TUESDAY, MAY 15 2001     Cantab Lounge/Third Rail, 738 Mass Ave, Central Sq., Cambridge, MA, (617) 354-2685. The greasy spoon of Cambridge bars, the Cantab has a secret weapon in Little Joe Cook, who scored a genuine '50s rock-and-roll hit with "Peanuts" and hasn't slowed down since. Cook plays the room religiously on Thurs., Fri., and Sat., pumping out sets of sweaty R&B with an abandon younger bands envy. Be sure to request the house anthem, "Down at the Cantab," or his eloquent local hit, "Sexy Lady from the Beauty Shop, You Make My Heart Go Bip-Ber-de-Bop." Mon. is an open-mike night with folk music, Tues. is bluegrass open-mike, and Wed. and Sun. feature a blues jam (with Cook) upstairs and a poetry slam downstairs. The Cantab also books a variety of bands in its downstairs room, the Third Rail. Food served until 11 p.m. Open Mon., Tues., and Wed. from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., Thurs., Fri., and Sat. until 2 a.m., and Sun. from noon to 1 a.m. Cover varies, but is under $10.

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