Thursday, May 28, 2009

Winding down May

For me this looks like a relatively quiet weekend . . . think it's the lull before the always busy summer. I'll preview that soon . . . .

Thursday
If compelling singer songwriters are what floats your boat (yes, I do often paddle around that lake) . . . two great choices tonight are Edie Carey at the Alberta Street Pub (7 pm, $15 ) and Luka Bloom at Mississippi Studios (9pm, $25).

I saw Edie Carey last night at a house concert and was really taken with her songs, voice, and engaging stage presence - she's a really delightful performer and I highly recommend checking her out. Janette Kaden opens.

For 30 years, Luka Bloom has been exploring the intersections of genres and styles through his uncompromising songwriting and performing. One of those artists you just really should see. And tonight is your opportunity. Birdie Busch opens.

Of course, if it's Thursday, there's plenty of great local music out and about (and without a cover) - I never get tired of recommending Lew Longmire's happy hour at the Laurelthirst (6 pm) and Lauren Sheehan's regular Thursday at the Muddy Rudder (8 pm). This week we have the additions of The Stolen Sweets at the Kennedy School (7 pm), the Djangophiles at Mississippi Pizza (6:30 pm), and the Garcia Birthday Band at the White Eagle (9 pm). Just remember to feed the tip jars! And, for a small cover, the Thad Beckman Trio (Thad, Bryce Shelton & Denny Bixby will be at O'Conner's (7 pm, $5) . . . . can't go wrong with any of these.

Friday
Looks like a blues rockin', rockabilly jumpin' couple of shows (so strap on the dancin' shoes) with
a Rockabilly Weekender at Duff's Garage, and the CD release show of The Strangetones at Peter's Room (where? it's the new name of the Roseland Grill).

The Duff's show has Running Scared - a Roy Orbison Tribute, Rudy "Tutti" Grayzell - original Sun Sessions recording artist, and Darin Stout - Texas upbeat rockabilly twang . . . 9:30 pm, $??.

The Strangetones will be joined by Becki Sue and Her Big Rockin' Daddies, along with the Volcano Vixens dancers for some very big fun. It's time for Crime-A-Billy! . . . 8 PM, $12

For something a little more subdued, check out Matt Brown and Miss Michael Jodell at the Press Club . . . 8 pm, no cover

Or . . . catch Devin Phillips in the Performing Arts Center lobby (near the Art Bar) . . . 8:30, free

Enjoy the weekend . . . great weather and music!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Holiday weekend choices, vol 3

So how about the weekend? Okay . . . here 'tis, but keeping it tight and targeted . . .

Friday
Major touring show pick is the Avett Brothers show at the Crystal Ballroom (actually both Friday and Saturday) . . . these will probably sell out, but should be tix at the door . . . 9 pm, $22

My more local pick is David Vest and the Willing Victims at Duff's Garage. Vest is a killer keyboard player who will range from playing boogie woogie to covering Sun Ra tunes . . . . and all really entertaining. Chris Miller, one of my favorite guitar players in town, will open . . . 9:30 pm, $??

Also on Friday is music outdoors before the Fireworks Spectacular at the Rose Festival's Waterfront Village. Curtis Salgado will be performing at 8 pm . . . fireworks at 10:15. It should be a beautiful night for the early kickoff of this years festival events. Admission is free.

Saturday
Tonight's pick is the Three Pickin' Chicks at the Alberta Street Pub. Mary Flower, Jamie Stillway and Cyd Smith will be pickin' up a storm covering the territory of Django, blues and swing . . . . 7 pm, $15

Sneakin' Out continues to raise funding for it's grand tour to the east coast with Pink Martini - and where they'll be playing Carnegie Hall on June 18th. Today's event also features the band Level 2 and will be held at PPAA (618 SE Alder) at 7 pm. A $10 donation is requested and there will be a silent auction. Should be fun . . .

Sunday
Over at Mississippi Studios is a fine quadruple indie Portland folk-pop bill of Shoeshine Blue, Leonard Mynx, Run On Sentence, and Nick Jaina . . . . 8 pm, $ 10 ($8 in advance)

One of my very favorite artists who doesn't get here often enough - the acclaimed singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith - is making a very special solo appearance tonight at Papa G's Vegan Organic Deli (yeah, go figure). But Fred is someone very special . . . writer, artist, storyteller, farmer, Buddhist, and one of the most astute and funny social commentators I know . . . . overall a pretty unique guy with something to say and compelling way to say it. Fred will make you laugh, cry and think . . . and you'll thank him for all three. Cannot recommend this show near enough .... 8:30 pm, $20 (buy tickets here)

Here's Fred performing one his more amusing tunes as shot by my friend and filmmaker Jay Curlee . . .
Fred Eaglesmith & Willie P. Bennett: Big Hair

Holiday weekend choices, vol 2

Missed one tonight I should have mentioned . . .
There's a benefit for Ethos Music over at the White Eagle (7 pm) with songwriter Rob Barteletti & Friends. And it's a pretty deep set of Portland songwriting friends that will join Rob - Bazza, Kris Deelane, Ken DeRouchie, Adam East, Bart Ferguson, Tracy Klas, Lisa Mann, Amee McCaa, Nick Peets, Amanda & Jenni Price, Wayne Richards, Paula Sinclair, and Rob Stroup. The event is free, but people are encouraged to bring used musical instruments (any kind or condition), as well as contribute to the tip jar, which will in turn be donated to Ethos along with the artists' fees for the event. Great music for a great organization.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Heading into the holiday weekend, vol 1

Memorial Day weekend coming and it looks like the sun will be shining . . . so if you have no big travel plans (who does these days?) or joining the hoards who are camping (that's when you load up your entire household in a vehicle and set it up in the woods . . . about 5 ft from others who are doing the same), there's a lot of music to enjoy in town (and some outdoor music getting started too . . . yes!).

Okay, enough with the blather and on to the pre-weekend choices:
Pick for tonight is The Flatlanders show at the Aladdin . . . hard to go wrong with the Texas trio of Joe Ely, Jimmy Dale Gilmore and Butch Hancock. Fine songsmiths, spirited players and old friends who should fill the house on their tour supporting their latest release, Hills And Valleys . . . 8 pm, $30

Here's a sample of the guys in performance recently at Waterloo Records in Austin.


Other good choices for tonight:
Little Sue continues her delightful happy hour shows at Biddy McGraw's ... 6 pm, free
Dolorean's third of their four May happy hour shows at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, free
. . . and acclaimed blues artist Alice Stuart will rock the Laurelthirst for the late show... 9:30 pm, free.

Thursday
I always say that Thursday is a great locals night and this week is no exception. My favorites include Paula Sinclair at the White Eagle (5:30 pm, free) Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6 pm, free), Lauren Sheehan at the Muddy Rudder (8 pm, free), and the Stolen Sweets at the Kennedy School (7 pm, free) . . . cannot go wrong with any of those!

More tomorrow on the upcoming weekend. See you at a show!

Monday, May 18, 2009

Looking for music tonight?

Great show tonight at Duff's Garage with the bluesy, soulful sounds of Seth Walker. Catch this acclaimed singer and songwriter from Austin in a very special appearance at 9 pm. And only $5. Can't beat that! Hope to see you there!

Here's a short video piece about Seth that might get you up and curious to get out on a Monday night:



Seth will also be at Music Millennium at 6 PM . . .

Friday, May 15, 2009

Last minute picks

Almost decided to blow off posting this week - been busy and distracted, but have a moment to put up some late choices for the weekend.

Blues fans might want to catch Michelle Malone at Mississippi Studios tonight (9 pm, $12) . . . that is if you're not going to the Rose Garden for the Allman Brothers (7 pm, $40).

Lot of choices Saturday with my pick being Theresa Andersson at Mississippi Studios . . . check out the videos on her site. It's an early show . . . . 7 pm, $12

Can't go wrong though with Cowboy Mouth at the Doug Fir (9 pm, $15), the Detroit Cobras at Dantes (9 pm, $15) or Sara Watkins at Mississippi Studios (10 pm, $20).

Locals include the Quadraphonnes at Mississippi Pizza (9 pm), Circled By Hounds at Biddy McGraws (9 pm), Sweetjuice at Buffalo Gap (9 pm), and Los Cowtones at Duff's Garage (9:30 pm).

Quick and to the point . . . . see you at a show!

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Steve Earle 6PM @ Music Millennium

Just a heads up if you don't know about this tonight . . . .

STEVE EARLE - Tuesday, 5/12 - 6 PM
** Pre-order the album and receive a wristband guaranteeing admission to the in-store performance. Presale going on now! **
In the strictest sense, Steve Earle isn't a country artist; he's a roots rocker. Earle emerged in the mid-'80s, after Bruce Springsteen had popularized populist rock & roll and Dwight Yoakam had kick-started the neo-traditionalist movement in country music. At first, Earle appeared to be more indebted to the rock side than country, as he played a stripped-down, neo-rockabilly style that occasionally verged on outlaw country. However, his unwillingness to conform to the rules of Nashville or rock & roll meant that he never broke through into either genre's mainstream. Instead, he cultivated a dedicated cult following, drawing from both the country and rock audiences.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Stephen Bruton. . . gone too soon

One of the most talented musicians I've had the pleasure of knowing, Stephen Bruton, died Saturday morning after a two plus year battle with cancer. He was just 60. Gone too soon. Not just an amazing guitar player, but producer, songwriter, bandleader and even actor. Though he was relatively unknown to many, he was among the most respected and admired in the music community - particularly in Los Angeles and Austin, where he worked and lived.

One of the best shows I ever attended in Portland was in September of 2007, when he was finally able to get back to touring (after his first round of cancer treatments) and he played the intimate confines of Mississippi Studios. So happy to finally get back on the road and do what he lived for, he played for nearly three hours and absolutely floored the 70 or so folks who were there. Stephen was thrilled and wanted to come back to Portland to play again, but never got the chance.


He will be greatly missed.

For additional news about Stephen and reaction to his passing go to stories at:

Austin360

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

keyetv.com (Austin)

Joe Nick Patoski's blog (Texas music writer)

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Probably the only post this week

Heading out of town for a long weekend in SoCal, but wanted to give folks a heads-up on a couple of noteworthy shows.

Beginning tonight, Dolorean is going to hold down the Wednesday happy hour for May at the Laurelthirst. Good chance to check them out it your not familiar. . . . 6 pm, free

The big show on Thursday is the Shins at the Crystal Ballroom, but for my money, I'd head over to the White Eagle for Ian McLagan and the Bump Band. Talk about rock n' roll credentials! McLagan's 40+ year career spans being a founding member of the Small Faces, touring and recording for years with the Stones, and adding his distinctive keyboard work as a session player and band member for countless other artists (way too numerous to mention). How Portland ends up with Mac playing the White Eagle is a bit of a mystery to me, but it will feel like a night in a packed Austin club where you can find him and his crack band when he's not out on the road. He's one of the most respected musicians in Austin (where he's lived for 15 years) and it's way cool to have a chance to see him here . . . 8:30 pm, $15

And you can catch him for a short set at Music Millennium at 5 pm.

There's a great show Friday night at Mississippi Studios, headlined by Casey Neill & the Norway Rats. If you don't know Casey's music you should . . . he's one of Portland's finest songwriters and performers . . . both gritty and literate, with music incorporating folk, punk, and celtic influences. Not to mention the backing of a great band that includes Jenny Conlee, Hanz Araki and Little Sue. Tonight he'll be ably supported by From Words to Blows and Lewi Longmire . . . 9 pm, $10

Also check out this weekend's other shows at Mississippi Studios - Saturday with the Portland Cello Project, 3 Leg Torso and Vagabond Opera (it's their CD release). Two shows at 7 and 10, $15. And on Sunday a benefit for LEP High School with Storm Large, The Minus 5, The Dimes, Linda Hornbuckle, Stephen Malkmus, Alec Ounsworth, and Steve Berlin. 8 pm, $30 ($25 in advance).

All until next week . . . . If you have show recommendations to share, just add them as a comment to this post.