Sunday, January 20, 2008

Checking in and heading out

So my temporarily very busy and distracted life has me neglecting my music recommendations . . . but once the next couple of weeks are over, I should get back to more regular postings and recommendations for live music around town. So, a few things of note . . .

This coming week has two shows that I'm going to try to check out - the Decemberists will be a the Crystal Ballroom on both Tuesday and Wednesday night - tickets may be sold out, but (as I always contend) it can't hurt to show up on the night of the concert and you'll probably be able to pick up a ticket. The other show I hope to get to is BeauSoleil at the Aladdin on Wednesday (7:30 pm, $22)

Then it's off to San Diego on Friday for a music vacation. Many of you know that a regular part of my life since 2001 has been Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise. Now in it's 14th year, it's an opportunity to spend a wonderful week with great music, musicians, and friends. Portland's own Lloyd Jones and his band will be one of the acts this year (his 4th or 5th appearance on the cruise). I missed last year and am really looking forward to being back. I also never forget how lucky I am to be able to do this.

Though I won't be around to get to this one, it looks like a great world music show at the Aladdin on Friday with famed kora player Toumani Diabate. The kora is a 21-stringed West African harp of which Diabate is an acknowledged master. Take a chance on this one as it looks like a great opportunity for something different.

Speaking of the Aladdin, there's some great shows coming up in the first part of February -
Todd Snider on Tuesday the 5th, Roger McGuinn on the 8th, David Lindley on the 9th, and New Orleans' Porter-Batiste-Stoltz with Henry Butler on the 10th. Quite the week.

That week also brings Mary Gauthier and Mark Olson to Lola's Room on the 6th and the always entertaining Robbie Fulks to Mississippi Studios on Saturday the 9th. If you've never seen Robbie, you really should come out to this one.

Mississippi Studios also has some great shows over the next two weeks, including Mary Flower and Reggie Houston this coming Saturday, Tim Finn on the 30th, Adrian Legg on the 31st, and Steve Poltz on Friday, Feb 1st.

Also of note on Sunday the 27th is the
Crystal Ballroom's 94th Birthday, with The Long Winters, Bobby Bare Jr., Langhorne Slim, The Builders and the Butchers, and Renegade Saints, Marimba Bands. Music begins at 1 PM and its FREE!

Oh, and one more thing . . . if you're in the market for a massage therapist, my music connections brought me to Jenni Jo McLaughlin of Mana Massage. You might have seen the article on her last summer that told the story of how she became Faith Hill's personal tour massage therapist after being hired to provide one to Faith when she and Tim McGraw played Portland. Anyway if you're looking for a GREAT massage, check out her site and make an appointment. And if you're a musician, check out Jenni Jo's services specifically for performers - Mana Rocks.

There's lots more on the local scene and touring music over the next few weeks, so check out the listings in the paper, online or however you find out (besides my biased and narrow thoughts) . . .
Maybe I'll write a little about the cruise when I get back . . . but I'll definitely get back to some recommendations.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Jim.... We don't know each other. However, we're FTD's (Friends Through Delbert). Have a wonderful cruise & I hope we get to meet somewhere between San Diego & Puerto Vallarta! If not there, perhaps during one of the weekly (Wednesday, 6pm PT) chat sessions in the Delbert forum.

Take care! VLP

Jim Friscia said...

Hey VLP . . . email me at jim.friscia@gmail.com . . . we can arrange to connect on the cruise. How did you find my blog? Thanks for leaving the comment!

...Jim