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The '70s are history, the O'Jays are not. Urban Guide Listings to plan your week by Tom Joyner's Classic Soul Tour 2002 By now, it's an old routine to poke fun at middle-aged classic rockers. Rich, first-tier acts like the Rolling Stones and the Who (on a reunion tour since 1989) get much of the kidding, plying their trade while charging boomers to show their kids what real, pre-Bizkit rock is all about. But what of the soul and R&B acts that similarly tour long past their prime? Should they, too, shutter their operations and shimmy into retirement? Not if Tom Joyner can help it -- the super DJ presents the O'Jays, the Temptations Review with Dennis Edwards, and the Dramatics to prove cynics wrong. Besides, the oldies behind these goodies aren't so old, after all. In the combined decades of the three acts, they've featured more than forty members; so audiences have been seeing replacements for years. Stand-ins like Dennis Edwards, who replaced the Temptations founding lead singer David Ruffin in 1968, have been around long enough to make their mark with hits like "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." He's quit and rejoined them multiple times since then and now leads his Review in competition with the "actual" Temptations, who have an original member and court orders to back that up. The O'Jays are a different story. Originally a quintet, the O'Jays narrowed to a trio -- Eddie Levert, Walter Williams, William Powell -- and subsequently hit their peak in the '70s with the lush Philly soul of producers Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff. Still that trio, with an additional fourth to flesh out the vocals, the O'Jays are a nostalgia act, but one that never claimed to hope they die before they get old. 4/7, 7:30pm; Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway, Oakl. 893.2300. (JM) Mingus Big Band at Yoshi's From the heart of the Big Apple to the heart of the Biggity O! The late great American bassist Charles Mingus lingers among us this weekend at the cozy jazz house with Japanese cuisine on the Square. Yoshi's will be hosting the Mingus Big Band, a Thursday evening mainstay at Fez in New York City for the last 10 years. The group represents the brainchild of Mingus' widow, Sue. This four night stint celebrates the release of the group's new album, Tonight at Noon: Love Stories, which actually compliments Sue Mingus' book, Tonight at Noon: A Love Story. The group has released several recordings which have been praised for the musical quality that immortalizes the passion and poetry of Charles Mingus. Fourteen musicians will rock the house with trumpets and trombones, drums and bass, all accompanied by a wonderful piano and reeds section. Catch the spirit of an original American music extravaganza reminiscent of speakeasies where big bands play for big crowds on tiny dance floors. These shows are sure to sell out, so get your tickets early. Thurs/4-Sun/7. Thurs-Sat, 8 & 10pm; Sun, 2 & 8pm. Yoshi's, 510 Embarcadero West, Oakl. 238.9200; www.yoshis.com. (JS) Didjeridu comin' at you. Berkeley Public Library Grand Opening Although typically known for silent study, Berkeley Public's librarians will remove the "Quiet Please" signs and rock the town with a fanta-bulous and feisty fiasco fit for the warming days of spring to celebrate the central branch's grand opening. While keynote speaker Alice Walker shares her knowledge at a venue most apropos for that purpose, the Intertribal Council Drumming Group will be bumping beats to move the feet and the Farallon Brass Quintet will serve up some swell horns. Mills College didjeri-does things right with an entire didjeridu ensemble of tongue-twangy musicians. Help Berkeley celebrate their new library, learn from one of America's leading literary figures, and groove a little while you're at it. Librarians are going to have a tough time keeping the reading section quiet this weekend. Sat/6, 11:30am-5pm. Berkeley Public Central Library, 2090 Kittredge, Berk. (JS) Murray Perahia Symphonic music to some, classical to most, peace of mind to all. Murray Perahia and his piano will provide a tranquil evening for the unconscious to explore. This week at Zellerbach Hall listeners will be introduced to a graceful and cherished pianist of our time as Perahia plays ballads such as Beethoven/32 Variations on an Original Theme in C minor. To enjoy oneself an acute set of ears and an imagination are all that is recommended, because the music will communicate a gentle poetic healing. As a master, Perahia's legendary recordings include Bach's English Suites, which won the 1999 Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Soloist. In 1997 Perahia sustained an injury to his thumb, and it was Johann Sebastian Bach that gave life to Perahia's hands again. Perahia's recitals of Bach Keyboard Concertos have presented new standards for Bach's works. Invest an evening in the serenity of Bach, Perahia, and yourself. Sun/7, 3pm. Zellerbach Hall, Bancroft and Telegraph, UC Berkeley Campus. $28-$48. 642.9988. (GS) Picks by Jim Magary (JM), John Paul Sekulich (JS), and Gabriel Serpa (GS). [ East Bay | Metroactive | Archives ]