Sunday, February 28, 2010

Sunday shows ...

A few of quick picks for music tonight ....

Portland Jazz Festival winds up today with the featured shows of  Dave Douglas and Brass Ecstasy and Pharoah Sanders.

The Asylum Street Spankers are on their "Salvation and Sin" tour to support their new CD, God's Favorite Band tonight at the Aladdin.  Incorporating their brand of  secular gospel tunes from the new release, there'll be some sinful pickin' tonight ...  8 pm, $20

We certain have our amazing share of excellent singer/songwriters in town and we keep attracting more. A guy fairly new to Portland who I recently heard is Austin Lucas - has a solid country/bluegrass sound ... you might want to check him out tonight at the Hawthorne Theater Lounge ... 8 pm, $5

Friday, February 26, 2010

Friday and Saturday ... great choices!

What a diverse couple of nights in Portland. Don't panic ... just pick something and head out to some live music! It's good for the body, good for the soul ....

Friday
The Portland Jazz Festival continues with a great slate of shows tonight and a full afternoon of jazz conversations at the Art Bar. Tomorrow too ... and Sunday ....

Suzanne Vega will be at the Aladdin tonight. This highly regarded songwriter will be performing a career spanning set of tunes in support of her new CD, Close-Up: Vol 1, Love Songs ... 8 pm, $35

Whether you consider them jazz or jam, Medeski Martin and Wood will make music that hits both your body and your brain tonight at Roseland .... 8 pm, $25

It's happy hour at the Laurelthirst with the Bingo Band (6 pm, no cover), followed by the Freak Mountain Ramblers. Going to be a packed house at the 'Thirst ... 9:30 pm, $6

 DK Stewart and the Soul Survivor Horns will be at Duff's Garage ... grab your dancin' shoes  ... 9:30 pm, $

Dance at the White Eagle too with the Caleb Klauder Country Band and Lisa & Her Kin ... 9:30 pm, $6

Saturday
New Orleans rockin' funky hip-hop outfit Galactic will have a houseful of butts shaking at Roseland ... sweaty fun from the Big Easy ... 9pm, $22

What was born from the annual Willie Nelson Tribute, is an allstar Legends of Country Tribute at the Wonder Ballroom. Drinking Doubles, Shooting Singles will include Lewi Longmire, Michael Jodell, Casey Neill, Adam Shearer, Little Sue, Bingo, Justin Powers and a host of others ... 9 pm, $10

Mary Flower will be appearing at Fleur de Lis Bakery (3930 NE Hancock)  ... $12 (reservations required - call 503-459-4887) ... they serve dinner at 6:30 pm and the music begins at 8.

Another fine night at the Laurelthirst begins with Little Sue for happy hour, followed by a triple bill of Kelly Blair Bauman, the Parson Red Heads, and Mike Coykendall & Golden Shag ... 9:30 pm, $5

James Low will be doing an acoustic set at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

At Mississippi Studios it's John Vecchiarelli, The Robinsons, and Damian Jurado ... 9 pm, $12

At the Alberta Street it's deep roots and Americana with The Beautiful Train Wrecks and The Troublemakers ... 9 pm, $5

Over at The Woods it's neo-traditional jazz with The Midnight Serenaders and Swing Papillon ... 9 pm, $10

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Busy week in music - we'll start with tonight

Let's begin with the Portland Jazz Festival. There are so many great shows associated with this event, the best thing I can do is send you to the schedule and to Oregon Music News for a bunch of great articles on the festival and artists who will be here. Note on the schedule there's music associated with the festival all around town - much of it free. Featured artist shows begin tonight with Brazilian singer Luciana Souza and there's some cool opportunities to learn via conversations with featured musicians at the Art Bar (lobby of the Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday afternoons (free!). I really encourage you to get out and support this annual event!
In other music tonight ...
For happy hour, it's Lewi and the Left Coast Roasters at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover ... and Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys at Duff's Garage ... 6 pm, $2

At 6 pm you can also catch Kasey Anderson with Mathew Ryan at Music Millennium. Fine story about Kasey in this morning's Oregonian by music editor Ryan White. Kasey and Mathew will also be at Berbati's tonight, along with Michael Dean Damron and The Hounds Below ... 9:30 pm, $5

Adam Levy will be at the Alberta Street Pub. Adam is best known for his tenure as the guitarist in Norah Jones’ Handsome Band from '01 through ’07, but has done lots more as a writer, producer and performer. Sarah Gwen Peters opens ... 7 pm, $??

At Jimmy Mak's it's the very soulful Mel Brown B-3 Organ Band ... 8 pm, $5

Lauren Sheehan is at the Muddy Rudder - back for her regular Thursday nights there ... 8 pm, no cover

Late show at the Laurelthirst is the Royal Codfish Society Orchestra (otherwise known as Highclass Jugband Musicalogical Entertainment with Turtle VanDemar, Johnnie Ward, Tim Acott, and Paul Basset) ... 9:30 pm, $4

The Garcia Birthday Band is at the White Eagle ... 8:30 pm, no cover

And, there's an excellent old time/bluegrass show at Mississippi Studios with Danny Barnes and The Wilders ... 9 pm, $12

Late addition:  The Northwesternaires will be at The Spare Room ... kick up your heels with some western swing ... 9 pm, no cover

And there's so much more going on ... check here, here and here and maybe here for lots more options!

More later or tomorrow about the weekend! Preview: Medeski Martin & Wood, Suzanne Vega, Weinland, Galactic, Midnight Serenaders, an all-star country music tribute ... and more.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Fred Eaglesmith tonight at the Fez

One of my favorite songwriters is in town tonight and if you can come out to the Fez ballroom, you really should check out Fred Eaglesmith.  Back in June he packed Poppa G's Vegan Deli for a solo show (typical of Fred to play obscure venues), but tonight he's got the full band. Still this show is flying way under the radar ... so here's what I said June:
" ... 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 a 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 .... "

Same holds for tonight at the Fez ... 8 pm, $20

Friday, February 19, 2010

Quick weekend picks

The Portland Jazz Festival begins on Sunday with a week of fine local and imported jazz around town. The big shows are next weekend, but lots going on that you might want to check out. Here's an interview from Oregon Music News with festival founder Bill Royston. Check it out ...

Friday
The aforementioned James McMurtry will be at the Aladdin tonight ... 8 pm, $16

LiveWire Radio tapes tonight at the Mission Theater. Guests include actor Daniel Stern, the writers from The Family Guy, Holcomb Waller and Haley Bonar ... 7:30 pm, $20

Bingo's in town and that means The Bingo Band at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm, $6

Saturday
At the Crystal Ballroom Music Millennium presents the reunion show of The Dharma Bums to celebrate 40 years of MM. Special guests The Young Fresh Fellows and Derby too ... 8 pm, $17

It's traditional Celtic music at the Aladdin with Solas ... 8 pm, $25

The Thad Beckman Trio will be at O'Connors ... 8 pm, $5

James Low and band will be at the Laurelthirst ... 9 pm, $5

Sassparilla will be at the Alberta Street Pub ... 9 pm, $??

The Troublemakers and the Robbie Laws Trio join forces at the Trails End Saloon for what they're calling Trouble With the Law ... no trouble here creating a bluesy, swampified musical collaboration .... 9 pm, $8

It's time for the monthly Miz Kitty's Parlour Vaudeville review at the Mission Theater. Guests this month include cellist Gideon Freudmann, the Bridgetown Sextet, and Lauren Sheehan ... 7 pm, $12

Visqueen, Hey Marseille and Black Whales are at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $ 9

... and Loch Lomond's Ritchie Young is doing a solo show at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Mardi Gras!

It's Fat Tuesday ... whatcha listening to? celebrating later? already started?

Check out music on KMHD (89.1) all day today. If you're listening via the internet, you can also go to WWOZ in New Orleans. Both available via iTunes radio too ...

Heading out ... here's a couple to check out -

It's a Mardi Gras party all day at EaT on North Williams ... music begins at 5 pm ... definitely will be a party!

Mardi Gras with “The Big Easy Band” featuring Ed Neumann, Nick Saume & Pete Moss at Doc George's Jazz Kitchen (4605 Northeast Fremont) ...

There's more around town ... but that's all from me at the moment!

Add more options you know about via the comments below ... 

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Coming soon - lots of great shows - Pt 1

Had intended to do a "shows on the horizon" post, but the horizon arrive a lot faster than anticipated ... so these are shows coming up this week. This past week saw some great touring acts coming through Portland - Wilco, Van Dyke Parks, and the David Rawlings Machine were all fantastic (from reports I received on the first two that I unfortunately missed, and personal experience from the latter). The opportunities for quality touring acts in town continues this week with three great shows at the Aladdin.

Richard Thompson will be there for two shows on Tuesday and Wednesday. He always packs the house and he always delivers. One of my favorite artists will be there with his band ... and recording a new CD live during the tour. Format of the show will include a first set will be all new material for the recording and then a 2nd set of favorites. Tickets still available for both nights ... 8 pm, $35



Thompson will be followed at the Aladdin on Thursday by Ricky Lee Jones. If you haven't been paying attention, Jones has a critically acclaimed CD that she released last fall - Balm in Gilead - that she's touring behind. Still playing by her own rules, still iconoclastic, genre-defying and compelling ... long way from Chuck E's in Love, but we all grow up don't we?  ... 8 pm, $35



If that's not enough, Jones is follow on Friday night by Austin's James McMurtry. McMurtry tells great stories in his songs, with a keen eye for character and strong social commentary ... and unrelenting kick-ass music. Another artist you should check out if you don't know his work ... 8 pm, $16 (guess he's the bargin show of the three)



And there's more coming to town in the next two weeks including Fred Eaglesmith, Medeski, Martin and Wood, Suzanne Vega, the Magnetic Fields, the subdudes, Galactic, Alejandro Escovedo .... and beginning next Sunday, the Portland Jazz Festival.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Friday picks and a "don't miss" for Saturday

So here's a few for tonight:

Getting started with a happy hour? (always a good move on Friday!) ... try Woodbrain at the Laurelthirst. 6 pm, no cover

At Holocene there's an early show - the Laura Gibson and Ethan Rose CD release of Bridge Carols ... 7 pm, $8

There's another benefit for Mercy Corps efforts in Haiti at Mississippi Studios tonight. This time Courtenay Hameister and the crew from LiveWire have assembled an all-star cast for music and spoken word - including Horse Feathers, Alela Diane, Celilo, and Sean Flinn  ... 8 pm, $15

A two-day benefit, this one for Ethos Music Center, called Cover Your Hearts will be at the Someday Lounge. Great lineups both days you should check out  ... 8 pm, $15 (Saturday too)

The Woods has Run On Sentence and Heroes and Villains ... 9 pm, $7

Trouble sleeping? Join The Insomniacs at Duff's ... you might as well dance ... 9:30 pm, $??

And at the White Eagle it's Brad Creel and the Reel Deel ...but also catch the opener, Kristen Ward ...impressive - check out her music ... 9:30 pm, $6

Lots of good stuff for tonight  ... and here's my pick show for Saturday (might have a few more, but if I don't get around to writing more, this one you shouldn't miss).

Though best know as the longtime musical partner of Gillian Welch, David Rawlings is an amazing artist on his own. Extrordinary guitar player, fine singer and songwriter, he is front and center in his own project - the Dave Rawlings Machine. He will be at Roseland tonight, but also doing a free in-store performance at Music Millennium at 5 pm. ... Roseland show at 8 pm, $22.50

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Thursday quickies

Arrgg .... too busy for too many recommendations ... but here's a few for tonight:

A really fine Mercy Corps fundraiser for Haiti will be over at Mississippi Studios that includes Blue Giant, the Minus 5, and Lewi Longmire. Folks, the need is dire ... and the music going to be wonderful - two great reasons to show up! .... 8 pm, $15 (up to as much as you can afford to give)

Austin's The Gourds are at the Doug Fir tonight ... 9 pm, $15

Dolorean is at The Woods supporting an album release by Rauelsson ... 9 pm, $7

More tomorrow .... get out to a show!

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Quick picks for Wednesday

Looking for early music?  I'd check out The Northwesternaires at Duff's Garage for happy hour ... some very cool toe-tappin' western swing ... 6 pm, $2

Swing Papillion is at The Press Club ... 7:30 pm, no cover

Later?
Lex Browning (of the Freak Mountain Ramblers) is at the White Eagle ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The legendary Van Dyke Parks will be at Mississippi Studios tonight. The not yet legendary Clare & the Reasons and Josh Mease open ... 9 pm, $22

The monthly In Music We Trust showcase at the Doug Fir includes Nick Peets and the John Craig Band ... 9 pm, $5

Piano Throwers will be doing the heavy lifting at the Laurelthirst ... 9:30 pm

SBC-16 Photos

After much procrastinating, I finally got my photos together and into a Picassa album online ... just a small glimpse of the week on the ship, with friends and great music.

Sandy Beaches Cruise 16

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Laura Gibson & Ethan Rose in-store record release TONIGHT at Music Millennium

Recommended!



TONIGHT!

RECORD RELEASE
IN-STORE PERFORMANCE!

LAURA GIBSON / ETHAN ROSE

Tuesday, 2/9 - 7 PM

It began as a conversation of mutual appreciation and curiosity - a shared desire to challenge old ways of working. Ethan had mostly distanced his music from words, while Laura had often felt bound by them. They began experimenting with different methods of collaboration. Inspired by Laura's voice, Ethan began building soundscapes, while Laura looked through piles of notebooks, coming across old phrases that never found home in verses or rhymes. They began recording Laura singing these unused writings. It's music that feels intimately familiar, timeless; at its heart, quite natural and human.

 

 

Saturday, February 6, 2010

First Feb weekend - pt 2

So here's some Saturday picks ...

Winterfolk XXII, the annual fundraiser for the Sisters of the Road Cafe is at the Aladdin Theater tonight and feature Peter Yarrow ... 8 pm, $30

The Blasters and the Memphis Radio Kings are at Dante's celebrating the venue's 10th anniversary ... 9:30 pm, $18

St Vincent will be doing two shows at the Doug Fir that includes an all-ages show at 5 pm. Annie Clark is a gifted guitarist, singer and songwriter who makes some adventurous and beautiful music ...5 pm, $15 and 9 pm, $17

Fan of guitarists who play with a hunk of metal or glass on their finger? The show for you tonight is The Sultans of Slide at the Cascade Bar & Grill in Vancouver. Franck “Paris Slim” Goldwasser, Bob Shoemaker, Alan Hagar and Chris Miller are some of the area's best at the technique - and there will be two full performances beginning at 8:30 ... $10

Critically acclaimed band of young string players, The Bee Eaters, will be at The Woods. And they'll be joined by local guitarist Scott Law for what should shape up to be a really excellent night of music. Check this band out.  ... 9 pm, $15

Friday, February 5, 2010

First Feb weekend - pt 1

Lots going on, so here's some great choices for tonight.

James Low's happy hour show at the Laurelthirst - tonight the band is going to be the "old band" (including Lewi Longmire on guitar and Merilee Hord on fiddle, but with Tim Huggins on bass) ... should be fun .... 6 pm, no cover

Speaking of the Laurethirst, stay after happy hour for the late show with Sweetjuice ... 9:30 pm, $5

Or, head over to Biddy McGraws if you need another dose of Lewi with his band ... 9:30pm, no cover

Over at the Alberta Street Pub, it's three acoustic guitar masters - Mary Flower, Jamie Stillway and Cyd Smith. Billed as The Pickin' Chicks, this will be a fine evening of fret work ... 7:30 pm, $15

Great show at The Woods with songwriter Dan Bern, with special guests The Robinsons (Viva Voce), in a benefit for the Portland Folk Festival ... 9 pm, $18


Linda Hornbuckle and her band will be at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

LaRhonda Steele is at Halibut's ... 8 pm, no cover

... and the Sugarcane String Band will be at the White Eagle ... 9:30 pm, $6

 ... then there's the taping of the pilot for Front Row - a new video music program - with the Crazy8s and Derby at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $18

This was getting long, so I'll have some more great choices for Saturday up later ... stay tuned.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Front Row w/Backstage Pass

Think it would be cool to have a television program dedicated to presenting the great range of music coming out of the Northwest? That's the dream of the folks behind Front Row w/Backstage Pass.

You can be part of the pilot show for this exciting venture, which will take place at the Aladdin Theater this coming Friday night. One concept they will use is to combine performances by bands that have a long Northwest history and relative newcomers ... and they'll mix genres too, to reflect the multiple musical styles that you can hear most any night in Portland.

The pilot will feature the Crazy 8s and Derby. This should be quite a kickoff ... it could become the "Austin City Limits" of the Northwest. And you can say you were there when it all started ... 8 pm, $15 advance / $18 door