As we move into our Memorial Day weekend, there's plenty of music about, but the one show I'll note for tonight is an infrequent chance to hear a very cool band play music about ... baseball! Scott McCaughey and Steve Wynn recorded The Baseball Project's first CD, Frozen Ropes and Dying Quails (you need to know the language of baseball to get the title) in 2008. It was a set of great songs about the game ... focused on the various fascinating characters, icons, and incidents of baseball lore. Joined by Peter Buck on bass and Linda Pitmon on drums, this is a triple play band -- performing as not only TBP, but as the Steve Wynn Four, and The Minus Five. And the band continues to express their love of the the game by releasing new Baseball Project songs each month as the 2010 season progresses ... All "three" bands will be performing tonight at the Doug Fir .... 9 pm, $15
This blog will cover my ramblings about upcoming live music in and around Portland and recommendations for getting out to clubs and concerts . . . . and whatever else I feel like blathering about.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Getting back into the swing of things ...
I'm a little slow getting my motor running, but I'll get back into the swing of things ....
Tonight I want to point you towards one show you shouldn't miss ...
If you like your guitar players twangy, one of the twangiest is making a rare visit to Portland tonight at Duff's Garage. Bill Kirchen earned notice as a member of Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen, but has had a long career as a solo artist and sideman to some of the best. Both the Willamette Week and the Oregonian ran stories on his appearance tonight at Duff's, so get there early, as it will probably sell out ... Lisa and Her Kin open. 9 pm, $15 .... oh, and Bill will be at Music Millennium at 6 pm.
In other shows, if you head down to the Rose Festival tonight you can catch Curtis Salgado (with Lloyd Jones on guitar), Johnnie Ward and the Eagle Riding Papas are at the Muddy Rudder, the King Louis Soul Review is at Jimmy Maks, The Robinsons headline at The Woods, and there's a solid happy hour at the Laurelthirst with Morgan Geer and Root Jack.
Here's Bill Kirchen with the Austin-based Twangbangers ...
Tonight I want to point you towards one show you shouldn't miss ...
If you like your guitar players twangy, one of the twangiest is making a rare visit to Portland tonight at Duff's Garage. Bill Kirchen earned notice as a member of Commander Cody's Lost Planet Airmen, but has had a long career as a solo artist and sideman to some of the best. Both the Willamette Week and the Oregonian ran stories on his appearance tonight at Duff's, so get there early, as it will probably sell out ... Lisa and Her Kin open. 9 pm, $15 .... oh, and Bill will be at Music Millennium at 6 pm.
In other shows, if you head down to the Rose Festival tonight you can catch Curtis Salgado (with Lloyd Jones on guitar), Johnnie Ward and the Eagle Riding Papas are at the Muddy Rudder, the King Louis Soul Review is at Jimmy Maks, The Robinsons headline at The Woods, and there's a solid happy hour at the Laurelthirst with Morgan Geer and Root Jack.
Here's Bill Kirchen with the Austin-based Twangbangers ...
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Marcia Ball tonight at the Aladdin
I'll get back to more regular posts tomorrow ... but for tonight, though there's some great music around town, I really need to mention just one ....
Incorporating blues, Gulf Coast roadhouse boogie, and a whole lot of New Orleans style piano playing, Marcia Ball will be rockin' the Aladdin tonight. As a fan of Marcia's for over 20 years, and seeing her play countless times (being a regular on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise helps), I know that this four time Grammy nominated, blues award winning entertainer and her band never fails to deliver a top-shelf performance. With fine support from guitarist (Mighty) Mike Schermer and sax player Thad Scott, the band cooks a mean musical gumbo that will have the front of the Aladdin packed with dancin' fools (including yours truly). If you've seen Marcia, you know what I mean ... if you haven't, you really should take the opportunity to head to the Aladdin tonight. You will not be disappointed.
I also know Marcia to be one of the sweetest, most genuine people in music. Her efforts to support the music communities in her home town of Austin and in New Orleans is legendary, inspirational, and tremendously respected. This is a women who "walks the walk" ... wielding music not only as a creative channel, but employing it as a force of good in the world ... and all while having and providing an amazingly great time every time she steps on a stage.
Hope to see you there tonight! Ron Rogers and the Wailing Wind open the show .... 8 pm, $25
Here's a story on the show from Oregon Music News ... and a little taste of Marcia and the band doing Bobby Charles' Party Town ....
Incorporating blues, Gulf Coast roadhouse boogie, and a whole lot of New Orleans style piano playing, Marcia Ball will be rockin' the Aladdin tonight. As a fan of Marcia's for over 20 years, and seeing her play countless times (being a regular on Delbert McClinton's Sandy Beaches Cruise helps), I know that this four time Grammy nominated, blues award winning entertainer and her band never fails to deliver a top-shelf performance. With fine support from guitarist (Mighty) Mike Schermer and sax player Thad Scott, the band cooks a mean musical gumbo that will have the front of the Aladdin packed with dancin' fools (including yours truly). If you've seen Marcia, you know what I mean ... if you haven't, you really should take the opportunity to head to the Aladdin tonight. You will not be disappointed.
I also know Marcia to be one of the sweetest, most genuine people in music. Her efforts to support the music communities in her home town of Austin and in New Orleans is legendary, inspirational, and tremendously respected. This is a women who "walks the walk" ... wielding music not only as a creative channel, but employing it as a force of good in the world ... and all while having and providing an amazingly great time every time she steps on a stage.
Hope to see you there tonight! Ron Rogers and the Wailing Wind open the show .... 8 pm, $25
Here's a story on the show from Oregon Music News ... and a little taste of Marcia and the band doing Bobby Charles' Party Town ....
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Before my break ...
Just one more post before I take a break .... I'm sure you'll be fine exploring the calendars on your own - my recommendation is to use the calendars from Oregon Music News, Willamette Week, McMenamins, and the CBA ....
On to tonight and Sunday .... too nice to be inside writing this, so I'll give just a couple of highlights without a lot of commentary...
Saturday
From Words to Blows holds down the happy hour slot at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover
The David Vest Band is at the Pondersosa Lounge tonight ... 9 pm, $??
The Physical Hearts, Beautiful Train Wrecks and National Flower make for a solid triple bill at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $5
Kaki King and An Horse are at the Wonder Ballroom ... 9 pm, $16
Sunday
Fiona Boyes is in town (Portland is her 2nd home after her native Melbourne, Australia) and at Duff's for an early show ... 4 pm, $??
There's a free jazz show and rare CD and record sale at the Old Church ... details here ... 2 pm
Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks are at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $25
Sweden's Shout Out Louds and New York's Freelance Whales are at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $12
They will also be doing an in-store at Music Millennium at 2 pm. Here's a link to hear both bands in concert last week at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC as recorded by NPR. And one to a story about Freelance Whales. Two bands coming through town worth a listen.
Okay ... that's going to be it until I return ... but keep on your radar for Wednesday, May 26th -- Marcia Ball at the Aladdin.... big fun with my absolutely favorite piano player and her band .... and my friend Ron Rogers will be opening. Don't miss this show!
See y'all down the road ...
On to tonight and Sunday .... too nice to be inside writing this, so I'll give just a couple of highlights without a lot of commentary...
Saturday
From Words to Blows holds down the happy hour slot at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover
The David Vest Band is at the Pondersosa Lounge tonight ... 9 pm, $??
The Physical Hearts, Beautiful Train Wrecks and National Flower make for a solid triple bill at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $5
Kaki King and An Horse are at the Wonder Ballroom ... 9 pm, $16
Sunday
Fiona Boyes is in town (Portland is her 2nd home after her native Melbourne, Australia) and at Duff's for an early show ... 4 pm, $??
There's a free jazz show and rare CD and record sale at the Old Church ... details here ... 2 pm
Dan Hicks and The Hot Licks are at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $25
Sweden's Shout Out Louds and New York's Freelance Whales are at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $12
They will also be doing an in-store at Music Millennium at 2 pm. Here's a link to hear both bands in concert last week at the 9:30 Club in Washington, DC as recorded by NPR. And one to a story about Freelance Whales. Two bands coming through town worth a listen.
Okay ... that's going to be it until I return ... but keep on your radar for Wednesday, May 26th -- Marcia Ball at the Aladdin.... big fun with my absolutely favorite piano player and her band .... and my friend Ron Rogers will be opening. Don't miss this show!
See y'all down the road ...
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday ... but fast ... more on weekend later - hopefully
Way behind ... tying up loose ends to get ready for trip east next week (my youngest is graduating from Hampshire College in Massachusetts, hard as that is to believe at the moment - time flies!).
Not sure I'll post again before I go (will take the week off) ... or maybe just another quick one for Saturday/Sunday. Enough preamble. Tonight ...
There's lots ... happy hour at Laurelthirst with Woodbrain (Joe McMurrian's band if you don't know that) followed by Reggie Houston's Box of Chocolates ... 9:30 pm, $5
Jack McMahon and band are at O'Connors in Multnomah Village ... Jack is a really fine songwriter with a great band ... 8 pm, $5
Guitarist Alan Hagar is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover
Miss Michael Jodell, Matt Brown and Alan Hunter do their very cool trio thing at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover
Local songwriter (haven't seen yet, but came highly recommended) Dan Weber is at the Sellwood Public House at 9 pm. (another venue in my 'hood I need to check out)
Blue Cranes and the David Valdez Trio are at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10
The Midnight Serenaders are at Tony Starlight's ... 8 pm, $10
At the Someday Loung, Ben Darwish and his 10 Piece Allstar Band do an Afrobeat tribute to Michael Jackson - it's actually even cooler than it sounds from the talented Mr. Darwish ... 9 pm, $10
It's jazz/funk Big Easy style at Dante's with the Stanton Moore Trio, featuring Will Bernard on guitar, Robert Walter on organ and vocals, and guitarist Anders Osborne. Stanton is the drummer for Galactic and Osborne is one of the coolest guitar players anywhere .... 9:30 pm, $15
In another touring show ... singer/songwriter Martin Sexton is at the Crystal Ballroom ... 8 pm, $28
Not sure I'll post again before I go (will take the week off) ... or maybe just another quick one for Saturday/Sunday. Enough preamble. Tonight ...
There's lots ... happy hour at Laurelthirst with Woodbrain (Joe McMurrian's band if you don't know that) followed by Reggie Houston's Box of Chocolates ... 9:30 pm, $5
Jack McMahon and band are at O'Connors in Multnomah Village ... Jack is a really fine songwriter with a great band ... 8 pm, $5
Guitarist Alan Hagar is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover
Miss Michael Jodell, Matt Brown and Alan Hunter do their very cool trio thing at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover
Local songwriter (haven't seen yet, but came highly recommended) Dan Weber is at the Sellwood Public House at 9 pm. (another venue in my 'hood I need to check out)
Blue Cranes and the David Valdez Trio are at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10
The Midnight Serenaders are at Tony Starlight's ... 8 pm, $10
At the Someday Loung, Ben Darwish and his 10 Piece Allstar Band do an Afrobeat tribute to Michael Jackson - it's actually even cooler than it sounds from the talented Mr. Darwish ... 9 pm, $10
It's jazz/funk Big Easy style at Dante's with the Stanton Moore Trio, featuring Will Bernard on guitar, Robert Walter on organ and vocals, and guitarist Anders Osborne. Stanton is the drummer for Galactic and Osborne is one of the coolest guitar players anywhere .... 9:30 pm, $15
In another touring show ... singer/songwriter Martin Sexton is at the Crystal Ballroom ... 8 pm, $28
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Music for a school night
Having solid early evening music choices is important. Some folks just like to get out early and end the evening in time to get enough rest for the next day ... makes sense for a lot of us, especially during the work week. For others, it's a great way to get to more than one show in an evening. (yeah, I've been know to do that) ...
Looking over the middle of the week in Portland, there's always great choices - some of them come round every week with regular happy hour shows. I know I often point out Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Laurelthirst, Duff's, Biddy McGraw's .... but they aren't the only ones, but do feature artists that I particularly enjoy.
So tonight you have your choice of Chris Miller at Duff's (6pm, $2), Little Sue at Biddy's (6pm, no cover), Chris Robley at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover), and Big Monti at the Trail's End (7pm $?). There's also Freedy Johnston in town for an early free in-store set at Music Millennium (6pm), before his show tonight at Mississippi Studios (9 pm, $12). Another good one is Fiona Boyes is in town with a gig at Halibut's (8pm, no cover).
Thursday early music choices include Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover) - this is my fave happy hour show each week - Lewi and band just delivers some of the best rocking music anywhere. Also the Portland Playboys at Duff's (6pm, $2), Lloyd Jones at Tommy O's in Vancouver (6pm, no cover), Mel Brown's B3 Organ Band at Jimmy Mak's (8pm, $5), Ron Steen's invitational jazz jam at Doc George's Jazz Kitchen (8 pm, no cover). There's also Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside at the Kennedy School as part of their McMenamin's Great Northwest Music Tour (7pm, no cover).
Two nights, lots of great music, and home to bed at a reasonable hour. Just think how much better work will feel the next day after a fine dose of live music. Good for the body, good for the soul.
Looking over the middle of the week in Portland, there's always great choices - some of them come round every week with regular happy hour shows. I know I often point out Wednesdays and Thursdays at the Laurelthirst, Duff's, Biddy McGraw's .... but they aren't the only ones, but do feature artists that I particularly enjoy.
So tonight you have your choice of Chris Miller at Duff's (6pm, $2), Little Sue at Biddy's (6pm, no cover), Chris Robley at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover), and Big Monti at the Trail's End (7pm $?). There's also Freedy Johnston in town for an early free in-store set at Music Millennium (6pm), before his show tonight at Mississippi Studios (9 pm, $12). Another good one is Fiona Boyes is in town with a gig at Halibut's (8pm, no cover).
Thursday early music choices include Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6pm, no cover) - this is my fave happy hour show each week - Lewi and band just delivers some of the best rocking music anywhere. Also the Portland Playboys at Duff's (6pm, $2), Lloyd Jones at Tommy O's in Vancouver (6pm, no cover), Mel Brown's B3 Organ Band at Jimmy Mak's (8pm, $5), Ron Steen's invitational jazz jam at Doc George's Jazz Kitchen (8 pm, no cover). There's also Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside at the Kennedy School as part of their McMenamin's Great Northwest Music Tour (7pm, no cover).
Two nights, lots of great music, and home to bed at a reasonable hour. Just think how much better work will feel the next day after a fine dose of live music. Good for the body, good for the soul.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Couple of events for a Saturday
Heading towards summer and the weekends are a great time to check out neighborhood street fairs or getting on the road to visit some of Portland's neighboring cities and towns for musical and cultural happenings. On Saturday, check out St. Johns for their 4th annual St Johns Bizarre ... a street fair with a parade, music, art, crafts, kids activities, and a beer garden ... it goes from 10 am to 6 pm and it should be a beautiful day.
Up for driving an hour south? It's the 4th annual Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival that runs from noon until midnight. Looks like a great event with music all over town (all within two square blocks in Silverton's historic downtown), wine, and winery stops in one of the prettiest areas of the Willamette Valley .... tickets are $25 and get you into all of the music.
Up for driving an hour south? It's the 4th annual Silverton Wine & Jazz Festival that runs from noon until midnight. Looks like a great event with music all over town (all within two square blocks in Silverton's historic downtown), wine, and winery stops in one of the prettiest areas of the Willamette Valley .... tickets are $25 and get you into all of the music.
Friday musical choices
So this begins with a short stroll through the memory banks. It's New York in the summer of 1971 after my freshman year at college and I'm on a double date with my roommate - me with his sister, he with a woman who would become one of my best friends further down the road. Where are we? In Carnegie Hall seeing Carol King. Who does she bring to the stage for a few tunes? Of course, James Taylor. Why bring this up? Don't know if you've been paying attention, but King and Taylor are in town tonight to honor and recreate those early days when the two of them were ascendant acts that helped define popular music - the tuneful, easy on the ears singer/songwriter folk/rock that created much of the soundtrack for those of us growing up at the time. So tonight the Rose Garden will be filled with folks my age (plus or minus a few years ... and many who rarely get out to live music anymore) in the presence of old friends for some memories and comfort. Will I be there? No. If I was, would I enjoy it? Probably (ok, yeah). But I've come a ways since that long-past summer, and their music hasn't been my soundtrack for quite a while. But I hope they all have a great time and leave the Rose Garden smiling and warm and not too wistful. ... 8 pm, $45 and up
I know I'll start my evening with James Low's monthly Friday happy hour at the Laurelthirst - and tonight will be the first performance of his band with a revamped lineup ... 6 pm, no cover
At the Bagdad Theater tonight it's time for the 5th annual Cinco de Lebowski!... Music starts outside the theater at 8:30 with the Lord's Own Choir, followed by Rich Layton & The Troublemakers inside starting at 9:30 ... The Big Lebowski starts screening at 11:00 ... $3
Some fine jazz from the Ben Darwish Group and the Andrew Oliver Kora Band at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $12
It's Willamette Week's Best New Band showcase at Berbati's ... come hear why Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside took #1 honors this year ... 9 pm, no cover
Girlyman is in town tonight at The Woods ... 9 pm, $15
DK Stewart and the Soul Survivor Horns will have the dance floor hoppin' at Duff's .... 9:30 pm, $??
...and the Lewi Longmire Band is at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30 pm, no cover
See ya out and about!
I know I'll start my evening with James Low's monthly Friday happy hour at the Laurelthirst - and tonight will be the first performance of his band with a revamped lineup ... 6 pm, no cover
At the Bagdad Theater tonight it's time for the 5th annual Cinco de Lebowski!... Music starts outside the theater at 8:30 with the Lord's Own Choir, followed by Rich Layton & The Troublemakers inside starting at 9:30 ... The Big Lebowski starts screening at 11:00 ... $3
Some fine jazz from the Ben Darwish Group and the Andrew Oliver Kora Band at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $12
It's Willamette Week's Best New Band showcase at Berbati's ... come hear why Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside took #1 honors this year ... 9 pm, no cover
Girlyman is in town tonight at The Woods ... 9 pm, $15
DK Stewart and the Soul Survivor Horns will have the dance floor hoppin' at Duff's .... 9:30 pm, $??
...and the Lewi Longmire Band is at Biddy McGraw's ... 9:30 pm, no cover
See ya out and about!
Thursday, May 6, 2010
WW's Best New Band 2010
In case you didn't catch it, Willamette Week's best new band of 2010 is Sallie Ford & The Sound Outside .... a well deserved choice.
Preview -- Sallie and the band will play Sellwood Riverfront Park this summer on Monday, July 26th as part of the annual free concerts in the park series - just a heads up for your calendars .... more on summer park concerts all over Portland and the region soon!
Preview -- Sallie and the band will play Sellwood Riverfront Park this summer on Monday, July 26th as part of the annual free concerts in the park series - just a heads up for your calendars .... more on summer park concerts all over Portland and the region soon!
Thursday night quick picks
Busy locals night per usual for Thursday ...
6 pm happy hours with Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (no cover) and the Portland Playboys at Duff's ($2) ... and if you're in Vancouver, check out Lloyd Jones at Tommy O's (no cover) ... can't go wrong with those ...
Hang at Duff's for an all-star California blues band - San Ho Zay featuring guitarist Chris Cain ... 9 pm, $??
Stephanie Schneiderman is at Jimmy Mak's at 7 pm (no cover), followed by the Mel Brown B3 Organ Band at 8 pm ($5).
The Freak Mountain Ramblers will do an evening at the Kennedy School ... 7 pm, no cover
Lauren Sheehan is at the Muddy Rudder ...8 pm, no cover
Singer/songwriter Haley Bonar (this Midwesterner is now a Portland resident) is at The Woods with special guests Lower 48 ... 9 pm, $6
And for some late night funk, get down at The Phunktion at the Crown Room with Philly's Phunkestra ... this is a big dose of funk twice a month at the Crown Room ... check it out .... 9 pm until late, no cover
6 pm happy hours with Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (no cover) and the Portland Playboys at Duff's ($2) ... and if you're in Vancouver, check out Lloyd Jones at Tommy O's (no cover) ... can't go wrong with those ...
Hang at Duff's for an all-star California blues band - San Ho Zay featuring guitarist Chris Cain ... 9 pm, $??
Stephanie Schneiderman is at Jimmy Mak's at 7 pm (no cover), followed by the Mel Brown B3 Organ Band at 8 pm ($5).
The Freak Mountain Ramblers will do an evening at the Kennedy School ... 7 pm, no cover
Lauren Sheehan is at the Muddy Rudder ...8 pm, no cover
Singer/songwriter Haley Bonar (this Midwesterner is now a Portland resident) is at The Woods with special guests Lower 48 ... 9 pm, $6
And for some late night funk, get down at The Phunktion at the Crown Room with Philly's Phunkestra ... this is a big dose of funk twice a month at the Crown Room ... check it out .... 9 pm until late, no cover
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