Live Dates

Lou Reed. There is something about Lou Reed that makes him appealing to a circumscribed strata of the present-day rock culture. It is almost as impossible to penetrate the opaque image that Reed has projected for about a decade as it is to generalize about the classic Reed freak. There are people who have been staunch followers of Reed since his days with the Velvet Underground. Then there are those who discovered Reed with the debut of his solo career. The latter, embarrassed to admit the fact that they were seven years late, quickly bought up all the Velvets previously released albums, added a few scratches to the grooves to increase the disc's apparent use, and swore themselves to have been some of the "originals". Personally, I have never seen Lou Reed in concert but a reliable source tells me his performance is one not to be missed; the source being, of course, Rock and Roll Animal, a highly polished effort of tunes (both from the days of the Velvets to the present) recorded at New York's Academy of Music. Taking into account the inclusion of songs from his latest release, Sall Can't Dance, into his repretoire, Rock and Roll Animal should be pretty indicative of Reed's performance this Friday, especially if the same entourage of musicians are present. In any case, be there if only to catch a glimpse of the Prince of Darkness' recently bleached hair. At the Orpheum theater, October 4. Tickets $4.50, 5.50, 6.50 available at box office, Out-of-Town, Minuteman-Soundscope.

Rick Wakeman. Not counting the revolving crystal sphere which shed light upon the audience, Yes's only form of physical embellishment was a mysterious figure clad in a magician's cape and surrounded by such an entourage of keyboards that he would have been practically obfuscated if not for his gleaming locks which actually rivaled the crystal ball in brilliance. Rick Wakeman has since left Yes and his career as a solo artist is blossoming. Saturday night he will perform a musical version of Jules Verne's science fictionclassic, Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Neither man power nor equipment will be wanting as Wakeman will have 10 tons of keyborads, a one-hundred piece symphony orchestra and choir, and a very special guest narrator. Although Wakeman has always been considered one of the best keyboard men in the business, he might have bitten off more than he could chew with this production. October 5 at the Music Hall. Two shows 7 and 10. Tickets $5.00, 6.00, 7.00 available at Ticketron, Minuteman-Soundscope, box office.

James Montgomery Band. Following in the paths of J. Geils and Aerosmith, another Boston band makes good. Go and do your good deed for the week--proceeds go to the March of Dimes. Thursday, October 3, at the Orpheum theater. 8 p.m. Tickets available at Soundscope, Minuteman, Hub and Tyson Ticket agencies, and the box office.

Miles Davis, tempered by Sly and Hendrix, is constantly exploring new dimensions of jazz. Though characterized by a new style, he has yet to alienate jazz purists while at the same time he incorporates those on the rock-jazz border into his wide scope of admirers. Miles puts on a great show and the intimate atmosphere of Pall's Mall should provide a perfect setting for his inspiring instrumentation. Miles Davis. October 1-6. Pall's Mall. For ticket information call 267-1300.