THUR 11/20: Photos, Books & Song, Jazz, PowerPop

Okay, it's a bit premature... I'm going to call it -- this was a really short autumn. It's not even Thanksgiving yet!

--------------------------------------------------------------

THUR 11/20

5:30pm to 7pm
"Interpreting East Somerville": Opening Reception
at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville (Central Hill)
FREE

I don't want to toot my own horn, but there's a "Cheap Thrills Rob" photo in this exhibit. I told you there was a good chance for your East Somerville photography to be chosen. Let's say, "Out of the 40 pictures, 39 of them should be rather good..." I don't know when I'm getting there, but I have to see what the rest of it looks like -- and try to see any reaction to my submission.

You can check it out if you're in Somerville City hall before mid-January, but there are refreshments tonight.

THUR 11/20

7pm
Rick Moody & Wesley Stace: Reading & Performance
at Newtonville Books, 296 Walnut St, Newton
FREE

I enjoy readings that offer something a little more than authors and their books. Tonight's authors are going to also sing some songs together. Rick Moody's most well-known work is the novel-turned-movie "The Ice Storm", but he swung through town in '05 with his folkish band, The Wingdale Community Singers. His new collection of novellas, "Right Livelihoods", seems to be getting good reviews.

Those of you might go to the International Pop Overthrow Festival might be tuned into Wesley Stace by his nom-du-rock, John Wesley Harding. The singer-songwriter wrote a fascinating novel from the perspective of a ventriloquist's dummy, "By George".

Expect to hear some old-timey music to be covered after the readings and bonhomie. Should be pretty cool.

THUR 11/20

8pm
Music of Dave Holland
at Brown Hall, 30 Gainsborough St, Boston (New England Conservatory/Fenway)
FREE

Do you want to hear some jazz? Bassist Dave Holland has played with Miles Davis, Theolonius Monk, Stan Getz, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Pat Metheny, etc. Dave seems to be a regular guest at NEC where he gives some master classes that culminate in a concert. It might be nice of him to sit in with the students at some point tonight...

THUR 11/20

The Sneaks (11pm), The Mystery Tramps (10:30pm), The Kickbacks" target="_blank">The Kickbacks (10pm), Jerry Fuentes (9:30pm), Ian Axel (9pm), Andy Pratt (8:30pm), Satch Kerans (8pm)
at Church, 69 Kilmarnock St, Boston (Fenway)
$10 / 21+

Boston's International Pop Overthrow Festival is starting out with a damn good line-up of local acts and a couple New Yorkers. I wish I had already been familiar with Andy Pratt, and I should have been since he attained major-label success in the 70's and has traveled around the world while still being prolific.

The Kickbacks are a favorite of mine; they have a twangy roots-rock angle, but I often get a Paul Westerberg vibe palling around with Steve Earle. The Mystery Tramps are on the young side, and maybe that's part of their appeal, but they rock in my opinion. I should like The Sneaks more; maybe if I saw them live, I would have a completely new opinion...

On further review, I've seen Satch Kerans and Ian Axel play. Satch is going to have a full band behind his heartfelt songwriting. When I saw Ian Axel, he was a keyboard playing maniac; a bit more Elton John than Ben Folds as I recall. Wouldn't be surprised if Jerry Fuentes and Ian collaborate tonight; they've performed together before.

(See below for more IPO info.)