soundadvice

R&B

Father and Son Tour: Eddie and Gerald Levert

Singing with the O'Jays and LSG, Eddie and Gerald Levert's deep voices have accompanied many couples on those rainy, romantic nights. The Father and Son Tour combines Eddie's old-school soul with Gerald's new-school grit. Ladies will be in the house deep.
--Deesha Dyer
Sat., Dec. 10, 8 p.m., $39.50-$49.50, Tower Theater, 69th and Ludlow sts., 215-336-2000.

KLEZMER

Fabulous Shpielkehs

"When I was a kid they said klezmer was dying," marveled 73-year-old drummer Elaine Watts the last time the Fabulous Shpielkehs played the Point. As she said it, she was scanning her much younger bandmates — including daughter Susan on trumpet, and musicians who traveled from New York and Toronto to sit in — and the all-ages packed house. The Jewish party music should draw an even bigger crowd for Hanukkah. Plus, every time Channel 12 rounds out an hour with a "video postcard" (being taped during this show), you'll kvell about being part of it.
--Mary Armstrong
Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., $10, The Point, Bryn Mawr, 610-527-0988.

ROCK/POP

Beauty Pill

When City Paper and Beauty Pill last touched base back in May, the D.C. indie rockers were making the most of a retooled lineup with their first full-length, The Unsustainable Lifestyle. Their first Center City live performance comes with a new vocalist in tow: Jean Cook, a violinist who's worked with Jenny Toomey and Ida. No time like the present to sample the barbed, off-kilter charms of frontman Chad Clark (formerly of Smart Went Crazy) and company.
--Michael Pelusi
Wed., Dec. 15, $10, with Travis Morrison and U.S. Funk Team, The Khyber, 56 S. Second St., 215-238-5888.

CLASSICAL

Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. Well, to be more precise, there was a historical figure named St. Nicolas who has spawned a mighty legend. The Choral Arts Society pays tribute to the old feller with a delightful program of medieval carols and more recent holiday fare from Vaughan Williams and Britten.
--Peter Burwasser
Sat., Dec. 11, 7 p.m., $18-$30, Philadelphia Cathedral, 38th and Chestnut sts. Also in Bryn Mawr, Sun., Dec. 12. 215-545-8634.

HIP-HOP

The Hip Spot/Open Mic

Aerosmith and RUN DMC started it, Public Enemy and Anthrax improved on it, and Jay Z and Linkin Park continue it — the rock-rap alliance. Rapper Supreem Da Regulata is on the bandwagon, too, connecting with local jam band Simple. Together, they have taken their rhythms to local area bars hoping to get some asses shakin' to their brand new funk.
--Deesha Dyer
Thu., Dec. 9, 9 p.m., $7, Pontiac Grille, 304 South St., 215-925-4053.

ROCK/POP

Calexico

In Europe, they no doubt sound authentically "American," but Calexico's atmospheric Southwestern music is just far enough removed from its sources to smuggle a dose of traditionalism into indie kids' breakfast cereal. They join the ranks of side projects whose popularity far outstrips their original bands'. Good for them, but could someone ask their fans to buy a few Giant Sand records?
--Sam Adams
Fri., Dec. 10, 9 p.m., $15, with Cordero, North Star Bar, 27th and Poplar sts., 215-684-0808.