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CRITICS' PICKS

Pop Music

By James Reed, Sarah Rodman, and Kevin Lowenthal
Globe Staff and Globe Correspondent / January 9, 2009
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MR. NICK'S NORTHEAST HARMONICA SHOWDOWN This blues harp blowout features the cream of regional harmonicists, including "Sugar Ray" Norcia of the Bluetones, Racky Thomas, Brian Templeton of Radio Kings, Ryan Hartt, and "Mr. Nick" David. 9:45 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Johnny D's. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com

ALTAN It wouldn't be winter in New England without a visit from Altan, the traditional Irish band with a devoted local following. Perfect timing, too. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's vocals are as austere and crystalline as the weather we've been having. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $22 and $28. Sanders Theatre. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org

JASON BENNETT AND THE RESISTANCE Get the new year started off on the hotfoot with a fine night of cathartic yet reflective punk rants at a benefit for the Boston Road Devils. Also on the bill: Beantown Boozehounds, Dead Friends, Doggfight Us, Beerdozer. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Church. 617-236-7600, www.churchofboston.com

JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO The swaggering, Detroit-born saxophonist who plays seemingly every member of the saxophone family from soprano to bass, as well as the flute and the bass clarinet presents his distinctively contemporary yet historically mindful take on the classic organ trio. 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 9-10. $25. Scullers. 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com

HEAD AUTOMATICA These New Yorkers serve up deliciously tart, tuneful post-punk and pop nuggets riddled with cowbell, organ, and acidity. For fans of early Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, and anger set to singable melodies. 9 p.m. Jan. 10. $15. Great Scott. 866-468-7619, www.ticketweb.com

RORY BLOCK The singer and acoustic guitarist, winner of five W.C. Handy Blues Awards, is widely regarded as among the finest living exponents of the Mississippi Delta blues, upholding the tradition of Robert Johnson and Son House, the latter of whom she pays tribute to on her fine new recording, "Blues Walkin' Like a Man." 8 p.m. Jan. 10. $20-$23. Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River. 508-324-1926, www.ncfta.org

© Copyright 2009 Globe Newspaper Company.

POP MUSIC

MR. NICK'S NORTHEAST HARMONICA SHOWDOWN This blues harp blowout features the cream of regional harmonicists, including "Sugar Ray" Norcia of the Bluetones, Racky Thomas, Brian Templeton of Radio Kings,

Ryan Hartt, and "Mr. Nick" David. 9:45 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Johnny D's. 617-776-2004, www.johnnyds.com

- KEVIN LOWENTHAL

ALTAN It wouldn't be winter in New England without a visit from Altan, the traditional Irish band with a devoted local following. Perfect timing, too. Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's vocals are as austere and crystalline as the weather we've been having. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $22 and $28. Sanders Theatre. 617-876-4275, www.worldmusic.org - JAMES REED JASON BENNETT AND THE RESISTANCE Get the new year started off on the hotfoot with a fine night of cathartic yet reflective punk rants at a benefit for the Boston Road Devils. Also on the bill: Beantown Boozehounds, Dead Friends, Doggfight U.S., Beerdozer. 8 p.m. Jan. 9. $10. Church. 617-236-7600, www.churchofboston.com - SARAH RODMAN JAMES CARTER ORGAN TRIO The swaggering, Detroit-born saxophonist who plays seemingly every member of the saxophone family from soprano to bass, as well as the flute and the bass clarinet presents his distinctively contemporary yet historically mindful take on the classic organ trio. 8 and 10 p.m. Jan. 9-10. $25. Scullers. 617-562-4111, www.scullersjazz.com - K.L. HEAD AUTOMATICA These New Yorkers serve up deliciously tart, tuneful post-punk and pop nuggets riddled with cowbell, organ, and acidity. For fans of early Joe Jackson, Elvis Costello, and anger set to singable melodies. 9 p.m. Jan. 10. $15. Great Scott. 866-468-7619, www.ticketweb.com - S.R. RORY BLOCK The singer and acoustic guitarist (below), winner of five W.C. Handy Blues Awards, is widely regarded as among the finest living exponents of the Mississippi Delta blues, upholding the tradition of Robert Johnson and Son House, the latter of whom she pays tribute to on her fine new recording, "Blues Walkin' Like a Man." 8 p.m. Jan. 10. $20-$23. Narrows Center for the Arts, Fall River. 508-324-1926, www.ncfta.org - K.L.

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