Saturday, January 31, 2009

Monday is BUY-IN DAY at Music Millennium

Hey everyone . . .

As I've mentioned in a previous post, Music Millennium was hit hard by our economic meltdown and the horrible weather (for shopping anyway) in December, which is usually their busiest month. Some friends and fans of the store have organized a Buy-In day for Monday, Feb 2. So stop by and commit to spending at least $5 at the store. If you can't get there on Monday, any day this week would be great . . . just get out and buy something there!

Here's more about the campaign from the Oregonian's music editor, Luciana Lopez.

If you're on Facebook, here the link to the event.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Weekend picks

Besides the Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings show on Friday, what else looks promising? Let's gaze through the crystal ball(room) and see what comes into focus . . . (cue appropriately spooky/dreamy music).

Thursday
The New Iberians are doing a CD release show at the Laurelthirst for their new recording Bon Temp Rouge. These guys definitely channel some good time Cajun and New Orleans vibes. And if you miss them here, you can catch them at O'Connor's Vault on Friday. 9:30 PM, $5

Friday
The previously mention Sharon Jones will be at the Crystal Ballroom. See you there. 9 PM, $23

There's a Neil Young Tribute at Dante's with Minus 5, the Lewi Longmire Band, and a host of guests . . . 9:30 PM, $10

The Clampett Family and Celilo will be at the Laurelthirst. 9:30, $5

The Freak Mountain Ramblers will be rockin' at Duff's . . . 9:30, $??

Saturday
Fine show at the Mission Theater with a CD release show (there have been a slew of these!) for the Midnight Serenaders' new recording, Sweet Nothings. Supporting them on the bill is one of Portland's favorites, The Stolen Sweets. Outstanding double bill of bands playing timeless sounds of earlier times . . . 9 PM, $12

Some of the city's most innovative progressive jazz sounds can be found tonight at the Goodfoot Lounge with Blue Cranes. They are supporting an appearance by Seattle composer, pianist and electronic musician Wayne Horvitz and his Sweeter Than The Day quartet. This is going to be a very cool show. 9 PM, $ ?? (going to guess $10 or so)

It's a veritable string summit at the White Eagle with Missoula's Tom Catmull & the Clerics and Broken Valley Road Show joining forces with Portland's Chickweed and Whiskey Puppy. Info on the show and bands here. The Eagle will be flyin' high tonight . . . 9 PM, $10

Singer/songwriter Andrew Calhoun will be at the Alberta Street Pub. Andrew is also touring next week at various McMenamins locations. 7 PM, $10

And there's a Irish Jam going on at the Muddy Rudder. Sounds tasty! 8 PM, free

Pick something and get out to live music!

Monday, January 26, 2009

The week ahead

So . . . in a serious attempt to give everyone a bit more notice on upcoming events, I'm going to try to consistently post both early and mid-week with my picks . . . So here's a few shows to get on your radar.

Al Di Meola came to prominence as the young lightning fast jazz guitarist with the band Return to Forever. Over the years he's grown into a multifaceted player who is immersed in what is considered "world music". Here's more on Al from Lynn Darroch of the Oregonian . . . . This will be a great show on Tuesday at the Aladdin. 8PM, $35

Guess this is the season for awards shows . . . even in Portland. On Thursday night you might want to participate in the annual celebration of Portland music, the Portland Music Awards, being held at the Crystal Ballroom. Here's the description from the event's website:

"This star studded televised Grammy-style event will feature performances from over a dozen musical acts and 22 awards presented by local celebrities. This year is hosted by none other than the lovely Chloe Houser of PDX TV and comedian Auggie Smith. Music will feature the likes of Floater, March Fourth Marching Band, Mel Brown with Ben Darwish, Tea For Julie, Debra Arlyn, Keegan Smith, Morgan Grace, Aaron Meyer, Idle Poet, Acoustic Minds, Echo Helstrom, Bobby Torres, and Buoy LaRue." 7 PM, $25

If you've never seen Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, you really should get to the Crystal on Friday night . . . if you like old-school style soul, funk and R&B, this is the show to catch. Sharon is on-stage dynamo and consummate entertainer. 9 PM, $23

Friday, January 23, 2009

Los Lobos and more . . .

The show I'm looking forward to this weekend is without question Los Lobos tonight at the Aladdin (8 PM . . . sold out, but show up if you want to go - there should be a few tickets available out front). For me this is a can't miss show. . . . Though billed as an acoustic evening, there'll be no lack of electricity. My favorite band of the last 25 years. Period.

But other shows that are a good bet for high entertainment value include . . .

Friday
If you don't have tickets to Los Lobos, I'd head over to the White Eagle for the Joe McMurrian Quartet CD release show. Joe's intense picking, slide work and smoky vocals backed by a killer rhythm section makes for some of the best music in town . . . these guys will be rockin' the Eagle. 9:30 PM, $6

Or catch the Devin Phillips Quartet at the intimate jazz club, The Cave. The quartet features not only the fine sax playing of Phillips, but also head Cave-man Alan Jones on drums. Sparks gonna fly! 8 PM, $5

For something completely different, the Shanghai Woolies will be playing their hot jazz sounds of the 20's and 30's at Tony's Starlight Supperclub & Lounge. I have heard great things about their shows. 8 & 10 PM, $10 and reservations are recommended.

Saturday
My show pick for the night is Fernando and Amelia at the Doug Fir Lounge . . . . Fernando will be releasing his new CD, True Instigator, for free via download on his website on February 1. Come out and hear some of his great new tunes - I've had a pre-release preview and am loving what I'm hearing. There'll be a big CD release show on Feb 13, but this is a great opportunity to hear the band performing songs from the new release. Sharing the bill is Amelia, another of Portland's best bands, and fronted by the lovely voice of Teisha Helgerson. They only perform occasionally these days, so don't miss your opportunity to catch them. 9 PM, $12

For a more neighborhood pub kind of evening, Thad Beckman will be doing a solo show at the Muddy Rudder in Sellwood. If you haven't been over yet, this would be a fine night to grab a pint and a slice, and hear some great music. 8 PM, Free

Sunday
It's the annual Free-For-All at the Crystal Ballroom - this year to celebrate its 95th birthday. From noon-ish until late, there'll be music to tickle almost any taste from some of the best of our musically diverse city . . . . . Come out and join the celebration.

Get out to a show! I know I'll see some of you tonight at the Aladdin.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Friday and Saturday

Some quick picks for the weekend . . .

Friday
The wonderful violin and vocals of Carrie Rodriguez will grace the stage of the Doug Fir. After getting off the road with Alejandro Escovedo (absolutely fantastic in his band), this Austin-raised, Brooklyn-based songwriter is out with her band and a new CD, She Ain't Me. Her previous CD, Seven Angels on a Bicycle, was one of my favorites of '06 . . . . 9 PM, $14

A full evening of local songwriters begins at the White Eagle with Paula Sinclair at 5:30 and then the Rob Barteletti and Friends Songwriters Showcase at 8:30. Both free

Loque Le Monde, a more hushed version of Loch Lomond (is that possible) will be at the Press Club. Drift away on lovely sound . . . might want to wear you PJs and have someone tuck you in. 8:30 PM, cover ?

For something a wee bit more rockin', Floater and King Black Acid are at the Crystal. 9 PM, $18

. . . and for those of you who don't mind a little commute or live across the river, The Troublemakers will be at the Cascade Bar & Grill in Vancouver. 9 PM, cover?

Saturday
Two bands with some of the best buzz in Portland - Blind Pilot and Loch Lomond (busy band this weekend) will be at the Aladdin. It's sold out, but you really want to go, show up and be patient. 8 PM, $12

Los Cowtones bring their toe-tappin' take on country and western swing ala Bob Wills, Lefty Frizell, Patsy Cline to Duff's Garage. Whole lotta fun. 9:30 PM, cover ?

. . . and Cana Son will have everyone dancing at Jimmy Maks. The group focuses on popular Cuban son music from the turn of the last century through the nineteen fifties. 8 PM, $10

Get out to some live music! Good for the body, good for the soul . . .

Preview M. Ward's new CD

Okay . . . I must need the distraction today, but this is my third post and I still haven't gotten around to my weekend recommendations . . .

You can listen to all of M. Ward's new CD, Hold Time, by going to this NPR story. Definitely check it out if you have time . . . I've been listening and it sounds great . . . and it won't be released for another month.

BTW, Ward's March 7th show at the Aladdin is sold out, but they've added a 2nd show on the 8th. Better hurry if you want to go.

Mississippi Studios . . . almost time!

The renovated Mississippi Studios is almost ready. There's still a lot of hammering, painting, etc to do, but the long awaited reopening isn't far away. Many of you know that I've had a pretty special (to me anyway) relationship with the venue over the last four years and I am so excited that it will be back - a little larger, but with character intact. I could muse a bunch about the economics of a small venue and what it takes to run one efficiently and profitably. It's a tough thing to do while respecting both the performers and the audience in a way that creates the best experience for both. Creating that experience is what Mississippi Studios means to me. Yeah, the old seats might have been a little uncomfortable and the way in through the restaurant was a little strange . . . but there was no better sounding room, no more attentive staff, so more intimate experience of the music and artist (besides maybe your living room) than at the studio.

It was never about the "scene," where half the audience is ignoring the music and chit-chatting like they haven't been out of the house in years. This was about making connection with the music and the artist. Artists got that. You don't know how many times I heard - from local and touring musicians alike - that it was their favorite place to play. A place where they were never more than 50 feet from the entire audience of rapt listeners. Not that on some nights it couldn't be raucous . . . the place often was rockin', but it was always about the music.

I am hoping and expecting that will continue. I am encourage that Jim Brunberg made the move of adding Alicia Rose, late of the Doug Fir, to the team that will book and run the place. Though not my favorite room (particularly for the whole scene thing and too much audience inattention to the music), the Doug Fir has had a pretty adventurous booking style.

So go to the site and check out the first music show. It will be Dave Alvin with special guests on Valentines Day. Can't think of a better artist to get things rolling . . . . I suggest you get your tickets ASAP and be part of "blessing" the renovation.

Vote for your favorites at KINK

KINK-FM needs listeners to vote for local artists to include on their second Local CD Sampler - you have to register (pretty painless, and there are a few good perks) and you can vote (only once) for three, but what the heck - you can also include your favorite song of the artist. Wish I could vote for more, as there are a lot of deserving artists on our scene, but mine went to: James Low (song: Before You Let Me Down), Casey Neill (song: Beautiful Night), and Ashleigh Flynn (song: Knock on Wood) . . . . I think it's tough to pick a single song, let alone only 3 artists, but those were my in-the-moment decisions.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Joey DeFrancesco tonight at Jimmy Mak's

One of the best jazz organ players on the planet, Joey DeFrancesco, will be at Jimmy Mak's for one show tonight at 8:30 PM. This is a once in a year opportunity to see one of the very finest . . . . $30 at door.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Two more for Sat & Sun

Lisa and Her Kin are at Duff's tonight . . . and it will be plenty of kin, with brother Chris Miller joining in for a set of his own. Let's go honky tonkin' . . . 9:30 PM, cover

Tomorrow is a special blues show fundraiser for the Cascade Blues Association. There's a all star lineup of local blues artists. Check out the details at the CBA site. It will be held at the Refectory, 1618 NE 122nd Ave from 5 - 11 PM. $10 suggested minimum donation.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Buy some music!

It's been a tough season for our local independent music retailers . . . our tanking economy and the December snow dealt them two pretty heavy body blows in what should have been their best retail month of the year. So go out and spend some cash (think of it as targeted economic stimulus). I'll be making a trip to my favorite, Music Millennium, this weekend to do my part. Hope you can too!

Shows for Thursday and Friday

Think I've been a bit distracted lately and getting back in the swing of publishing my show recommendations has been a little challenging . . . but here's some good choices for the next few days:

Thursday
Busy music night in Portland . . .

Lauren Sheehan will be at the Muddy Rudder . . . . always a warm and enjoyable show - hardly strictly vintage folk-Americana, as Lauren calls it - in a great Sellwood neighborhood spot. 8 PM, Free, but feed the hungry tip jar

Another of Portland's excellent singer/songwriters, Thad Beckman, is playing with his fine trio at O'Connors in Multnomah Village. 6:30 PM, $5

The Blue Cranes and Celilo will be at the Doug Fir. BC is gaining the reputation as one of Portland's most innovative jazz bands. 9 PM, $7

Steve Kerin will be playing the theater organ at the Chapel Pub. This New Orleans schooled piano player can tickle and pound the keys with the best of them. 7:30 PM, free

And you can really get your New Orleans on at the Mission Theater tonight with the Rebirth Brass Band who are celebrating their 25th anniversary this year . . . Mardi Gras isn't too far off . . . Yeah you right! . . . 10 PM, $18



Friday
A most excellent triple bill at the Doug Fir - Casey Neill and the Norway Rats are headlining, but don't miss The Taciturns or Ashleigh Flynn . . . . think this is where I'll spend my Friday evening. 9 PM, $12

And, what's becoming a tremendously popular winter event in Portland, the RiverCity Bluegrass Festival begins three days of music (and not just bluegrass) at the Oregon Convention Center with an outstanding assortment of both local and national touring artists. Workshops and jams too! Individual day, evening or full festival tickets available.

. . . a few more thoughts for Saturday and Sunday coming soon . . .

Friday, January 2, 2009

A couple of shows tonight

For Jan 2 . . .

The James Low Band will be doing the happy hour show at the Laurelthirst. Let's welcome James and company back to regular gigs at the 'Thirst. He'll be holding down the first Friday of the month for some months to come. See you there. 6 PM, free (but feed the hungry tip jar!)

Lewi Longmire and band will be at Biddy McGraws. Rock out and on . . . . 9:30 PM, $ ??

Colin Lake & Wellbottom, Alex Weed and Kolvane will be blues rockin' Dante's in a Firewater! CD showcase show. Firewater! was one of my favorite local releases of 2008. 9:30 PM, $6

Welcome to 2009

Yes . . . we've entered the new year. I've been quiet through the holidays - shoveling out of our little weather event, hosting a holiday party, and dealing with the sudden shock of loosing my job on the 23rd when the software company I worked for had the plug pulled by their investors. Thank you, Merry Christmas, goodbye and good luck.

So my 2009 posts begin, not with a show recommendation, but to share with you a tuneful review of the year past (with thanks to a friend who sent me this today) . . .



So Happy New Year dear readers (all 2 or 3 of you) . . . . Will be posting some recommendations for the weekend ASAP . . .