Thursday, July 30, 2009

If you can get out of the house on Thursday

My pick of the night is the Alejandro Escovedo and Jesse Winchester show at the Aladdin. Escovedo has been garnering some much deserved wider public recognition (though a hero to critics and Austin for 20 years). His songcraft will be front and center, as this won't be a full band, but a duo with guitarist David Pulkingham. . . . 8 pm, $25

Here's a little preview:

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Music to keep your cool

It's hot. How hot is it? It's so hot . . . . (fill in) . . . We do love our weather events. Cold snaps, thunderstorms, snow flurries . . . get those reporters outside to tell us what we already know. Hey . . . it's just the weather!

But here's a few today to beat the heat (air-conditioning at no extra charge):

Tonight's downtown Music on Main show has been moved inside to the air-conditioned rotunda of the Antoinette Hatfield Hall (that's the lobby of the Performing Arts Center). Coolly rock out to Lewi Longmire. A fine way to end the work day or start your evening . . . 5 pm, free

Little Sue has her weekly Wednesday happy hour at Biddy McGraw's. . . 6 pm, free

You're running our of chances to catch the amazing Kate Davis before she leaves for NY. Catch her fine bass playing and vocals with Ron Steen on drums and Randy Porter on piano at Wilf's. . . . 7:30, $5 (she will also be there Thursday night)

The sweet harmonies of The Ditty Bops will be at the Aladdin. Their music has been described as genre-defying, bearing influence of Western Swing, Ragtime, Gypsy-Jazz, Pop, and Vaudeville-era Musical Theater. . . . The band is also well known for its elaborate live shows, which incorporate theatrical elements complete with props, costumes, and skits. Interview magazine says, "these vaudevillian vamps are putting the show back in showmanship." . . . 8 pm, $20

Believe me, it will be cooler by the river . . . so if you want to brave it for some outdoor music this evening, The Troublemakers will be layin' down their appropriately hot, swampy, harmonica-fueled mix at Willamette Park . . . 6:30 pm, free POSTPONED DUE TO HEAT!

. . . and keep in mind Alejandro Escovedo and Jesse Winchester at the Aladdin on Thursday and Pickathon this weekend out at Pendarvis Farm (great lineup!).

Monday, July 27, 2009

Two for Tuesday

Couple of fine choices for Tuesday night . . .

To help celebrate the opening of The Woods, Kill Rock Stars artists Thao with the Get Down Stay Down and Horsefeathers will be doing a now not-so-secret show (guess if it's too much of a secret, no one shows up). So show up . . . I understand there may be other surprise guests as well . . . 9 PM (doors @ 8), $7 at the door (airconditioned too)

Touring to support their latest release, A New Tide, Gomez will be at the Wonder Ballroom. If you've never seen this critically acclaimed band live, I highly recommend them. Though they've been recording and touring for a dozen years, a lot of folks don't know these multi-talented Brits. You should. Catchy well written tunes, great playing and vocals, high energy, and just a great vibe make for a fun and rewarding experience. The Mother Hips opens . . . 8 PM, $22

Thursday, July 23, 2009

96 degrees in the shade

So how ya gonna stay cool? . . . . With some cool sounds . . . . like these.
(update - looks like the hottest weather may not hit us until after the weekend)

Friday

Its the first of three days of PDX POP NOW . . . with music inside and out at Roture. Check out a huge variety of bands - indie, rock, pop, folk . . . all for free and all ages. It's really a celebration of Portland music . . . it begins at 6 pm today and at noon on Saturday and Sunday . . . here's the schedule.

80's rock chanteuse and now sometimes Portland resident, Martha Davis brings the latest version of The Motels to Dante's. And the very talented Matt Brown will be playing bass in the band (way to go Matt!). . . . 9 pm, $13

LiveWire Radio will be recording at the Aladdin. Laura Gibson and Captain Bogg & Salty will be the musical guests. Always a good time - come be part of the audience . . . 8 pm, $20
The Atonements will be at the Buffalo Gap 9 pm, free

The Pete Krebs Trio will be at the Press Club. . . . 8:30 pm, free

Woodbrain and Mike D & Thee Loyale Bastards will be rockin' at Kelly's Olympian. . . 10 pm, $5

For you jazz fans, the Andrew Oliver Sextet and Dan Shulte will be at Mississippi Pizza . . . 9 pm $??

. . . and the Shanghai Woolies will bring their dynamic sounds straight out of a hot 1920's nightclub to Jimmy Maks . . . . 8 pm, $10

Hot sounds to keep ya cool . . .

Saturday
CaraVan Gogh at Fleur de Lis Bakery (located in the old Hollywood Library building) is hosting a monthly concert series. Enjoy a summertime evening of "post-modern string music" with CVG. . . . and it's AIR CONDITIONED! Reservations required - call 503-459-4887 . . . 8 pm, $12

James Low and Ezra Hollbrook will be joined by Drew Landry at the Press Club. James and Ezra are fixtures around the Portland music community, but Drew is a talented songwriter and performer from Louisiana who is making a quick visit to the NW. Should be fun (did I say Drew also tells a good story?) . . . 8:30 pm, free

And if you just gotta have a little country swing or two-step, Los Cowtones will have the dance floor busy at Duff's. . . . 9:30 pm, $??

Did I miss anything? Feel free to add via the comments . . . really - I can't cover everything!

The Woods, a new and promising music venue

This weekend (Friday to be exact) marks the opening of The Woods on SE Milwaukie Avenue in Westmoreland. Hey, that's in my 'hood! Actually, I've watched the development of the space over the past few months - it's in a 1929 mission-style building that was until recently a funeral home. Nicely renovated and set up to be an intimate music and gathering space, this could be a very welcome addition to the venues in town. And certainly a good one for the neighborhood.

Shows will be an eclectic mix (and not just music), but the live music will focus on quiter acoustic side - the idea is to have a space where you will listen, not chatter . . . and a place that respects the music and artists. With one of the partners being Richie Young of Loch Lomond, I am not in the least bit surprise. A lot of love and effort has gone into making it comfortable and inviting, so check out the free official opening show on Friday night.

Thursday

Cloudy and comfortable this morning, but word is they are bringing the heat this weekend and beyond. Music, dancing, sweaty bodies . . . just stay hydrated (this is dad talking).

So this weekend will bring a couple of quick posts . . .

Two shows to note for tonight -

If Brazilian pop is your thing, head to Mississippi Studios to check out Curumin, who "continues the Brazilian pop tradition of hot-wiring indigenous sounds (samba, bossa nova) to outside influences and creating a steaming pan-cultural gumbo" (from this week's WW). And Portland's street dancing samba percussion ensemble, the Lions of Batucada, will open. . . . 9 pm, $13

Over at the Laurelthirst, it's Reina Collins' Going Away Party before she moves to Florida. Here's the show description from Reina:

Reina's Going Away Party
(Free Reina Collins & The Saloonatics T-Shirts while they last!)
Jonathan Farnsworth opens with a couple tunes
Paula Sinclair & Kenny Sawyer,
Hal Gerard, Birger Olsen, Rob Schrecongost & I play a few
The Reina Collins Band do our roots-classic rock thang with twang
Emily Herring & Henpecked close out the show!
9pm-? $4

Reina is one of the best connected and energetic artists in town . . . she will be missed by her fans and the music community. Here's hoping she'll make frequent return visits!

Friday, July 17, 2009

Saturday and more

Big show is out at Edgefield - Decemberists, Andrew Bird and Blind Pilot (and Sunday too). There may be a few tickets left, but they are definitely available for Sunday's show. If anything, the Decemberists are an ambitious band - their latest release, The Hazards of Love, is an hour-long song cycle with murder, fairies, ghosts in a story that somehow hangs together due to the compelling nature of the music and performance. And they will perform it in its entirety both nights. Good story from Ryan White of the Oregonian about the upcoming show. Blind Pilot, who opens, has become one of my favorite locals getting some well-deserved national attention. Throwing in Andrew Bird and you definitely will get your money's worth for this ticket . . . 6 pm, $36

If you're not going to Edgefield, you might want to check out:

Rollin' out of Austin, Texas to the Northwest will be Wayne "The Train" Hancock at Dante's. Wayne's riding the line between the swing of Bob Wills and honky-tonk of Hank Williams. It's a sweet spot. . . 9:30 pm, $10

Cana Son is at the Someday Lounge . . . the music will match the weather with the vibrant sounds of Cuban son. I dare you to sit still for this . . . 10 pm, $8

. . . and Johnnie Ward's Sharkskin Review will be at the Mock Crest Tavern. They did a great swinging set at the blues festival . . . 9 pm, $??

Sunday
There's two benefit shows you might want to check out.
At the Aladdin, The Cowboy Junkies and Son Volt will be doing a benefit for Ethos Music. Two national level acts commendably lending a hand for a great local organization. . . . 8 pm, $45

And for those of you who've been around the Portland music scene for more years than you'll admit, there's a benefit at Duff's garage for drummer Pete Jorgusen, who is battling leukemia. Music begins at 5 pm and a $10 donation is requested.


Monday
Some fine latin music will have folks up and dancing at the third concert in the Sellwood Riverfront Park series. Come hear Conjunto Alegre at 6:30 pm at this free show in Portland's annual summer neighborhood parks music series.

And over a Mississippi Studios it will be the New Orleans trio of Anders Osborne, Johnny Sansone and Clarence Bucaro. Touring as The Southern Troubadours, this should be a fine display of songwriting and playing. . . . 8 pm, $15

See ya at a show!

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Rolling into a hot weekend . . .

Ahh .... summer.

What's hot? I'll pass on what's not.

As usual, an excellent locals Thursday night for heading into the weekend. The Laurelthirst, Duffs, Biddys, Jimmy Maks, etc have the usual suspects for your listening pleasure. But add to the mix a 7 pm Freak Mountain Ramblers show at the Kennedy school and the fine flutes and pipes of Hanz Araki at Alberta Street at 9.

But for something different and not musical, check out the Ignite Portland event at the Bagdad tonight. Maybe a little geeky, but a lot of fun (the public speaking teacher in me loves this).

Friday
It's of the first night of three days of the Cathedral Park Jazz Festival, which is a blues night with Duffy Bishop and Bill Rhoades. Always free, beautiful setting by the St John's Bridge and music tonight begins at 6 pm. And jazz on Saturday and Sunday with music starting at noon. Definitely try to check out the young bass player/vocalist phenom Kate Davis at 2 pm on Saturday. Kate's off to NY for college and has just a handful of remaining gigs before she's wowing them in Manhattan - catch her while you can.

Big music weekend at Edgefield starts with a sold out Death Cab For Cutie show tonight . . . 7 pm, $

But my preference is to head to the zoo for (my favorite band) Los Lobos along with Ladysmith Black Mombazo. . . . 7 pm, $20

Some fine jazz from Devin Phillips and The Bridgetown Sextet at Duff's to celebrate the CD release by the latter . . . 9:30 pm, $ ??

Happy hour at the Laurelthirst will be the monthly 3rd Friday set by Woodbrain. Joe McMurrian and the band will rock your shoes and socks off so you can go barefoot all weekend. . . . 6 pm, free

The jamming good time sounds of the Garcia Birthday Band will fill the Laurelthirst for the late show. These guys rocked about 1200 folks in Sellwood Riverfront Park on Monday night. Fun. . . . 9:30, $5

Laura Viers and the Old Believers will be at Mississippi Studios . . . Laura's upcoming CD is getting some good press on early listens . . . fine show at the studio . . . 9 pm, $15

. . . and Michael Jodell, Matt Candenelli, and Ezra Holbrook will be at the Press Club . . . 8:30, free

More tomorrow about Saturday and Sunday, including two benefit shows on Sunday.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Outdoor music Saturday & Sunday

Another beautiful Portland summer weekend . . . . We have plenty of time the rest of the year to spend at our fine indoor venues . . . but now it's time to enjoy our music outside.

Whatever you think about the development of North Mississippi Ave (and the gentrification of much of North Portland in general) aside, Saturday brings us the annual Mississippi Street Fair with four stages of music going from 1 pm until 8:30 pm. Lineup of great local bands include Norman Sylvester, the Freak Mt Ramblers, Linda Hornbuckle, The Dimes, Stephanie Schneiderman, James Low, Tahoe Jackson, Swing Papillon, Jessica Stiles, Matt Sheehy, Weinland . . . . should be fun . . . come on out for a wander, a bite and an earful.

If you didn't catch The Minus Five on Friday night at the Doug Fir, there's another chance this evening in Forest Grove at the SakeOne summer music series. . . . 6:30, $10 (20% goes to Mercy Corp's Voices for Silent Disasters Fund)

On Sunday, the Doug Fir's Pickin' on Sunday gets off to a great start with Pete Krebs and Casey Neill. Kick back the patio for acoustic sets from each. Now that's a fine way to spend a lazy summer afternoon . . . 3 pm, free

Thursday, July 9, 2009

NoDepression.com: the archives the ND festival

Some of you might have been familiar with the music magazine No Depression when it was published from 1995 until last year. Outstanding magazine that covered alt-country, roots, americana . . . a fairly broad umbrella - with a majority of artists that fell a bit outside of the mainstream or were hard to classify. It featured some great writing, from artist profiles to history, reviews and local/regional scene coverage. . . . anyway, it was something I looked forward to six times a year.

So ND has now morphed into a music social networking site - http://community.nodepression.com/. . . it's a growing location to connect to music resources - musicians, fans, writers, bloggers, reviewers, music, videos, etc. And this week, the entire archive of No Depression magazine is available through the site! NoDepression.com has been developing since the magazine's demise and is turning into a very valuable destination for many of us. I urge you to check it out, sign up and participate (if you do, add me as a friend). It might be very useful to develop a Portland community on the site (other locales are doing that, with some being very active).

And on Saturday, the first No Depression Festival will be held at Marymoor Park in Redmond, WA. A $45 ticket gets you a full day of music with Gillian Welch, Iron & Wine, Patterson Hood, Jessie Sykes & the Sweet Hereafter, Justin Townes Earle, and others . . . . Music begins at 1 pm, so you have plenty of time for the drive up . . . . It should be a wonderful event.

Back to business

Blues Festival receding from sight, finished supporting Kevin Gordon's multiple appearances (thanks to all who came out to see him! . . . think he made a good sized group of new fans), and now back to whatever it is I do . . .

I do seem to remember that I make a few recommendations here and there for live music, so here's a few for tonight and tomorrow . . .

Thursday
As usual, it's a great locals night for happy hour or later shows - Laurelthirst (Lewi Longmire @ 6, Lynn Conover @ 9:30), Biddy McGraw's (Jaycob Van Auken @ 6, Rollie Tussing @ 9), Duff's Garage (Pete Krebs @ 6), Jimmy Mak's (Mel Brown @ 8), or the Chapel Pub (Jenny Conlee @ 8).

And, if you didn't get enough blues at the festival, there's Shemekia Copeland at the Aladdin . . . 8 pm, $20

Friday
Torn between two of the bigger shows this evening - The Minus 5 at the Doug Fir and The Gourds and Patterson Hood & the Screwtopians at the Wonder Ballroom.

Scott McCaughey is celebrating the release of Killingsworth, a Minus 5 project that includes a who's who of local talent. Ryan White of the Oregonian has a great write up of Scott and the project here. He's become one of my favorite local artists since he moved to Portland a couple years back. . . . And what I find really cool about Scott is that when he's not touring or playing a gig, he's out at shows all over town - genuinely digging the music and supporting fellow artists. This show is going to be fun . . . 9 pm, $12

Then there's the strong double bill of The Gourds, a fine band out of Austin and Patterson Hood (of the Drive By Truckers), who will put on a high energy good time show at the Wonder . . . 9 pm, $15

A good early show choice (6:30 pm) is to take advantage of one of the free neighborhood park shows, with Tony Furtado at Fernhill Park (NE 37th, north of Ainsworth).

Oh yeah . . . and some band named Coldplay is at the Clark County Amphitheater. Hear they're popular.

A few Saturday and Sunday choices will be up tomorrow . . . .

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Blues Festival - Sunday

Last day of the festival that, even with the heat, has brought out great crowds . . . all good for the Oregon Food Bank.

Looking at how much time he spent signing CDs and talking to folks after his set on Saturday afternoon, Kevin Gordon definitely made some new fans in Portland. And he'll have a couple of more opportunities to do it today with a Workshop stage performance at 12:45 and then the afternoon river cruise (for which there may be a few tickets left).

Otherwise it looks like a great finale for the festival today. Try to check out local fave Lloyd Jones at 1:30, Woodbrain at 3:30, Magic Slim at 5, Big Sam's Funky Nation at 6, Ryan Shaw at 7, and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings closing things down at 7:50. Really fine music at all the stages all day today. If you haven't come out to the festival, it will be a little less hot and a little less crowded, but with a strong lineup, $10 and a couple of cans of food is definitely a live music bargin and supports a wonderful cause.

Full schedule here . . .

See ya at the festival!

Saturday, July 4, 2009

Blues Fest quick picks for July 4th

It's the big day at the fest . . . big crowds, fireworks, and still going to be hot. But so is the music.

On my radar today is, of course, Kevin Gordon (4:50 pm), but other great acts performing. Local favorite Storm Large, not known by most for singing blues, will be performing at 4 - expect a great set. The outstanding blues/soul vocalist Terry Evans will on at 5:40, and the New Orleans trombone band, Bonerama will finish the night before the fireworks. The big annual harmonica blow-off will be happening from 7:15 to 9:30 at the Front Porch. But I also can't recommend enough the intimate Workshop stage - shady and intimate, it can be a great respite from the heat and big sound in the bowl. Check out Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, the blues of Jimmy Reed, and Gals with Guitars among a great lineup today.

Full Saturday schedule here.

See you there!

Friday, July 3, 2009

Waterfront Blues Festival - Friday quick picks

Man it was hot out there yesterday . . . but it didn't keep the crowd away and it felt right for the music . . .

The Troublemakers kicked it off right with a hot swampy set, Mary Flower showed why she's one of the best finger-picking and lap slide guitar players anywhere, the Sharkskin Revue had everyone swinging at the Front Porch Stage . . . followed by Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas and Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie who kept the crowd dancing until 11. Robin Ford and Keb' Mo' seemed to please everyone in the main stage area - great for Keb to step in at the last minute for the ill Etta James.

And speaking of Nathan and Geno . . . both will be doing a couple of sets today at the Front Porch stage today as part of the annual celebration of the bayou with zydeco and swamp rock all day. It's gonna get hot and sweaty out there, but come ready to dance until late. Bon temps!

Some great music in the bowl including some of our best local blues women all together at 4, Sonny Landreth at 5, Dave Gonzales & Mike Barfield at 6, Karl Denson at 7, and Malford Milligan & Greg Koch at 8 . . . this is going to be another hot day at the festival (in more ways than one!).

When you need shade breaks, check out what's going on at the FedEx Workshop stage - way more intimate shows with some of the main stage performers - one I'll try to get to is Steve Kerin & Friends' Music of Louisiana's Bayous at 9 . . . And if you have the energy, check out the after hours jams at the Marriott . . . .

Full schedule here.

So pace yourself, remember to hydrate, and check out some great music! See you out there!

Thursday, July 2, 2009

Kevin Gordon

About seven years ago perusing a magazine rack, I stumbled across the Oxford American's annual music edition. Focused on southern music with stories and an enclosed CD, it look liked something I needed to check out. About three songs into the CD, a chiming guitar, a loping beat, and a road-weary voice singing . . .
Mud colored dogs guarding shotgun shacks

A red door on a green Cadillac
Hot wind blowing smoke through graveyard streets . . .

The image sucked me right . . . and then the chorus began with Lucinda Williams singing harmony and then taking the second verse. Killer song. I had to know more. Who was this guy Kevin Gordon? Searched for his CD (Down To The Well) and wasn't disappointed. And then I couldn't stop telling people about this relatively unknown songwriter from in Nashville. Swampy, bluesy, rocking and tremendously literate writing.

Fast forward a couple of years to the Americana Music Association's conference in Nashville. Kevin was releasing a new CD (O Come Look At The Burning) and doing a showcase performance late one night with his band. Handful of people in the place, staff wanting to cut the show short (btw, Grant Alden wrote a great piece about this in No Depression), but I was there and thrilled to finally hear him live. We chatted a bit while the band was breaking down and I told him if he needed any help if he wanted with finding gigs in the NW sometime, I'd be willing to help. So we struck up an occasional correspondence - my end of it mostly consisted of "we gotta find a way to get you up here" . . . . his about how tough it was to put a tour together to the other side of the country. Ain't that a familiar tune (for a lot of you).

But Peter Dammann gave him a listen . . . and ending up on the radar of the talent coordinator for the Blues Festival was a good thing, because this year Peter figured he could make Kevin an offer to come out to play. With a couple of anchor dates on the west coast, a tour seemed possible. I provide a little inept assistance with info and contacts and presented Kevin as a possible act for a neighborhood park show. Somehow, Kevin pieced together a road tour that's now taken him through Texas, the southwest, California, and this weekend to Portland before heading back to Nashville.

So I've gotta tell you to come out and see Kevin . . . . whether it's at the festival on Saturday afternoon (4:50 pm - also on river cruise on Sunday afternoon), at the Laurelthirst on Sunday night (9:30), or at Sellwood Riverfront Park on Monday evening (6:30).

Let's give him a great welcome to the NW . . . . you will not be disappointed.

BTW . . . the amazing Chris Miller will be playing guitar with Kevin on his Portland gigs!

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Sellwood Riverfront Park Concerts

In Summer Music, Vol 1, one of best opportunities to hear live music for free are series of concerts that happen in Portland neighborhood parks all summer. The shows in my neighborhood are at Sellwood Riverfront Park, where there's a solid lineup of Monday night shows that begin next week (July 6th). With the Sellwood Bridge providing a picturesque backdrop, 1-2,000 folks show up to picnic, visit with friends, and listen to some great music. This year's artists are:

July 6th - Kevin Gordon, a rootsy, Americana singer/songwriter based in Nashville who is playing at the Waterfront Blues Festival on July 4th. I will have more about Kevin in a separate post. Suffice it to say right now - you should not miss this!

July 13th - the good time country/bluegrass-flavored rock of the Garcia Birthday Band

July 20th - it's a tropical latin dance party with Conjunto Alegre

July 27th - finishing with the Midnight Serenaders' hot Jazz Age swing

To make it easier for concert goers there will be a secure bike corral at the park, and overflow parking in the Oaks Amusement Park lot (a very short walk from the park). There will also be food vendors, so don't worry if you don't have time to grab food before the show.

Look forward to seeing you at the concerts . . . and check out the full concert schedule for shows in other parks around the city.

Three Girls and Their Buddy redux

Wow . . . what a delightful show from beginning to end. Wish it could have gone on for another hour. . . . Sometimes the format of songwriters taking turns can get disappointingly predictable, but not tonight. I was glad that each of them played some lesser known tunes and covers, including Shawn starting and ending with a couple of Crowded House tunes (very gratifying for all the Finn brothers fans out there!), Patty covering Ray Charles, Emmy pulling out an older Richard Thompson song, and Buddy finishing with a beautiful take of Stephen Bruton's Heart of Hearts as a tribute to the songwriter who died this past May. Patty's vocals soared on her tunes - particularly Heavenly Day and the show closer, Mary (with gorgeous harmonies by Emmy and Shawn), and in duet with Buddy on Written in Chalk. Buddy, though self-deprecating about his contributions, played with sympathetic grace behind the others, and his songs were some of the highlights of my evening.


If you weren't there, you missed a great one . . . . And with this start, I am so looking forward to a wonderful week of music continuing at the Waterfront Blues Festival . . . which begins tomorrow!