Richard Julian on Sunday

Richard Julian, solo
http://www.richardjulian.com/
http://www.myspace.com/richardjulian
Sunday, August 31st, 8 PM
The Cave (636 SW Jackson - at the Green Onion restaurant, on the corner of SW Broadway in PSU neighborhood)
Tickets: $10 at the door, all ages welcome

Richard has been edging into my list of favorite songwriters and performers . . . and he'll be here on Sunday at The Cave.

If you have no other plans for the middle evening of Labor Day Weekend, you really should come out and join me at the show. Yes, I'm trying to build an audience for this one, as I've taken an interest in giving him a hand growing his audience when he swings through the northwest.

Here's a link to my previous post about the show . . .

And here's another video of Richard in performance in NY . . .



This interview was taped at KINK last time he was in town . . . .



Hope to see you at The Cave on Sunday night!

Two more free shows early this week

My post about the Mingo Fishtrap show elicited a couple of recommendations that I completely agree are going to be great shows this week -

On Tuesday in Kenton Park is the 2nd annual Kentonstock with music from 6 - 8 PM by the Lewi Longmire Band. This community event will be held in Kenton Park in North Portland. Free

The final Wednesday Music on Main concert (downtown - Main St at Broadway) will be the wonderful acoustic blues guitarist and vocalist Mary Flower, with support by soulful saxman Reggie Houston and keyboardist extrodinare Janice Scroggins - three of Portland's best and favorites of mine. Reggie and Mary have been collaborating for a while and it's nice to see them work Janice's fine piano into the mix. 5 PM, Free

Free summer outdoor music is winding down . . . get out and enjoy it while you can . . .

Tail shakin' funk in Lake O!

Not possible you say? But yes it will be when those purveyors of funk and soul, Mingo Fishtrap, make a stop at Westlake Park in Lake Oswego on Wednesday night. This Austin-based band just tears it up with a powerful horn-driven sound . . . think Tower of Power. I first heard these guys on Delbert's cruise four years ago, and they've been invited back every year since. They are growing a fan base all over the country and are back for their annual summer swing through the northwest that culminates next Sunday with a big show in Bend at the Les Schwab Ampitheater.

Don't miss this band . . . it's is going to be a ton of fun on a late summer evening . . . 6:30 PM, free
Directions to Westlake Park

Here's a clip of them from Jay Curlee's film Rocking the Boat:




yeah . . . we want the funk, gotta have the funk . . .
See ya there!

Sunday

Lazy, lazy, lazy . . . but why not as August begins to wind down and we begin the slide to September, school daze, autumn leaves, the holidays (wait, wait . . . getting a little ahead of myself).

So while I'm taking in a baseball game on Sunday in Seattle (okay it is between two of the worst teams this year in the American league . . . but at day at the ballpark beats a lot of other options easy), you should maybe check out the Vancouver Wine and Jazz Festival. It's been going on since Friday at Esther Short Park in the 'Couve with some fine music, food, wine, and vibe. It's finishing up Sunday with The Gospel Hummingbirds, Rita Coolidge, John Pizzarelli and The Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Pizzarelli has become one of my favorite jazz singers, but is also a wonderful guitar player (his dad is the jazz guitar great Bucky Pizzarelli). When it comes to interpreting the Great American Songbook, there's few better. Preservation Hall brings traditional New Orleans style jazz to the festival. This is music born early in the last century and some of the band members have been playing it for six or seven decades . . . . music starts at 11 AM and goes until 9 PM. $25 for the day.

If you're staying closer to Portland, you might want to check out the Lents Folk Festival in Lents Park (SE 92nd & Holgate) with Misty River, Anne Weiss and Chico Schwall & Dick Weissman. Music begins at 2 PM and is free. More summer outdoor music in a Portland park.

If I get back from the game in time I might try to catch the Lissa Schneckenberger Trio show at the Alberta Street Pub. Great opportunity to catch this world-class New England fiddler. 8PM, $12

Buckwheat Zydeco tonight @ the Aladdin

Feets gotta move . . .

Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural will be playin' up a Zydeco storm at the Aladdin tonight. Shake off the rain and shake those tail feathers . . . 8 PM, $20

Luciana Lopez of the Oregonian put a cool video of Buckwheat Zydeco on her blog this morning.

Here's another for ya . . .

Richard Julian @ The Cave on Aug 31

I'm a little early with this one, but want to get it on your radar. I'll send another reminder next week. This is a show I'd like to get as many folks out to as I can, as it's a show I've helped set up . . . but more importantly, I think it's going to be a wonderfully entertaining evening of music.

Richard Julian, one of New York's finest singer/songwriters is coming to Portland for performance in the intimate confines of The Cave on Sunday, August 31st at 8 PM. Insightful, observant, smart and wry are just a few of the adjectives used to describe Julian's songwriting . . . enthusiastic fans of his work include Randy Newman, Bonnie Raitt and Norah Jones (with whom he performs as a member of The Little Willies). Possessing both fine voice and guitar chops, his tunes incorporate folk, jazz, country and blues influences. This is a very special opportunity to hear not only a great songwriter, but a warm and engaging performer.

Tickets at the door are $10. The Cave is one of Portland's newest and coolest venues and is located on the campus of Portland State University below the Green Onion restaurant at the corner of SW Jackson and Broadway. Seating at The Cave is limited and they don't sell advance tickets. Richard sold out Mississippi Studios the last time he visited in February, so get there early.

Here's a video of Richard at Joe's Pub in NYC:



BTW . . . when I was in NY earlier this month, the only show I got out to was Richard and The Little Willies at the Living Room. I've been slow, but I'll post some thoughts about the show and a couple of photos soon . . .

Carolyn Wonderland Wednesday night in Hood River

A free street dance will be held in Hood River Wednesday with Austin, Texas singer/songwriter/guitar slinger Carolyn Wonderland. This all-ages show will be in the parking lot on the corner of Fourth and Oak St. and music goes from 7 to 10 pm.

Currently on a U.S. tour, “The renegade Wonderland likes to incorporate elements of blues, country, swing, zydeco, surf, gospel, and soul into the musical mix." If you saw her at the blues festival last month, you know this show will rock. Definitely worth the drive out to Hood River.

A show for Sunday

Michael Jodell reminded me of a good choice for staying cool on Sunday night . . .

Pilar French, Eve's Dilemma (CD release), and Michael Jodell and the Dim Sons at the Doug Fir . . . 9 PM, $6

A HOT weekend with a couple of cool shows . . . .

So how hot is it? It's so hot, (fill in the blank) . . . .

Hey . . . no complaining . . . it's just the weather!

Getting to the point . . . .
Friday marks the return of the Mt Hood Jazz Festival to the campus of Mt. Hood Community College . . . . and even more good news is that most of the event is free. Tonight and tomorrow evenings' concerts are ticketed - the Benny Green Trio and Diane Schuur tonight; Joey DeFrancesco on Saturday. 8 PM, $30 (or $50 for both shows).

Music on Saturday and Sunday begins around 10 AM and goes until early evening. Check out the schedule, brave the heat and enjoy the sounds!

Also tonight, you might want to check out the 2nd night of Dave Gonzalez at Duff's Garage (see yesterday's post). Last night absolutely rocked. Dave has a great band of "friends" supporting his tour as a tribute to Chris Gaffney, including Chris Miller on guitar. Lisa & Her Kin open tonight's show. 9 PM, $10

Saturday's choices include Fernando at the Laurelthirst. 9:30, $5 . . . you could even get there for happy hour and see Little Sue and Lynn Conover do their weekly thing. 6 PM, free

The Thad Beckman Trio will be at Halibut's. 8 PM, free . . . Thad's a busy guy this weekend - this is one of four chances you have to see him between tonight and Sunday.

Devin Phillips and New Orleans Straight Ahead will be at Jimmy Maks. 8 PM, $12

And if you're looking for something fun on Saturday afternoon, it's Music Millennium's Customer Appreciation BBQ from 11 AM to 6 PM at NE 32nd & Burnside. Food and prizes for everyone.

Chill somewhere!

Great show tonight at Duff's

The StrangeTones and Dave Gonzalez . . . . 9 PM, $10

From Duff's Garage website:

Dave Gonzalez of the Hacienda Brothers will be touring this summer to celebrate the life of his friend and musical partner Chris Gaffney. The touring will be difficult yet cathartic for Gonzalez. There hasn't been a tour in the past six years, since his days in the Paladins, that Gaffney hasn't been there right by Gonzales' side. Yet there is no better way to honor the memory of Chris than to go out and play to the audience that loved him so. This will be a chance for all of Chris' friends and fans to gather and pay tribute to one of the greatest American music performers of the past 20 years. Gonzalez will also be out supporting the release of the last studio album from the Hacienda Brothers, titled Arizona Motel.

Dave will also be playing at Duff's on Friday night with Lisa & Her Kin opening.

Here's a short interview from Fresh Air with Gonzalez and Gaffney.

The week ahead

This week finds me headed to NY with a couple of possible music activities in the vacation mix. Short stay, but some needed relaxing.

That said, this is going to be short . . . check out other good sources - Willamette Week, Oregonian, the OPB music blog, etc . . . . links to the right. And check the summer park show schedules throughout the area - links are here and here.

A few things I'll note are:

• Dirty Martini is doing a free noon show at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday.
• Miller's Cave (Chris, Ian and Lisa Miller as a trio!) will be at the White Eagle for happy hour on Thursday.
• Amelia and Jim Brunberg at the Kruger Farm Market Thursday concert series on Sauvie Island.
• It's a Freak Mountain Ramblers Freak Fest! weekend at the 7th annual Americana Music Festival at the McMenamin's Grand Lodge in Forest Grove. Runs Thursday through Saturday. A definite groovy time to be had by all.
  
• Weinland at the Doug Fir on Friday night.
• The Bite of Oregon all weekend at Waterfront Park . . . great music choices - predominantly locals this year, but including (former local) Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry on Sunday afternoon . . . with Paula Sinclair opening for them. Fine music.
• Also Sunday afternoon is James Low and Michael Dean Damron at the Doug Fir's Pickin' on Sunday series.
• Up from Texas, Reckless Kelly will be at the Doug Fir on Monday night.
  

Enjoy your weekend!

It's the weekend . . .

Some quick thoughts for Saturday and Sunday . . .

Saturday
Three days of the Pickathon Roots Music Festival began Friday . . . check out the strong lineup for the 10th year of this event and head out to Pendavis Farm. Music on five stages that begins in the morning and runs into the wee hours. Daily tickets still available. Definitely worth checking out. Saturday $75, Sunday $65

The Imprints and James Low (with band) are at the Laurelthirst at 9:30 PM. Five bucks gets your two great bands - way more than your money's worth. Come ready to have fun be out late.

A big plate of New Orleans funk is on the menu at Roseland with Papa Grows Funk, Big Sam's Funky Nation and the Devin Phillips Band. We want the funk . . . gotta have the funk. Hot, sweaty and funky . . . did we say funky . . . yeah it's gonna be funky. 9 PM, $13

This is the first evening of 15 days of free music at the Rose Garden Amphitheater at Washington Park. This is part of Portland Parks & Rec summer music series. Here's the full schedule (scroll down for Washington Park). 6 PM, Free

And if you're down at the Farmer's Market around 11 AM or so, Keith Greeninger w/Dayan Kai will be performing. Fine songwriter with an outstanding guitar player. Free

Sunday
The Stolen Sweets are performing at Millennium Park in Lake Oswego. 6 PM, free

Another park show in Beaverton is the Keith Greeninger Trio at Kaiser Woods Park. 6 PM, free

Matt the Electrician is up from Austin and at the Alberta Street Pub . . . fine songwriter and performer from that other city with some really fine songwriters and performers. 8 PM, $10

Enjoy!