Backbone > Ear Whacks
Nightlife Highlights 10-02
by Wavy Davy

John Scofield/Johnny Winter
October 4, 5. To have these two legends on-stage at once would be dynamite, but SUNY New Paltz students and company will have to make do with a near-miss. Local impresario Tony Falco presents this one-two guitar knockout, with the uber-funk of Scofield (promoting his latest, Uberjam) on Friday night, and a rare appearance by Winter on Saturday, as close to a professor-emeritus of the blues as they come. Both shows 8PM at SUNY's Studley Theater; $25 general admission. Tickets at Jack's Rhythms, New Paltz.

Roy Campbell's Other Dimensions In Music
October 10. One of Joe Giardullo's final Free Jazz Thursdays at the Uptown features trumpeter Campbell and his heavyweights of the genre, including Cecil Taylor Unit drummer Rashid Bakir, William Parker on bass and, in a real coup, Sun Ra veteran Daniel Carter on saxes. This will be Carter's second Uptown appearance since August (when he was imported by Dug Elliot's Wet Paint,) but Campbell and the other cats won't howl a bit when his tonal musings soar and dip effortlessly through the groove. 9PM. $10. Kingston. 339-8440.

Little Feat
October 11. Quiz time: Did you know Little Feat was the band on Robert Palmer's classic 'Sneakin' Sally Thru the Alley'? A landmark outfit originally fronted by raging avatar Lowell George, Little Feat's current touring ensemble still features five well-preserved founding members. Speaking of well-preserved, the Ulster Performing Arts Center's 75th Anniversary renovations will provide a sublime backdrop to the Feat's pristine funk. 8PM. $32 reserved. Kingston. 339-6088. www.upac.org.

Junior Watson
October 14, 21. Bluesman Junior Watson's moniker-"God's Guitarist"-was earned as a founding member of the Mighty Flyers and a 10-year veteran of Canned Heat. On Columbus Day afternoon, as part of a world tour that includes the US, Canada, and Scandinavia, Watson headlines OktoberFest at Spumoni Gardens, a European-style beergarden in Pine Plains (not to be confused with Spumoni Gardens pizzeria of Bensonhurst.) The Dapper Watson makes a second Dutchess appearance on the 21st at Hyde Park Brewing Company. October 14, 3PM; October 21, 8PM. www.juniorwatson.com.

Alessandra Belloni
October 18. Anyone who's billed as "The Mediterranean Volcano" is worth a listen, and maybe more. With her soaring mezzo-soprano and mesmerizing tambourine rhythms, Alessandra casts a spellbinding web of sensuality spun from the Tarantella-the ecstatic rites used to cure young Italian women of a mysterious affliction known as "the bite of the ancient spider." Arachnaphobes, stay home. Accompanied by Steve Gorn & John LaBarbera. 9PM. $12. Rosendale Cafe. 658-9048.

Dean Scala Band with Jeremy Baum
October 19. Every gig's a party for the Dean Scala Band, who continue to amaze with their repertoire and virtuosity (blink during the Steely Dan set and you'd swear it was Fagen.) Better yet, they're streetwise enough to score the hottest guest funksters. Don't miss this Saturday night at jam-spot Oasis Cafe when Hammond-organ phenom Jeremy Baum sends Scala and the boys right into the stratosphere. 10:30PM. $5. New Paltz. 255-2400.

Jerry Butler
October 19. "The Iceman" slides into the Hunter Theater just before the first snowstorms cover the mountain, but don't expect things to cool down once the show starts. Butler, an original member of Curtis Mayfield's Impressions, has a platinum-record R&B solo career, including a legendary version of "Moon River" that was almost pulled in favor of Andy William's saccharine rendition. This show is budget-priced for a great way to experience Hunter's fall scene before the winter deluge. 8PM. $12/$10. (518) 263-4908x202.

Professor Louie and The Crowmatix
October 26. Their new album is called "Jam" (Breezy Hill) for good reason: Professor Louie and the crew (featuring Joe Jackson drummer Gary Burke) shake like sidewinders on original compositions of country-funk, hip zydeco, and rockin' blues. Towne Crier, Pawling. 9PM. $20. 855-1300.