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Music

Hot Ticket: Top violinists in concert

By JOHN FLEMING and BRIAN ORLOFF
Published April 14, 2005

A pair of top-level violinists perform in the Tampa Bay area this weekend. Midori gives a recital with pianist Robert McDonald. They play sonatas of Mozart and Ravel and other works at 8 p.m. Saturday at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater. $30-$45. 727 791-7400; www.rutheckerdhall.com

Robert McDuffie is the soloist with the Florida Orchestra, playing Bernstein's Serenade. Jahja Ling conducts the program, which also includes Dvorak's Carnival Overture and a suite from Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake. Concerts are Saturday at the Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg; Sunday at Ruth Eckerd Hall; and Monday at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa. All are at 7:30 p.m. $15.50-$50.50. 813 286-2403 or toll-free 1-800-662-7286; www.floridaorchestra.org

- JOHN FLEMING, Times performing arts critic

Punk rockers Green Day have come a long way from their early, snarling roots. Rather than just rage against society against a bouncy guitar backdrop, the group has focused its anger into a highfalutin and definitely rocking concept album, American Idiot. Call it a punk rock opera. But that lofty-sounding genre hasn't scared off longtime Green Day fans. American Idiot, released in September, is still on the charts and racking up the plaudits and awards, including the Grammy for best rock album.

Thematically, the disc smartly criticizes governmental policies but voices its complaints through a series of characters. Live, the band is kinetic. In earlier shows, the trio trotted out additional musicians - including horn players and additional backup singers - to flesh out the orchestral pomp of the higher concept tunes.

Green Day performs at 7 p.m. Monday at the USF Sun Dome in Tampa. Sold out. (813) 974-3002.

- BRIAN ORLOFF, Times correspondent

We can only imagine what sort of kooky fun promoters had in booking this eclectic double bill of Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson. While the differences between Rundgren and Jackson are many, perhaps it's best to concentrate on what unites them.

Rundgren is, of course, the '70s guitar rock goofball known for the novelty song Bang on the Drum All Day and for his more serious, and critically lauded, turn as a producer for bands such as XTC and the New York Dolls. Jackson's music is all over the place from his standard piano balladry to a reggae-inspired period to a time when he tackled R&B. So, let's dub this pairing "Musical Chameleons 2005."

Both artists issued discs last year. Rundgren's Liars received positive nods from critics who appreciated his return to delicately crafted pop tunes after oddball forays into bossa nova. (Sounds like a Jackson-esque genre flip, no?) Jackson's latest, Afterlife, is a live collection of greatest hits.

Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson perform at 8 p.m. Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $32.50 and $55. (727) 791-7400.

- BRIAN ORLOFF, Times correspondent

It's always a treat when soul legend Aretha Franklin drops into town. On this tour, which she's calling her "Farewell Tour" (let's hope Aretha pulls a Cher and continues her the farewell for several years), perhaps Ms. Franklin will wow us with new material in addition her legendary classics.

After all, she is preparing a new album - her first since 2003's So Damn Happy - set for a June release on her own label. On it, Franklin will duet with country crooner Faith Hill and ex-Temptation Dennis Edwards, but don't expect them to show up in concert.

Here's a bonus, though: The hall is not going to be as steamy as in the past. Franklin does not like to be exposed to direct air conditioning, but this time, Ruth Eckerd Hall has insisted that the cooling system remain on.

Aretha Franklin plays at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. $75-$55. (727) 791-7400.

- BRIAN ORLOFF, Times correspondent

Reggae superstar Bob Marley's legacy lives on through, well, his progeny. Thank goodness that sons Ziggy and Damian carry the torch for their father's mentality of peace, love and higher social consciousness. Damian, Bob's youngest son, drops into town this weekend with his brother Stephen. Damian, who also is called "Junior Gong," kicks off his Jamrock Tour in town, and it's sure to please reggae fans.

Damian Marley performs at 8 p.m. Friday at Jannus Landing, 16 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $18 advance, $22 day of show. (727) 896-1244.

- BRIAN ORLOFF, Times correspondent

[Last modified April 13, 2005, 10:29:10]