Thursday, July 31, 2008

Thursday music picks

Sliding into the weekend with a couple of shows to note for tonight . . .


Lisa & Her Kin will be rockin' the crop out at the Krueger Farm Market concert series on Sauvie Island . . . 6:30 pm, $10 for a carload of humanity. Pile in. Rock out.

Little Sue will be at Biddy McGraw's, 8 PM

For some pretty cool jazz in a neat little club, check out Alan Jones and the Cave Men at The Cave. 8 PM, $5

The Garcia Birthday Band is at the White Eagle Saloon . . . 9:30 PM

more tomorrow or later . . .

keep on your radar James Low and band at the Laurelthirst on Saturday night . . . 9:30 PM.

Sunday, July 27, 2008

One more for Monday night & a reminder

Missed this one . . . and it's a blues alert!

Cool show at Duff's Garage on Monday with Nathan James & Ben Hernandez. Nathan and Ben won the prestigious International Blues Foundation's 2007 Journey to Memphis competition in the solo/duo category. They play rootsy, country blues like they were born to it . . . though they're from Southern California. They come highly recommended, so this is a great opportunity to see them at Duff's. 9 PM, cover

Check 'em out . . .



And a reminder that Tony Furtado will be doing the last of this year's Sellwood Riverfront Park concerts on Monday at 6:30. Hope to see you there!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Upcoming weekend - the locals edition

On top of all of the traveling artists in town this week/weekend (see my post from Tuesday), here's some other choices for Thursday through Monday.

Thursday
For all you folks on the south side of the city, Stephanie Schneiderman is at the Bridgeport Village Concerts (map) , 6:30 PM, Free

Lauren Sheehan at the Muddy Rudder, 8 PM, Free

Lincoln Crockett & Chris Kokesh (of Misty River) at the Alberta Street Public House. 9 PM, $5

Morgan Grace at Kelly's Olympian. 9:30 PM, $5

Friday
This is opening night of the 3-day PDXPopNow! 2008 - the local music event of the weekend. Forty-eight bands beginning Friday at 6 PM, then all day Saturday and Sunday at Rotture (formerly Loveland) on 315 SE 3rd Ave (map). With bands spanning a cross section of styles, this all-ages festival, now in it's fifth year, is free. PDXPopNow! is a grassroots "volunteer-driven nonprofit organization dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and enhancing Portland’s vital and diverse music community." For instance, this year they spearheaded the successful effort to get the OLCC to change its some of its over-21 rules for music venues. Support the organization and go check out the music - a great opportunity to experience a lot of Portland music you probably haven't heard.

Seattle's Fleet Foxes are at Music Millennium at 6 PM and then at the Doug Fir Lounge. This band has a definite buzz - you might want to hear what it's about. 9 PM, $10

Casey Neill & the Norway Rats are at Fernhill Park (map), as part of the free music of the Parks & Rec Concert Series. 6:30 PM, Free

At the Press Club on SE Clinton will be the lovely and talented Miss Michael Jodell joined by the equally talented (but not quite as lovely) Matt Brown and Alan Hunter. Vocals by Michael, guitar by Matt, bass by Alan, enjoyment by all. 8:30 PM, Free

The always reliable and entertaining Lewi Longmire Band and Morgan Grace will be at Imbibe. 9:30 PM, Free

Saturday
Live Wire! radio will be taping at the Aladdin Theater. Music guests include Richmond Fontaine and Derby. 8 PM, $15

A fine jazz and blues singer, Tahoe Jackson, will be at Imbibe. 9 PM, Free

Piano Throwers (Scott Law, Tye North & Carleton Jackson) will be joined by Tony Furtado at the Goodfoot Lounge. 9 PM, cover

Sunday
Back in Portland for one of his visits from Nashville, Craig Carothers will host a songwriters in the round at the Kennedy School. 7:30 PM, $10

Monday
Tony Furtado Band will wind up the free music series at Sellwood Riverfront Park (map). This has been a great summer of Monday night music in one of the most picturesque locations in the city. 6:30 PM, Free

Weather's great, music's great . . . . time to get out of the house!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Emmylou Harris show

Wow . . .

Wow . . . did I already say that? Rather than be a babbling fool, here's some photos:

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

A REALLY busy week

Where to begin . . . this is just the BIG (as in the mostly non-locals) show edition . . . more local options tomorrow or Thursday . . .

Emmylou Harris at the Zoo tonight! . . . if you're even thinking of going, just do it. It will be a highlight of the summer. And she has one of my favorite guitar players (and a fine performer and songwriter himself), Colin Linden in the band. 7 PM, $24

Also tonight, Amelia is at the Classical Chinese Garden. Beautiful setting for one of the best bands in town. 7:30 PM, $18

On Wednesday, The Zombies will be at the Wonder Ballroom. With two of the founding members - Colin Blunstone (the voice) and Rod Argent (one of rock's alltime best keyboard players) - this band is still going strong after 47 years (they were teens when they began playing together)! Interesting timing on the heels of Ray Davies last week. 8 PM, $25

As noted in a previous post, Thursday's Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi Soul Stew Revival show scheduled for the Rose Garden Theater in the Clouds has been moved to the Crystal Ballroom. They did a knockout show last summer at the zoo, and in the smaller confines of the Crystal, this will be a sweaty, rockin' show. 9 PM, (door price not announced)

On Friday it's Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Zoo. Sharon is a funky, soulful dynamo who was thoroughly entertaining at her show at the Doug Fir last fall . . . New Orleans' Marc Broussard opens. 7 PM, $17

The Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival begins on Friday in Stevenson, WA. Acts include Peter Rowan, Tony Furtado and Bryan Bowers. $50 for the weekend or $15-20 per day. Camping available for $10-15 per night.

On Sunday, The Hold Steady will be at the Crystal Ballroom. 9 PM, $22
. . . and Lyle Lovett and his Large Band will be at the Edgefield. 7 PM, $69 / $37

Great options for spending your music budget this summer . . .

Monday, July 21, 2008

Good interview with Emmylou Harris

In preparation for her much awaited show at the zoo on Tuesday night, here's a long (55 min) but very good interview with Emmylou Harris. She talks about her new CD and her musical history . . . and does three songs. . . . Recorded at Barns & Noble last month in NYC as part of their One on One interview series.

This just in

The Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi show on Thursday has been moved from the Rose Garden to the Crystal Ballroom. This is a good move . . . . If you caught them at the zoo last year, you know this is going to be a really good show during a week of really good shows. Big music week . . . more later.

Here's an interview with Derek and Susan about their work together:

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Photos from Paul Thorn show at Sellwood Riverfront Park

For those of you who might be interested, here's a slide show of the first of the Sellwood Riverfront concerts on July 7th . . .

Saturday, July 19, 2008

A satisfying Friday

So I was planning a relaxing evening at the zoo with Los Lonely Boys and Los Lobos, but it turned into some much better. When Los Lobos finished their set at 8:20 - they've been alternating set times with Los Lonely Boys on their tour - I found a text message from my son Kevin inviting me over to the Crystal Ballroom (where he works) to see Ray Davies who was set to begin at 9. Hmmmm . . . I did want to see Ray, but had made the choice for a ticket to hear my absolutely favorite band instead. Choices . . . sometimes you can't do everything. But sometimes the stars line up just right . . . . and I could probably make it down to the Crystal before he hit the stage if the MAX schedule cooperated. Figured the boys wouldn't be lonely without me, so it was out of the zoo and into a seat at the Crystal just in time for Ray's opening number.

First, Los Lobos . . . wow . . . knowing that time was tight, they came out roaring and kept the energy high all the way through the set. The front of the stage was jammed and everyone was having a great time, including the band. How so many folks could just sit there listening on the lawn is a mystery to me. This is a band that always move me to move . . . and sing along (okay, maybe not in Spanish). When the band broke into Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away, they didn't even have to open their mouths, the audience was right there from the first note.

Ray Davies. Rock/songwriting icon. At 63 he's still the bouncing, engaging, enthusiastic entertainer I remembered . . . and he had an enthusiastic loving crowd to work with on Friday. Backed by a fine accompanying guitar player, Ray deliver a outstanding set of tunes that reached way back to early Kinks and featured his newer work from his last two CDs - Working Man's Cafe and Other People's Lives. He seemed to be having a wonderful time and had the audience singing along for much of the night (amazing how many people seem to know his entire catalog) . . . . What's also amazing to me is that after 44 years (since the "British Invasion") Ray still sounds great and his songs don't seem nostalgic . . . though a couple got me thinking about early teen years when I first heard music that now seems engrained in my DNA and hard to imagine a life without. Thanks Ray.

Now that was a satisfying Friday night.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Forgot one for Sunday

Doh! How could I forget to mention that Ringo Starr will be at Edgefield on Sunday. Well, it's sold out, but if you really want to go, take your chances picking up a ticket outside the gate.

Don Campbell of the Oregonian had this to say about Ringo:
What may be the most fun show of the season is Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band, July 20. Never one to let the grass grow under his well-heeled feet, the former Beatle annually convenes a few close friends for a rollicking barnstorm that usually has nothing to prove except that you're never too old to rock out. On the bus with him this year are -- get this -- former Men At Work singer Colin Hay, '80s rocker Billy Squier, Average White Band's Hamish Stuart, Edgar Winter, Gary "Dream Weaver" Wright and drummer Gregg Bissonette.

Ringo . . . fun . . . . sounds about right . . .

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Free CD from KINK

KINK is giving away a free sampler CD of local music . . . . called Plug In Portland, it will be available at places around the city beginning Thursday (today). Some good local artists on it to check out.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Lots of choices!

Couple of weeks of big shows in and around town . . .

Tonight
The terrific New York-based singer Catherine Russell is at the Zoo. Catherine sings blues, jazz, R&B, tin pan alley . . . a knockout voice and stylist - if you've never heard or heard of her, this is a great opportunity . . . 7 PM, $10.

Thursday
The Blasters are at Berbati's . . . 9 PM, $18

Ashleigh Flynn at Kruger's Farm Market on Sauvie Island . . . 6:30 PM, $10 per car

Friday
The number one show tonight is, of course, Toby Keith! Wait, did I just say that . . . sorry, what I meant to say was:

The legendary, amazing, and former Kink Ray Davies is doing a special acoustic show at the Crystal Ballroom. As Ray is a great storyteller with a huge catalog of songs (and a new CD to boot), I am sure this will be a most entertaining evening. David Bazan of Pedro the Lion opens. . . 8 PM, $52.50

Los Lobos & Los Lonely Boys will be at the Zoo . . . this could be one Los too many, but I'm thinking the boys will keep us entertained while we're waiting for the wolves . . . .who, for my money, are the absolute best performing band anywhere. Okay, I'm biased . . . so sue me. 7 PM, $25

Fernando is at the Laurelthirst. 9:30 PM, cover

It's the first night of the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival. Free jazz (as in no cost, not dissonant honking and tweeting) in a beautiful location below the St. Johns Bridge. Music starts at 6 PM on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. This is the 28th year of this fine event.

And out at Hornings Hideout in North Plains is the kickoff night of the Northwest String Summit. Three days of camping and bluegrass jams . . . grab your instruments and head on over - a lot of pickin' goin' on off the stage too. Ticket prices from $50 to $150 depending on how many days you attend.

Saturday
Aimee Mann is at the Aladdin Theater on tour supporting her new CD, Smilers. The new CD has received excellent reviews (some consider it her best solo effort to date). Blind Pilot opens. 8 PM, $35

Our best local rockabilly family band, Lisa & Her Kin will be at Duffs Garage. . . 9 PM, cover

Thad Beckman will be at the Muddy Rudder in Sellwood. 8 PM, Free

Sunday
Casey Neill & Jenny Conlee and Adam Shearer (of Weinland) do the 2nd of the Doug Fir's Pickin' on Sundays . . . 3 PM, free (I've edit this post, as I originally had last week's show posted for this week)


and next week . . .
Monday's Sellwood Riverfront Park show will be Cana Son, a fine Cuban band (6:30 PM)
Emmylou Harris at the Zoo on Tuesday the 22nd
Amelia at the Classical Chinese Garden also on Tuesday
Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi at the Rose Garden Theater in the Clouds on Thursday the 24th
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings at the Zoo on Friday the 25th
The Columbia Gorge Bluegrass Festival begins on Friday out in Stevenson, WA
The Hold Steady will be at the Crystal on Sunday the 27th
Lyle Lovett and his Large Band at the Edgefield on Sunday, too . . .

lots o' choices . . . . . get out and see some live music - and most of it outside in the glorious summer weather!

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Another great summer concerts list

The Portland free-things-to-do blog Around the Sun has a great post with a list of free summer concerts that extends the list I posted here. Amazing what summer has to offer in the greater Portland area. Get out and enjoy the music and fine summer weather!

Monday, July 7, 2008

Paul Thorn tonight at Sellwood Riverfront Park

Tonight we kick off our four Monday night shows at Sellwood Riverfront Park with Paul Thorn. Paul did a killer set at the Waterfront Blues Festival on Saturday . . . . You will love this guy - a heartfelt songwriter from Tupelo, Mississippi, who mixes blues, gospel, country and rock with an engaging, warm and funny stage presence. And how many performers do you know that were once ranked middleweights and went seven rounds with Roberto Duran? These days, Paul just knocks you out with his music. And his band will have you up and jumping - standout players, particularly guitarist Bill Hinds.

Music begins at 6:30 . . . there are food vendors at the park . . . come out, bring friends, bring kids . . . ride over on the Springwater Trail . . . it's going to be a great night.

The park is just north of the Sellwood Bridge on the east side - off SE Spokane St on the road to Oaks Amusement Park. Here's a map if you need it:


View Larger Map

See you there!

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Weekend picks other than the blues fest

Some good choices if you don't want to brave the crowds at waterfront . . . or the fest just isn't your thing . . .

Chris Thiele's (Nickel Creek) band, Punch Brothers, is at the Aladdin tonight. Adventurous music that touches on bluegrass, classical, jazz and folk with some absolutely stellar players. 8 PM, $20

Full night of music at the Laurelthirst with Lewi Longmire for his usual happy hour slot at 6 PM, followed by the Bingo Benefit at 9 PM, featuring Lewi, Billy Kennedy, Paul Brainard, the Pagan Jug Band and the Freak Mt. Ramblers. It's a benefit to help pay some health care costs for Kevin "Bingo" Richey, one of Lewi's long time musical partners.

Lewi is a busy guy (as usual) . . . tomorrow night (Friday) as part of Fernando's band for his show with the Nick Jaina Band over at the Doug Fir. Two of Portland's best songwriters for a cool evening of music. Warren Pash opens. 9 PM, $8

Thad Beckman will be at a cool little wine bistro in Multnomah Village - Sip D'Vine - from 6-9 PM on Friday. Acoustic blues and original songs by someone I've recently discovered and really enjoyed.

The effervescent Raina Rose will be back in town this weekend with two shows - on Saturday at the Laurelthirst with John Eliot (9:30 PM) and a house concert on Sunday at 7 PM with Mo Mack (folk singer/songwriter and her dad) at The Subud House (3185 NE Regents Dr).

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Rocking the Boat

My good friend, filmmaker Jay Curlee, will be in town this weekend to do a presentation at the Waterfront Blues Festival about the making of Rocking the Boat, a music performance documentary about Delbert McClinton. Mostly shot on Delbert's annual Sandy Beaches Cruise, it focuses on Delbert's long history as a songwriter and performer, and the outstanding musical performances by a variety of artists that come on his cruise to perform for 1200 friends and fans every January. Marcia Ball, Stephen Bruton, Jimmy Hall, Teresa James, Wayne Toups, Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, Paul Thorn, and Al Anderson are among the many performers you can see in the film.

Jay's presentation will be on the Workshop Stage on Saturday at 9 PM and the deluxe DVD version of the film will be available at the Music Millennium booth. Hope you can join us there!

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Waterfront Blues Festival starts on Thursday!

Summer in Portland is definitely here when the the stages and tents rise in the bowl on the waterfront and for four days the sound of blues, soul, swing and zydeco wafts over the river. Yes, festivals don't get much better than this - great music, mellow crowd and all for an outstanding cause - gathering food and money for the Oregon Food Bank.

So what does 10 bucks and a couple cans of food get you each day at the Waterfront Blues Festival? To start with, a variety of musical styles and performers - from national headliners to our stellar locals.

Jim's tips:

Besides a hat, sunscreen, drinking plenty of water, pacing your alcohol intake, and maybe bringing a low chair you can occasionally plop down in, here's my thoughts . . .

Thursday . . . definitely check out Austin's Carolyn Wonderland on the Credit Union stage at 6 pm. Word is she just tears it up. Flip a coin or go back and forth under the Hawthorne Bridge to catch sets by Joe Bonamassa (CU stage) and Trombone Shorty (A&E stage) at 8 pm. And the Miller Stage hosts a series of acts that focus on a tribute to Memphis Soul that culminates with Issac Hayes.

Friday . . . the A&E stage hosts the Journey to Memphis Finals all afternoon - check out the bands vying for a spot in this national blues artist competition. The stage will then host the annual harmonica blow off for all you harp heads. Definitely try to check out the guitar trio of Andrew 'Jr. Boy' Jones, Phillip Walker and Sherman Robertson doing a tribute to Freddie King on the Miller Stage at 3:45. Robertston was a highlight of the festival 3 years ago and this should be hot. The trio will also do a Gulf Coast guitar set on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday . . . as usual, Saturday brings Zydeco music and dancing all day at the A&E stage. The party starts at noon and doesn't stop until 11 pm. Rosie Ledet, Dikki Du, Cedyrl Ballou, and Chris Ardoin lay down some rockin' accordion and washboard all day. A little bit of bayou on the Willamette. Over at the CU and Miller Stages, check out the very solid evening of Eric Lindell, Duffy Bishop, Paul Thorn and Charlie Musselwhite.

Sunday . . . what might be the strongest single day's lineup brings the 2008 festival to a close with Ruthie Foster (don't miss her!), James Hunter, Arthur Adams, Phoebe Snow, and Curtis Salgado. The A&E stage will focus on Delta Roots music thought the afternoon and swing in the evening.

And always check out the Workshop Stage - this small shady little oasis hosts some wonderfully informal and intimate performances and demonstrations of music technique and styles. From boogie-woogie piano basics with David Vest, to blues and ragtime guitar styles with Mary Flower, to exploring the music of Louisiana with Steve Kerin . . . to my friend, Jay Curlee's presentation about making a music documentary about Delbert McClinton (more on this in a separate post) . . . these are great opportunities to listen, enjoy and maybe even learn a little.

The festival is also a great opportunity to check out some of our fine local acts that you might not have gotten around to seeing in a club (which might encourage you to do so in the future) - folks like Fiona Boyes, Joe McMurrian, Reggie Houston, Hillstomp, Mary Flower, The Insomniacs, Lauren Sheehan, Terry Robb, The Strange Tones, Lloyd Jones, DK Stewart, and many others are featured throughout the festival. Check 'em out and support our local scene!

There's also the river cruises - some are already sold out - that are great parties and chances to get very up close with the music. And there's after-hours shows at the Marriott Hotel (Mt Hood Room) and at the University Place Hotel in Rafati's Encore310 (310 SW Lincoln).

Finally, one of the major reasons this is such a great event is that it really is a community event that raises money and food for the Oregon Food Bank. OFB provides an essential service to those in need in this state and right now, due to the economy and rising fuel and food prices, they are in BIG need of strong community support. What they need most (besides $$$) is listed here. Note the list doesn't include that unopened box of candy that's been in your cupboard since last Christmas.

The best I can say is head down, grab a schedule and float between stages . . . . there will always be something tasty on which to feast your ears. And when you get a chance, thank the sponsors, organizers and dedicated crew that put this together every year - it wouldn't happen without them (or you, come to think of it - so thanks in advance for going!).

Maybe see ya there!