Thursday, November 29, 2007

Weekend music picks

Going to be really brief this week, as I am heading off to the Bay Area for a quick visit and have just a couple of minutes to mention what you might want to check out:
Quick and to the point . . . . get out and I'll see ya somewhere . . . . just not this weekend.

Good stuff on horizon, but more on that next week.

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Thanksgiving

Not making any musical recommendations today, but thought I'd just muse a bit on what I'm thankful for this year (in a musical way) . . . .

- For the depth and richness of the local music scene -- there's so much great live music that can be found on any day of the week in clubs around town. Don't take it for granted and get out occasionally to support it. (you're not that distracted, cheap, or old yet)
- For a Portland music community that gives back to the greater community - for their own who are sick (and without health insurance) or to causes local, like the amazing work that goes into the Waterfront Blues Festival to benefit the Oregon Food Bank, and global, like the work of Stephanie Schneiderman and all of the musicians that took part in Mercy Corps' Victims of Silent Disasters concerts.
- For people like Jim Brunberg and the staff of MS who create and run venues that do their best to respect both the audience and the artist. It's about the music, and the experience - that communion of artist, audience and venue - must reflect it. Unfortunately, doing that often means it's a lot harder for the venue to survive. Kudos to those who walk the fine line to make it happen.
- For the patience of those artists, managers, agents and promoters who tolerate the amateurs like me who sometimes can be pests and just get in the way.
- For the opportunity to return to doing a radio show after 30 or so years. Thank you KMHD for taking a chance on Mississippi West. And thanks to Dave and Mike for tolerating this rusty and opinionated partner . . .
- For all the wonderful friends I have made because of my love of music -- it's good to find kindred spirits and artists who create such soul-satisfying sounds. I consider myself beyond lucky.

All for now. . . . I'll get back to posting about live music next week.

Friday, November 9, 2007

What's Goin' On?

. . . this weekend . . . lots of choices, directions, music, words . . . hmmmmm

A great weekend of shows at Mississippi Studios kicks off tonight with John Wesley Harding. Last year he did a fantastic sold out set at MS . . . and the very entertaining Jim Brunberg will open. There a few tickets left, but should be another full house. (7 PM, $22)

Also tonight, Fernando Viciconte is at Berbati's, The Strangetones at Venue (the old Billy Reed's on MLK) and the Irish band, Patrick Street is at the Alberta Street Pub - this show is sold out, but another has been added for Sunday at 5 PM. ($25)

Saturday starts the two days of the Wordstock book fair. The Wordstock Festival (which began yesterday) is Portland's annual festival of books. The book fair will be held at the Convention Center focusing on all things literary . . . this festival has really taken off - it's only $5 for admission and definitely worth checking out. In conjunction with the festival, a very special LiveWire! Radio show will happen at the Aladdin Saturday night with special guests from the festival including Le Show's Harry Shearer. (8 PM, $25)

The Voices for Silent Disasters fund raising shows for Mercy Corp continues at the Mission Theater with Songwriter's Night - great lineup includes: Morgan Grace / Little Sue / Jeremy Wilson / Pilar French / Michael Jodell / Susie Blue / Lael Alderman / Jaycob Van Auken / Linda Hornbuckle / Breanna Paletta (8 PM, $15)

And two great (and separate) shows at Mississippi Studios with songwriter Cosy Sheridan at 7 PM ($15) and the amazing Sonny Landreth for a very special 10 PM show ($35). There may be a few tickets left for Sonny . . . the house will be rocking late into the night.

For a somewhat quieter evening, a fine pairing of James Low and Kaitlyn ni Donovan will be at the Press Club on SE Clinton (at 26th) - a great little neighborhood cafe/bar (and they make delicious crepes). And Paula Sinclair will be at the Twin Paradox Cafe in Sellwood.

Finally, if you're a fan of songwiter Craig Crouthers, he in town and doing a sonwriters in the round show on Sunday at the Kennedy School with Jack McMahon, Kate Power and Steve Einhorn . . . . 7:30 PM

And, remember to tune in to 89.1 KMHD's Mississippi West from 3-6 PM on Saturday.

See you at a show!

Thursday, November 8, 2007

What a Thursday!

Well, it's blowing me away how many great choices for live music are available for tonight.

Suzanne Vega at the Aladdin . . . Suzanne's music always reminds me of NYC and her latest CD's focus is that very topic . . . and she has a killer band, too (8 PM, $35)
Mercy Corps' Voices for Silent Disasters concert at the Mission Theater - tonight's show is Jackstraw, 3 Leg Torso and Stolen Sweets (8 PM, $15) . . . great music for a great cause.
Michael Fracasso and Michael Jodell at Mississippi Studios - one of Austin's finest singer/songwriters teamed with one of our best local voices (8 PM, $10)
Bob Schneider at the Wonder Ballroom - one of Austin's quirkier songwriter performers brings it to the Wonder . . . (8 PM, $15)
JJ Grey & Mofro at the Doug Fir Lounge - this Florida band's blend of swamp funk, blues, rock and soul impressed the crowd this summer at the Waterfront Blues Fest . . . (9 PM, $20)
Freak Mountain Ramblers at the Kennedy School - the Freaks start a six night McMenamins Great NW Music Tour - Kennedy School, Grand Lodge and Hotel Oregon this weekend. . . (7 PM, free)

. . . and Smokey frickin' Robinson at the Schnitz

OK folks . . . if nothing here gets you out and about, check for a pulse.

more about the weekend tomorrow . . . .

Friday, November 2, 2007

Voices for Silent Disasters

A weekend of significant events that gives a lot a great reasons to get out to something just a little bit different.

Yesterday I mentioned the Siren Nation Festival that is going on through Sunday.

Also this weekend, and continuing for the next three weekends are some fine shows that are part of a humanitarian concert series for Mercy Corps' Voices for Silent Disasters. Organized by Stephanie Schneiderman, these concerts will raise money for Mercy Corps efforts in Uganda to help combat "one of the most overlooked humanitarian crises in the world today; nearly two million people are displaced as a result of a generation of war." Stephanie has done an amazing job of bringing members of Portland's music community together for a series of shows at the Mission Theater, the Baghdad Theater and the Crystal Ballroom. This is a broad community effort to bring attention and financial support to one of Mercy Corps many worldwide relief efforts. Check the show schedule, buy tickets, contribute to Mercy Corp and always remember just how fortunate we are. Big applause to Stephanie and everyone who's part of this effort. 'nuf said.

Hard to tell you to go do anything else this weekend. Lots coming in the week ahead . . . so stay tuned.

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Siren Nation Festival

I failed to included this last week in my post, but tonight begins the Siren Nation Festival that runs through the weekend.

Siren Nation is a festival showcasing women's music, performance art and film, focusing primarily on artists from Portland and the Pacific Northwest..... Our mission is to inspire and empower women and girls through art and education.

In addition to performances and film, we will be offering free workshops on a wide range of topics of concern and interest to women. There will also be a market and meeting place where the public can connect with women entrepreneurs, non-profits and community organizations. We are a non-profit organization under the fiscal sponsorship of In Other Words Women's Books and Resources. For additional information, visit the faq page and feel free to contact us.
I know a number of the folks involved in planning this and it looks like it will be a wonderful event. Great music tonight at Holocene and Friday & Saturday at the Wonder Ballroom. Check it out . . . and, no worries, men are welcome too!

Also tonight . . . . Kelly Willis at the Mission Theater (9 PM, $18) . . . Willy Vlautin of Richmond Fontaine opens.

Weekend picks tomorrow . . . .