Monday, September 29, 2008

A question of value?

Anyone going to the Allison Krauss/Robert Plant show at the Rose Garden?

The tour has been getting great reviews and they have a stellar band that's lead by T-Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller. But this is an expensive show (by my calculations) with tickets (with service charges) topping out at about $150 for the better seats.

Which brings up questions about value and how we choose to spend our entertainment dollars . . . . When presented with the choice of buying a ticket for a very expensive show, my choice has been to pass . . . even for artists I try never to miss (ie, Springsteen) . . . even for projects that are musically right in my wheelhouse (like this one). There's a point where the value of the experience and the cost of the ticket just don't work for me.

Now, that doesn't always mean I don't go to the show. What it means is finding alternate ways of getting a ticket. For instance, for the Springsteen show (some of you know this) I just showed up at the Rose Garden and waited. Ended up with two great seats close to the stage on the 100 level for a total of $40 (5 times less than what folks around me paid). Does that make me creative or just a cheap bastard unwilling to give artists their fair market value?

What's your experience? Are there shows that you'll pay any amount to be part of? What goes into your decision?

Comment below. Please.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Fine, fine music . . . part 2

One more for tonight (Friday) -
From Luciana Lopez's blog was a reminder that tonight
"the Portland Jazz Orchestra tonight celebrates the life and music of saxophone giant John Coltrane, whose birthday was on Sept. 23." This is the opening concert for the 08-09 season for the ensemble and will be held at the Winningstad Theater in the Performing Arts Center. 7:30 PM, $25

Saturday

A multiple choice music test for Saturday.

Question: What show will I enjoy the most if I go?

A) My Morning Jacket finishes up the outdoor concerts at Edgefield. They are one of the current bands on the national scene with the biggest buzz. Deserving too. See what Jim James and the band are about. 6:30 PM (gates at 5), $30 advance/$35 door

B) Richard Shindell at the Alberta Street Pub. Both a fine songwriter and interpreter of others' work, Richard performed one of the best solo shows of 2007 at Mississippi Studios. Highly recommended! 7 PM, $18.50 advance, $22 door

C) McMenamins Oktoberfest at the Grand Lodge - lots of music all afternoon and evening, including headliner Fernando at 7 PM. (. . . and continues with a full day of music at the Edgefield on Sunday, along with a golf tournament and a plant sale). Free

D) The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue at the Aladdin with Tommy Castro, Magic Dick, Deanna Bogart, and Kenny Neal. The Aladdin will be rockin' with the tight blues and r&b of four powerful performers. Too much fun! 8 PM, $22

E) Calexico at the Crystal Ballroom. I've been wanting to see this band for a while. A band that incorporates the sounds and feel of the desert southwest in their music (they are from Tucson), they are touring to support their new and critically acclaimed release, Carried to Dust. 9 PM, $16

And the answer is . . . . . there is no wrong answer - just get to one of them!
(Bonus points for getting to more than one . . . )

Plus a few more to throw in the mix are Los Cowtones at Duff's Garage, Sneakin' Out at the Laurelthirst, and Dan Faelnle at Jimmy Maks.

Calexico's Two Silver Trees, from Carried to Dust:



Sunday
As mentioned above, the McMenamins Oktoberfest at the Edgefield - including Jackstraw, Hillstomp, Mary Flower, Kerosene Dream, The Strange Tones, and Fernando.

And two excellent evening shows -
The Duhks at the Aladdin. A recently revamped lineup and a new CD brings this Canadian band's compelling fusion of bluegrass, folk, cajun, and jazz to town. Should be fun. Chris Robley opens. 8 PM, $15

Rosie Flores and James Intveld will be at Duff's Garage. It's been too long since this country/rockabilly performer from Austin has passed through Portland. The double bill with Intveld should make for a great roots rock evening at Duff's. 9 PM, $10 (?)

And, more stuff (free mostly!) to do this weekend at Around the Sun.

Next week has some big shows coming through town . . . will have more on them soon.

Fine fine music . . . picks for the weekend and beyond

Yessiree . . . some very good options to satisfy your live music craving in the coming days . . .
This post has tonight and tomorrow. Later I'll post about Saturday and Sunday.

Thursday
Tonight there's Laura Love and Meg Hutchinson for an early show at the Alberta Street Pub. Great opportunity to hear Laura in a small venue setting. 7PM, $18

The Memphis Nymphs (a convergence of some of Portland's best roots/Americana players) is at the Laurelthirst. 9 PM . . . and of course it's Thursday, so it's Lewi Longmire for happy hour.

and, Lauren Sheehan (tonight with Strawberry Rune) is at the Muddy Rudder. 8:30 PM, free

Friday
Janis Ian is at the Aladdin. 8 PM, $25
Sassparilla is at the White Eagle. 9:30 PM

And remember . . . today begins the Portland Juggling Festival . . . how many balls can you keep in the air?

Friday, September 19, 2008

More for the weekend . . .

Covered Friday in my last post, now on to Saturday and beyond . . .

Slaid Cleaves will be at the Alberta Street Pub. Slaid is an impressive singer/songwriter and wonderfully personable performer (and though I say this about a lot of artists, a favorite of mine!). My friend Jess Byers is producing this one - check out show info at her Shining City Music site (and you should add yourself to her mailing list - she's got some great shows coming up this fall, including Richard Shindell next week). 8 PM, $18

It's the monthly taping of LiveWire Radio at the Aladdin Theater on Saturday night. Always a enjoyable melange of music, humor, thoughtful interviews, and assorted other sense and nonsense. Then the producers do a seriously good job putting it all together to air on OPB in a couple of weeks. Be part of the fun. 8 PM, $15

Mike Coykendall
and Friends are at Kelly's Olympian. The more I hear Mike, the more impressed I am with his songwriting and his band. Check 'em out. 10 PM, $5

An excellent Cuban band, Cana Son, is at Jimmy Maks. Playing traditional son music, this band drew 2000 folks to Sellwood Park this summer on a Monday night. Caliente! 8 PM, $10

It's a freaky weekend at the Laurelthirst, with the Freak Mountain Ramblers playing a 9:30 set on Saturday and back to their usual 6 PM happy hour show on Sunday.

And this being the last weekend of summer, why not catch some music outdoors . . .
Loch Lomond and a couple of other bands will be playing on the patio Saturday at the Doug Fir's Fir Fest music and art extravaganza. 5 PM, Free

It's a pirate thing going on at the annual Portland Pirate Festival Saturday and Sunday. Lots of music and pirate nonsense . . . check out the site for details. Arrrrr . . . .

. . . and on Sunday, it's another afternoon of the Lents Folk Festival at Lents Park (SE Holgate & 92nd). This week it's international day at the festival. 3 PM, Free

Friday music picks

Some solid choices for touring shows and locals tonight . . . my picks are . . .

Friday
Okkervil River is at the Crystal Ballroom on tour supporting their new recording, The Stand Ins, which is following up their critically acclaimed 2007 release, The Stage Names. My son turned me on to these guys last year and the band has a buzz for very good reasons. Check them out. 9 PM, $20

JJ Gray and Mofro
will be at Berbati's Pan. Gray's set of swamp soul was impressive last year at the Waterfront Blues Festival and is on tour supporting his new CD, Orange Blossoms. Hill Country Revue (a project of members of the North Mississippi Alstars) opens. 9 PM, $18

. . . and if you want a preview of Hill Country Revue, they'll be at Music Millennuim this afternoon at 5 PM for an in-store performance.

On the local front, the Joe McMurrian Quartet will at the Laurelthirst. 9:30 PM, $5
Added note: James Low (solo) is opening for Joe.

. . . and there's very cool show at the White Eagle with the Louisiana sounds of Atomic Gumbo and thefunk/jazz/hip-hop of Commotion. Atomic Gumbo is led by Kolvane's keyboard player Steve Kerin. Steve is a classically trained, New Orleans schooled piano player who reminds me a lot of Marcia Ball in his ability to channel a variety of piano styles that have their roots in the Crescent City. Commotion opens and is a project of local jazz pianist Ben Darwish. Come out and see two of Portlands best piano players in action. 9:30 PM, $6

More later about Saturday choices . . .

Thursday, September 11, 2008

More for the weekend

This is going to be quick (no links, times or cost) . . . . Aside from the Alejandro Escovedo's show at the Aladdin on Saturday and KMHD's Rooftop Ruckus on Sunday that I covered in separate posts, here's a few more you might want to check out. Venue links are on the right . . . just scroll down.

Friday
Willie Porter is at the Aladdin Theater.
The Insomniacs are at Duff's Garage.

Saturday
Linda Hornbuckle & Janice Scroggins are doing a CD release show at Jimmy Maks. This should be really fine.

Monday
Squeeze @ Wonder Ballroom

Gotta run . . . . but if you're going to the Alejandro Escovedo show at the Aladdin on Saturday, I'll be at The Lamp (the Aladdin's restaurant) around 6:15 if you want to meet me there.

KMHD's Rooftop Ruckus

It's going to be a fun afternoon and evening on the roof of Jax Bar on Sunday as KMHD holds a listener party celebrating their top rated program, River City Juke Joint.

Besides being a fundraiser for KMHD, the three acts are all contributors to Firewater!, the new Portland blues compilation that is intended to raise awareness of some of the great young blues artists who are based in Portland, and to contribute to funding the Paul DeLay Scholarship at Ethos Music (10% of CD sales goes to the scholarship fund).

Performances will be by Rollie Tussing, Colin Lake & Wellbottom, and Kolvane.

Tickets are $10 and available at Music Millennium and online at KMHD.FM or call the KMHD Development office at 503-491-7271.

Hope to see you there!

Alejandro Escovedo @ Aladdin on Saturday

I am making a special mention of this show, as it's coming with my recommendation as the 'must see' show of the coming weekend.

I can't say enough about Alejandro Escovedo. Music writer Dave Marsh has said, "Other than Bruce (Springsteen), he's the best live artist I know." No Depression magazine gave him their "Musician of the Decade" award in 1998. He is one of the most intense and passionate performers you will ever encounter.

He's touring in support of his latest CD, Real Animal, a work that musically traces his career and influences. It's been called the best of his nine studio releases (my vote on that is still his brilliant and moving Gravity). Here's a good capsule review.

Here's a performance from this year's JazzFest in New Orleans:


. . . and the video that more people have probable seen than have ever attended his shows - doing his Always a Friend with Bruce Springsteen:



Here is a link to Dave Marsh's excellent article on Escovedo from the Austin Chronicle. It's a long but worthwhile read to understand the life, career and music of an artist who's flown under the radar of most of us.

With the wonderful Carrie Rodriguez opening (and playing violin with Alejandro's band), this will be a night not to miss. Really.

Hope to see you there . . . 8 PM, $20

Saturday, September 6, 2008

More music for Sunday

Couple of shows to recommend for Sunday -

There's still free music in Portland's parks - check out the Lents Folk Festival that happens this Sunday at 3 PM (and for a couple more Sundays) in Lents Park. This week has ragtime from Henry & Moggy, acoustic blues from Kinzel & Hyde and Mary Flower, and folksinger Tom May. Lents Park is at SE 92nd Ave & Holgate. 3 PM, Free

Just reading Peter Ames Carlin's article in this morning's Oregonian about Brian Wilson and his show at Roseland. Dug out my copy of Pet Sounds and thought about the Beach Boys, Wilson and what an amazing contribution he made to American popular music. Brilliant stuff . . . and it sounds like his new CD, That Lucky Old Sun, and tour are fine contributions to his musical legacy. . . 8 PM, $35


Brian Wilson doing California Girls

Friday, September 5, 2008

More weekend music . . .

So beyond the festivals I mentioned yesterday, here's some other choices . . .

Friday
Bill Evans Soulgrass featuring Sam Bush at the Aladdin. High energy jazz/bluegrass fusion from the innovative Grammy-winning saxophonist and singer . . . 8 PM, $25

Freak Mt Ramblers at Imbibe . . . 9:30 PM, Free

Saturday
A fine place to spend the evening (if not running around town for MusicFestNW) is the comfy confines of the Laurelthirst for a evening that begins with the Little Sue Band for happy hour (free from 6-8), and then the outstanding triple bill of Miss Michael Jodell, Mike Coykendall, and the James Low Band. Pace yourself and you'll be in for a long and rewarding evening of music . . . 9:30 PM, $5

Lisa & Her Kin and Wheatfield at Duff's Garage . . . 9:30 PM, $5 (?)

BTW . . . one more festival going on this weekend is up in Washington is the Sunbanks Rhythm & Blues Festival. It's a long drive up to the Grand Coulee Dam, but this is a pretty cool blues festival.

Think I'll be trying to hit the Muddy Boot fest on Saturday afternoon and take in the evening at the Laurelthirst . . . maybe see you there!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

More music tonight

So here's a few shows that you might want to throw into the mix if you're considering music out tonight . . .

Reina Collins & the Saloonatics are at the Kennedy School - an all ages show. 7 PM, Free

Colin Lake & Wellbottom will be playing the White Eagle. 9:30 PM, Free

And, my friend Rich Blatt is doing a happy hour show at the Icebreaker Store (right across 11th Avenue from Powell's on West Burnside) from 5 - 7 PM. Check him out - he's a pretty good songwriter and singer and just getting into performing in Portland.

One more festival this weekend

Missed one in the last post . . . Jazz at Newport . . . check it out if you feel like heading to the coast.

Festive festival weekend

This seems to be a weekend for a variety of festivals around town (and out) that provide possibly the widest entertainment options on any weekend of the summer. Links below with very few comments . . . check out the sites and pick something to do . . . . in a few weeks, outdoor music will have to wait about 8 months. So, pick a festival . . . . looks like the weather will cooperate, too!

MusicFestNW - next to the Waterfront Blues Festival, this is biggest local music event with performing artists split between locals and touring bands. It got started last night and runs through Saturday, so dip a toe or immerse yourself . . . show recommendations and more about the festival here and here. Pick up a Willamette Week for more too . . .

Sisters Folk Festival - a great festival in a beautiful setting . . . wish I was going (but I say this every year)

The Muddy Boot Organic Festival - the music lineup for Saturday and Sunday looks like an all-star week at the Laurelthirst. And what can be more Portland than organic and sustainable living?

Portland RiverFest's South Waterfront Day (schedule) - if you've never checked out the south waterfront neighborhood, this would be a good introduction.

Widmer Brothers' 4th Annual Octoberfest - beer, German food and music (including polkas)

Hempstalk - um, I'm forgetting just why I'm mentioning this one . . . .

Also should mention that today kicks off PICA's Time Based Art Festival - a pretty unique arts event that goes on for the next ten days. Here's the schedule.

Will post separately on music choices beyond the festivals . . . there's a couple worth noting.