Metroland Online - Noteworthy

Fans of world music will have an opportunity to sample an interesting approach combining traditional West African music with American hiphop when the Senegalese quintet Gokh-Bi System return to Great Barrington’s Club Helsinki tonight. Gokh-Bi System (whose name, too, combines the African and American, and translates as Neighborhood System) have performed around the globe, spreading a message of peace and unity, gaining fans and some pretty prestigious collaborators as well: Baaba Maal’s drummer, Massamba Diop, and Abiodun Oyewole of the Last Poets are both featured on the group’s latest album, Message From Home . . . Suma Deuk Waay. (Dec. 26, 8 PM, $10, 413-528-6308)

FAT JOE AND THE TERROR SQUAD

Fat Joe and the Terror Squad, DJ Money Mike, DJ Capone
Nick’s Sneaky Pete’s, Friday

Latino rap sensation Fat Joe is poised at the brink of big-arena shows, so when the South Bronx wordsmith comes to Nick’s Sneaky Pete’s tomorrow (Friday), it may be your last chance to catch him at a smaller venue. Fat Joe has had a lengthy and productive career, with his debut, Represent, producing a Billboard No. 1 rap single, “Flow Joe.” Since his humble beginnings, the rapper has worked with the likes of LL Cool J, KRS-One, Puff Daddy, Nas, Big Punisher, Raekwon, and Ashanti—with whom the big galoot collaborated on the charming “What’s Luv?” duet that the kids are all over these days (from his most recent release, Loyalty). The guy isn’t always mired in music, as he has also run his own barber shop and clothing store, not to mention his own fashion line—and Fat Joe’s acting abilities are put to the test in ther recently released John Leguizamo vehicle Empire. Fat Joe brings his band Terror Squad for Friday’s show, and DJ Money Mike and DJ Capone will add to the party. (Dec. 27, 10 PM, $25, 489-0000)

Coheed and Cambria, F-Timmi, Ana Divine, Three
Saratoga Winners, Saturday

Though Coheed and Cambria have been typified as an emo band—and are willing to take the label in stride, according to their Web site—the young quartet from downstate New York are not bound by that genre’s conventions. Critics have favorably compared them to the grandaddy of all emo bands, Fugazi, and touted their willingness to experiment as their foremost strength. Of special interest is lead singer Claudio Sanchez’s insanely high range—a standout in a field of mumblers and growlers. That, and the technical proficiency and ambition of the instrumentalists, edge the emotion with arty prog-metal and give it enough force that one reviewer suggested the band adopt a new designation: “molten-core.” Ana Divine, Three and local power-punks F-Timmi will open. (Dec. 28, 8 PM, 783-1010)

Bethany Yarrow, Phil Cody
Caffe Lena, Sunday

The name Bethany Yarrow probably doesn’t ring many bells. How about Peter Yarrow—still nothing? Let’s try Peter, Paul and Mary. Now you get it. Bethany is the daughter of Peter, a once-and-future icon of pre-rock, ultra- polished folk music. Ms. Yarrow may have folk music in her genes, but it took a while to show. As she explains it, the first album she loved was Saturday Night Fever; this was followed by a teenage stint as a green-haired hardcore kid. These days, she’s singing traditional folk music, and has recorded a soon-to-be-released album called Deep Folk on which she tries to “connect the dots between folk and rap, talking blues and hiphop, the rhythm of a chain gang chant and four on the floor.” A tall order indeed. Phil Cody will also be on the bill. (Dec. 29, 7 PM, $10, $8, 583-0022)

also noted

NRBQ

We devote this section to the many New Year’s Eve celebrations happening around the region on Tuesday, so check out our Clubs listings for what’s happening the rest of the week. Pitchers Sports Bar presents a Kegs & Eggs party Tuesday, with Ekko and C-Toe performing (8 PM-5 AM, free, 745-1566). . . . Valenti’s Pub will have hats, noisemakers, champagne and DJ Rockin Rob Carson (free, 580-0155). . . . Blue Machine start off the New Year’s Eve festivities at Savannah’s (10 PM-2 AM); then, we assume, something will take place for two more hours (naps and purging, perhaps?) before Larry Lewis & Solid Smoke hit the stage at 4 AM ($15, 426-9647). . . . Stratosphere with James Scott will play Daisy Baker’s (10 PM, 266-9200). . . . Johnny & the Triumphs with Danny Gotham & Dave Maswick will play the Parting Glass’ New Year’s Eve spectacular (10 PM, free, 583-1916). . . . The mahem at Valentine’s features free beer between 9 and 10 PM, food all night long, and champagne at midnight—not to mention the Wait, North Allen and 5 Alpha Beatdown upstairs, and Nogoodnix, the Stars of Rock, the Day Jobs and Immobile Homes downstairs (9 PM, $10, 432-6572). . . . Head to Artie’s Lansingburgh Station Tuesday to party with Artie, and to enjoy Erin Harkes and Rebound (call for info, 238-2788). . . . The Girl will play, DJ and helm the karaoke stage at the Crazy Crab on that special night, and $10 gets you an open buffet from 7-9 PM; the show starts at 10 PM (235-4846). . . . Those crazy cats Rocky Velvet will play the West Albany Fire Department, and we expect much rockin’ at midnight ($25, $20 advance, 432-7131). . . . It’s a Punk Mambo New Year’s Bash with Babaloo at Great Barrington’s Club Helsinki (9 PM, $35, 413-528-6308). . . . The band made to play a New Year’s Eve club celebration, NRBQ, can be found at the Iron Horse in Northampton, Mass. (7 and 10 PM, $25 early show, $30 late show). . . . Swingstress Phoebe Legere will play the Van Dyck on that fateful night ($75—must get you a whole lot, 381-1111). . . . Goodfoot will play Club Caroline (10 PM, $5, 580-0155). . . . Coolgroove will play Dee Dee’s Tavern—with hats, noisemakers and champagne, of course (10 PM, 785-4410). . . . And finally, McNerney’s Brass Rail in Norton Hill offers a free buffet at 9 PM, and Smokin’ Joe’s Allstar Band (9 PM, free, 966-8868).

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