Saturday, November 28, 2009

Quick Saturday picks

If anyone's paying attention, here's some quick picks for tonight -

Little Sue and Lynn Conover at the Laurelthirst happy hour ... 6 pm, no cover

Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The Troublemakers at the Trails End Saloon in Oregon City ... 9 pm, $??

Terry Robb and Lauren Sheehan at the Rock Creek Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

and touring into town tonight -

Rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson will be at Dante's ... 9:30 pm, $15

... and singer/songwriter Vic Chesnutt headlines a full bill at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $13

Friday, November 27, 2009

Black Friday Doorbusters!

Shopping since 4 am? Not me. Not today (not ever really). Well. ... okay ... if you feel compelled to shop on this high holy day of consumerism, at least spend some time and money at Music Millennium. So get in an afternoon nap and then head out to consume some live music ...

Besides Storm's Holiday Ordeal, which is sold out at the Aladdin tonight (does Storm Large do anything that doesn't sell out?), there are some great choices ...

The kid is back in town. The talented-beyond-her-years Kate Davis is home from NY for the holiday and playing two shows at Wilf's - both tonight and tomorrow. Catch this rapidly maturing bass player and vocalist while you have a chance ... shows are at 7 and 9:30. And Kate will be performing songs from her just-released CD, A Kate Davis Holiday. Early show seating is almost sold out (you need to call Wilf's to reserve a spot - 503-223-0070), but late show should be available ... $10 plus drink/food minimum.

For early music, check out Lisa & Her Kin for happy hour at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover  ... and the Jimmy Boyer Band follows at 9:30.

For those of you to the north (or willing to put in the extra few minutes to drive) Lloyd Jones and band will be at the Cascade in Vancouver  ... 9 pm, $??

The Garcia Birthday Band plans to have folks dancing off yesterday's meal (and today's leftovers) at the White Eagle  ... 9:30 pm, no cover

Michael Hurley and Friends will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

And, over at The Woods it looks like an excellent show with Seattle's The Starlings. Fronted by vocalist Joy Mills, the band has critical acclaim and a growing fan base. "The Starlings vocal harmonies, acoustic goodness and sweet blend of folk and country set the stage for the band's storied original songwriting and the compelling presence of vocalist Joy Mills.” -KEXP.org ... Whiskey Puppy opens ... 9 pm, $8

Thursday, November 26, 2009

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to wish all my music compadres a Happy Thanksgiving  --- enjoy your day whatever your plans!
And at least for today it doesn't need to include getting out to live music ...  :-)

    - Jim

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thanksgiving Eve

Twas' the night before Thanksgiving and over at the Laurelthirst Lewi sez . . .

Since our usual Thursday happy hour is canceled this week due to the Laurelthirst being closed on Thanksgiving, we're hosting a special holiday late show the night before! Isn't it true that almost nobody has to work the next day...?

Opening the show is Quiet Life, a great roots-rock project that just recently relocated from New England to Portland. We're glad to introduce them to our Portland friends, we think you'll like 'em.


Sounds good to me! ... 9:30 pm, $??

You might also consider starting the evening at Little Sue's regular Wednesday happy hour at Biddy McGraw's . . . 6 pm, no cover

Swing Papillon is at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

... and the Quick and Easy Boys will rock the Goodfoot ... 9 pm, $??

Not a turkey in sight . . . get out to some live music!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Solid end to the weekend

Want to finish the weekend with an evening of music?

Curtis Salgado and friends (Alan Hagar, Jimi Bott, Paris Slim, John Mazzocco) do one of the coolest monthly house parties that happens in Portland ... 5:30 pm, $12 ... For more information contact Jim Flynn - jimflynn@realtytrust.com

Fine show at Mississippi Studios with Swing Papillon, 3 Leg Torso, and Mark Growden ... 8 pm, $12

 . . . and there's a cool little show that happens most Sundays at O'Connors in Multnomah Village called the "Country Side of Sunday" with Jon Koonce, Thad Beckman, Kurtis Piltz, Bob Love and Jeff Woodcock . . . it's loose and fun  . . . 7:30 pm, $5

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Saturday night . . . great choices!

Here's a few you might want to ponder for this evening . . 

Excellent quadruple bill at Mississippi Studios with the Don of Division Street, Celilo, The Very Foundation, and Seattle's The Maldives. The show will also be celebration of the life of Celilo' drummer Kipp Crawford, who died tragically earlier this month. You can read more about it (along with video interviews with members of Celilo) in today's Oregonian. The show is also a record release for The Very Foundation.  . . .  9 pm, $8

Another fine night of music at the Laurelthirst starting with Little Sue at happy hour (6 pm, no cover) and then Mike Coykendall & Golden Shag and The Low Bones for the late show ... 9:30 pm, $5

You'll find the Celtic sounds of Circled By Hounds at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30, no cover

Pilar French will be at the Alberta Street Public House ... 9:30 pm, $??

Jon Koonce will be at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

Seattle's roots rocking North Twin, a band that was impressive when I saw them open for the Bottle Rockets recently, will be at the Kenton Club ... 9 pm, $??

. . . and for something a little different, it's the monthly Miz Kitty's Parlour Vaudeville Novelty Show & Revusical at the Mission Theatre ... 7 pm, $12

Gotta be something there that compels you to head out tonight!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Last minute for tonight

Distracted, distracted . . . so these are quick picks if you're headed out tonight . . .

Ezra Hollbrook and Friends will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Jackstraw at Biddy McGraws ... 9:30 pm, no cover

DK Stewart and the Soul Survivor Horns at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $?? (probably $5 or $6)

The Doug Fir has Amadan, Sassparilla, and The Beautiful Train Wrecks . . . .  9 pm, $10

and over at The Woods, it's Shoeshine Blue, Winterhaven, and Bark Hide and Horn ... 9 pm, $7

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Okay . . . time for some mid-week treats

Some fine shows to check out on Wednesday and Thursday . . .

Wednesday
Little Sue celebrates her birthday tonight at her weekly happy hour show at Biddy McGraw's. Stop by for music, b-day wishes and cupcakes! ... 6 pm, no cover

Fine night of music at the Laurelthist starts with Hillstomp holding down the happy hour slot. Hmmm . . . NE Portland, 6 PM? Alice Stuart has the late show ... 9 pm, no cover

There's a cool little literary/music event tonight at Mississippi Studios. Anyone a fan of Paul McCartney? (I know a few, yes?) . . . It's your lucky day, as the show will celebrate the release of Portland's own (and Oregonian columnist) Peter Ames Carlin's Paul McCartney: A Life. Peter will be there along with a host of Portland's best performing songs of, yes you guessed it, Sir Paul. Nick Jaina, Jim Brunberg, Ashleigh Flynn, Matt Sheehy, Teisha Helgerson, Sneakin' Out, and others will join the celebration ... 8 pm, $7

Thursday
Another fine night at the Laurelthirst starts with the steady Thursday happy hour with Lewi Longmire and band. It will be followed by Tom Waits for No Man: a benefit for Tom Nunes. Tom crashed hard on his bike a while back and, though recovering nicely, has medical expenses to deal with. His friends led by Little Sue have put together a cool little show featuring Sue, Tom, Casey Neill, Lewi Longmire, Chet Lyster, Ezra Holbrook, Stephanie Schneiderman and others. Should be fun and some needed help for Tom ... 9 pm, $10

Speaking of benefits, there's a holiday benefit supporting St. Francis Dining Hall over at the Crystal Ballroom featuring Everclear ... 9 pm, $20

There could be a lot of traffic between the Laurelthirst and the Kennedy School, 'cause the Freak Mountain Ramblers will be performing a free all ages show there at 7 pm.

For something a bit different, the March Fourth Marching Band will be bringing their beautiful chaos to the Wonder Ballroom for two shows at 7 and 10 pm - early show is all ages too . . . march (or dance) forth . . . . $15

Veteran keyboardist and singer Bill Champlin (Sons of Champlin, Chicago) is in town for two shows at Jimmy Mak's . . . 7:30 & 9:30, $20

 . . . and it's just the middle of the week . . .  get out!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Portland Music Awards


If you're into awards and voting as a measure of something in the local music community, the final nominee list is now up and you can vote in the third annual Portland Music Awards.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Sunday benefit show you should check out

BLUES POWER: A BENEFIT FOR BLUES DJ TOM WENDT
Crystal Ballroom (1332 W Burnside St)
Sunday, November 15th 4-9 PM
Suggested Donation: $10.00

Tom Wendt has been a volunteer disc jockey at KBOO for close to 30 years, hosting the Saturday blues show. Over the years, he has championed music from both national and local talent. His show was a must-listen for anyone in Portland who loved the blues. Tom is a well-known person in the blues community and is always at blues events, as well as letting his listeners know about great events to check out. Recently, Tom experienced some major health problems. To help Tom take care of some of the cost incurred, the blues community has rallied together to help. Blues Power: A Benefit For Blues DJ Tom Wendt will be held at the Crystal Ballroom on Sunday, November 15th from 4-9 PM.

Featuring:  Lloyd Jones Struggle, Curtis Salgado, D.K. Stewart Band, The Strange Tones, Norman Sylvester Band, Harmonica Blowoff, Guitar Showdown

Plus very special guests:  Terry Robb, Bill Rhoades, Jim Mesi, Steve Bradley, Alan Hager, Big Monti, Peter Dammann, Bobby Torres, Janice Scroggins, Mary Flower, Jim Wallace, Dover Weinberg, Cory Burden, Dave Kahl, Margo Tufo, Larry Pindar, Johnny Ward, Tim O'Hare, Chris Mercer, Joe McCarthy, Brad Ulrich, Dan Fincher, Linda Hornbuckle, Jim Miller

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Preview for Wednesday thru Sunday

Been hard to get to the blog posts this week - just a quick preview of what's coming. Hope to have more details later . . . we'll see.

Wednesday

Rick Estrin and the Nightcats and Bob Shoemaker at Jimmy Mak's
They Might Be Giants and Guggenheim Grotto at the Crystal Ballroom
Mike Coykendall at Mississippi Studios
The Mountain Goats at the Wonder Ballroom

Thursday
Over the Rhine at the Doug Fir (Friday too)
Rebecca Gates and Bouy Larue at The Woods
Craig Carothers at Buffalo Gap

Friday
Happy Traum will be in town at a special house concert (7-9 pm, $15) - email or call concerts@doolinguitars.com or 503-231-5946 for details (highly recommended - Happy is a legend in acoustic folk/blues circles)
Lucy Kaplansky at Mississippi Studios
Keith Greeninger and Dayan Kai at the Airplay Cafe

Saturday

The Dimes (CD release) and Casey Neill & the Norway Rats at Mississippi Studios (2 shows - 7 and 10 pm)
King Louie & Sweet Baby James and DK Stewart at Jimmy Mak's
Built to Spill at the Wonder Ballroom
Erin McKeown and Sonia Kitchell at The Woods
The Stolen Sweets at Tony Starlight's

Sunday
Blues Power - A Benefit for Blues DJ Tom Wendt will be held at the Crystal Ballroom starting at 4 pm

I'll try to publish more later or tomorrow.about some of these - particularly the Happy Traum, Greeninger/Kai, Dimes/Casey Neill, and Blues Power shows. Otherwise nfo at venue or artist websites - you know how to find those, right? You can also check the Oregon Music News calendar.

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Tragic local music news

Portland drummer Kipp Crawford (Celilo, Fractal Quintet) was killed early Wednesday morning in a tragic accident. Two drunk drivers were arrested for running him over after he fell into the street during what may have been a mugging. A lot of folks are in shock. Here's the story from the Oregonian. Last night at the Laurelthirst there was an impromptu gathering of the musical community in memory of Kipp. Really sad.

Oregon Music News

Closing in on two weeks into the launch of the new site/service Oregon Music News, I thought I should give it more than a mention and point you in it's direction if you haven't checked it out. I really like what Editor-in-Chief Tom D'Antoni, Publisher Nancy Glass, and the rest of the crew are putting together. Music news, features on different genres each day, and an extremely comprehensive focus on local music. The calendar is shaping up, there's a growing set of bloggers contributing too (who knows, you might see me there one of these days). Become a subscriber and a regular reader - you will definitely stay informed about music in Portland. And a big thanks goes to Terry Currier and Music Millennium for providing the inspiration to create OMN.

Thursday and Friday picks

Finding myself way too busy, so I'll keep this short and warn you I might night post again for a week or so. I know . . . idle threat it might be. You'd think this posting thing would only take a minute or two. Alas no . . . . I can spend inordinate amounts of time accomplishing what feels like very little. Speed, multitasking not my strength. Okay, blather switch off now.

Thursday
At the top of my list is tonight is the Cascade Blues Association's annual celebration of the local NW blues community, the Muddy Awards at the Melody Ballroom. Music, awards, community, and fun begins at 6:30 pm and it's free.

A band I came to late, but am enjoying dipping back into their catalog is at the Doug Fir later - Southern Culture on the Skids. With tongue often planted firmly in cheek, they attack southern blues rock with a skewed vengence that can be rediculously fun. The high-energy countryfunk of the Quick and Easy Boys opens. A beer-spillin' evening fo' sure ... 9 pm, $15

In the 'hood (mine that is) spend the evening at the warm and friendly Muddy Rudder with Lloyd Jones. Playing solo, Lloyd will mix his orginal tunes with great blues standards and one of the most engaging personalities on the Portland music scene for over three decades. ...  8 pm, no cover

Speaking of the 'hood . . . The Brothers Young and Boat do a combined CD release show at The Woods ... 9 pm, $7

Oregon Ballet Theater and Horsefeathers have their last of their three show collaboration at Mississippi Studios. Heard it's been quite wonderful  ... 8 pm, $15

Friday
Strong night at the Laurelthirst beginning with James Low doing his monthly first Friday happy hour at  6 pm, (no cover), followed by Bingo Richey and Lewi Longmire at 9:30 pm ($6).

The Siren Nation Festival kicks off at the Someday Lounge ... 8 pm, $12

Jazz, blues, and boogie ivory tinkler David Vest will be at Duff's Garage ... 9:30, $??

The Mother Hips, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and Matthew Lindley will be in town at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $17.50

Maybe more about Saturday and beyond coming soon . . . maybe not  . . . but get out to some live music.