This Saturday: Big Sandy vs. Devo

Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys, this Saturday

Ah, as the sleepy rains that announce fall’s advent bathe our sweaty, summery selves, we look forward to another weekend on Waterloo. In our last post we told you about the Walk on Waterloo party that’s going on tonight (Thursday) and this weekend’s Cracker-bash (which has gotten more press care of the Cleveland Scene).

This time around, we’ll point you in the direction of the seemingly unstoppable Big Sandy and the Fly-Rite Boys, who’ve been brandishing their wild Western swing and rockabilly blend for close to twenty years now.  Look, this Saturday night gig isn’t straight kitsch–although, we could use to redefine that oft-abused term.  Cornpone, maybe? But holding hands, falling in love, feeling like you’re over the moon, and dancing are kind of “corny”, aren’t they?

We’re through being cool.  If you are too, we suggest you toss yourself willy-nilly into Big Sandy’s pool of timelessly written/arranged/played 40s-50s music:

Now, if you are truly through being cool, there’s always the DEVOtional 2009, which will be happening the very same night as the Big Sandy show. Surely a match-up of Big Sandy playing “Through Being Cool” by the famed Akron punks would be great.   Now there’s a concept: Devo rendered in rockabilly grease?  DEVOtional 2009, in the Ballroom on Saturday night, will certainly have folk renditions of Devo, electronica renditions of Devo, Devo-oriented food, and more Devo than even the voluminous Beachland basement can hold.

Big Sandy and the Fly Rite Boys will be in the Tavern; Devotional 2009 in the Ballroom, this Saturday.  For more info, go to www.beachlandballroom.com.

EAS

Preview and Now-view: Up Ensemble @ Waterloo Cafe; Unsparing Sea & Walk On Waterloo

Cracker, Looking Up

This electronic candygram is coming your way fast: open the door, get your prize, and look inside. Waterloo awaits this week.

Say you’re looking for a “date night” spot, and oh, this might be the first time around for both of you? We can’t think of a better spot for the both of you to bask in than the Waterloo Cafe, right down the corner from the Beachland.  Good food, refreshing beverages, mellow company, and the sexy, swingin’ sound of acclaimed Cleveland jazz trio Up Ensemble.  The Waterloo Cafe, located at 15601 Waterloo Road, starts this informal but classy musical affair at 9 pm. If your dates goes well, request the standard “Embraceable You”; if things turn sour, ask Up to play the entirety of Ornette Coleman’s This Is Our Music, and lose yourself in ecstatic hollerin’ while your date’s droning voice fades into the distance.

If you’re not feeling the miracle of bop but would rather feel the mystery of Lake Erie in sound, dig on Unsparing Sea, who open for The Rural Alberta Advantage, tonight in the Beachland Tavern.  This group, whose moaning slide guitars and rumbling cello bring to mind bands like Slint and The Dirty Three, are making a splash (I know, sorry) with their latest EP, In the Crystal Canyon (reviewed here at WeHateYourHate).  Meanwhile, Unsparing Sea is preparing its newest full-length, entitled In The Diamond Caverns, slated for an October release.  Here’s “Wolves At A Wedding”:

If you’re looking for a Thursday night pick-me-up, to restore your faith in all things Cleveland, make plans for Walk All Over Waterloo, an informal crawl of the block featuring galleries, shops, food, booze, and yes, even music. Isn’t that a shock?  Us? Music, food, drink?  Yep.  And down the street from us, electro-funque duo Arte Povera will perform at Exit Stencil Recording Studios, while ArtsCollinwood throws a mini-benefit starting at 5 pm, featuring artwork by Scott Radke, Dott Schneider, Niko Angelis, and–guess–food!  At the rate we’re going, somebody will have to step up and put a gym on this block.  Hell, a proper bike trail will do.  Somebody call the County!

Now, for your pleasure, a thrilling preview of this weekend’s upcoming rock action with Cracker and those Cleveland cads of cowpunk, the Whiskey Daredevils.  This slice of excitement is brought to you by the good people at Addicted To Vinyl and Cleveland Bachelor.  Take it away, gentlemen!

EAS