Wednesday, December 30, 2009

New Year's Eve

If you're up for being out to celebrate crossing into the 2nd decade of 21st century, there's certainly no lack of options ... here's just a few:

For you early birds, two great choices are at Duff's Garage and the Laurelthirst -- Duff's has Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys (6-8 pm, $10), and the Laurelthirst has its usual Thursday happy hour with Lewi Longmire (6-8 pm, no cover).

Mel Brown is at Jimmy Mak's for both a dinner show (6:30 - 9 pm) and a cocktail show (10 pm) ... $25 guaranteed seating/$15 general admission for both shows. Tickets available at Tickets Oregon.

Speaking of Tickets Oregon, there's a list of NYE events you can purchase tickets for at the site - check the calendar.

At Wilf's (at Union Station) it's the Ron Steen Trio with Kate Davis and Greg Goebel - they'll do three dinner seatings at 5:30, 7:15 and 9:30 pm - call for reservations (503-223-0070)... cover is $10.

The McMenamin's empire has something going at every one of their venues - easiest thing to do is check their schedule for your favorite location or band. It includes the Masters of Funk show at the Crystal featuring the Bar-Kays, Ohio Players, the Dazz Band, and locals Linda Hornbuckle and Liv Warfield (10 pm, $45).

It's a Two Beers Viers' New Years (Laura Viers, Chris Funk, Annalisa Tornfelt, Tucker Martine and a host of friends) at the Laurelthirst ... but hear it's already sold out ... 9:30 pm

Chervona headlines a NYE celebration at the Alberta Street Pub ... 9 pm, $10

Quasi and The Shaky Hands and Inside Voices will entertain at Fir Ball 2010 at the Doug Fir Lounge ... 9 pm, $15

Mississippi Studios has a fine evening with Federale and The Builders And The Butchers ... 9 pm, $15

Duff's Garage will host the Insomniacs ... sleepless on SE Seventh ... 9:30 pm, $15

Melao de Cana is at Mississippi Pizza .... 9:30 pm

Something there for ya ... or spend a quiet evening somewhere with friends/family ... whatever works for you, have a safe, happy and healthy ringing in of 2010!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Reflections on '09

Blather alert!

Self-indulgent twaddle ahead!

OK, you've been warned ... proceed at your own risk ...

So I'm NOT going to make a best list - best shows, best CDs, songs - interested in what others say, but ultimately they are just subjective lists that generate a lot of pontificating and meaningless noise.

I've probably forgotten more than I care to admit about the live music I've seen this year, but here's a few notable shows that have stuck for me and a few other mostly random comments.

Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women at the Aladdin in September - not just because of the amazing musical interplay and evident friendship and joy of playing together among members of a stellar band, but because a few short weeks later the band tragically suffered the loss of a key member, fiddler and vocalist Amy Farris. Listening to the fine CD that Dave and the band produced this year is now a bittersweet experience.

Tom Russell at the Aladdin earlier this month (and with Portland's Thad Beckman on guitar) gave a deeply satisfying performance ... and his latest CD, Blood and Candle Smoke is one of my favorites of this year.

Kevin Gordon at the Waterfront Blues Festival, Laurelthirst and Sellwood Riverfront Park. Memorable for a number of reasons. Being a fan of a relatively unknown artist from the other side of the country who had never made it to the Northwest, it was gratifying to see the great reaction to his songs and performances. I was persistent in my encouragement to both the festival and Kevin that there was an audience here for his music ... and glad I wasn't mistaken.

Booker T at Mississippi Studios in May - not just Booker T's set with his crack band, but also opener Tahoe Jackson's incendiary performance set the night's musical bar very high ...

Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Shawn Colvin and Buddy Miller at Oaks Park in June ... they can sit around and swap songs anytime ... I'll be listening. BTW, Buddy and Julie Miller's Written in Chalk is another favorite released this year.

Los Lobos at the Aladdin last January that besides a great performance included an impromptu sing-along through a selection of Frank Zappa tunes in the lobby after the show. Priceless.

Marcia Ball's 60th birthday celebration in Austin in February... my one music journey of the year was an outstanding trip - three days with some of my favorite artists and friends ... wow.

Any number of nights at the Laurelthirst or Duff's Garage ... probably my two favorite venues that feature local music - whether it's James Low, Lewi Longmire, Little Sue, Casey Neill, Lisa and Her Kin, Lloyd Jones, David Vest, Pete Krebs, the Freak Mountain Ramblers, Paula Sinclair, or a host of other great local acts ... but close behind is the White Eagle (Bottle Rockets, month-long runs by The Troublemakers and Steve Kerin & Friends) and neighborhood places like the Muddy Rudder (Sellwood), O'Connors (Multnomah Village) or the Press Club (on SE Clinton) ... all great places to simply hang out, see folks you know and hear the best local music in town. And we all have our favorites ... so keep heading over, tell the owners you love coming out for the live music, and remember to be generous in feeding the tip jar.

It was great to have Mississippi Studios reopen in it's new, larger form in March. Having been closely involved in the venue through it's early years, I have to say I have a nostalgic fondness for the intimate old room - some of the best music I've seen in the last five years happened there - but the reality of the business unfortunately makes rooms like that difficult to sustain, so kudos to Jim Brumberg for having a vision for a bigger room that could keep some of the intimacy while accommodating bigger crowds. It's different but a lot more is possible, and I think they are evolving their programming "voice" that balances between touring and local shows and appealing to a variety of genres and ages ... and to do this during tough economic times too is impressive. Kudos also to Ritchie Young and Vivian Lyons for converting an old Westmoreland funeral parlor into The Woods - another venue that is striving to balance touring and local acts in a creative and intimate environment. The music community really needs venues like these.

It also felt like a year of a lot of loss in music - besides Amy Farris, it included Les Paul, Duane Jarvis, Vic Chesnutt, Willy DeVille, Koko Taylor, Rick Wright, Ellie Greenwich, Mary Travers, Mike Seeger, Eddie Bo, Jay Bennett, (okay, and Michael Jackson) ... and one who I had gotten to know over the past nine years, Stephen Bruton, after a three year battle with cancer. BTW, check out the movie Crazy Heart - the music and Jeff Bridges' performance have a lot of Stephen in them. It was his final music project and a fitting tribute to an immensely talented artist who flew just a bit too under the radar for most folks to notice. But the hole left by his loss will be widely felt.

Our local community wasn't spared loss, with the deaths of singer/songwriter Scott "Scotland Barr" Moritz and drummer Kipp Crawford - two very talented and well-like musicians gone way too soon. You might want to raise a glass to all who have gone as you reflect on this past year.

And finally, kudos to Ryan White, who became music editor this year at the Oregonian - his perceptive writing, insights and knowledge of the Portland music scene (not to mention sense of humor) were a welcome addition to local music reporting. And speaking of music reporting, you should check out Oregon Music News (if you haven't yet) - Tom D'Antoni and crew are trying to establish a solid web presence as a one-stop multi-genre music news location -- you should visit often!

See ... rambling random babble ... but thanks for indulging me to the end of the post.

So get out when you can to support live music and I hope to catch you at a show or two in the 2010!

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Probably last post for the week

Time to get a little quiet for a few days ... maybe even a week or so ... there'll still be music out and about, but I'll just say celebrate the holidays (or not) as is your tradition ... and enjoy!

But if you're in the mood for live music, here's a few shows tonight you might consider ...

Nick Jaina and friends have been keeping things happy and bright this month at the Laurelthirst Wednesday happy hour shows ... still two more chances to check it out before the end of the year ... 6 pm, no cover

Little Sue does her popular Wednesday happy hour show at Biddy McGraw's ... 6 pm, no cover

The Thad Beckman Trio will be at O'Connors in Multnomah Village ... 7 pm, $5

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

John Koonce and One More Mile are out on the west side at the Rock Creek Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

Opps . . . one more ... Norman Sylvester/Lloyd Jones at the 915 Club(915 SW 2nd Ave - map)
Norman Sylvester and Lloyd Jones will get together again for a, "New Millenium" blues and funky R&B "Downtown Dance Party"! Check it out! ...  8 pm, $??

I may post a few end of the year reflections (unless I decide it's just useless self-indulgent blather ... wait, of course it is - hmmm ... okay maybe I won't post) ... good chance there won't be recommendations coming until the new year, unless something jumps up that I have to get out there.

So in case this is it for a while, enjoy your week and see ya in 2010 ... and out supporting live music!

Monday, December 21, 2009

...And one for tonight

Don't miss Robbie Fulks at Mississippi Studios ... yeah it's Monday at the head of a busy holiday week, but if you like intelligent, sometimes snarky, country-ish music (hey, who doesn't?), Fulks will deliver big. One of the most entertaining performers I know ...

This from WW's Casey Jarman ... "ROBBIE FULKS' rare combination of left-leaning politics and honky-tonk twang puts him in an awkward position: Neither the country music world nor the Daily Show faithful seem to want to embrace him fully. But Fulks seems just fine with making people uncomfortable. Even though the Chicago-based songwriter loves to share his often pointed opinions - he wrote a song called "Fuck This Town" dedicated to Nashville, an atheist opus titled "God Isn't Real" and a single called "Rap of the Dead 2007," where he spends nearly six minutes actually MC-ing about celebrities and musicians who died that year-he's quite capable of writing in the country canon and performing convincing bluegrass and honky-tonk standards as well." And as an added treat, critically acclaimed violinist and vocalist Jenny Scheinman opens ... 8 pm, $15 (this is a bargain!)

 ... and he's a pretty fair picker too.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Twas the weekend before Christmas

... and there's music ....

Saturday
It's 2009's final LiveWire taping at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $20

The Little Sue Band will keep the Laurelthirst Happy Hour crowd happy ... 6 pm, no cover

Kate Power and Steve Einhorn have a special Christmas show at the Alberta Street Pub... 7 pm, $??

The Goodfoot will be rockin' and rumblin' with the Quick and Easy Boys and Lewi Longmire ... 9 pm, $??

Lisa And Her Kin will be honky-tonkin' the Mock Crest Tavern ... 9 pm, $??

Drunken Prayer and The Beautiful Train Wrecks will be drunkenly crashing rail cars at The Woods ... 9 pm, $6

Colin Lake & Wellbottom and Bad Assets make it a blusy evening at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $??

 ... and the Garcia Birthday Band is jammin' on the westside at the Rock Creek Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

Sunday

A show you might want to check out is Seattle's The Cave Singers and Haley Bonar at Mississippi Studios ... 8 pm, $12

... and Raina Rose will be at the Alberta Street Pub ... 7 pm, $??

Friday, December 18, 2009

No white elephants!

It's the frenzy of holiday prep, family gatherings, and all sorts of merriment and such ... but musicians gotta play music, so don't forget to make a little time to see and hear your favorites ... and ideal for slowing down the busyness of the holidays.

BTW, as a gift giving idea why not give a night out to hear any of Portland's wonderful musical artists - and it certainly beats another sweater. This could be especially nice for those who don't get out enough to hear live music. I know there are venues in town that do gift certificates too ...


Quick picks for tonight include ...

Amelia will be at the Press Club ... nice to see the band playing gigs again and hopefully indicative of more to come. We've missed them ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Over at the Eagles Club (SE 49th & Hawthorne) is the Too Loose Cajun Band with some very special guests for a Last Chance Christmas Dance. This will be the first time two of Louisiana's finest musicians residing in Portland (Reggie Houston & Steve Kerin) have played together. Paul Brainard is in the mix too ... gonna be a hot night of cajun, zydeco and Louisiana style fun ...'zat you Santa? ... 8 pm, $10

The Bridgetown Sextet will be at Duff's Garage. This excellent jazz group " ...performs authentic, energetic roots jazz from the 1920s, '30s and '40s, with a sound evoking Creole New Orleans, the stomp of prohibition-era Chicago, fast-paced Harlem stride piano, and the tight swing of depression-era Manhattan." Sounds good to me! ... 8:30 pm, $7

The Freak Mountain Ramblers will have the Laurelthirst packed for a late show ... 9:30 pm, $??

If you head out to Edgefield this weekend (tonight through Sunday), there will be holiday festivities including carolers strolling the grounds and Mary Flower with Jesse Withers doing some Christmas Blues . . . 7 pm, free

Maybe more tomorrow for Saturday and Sunday . . .

Monday, December 14, 2009

Two for tonight and Tuesday

If you're looking for something out and about tonight - and particularly if you're in the vicinity of Sellwood - come over to the Muddy Rudder (SE Tacoma at 7th - at east end of the Sellwood Bridge) for the 2nd of Lloyd Jones' now regular Blue Mondays. It's something Lloyd did in the past a other venues around town, but now in his own neighborhood (and mine). It's an easy going Monday that starts solo and generally ends up with all kinds of guests lending support and having a fine old funky time. Never know who might show up, but everyone has a blast playing with Mr. Jones. Have a beer, some pizza and enjoy. Music starts at 8 pm.

And tomorrow over at the Aladdin, I highly recommend catching Tom Russell. One of America's best songwriters - storyteller, writer, artist, and cogent critical observer of modern culture, he's on tour supporting his new critically acclaimed CD, Blood and Candlesmoke. And he's accompanied on guitar by Portland's own Thad Beckman ... 8 pm, $25

Here's a little taste of Tom from Letterman recently:

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Saturday and Sunday

Quick picks for tonight (with a slight update). . .

Happy hour at the Laurelthirst has the fine songwriting and singing of Little Sue and Lynn Conover Casey Neill (6 pm, no cover) ... then stay for the late show with James Low (with the "old" band - Lewi Longmire, Merilee Hord, Jolie Clausen, and Tim Huggins subbing for Matt Voth), followed by the Sassparilla Jug Band ... 9 pm, $??

The soulful sounds of LaRhonda Steele will fill Clyde's ... 8:45 pm, no cover (and all ages)

It's Latin jazz at Jimmy Mak's with the Bobby Torres Ensemble ... 8 pm, $10

More fine jazz in the ArtBar at the Performing Arts Center with the John Gross/Dave Frishberg/Charlie Doggett Trio ... presented by PDX Jazz ... 8 pm, free

Multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter Rob Stroup with his band, The Blame, will be at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30 pm, no cover

... and former Oregonian Jerry Joseph is back in town for his first solo tour in 10 years and at The Woods tonight. He'll be joined by a few special guests, including drummer Steve Drizos, and Little Sue to add some fine harmony) ... 9 pm, $12

Sunday
In need of holiday sounds? Besides the last of the Trail Band's shows at the Aladdin, over at the Schnitz it's the annual Gospel Christmas ... 7:30 pm, $25

For a slightly different take on holiday music, The Dandy Warhols will have a Fellin-esque take on Christmas at their annual show at the Wonder Ballroom  ... 7 pm, $15

... and try not miss the Geoff Muldaur/Jim Kweskin performance at Mississippi Studios! ... 8 pm, $25

Friday, December 11, 2009

Friday music ... good stuff

Another weekend with lots of outstanding live music choices . . .

Besides Teresa James being in town tonight (see previous blog post for details) and the Trail Band's holiday shows at the Aladdin, there's a rescheduled CD release from Richmond Fontaine and KINK's sold out annual holiday benefit show going on tonight (with Brandi Carlile subbing for an ailing Bruce Hornsby as headliner).

Fine show at Dante's tonight - Richmond Fontaine celebrate the release of their new CD, We Used To Think The Freeway Sounded Like A River. Fine support provided by Dolorean and Michael Dean Damron ... 9:30 pm, $8

Woodbrain has their monthly happy hour tonight at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover

The Linda Hornbuckle Band is at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

Lara Michele and Michael Jodell will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The Strangetones are at Duff's ... 9:30 pm, $??

Norfolk & Western, Carcrashlander, and Grand Hallway (the latter two doing album releases) are at The Woods ... 9 pm, $7

A late show at Mississippi Studios will feature Harper Simon (yes, Paul's son) and The Chapin Sisters ... 10 pm, $12

And finally, there's a couple of excellent jazz choices - downtown at Bijou Cafe with Nancy King, Steve Christopherson, Glenn Moore, Warren Rand, Robert Moore and Dick Berk (quite the lineup!) ... 8 pm, $18 (includes complimentary hors d/ouvres)
... and at Arrivederci in Milwaukie (where there's jazz every weekend) with Rebecca Kilgore ... 8 pm, no cover

See ya out and about!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Diverse Thursday

Wow, feeling under the weather yesterday  I kinda ignored some great shows  - Tab Benoit, Chick Corea (!), Nick Jaina, Piano Throwers, and a bunch more - hopefully some of you got to a show or two.

But there's a boatload of cool and diverse choices for Thursday night.

If it's warm and Christmas-y you're looking for, the Aladdin is the place with the annual holiday shows by the Trail Band. Charming, entertaining and family-friendly, this has become a Portland tradition . . . looks like there's still tickets left - runs through the weekend with two shows on Saturday and Sunday... Various prices, 7 pm (and 3 pm for afternoon shows).

Happy hour? Pete Krebs and Portland Playboys are back for Thursdays at Duffs (6 pm). Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6 pm).

Later . . .
Miriam's Well will be at the Alberta Street Public House ... 7 pm, $??

Mel Brown's B-3 Organ Band at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $5

Rollie Tussing at Biddy McGraw's ... 9 pm, no cover

Stumptown Printers 10th Anniversary Celebration will feature Norfolk & Western at Holocene .... 9 pm, $10 (with catering by Voodoo Doughnuts ..... ohhhhh ... doughnuts)

The Charlie Hunter Trio will be at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $18

Lisa and Her Kin at the Ponderosa Lounge (Jubitz) ... 9 pm, no cover

Anais Mitchell and Annie Bethancourt will be at The Woods ... 9 pm, $8

Edie Carey will be doing the later show at the Alberta Street Pub ... 9:30 pm, $12

Reggie Houston, Pete Krebs (busy guy!) and Tim Acott will do the late show at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $??

Tell me you can't find something in that list that will get you out on a Thursday! And more great choices coming for Friday, too.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Chuck Prophet tonight and a heads-up

Excellent show tonight - Chuck Prophet at Mississippi Studios ... 8 pm, $15

There are two shows I want you to keep on your radar for this weekend ...

On Friday is a very cool opportunity to see Teresa James and the Rhythm Tramps, one of my favorite singers with an absolutely crack band. They don't tour much as the band is made up of in-demand session and side players in LA, so when they're around you really don't want to miss them. And this week the opportunity is going to be up close and personal at a rockin' house party - In the House. I've know Teresa and the band since my early trips on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise. Teresa is a regular - and a crowd favorite who has turned in some of the best sets of music I've seen over the years (no small feat considering the talent that plays on board).  Music goes from 7-10 pm, and the donation at the door is $12. BYOB  ... email or call host Jim Flynn for the details - jimflynn@realtytrust.com / 503-784-6824

At Mississippi Studios on Sunday night is another of my very favorite artists, Geoff Muldaur.Geoff is simply a master. Guitar player, vocalist, encyclopedic knowledge of American roots music - blues, jazz, folk, country all weave their way through his sound. And stories - he has a few as he's been performing since his days in the coffee houses of Cambridge and Boston in the early 60s. He'll be performing with his old friend and musical compadre, Jim Kweskin (Geoff was a founding member of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band in 1963). Geoff was interviewed on Monday by Terry Gross on Fresh Air. Amazing history, amazing talent ... don't miss this show ... 8 pm, $25

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Saturday and Sunday picks

More music to warm your weekend . . . and don't forget the Holiday Ale Festival going on in Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Saturday
It's happy hour at the Laurelthirst with the Little Sue Band (6 pm, no cover) ... followed by Lynn Conover at 9:30.

Fine show at Mississippi Studios with Kelly Joe Phelps and Krista Herring ... 9 pm, $17

Over at the Doug Fir it's the eclectic sounds of Poi Dog Pondering ... 9 pm, $15

Colin Lake and Wellbottom will be at the Mocks Crest Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

Paris Slim & The Parasites, including Steve Kerin on keys, will be at the Trails End Saloon ... 9 pm, $??

Duff's Garage has the big band blues and swing of Johnny Ward's Sharkskin Review - wear your dancin' shoes for this one ...  9:30 pm, $??  (BTW, though I forgot this show in yesterday's list - douh!- Duff's was a blast last night with David Vest - do not miss him next time he's in town)

The Crystal Ballroom has Brett Dennen tonight, but more interesting to me on this bill is the opener - Grace Potter and the Nocturnals - check this band out ... 8 pm, $25

... and the Lewi Longmire Band will be at Biddy McGraw's  ... 10 pm, no cover

Sunday
The Aladdin will be swingin' with the western swing of the Hot Club of Cowtown. And the show will kick off with the 1930's swing jazz of The Stolen Sweets ... sweet! ... 8 pm, $18

Friday, December 4, 2009

Music for a chilly Friday

Definitely a December chill . . . time to snuggle up by the fire with a good book, a glass of wine . . .  but if you can motivate out of the house, there's no lack of shows to check out tonight . . . .

Happy hour at the Laurelthirst with James Low ... 6 pm, no cover

Joshua Slamp will be doing a free set at Music Millennium @ 6 pm.

The Portland Cello Project's big Holiday Spectacular with the Portland Ukulele Project, The Robinsons, Panther and Leviathan at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $15

The Ben Darwish Band and Sam Howard Band at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

The Atonements are at the Queen of Hearts Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover

Returning from the their fall US tour, it will be a welcome homecoming for Blind Pilot with two nights at the Wonder Ballroom. Laura Veirs and Mimicking Birds are also on the bill ... 8 pm, $13

It's Huck Notari and Caleb Klauder bluegrassing it up at (in?) The Woods ...  9 pm, $7

... and at Mississippi Studios, it's Sallie Ford & the Sound Outside, the Brothers Young, and Marty Marquis (of Blitzen Trapper) ... 9 pm, $10

 . . . warm yourself with some cool music!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Busy Thursday!

Yeow ... lots going on tonight besides the Beavers-Ducks game (it's not like everyone cares, do they?). There are so many great music choices tonight - and most you can catch after the game, anyway. So plan your evening!

Happy hour shows include the ever reliable and rockin' Lewi Longmire in his usual slot at the Laurelthirst (6 pm). Over at Duff's you can catch the Western swing, jazz, and honky-tonk sounds of the Northwesternaires. The band includes Chris and Ian Miller, and besides playing swing and jazz standards, features original tunes by Chris. Definitely wear your dancin' shoes (6 pm).

Hang at Duff's for the late show with Big Monti. The house will be rockin' ... 9 pm, $??

Lauren Sheehan and Greg Clarke will be at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

Mel Brown's B-3 Organ Band is back to regular Thursday nights at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm. $5

John Doe is in town tonight at Dante's. Willy Vlautin will open. Songwriter heaven ... 9 pm, $13

Back in town for a short visit after her move to Florida, Reina Collins will be at the Ponderosa Lounge at Jubitz  ... 9 pm, no cover

Weinland and Garrett Pierce will be at The Woods ... 9 pm, $10

And there's a special fundraiser tonight at the Hawthorne Theater. You might of seen the story in today's Oregonian about Emme Ek and the benefit show that was put together for her. Bill includes Jenny Conlee (of the Decemberists) and From Words to Blows ...  6 pm, $10 ... all ages.

Football? Music? Both? Enjoy your evening!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009