sight: hordes of Michigan teens decked out in ICP gear, many in wicked-clown makeup like the group's Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope.

"We just watched these kids at the merchandise table, buying multiple T-shirts for a band most of us had never heard of," he says. "They were ponying up to buy into this culture."

Singer Jewel no longer tours nonstop

BOB CURTRIGHT — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:50 CST

The singer known simply as Jewel used to be on tour two years at a time.

These days, including for her upcoming stop at the Orpheum, she prefers to tour only two weeks at a time so she can have a real life.

"I sing 14 concerts in 14 cities and then go home," Jewel said by phone from her home in Stephenville, a town of about 15,000 in north-central Texas.

Death a dream world in 'Bones'

Rachel Abramowitz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:05 CST

After young Susie Salmon is murdered by the local pedophile in "The Lovely Bones," she ends up in a place easily mistaken for heaven, but what she discovers is that this magical terrain is actually an in- between state, "a place she's caught in until she can resolve the issues of her death," says co-writer Phillipa Boyens. "This in-between world is a 14-year-old's idea of what an ideal world can be."

Boyens, along with Fran Walsh and director Peter Jackson, is part of the Oscar-winning troika that wrote Jackson's epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Now the three return, with Jackson directing, to bring to the big screen Alice Sebold's bestselling novel about Salmon, played by Saoirse Ronan ("Atonement"), who watches her family grapple with her death from her perch in the hereafter. The film, which opens Dec. 11, also stars Mark Wahlberg, Rachel Weisz and Susan Sarandon.

In Sebold's novel, this vision of the afterlife is presented comically — Susie's dream world consists of a 1960s suburban high school, much like the one she would have attended, and she lives in a duplex with her roommate.