Roadtrips

Just in time to soothe those bouts of mid-winter depression, the Beale Street Blues Boy himself, B.B. King, hits these icy shores. We're glad he's ensured himself a first-class seat on the plane to Heaven by donating his beloved Lucille to the Vatican, but even more priceless was the look on the pope's face, which seemed to say, "Why in God's name is this guy handing me a guitar?" Saint B.B. breaks in the new model this Friday, January 23, at Lupo's Heartbreak Hotel (401-272-5876) in Providence with piano wizard Al Copley. On Saturday B.B. moves on to the Lowell Memorial Auditorium (978-454-2299) while Copley hits the House of Blues (617-491-BLUE). At the House of Blues tonight, January 22, is New Orleans roots legend Dr. John; for post-Super Bowl revelry, he's also at the Call (401-751-2255) in Providence on Sunday.

Silent-film buffs and improvisational-music fans alike will want to catch the Alloy Orchestra, which will be accompanying Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr. (1928) at the Somerville Theatre (617-876-4275) on January 25 under the auspices of World Music. On January 31 the Alloy will reprise one of its most popular accompaniments -- Fritz Lang's Metropolis (1926) -- at the Music Hall (603-436-2400) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

Following two nights with Van Morrison at the FleetCenter (331-2211) on January 23 and 24 (tickets are still available for the latter), Bob Dylan goes it alone with a last-minute gig at Symphony Hall (413-787-6600) in Springfield on January 26.

Chicago punks Pegboy (featuring former Naked Raygun dudes) show up at the Middle East (617-864-EAST) on January 22, and the next night at the Met Café (401-861-2142) with, of all things, a bunch of ska bands.

And at the Worcester Auditorium (331-2211) on Saturday: thrash revivalists Pantera, thrash has-beens Anthrax, and Coal Chamber, the band who ask the musical question, "If we dress up like Marilyn Manson, will people still say we sound like Korn?" Well, yes. Yes, they will.

-- CC