Friday, April 29, 2011

Live music picks for Friday, April 29

So, what's on the radar for tonight?

At the Alberta Rose, it's another recording of Live Wire! Radio  .... always fun, funny, thoughtful and entertaining ...7:30 pm, $20

At Jimmy Mak's it's an excellent double-bill of swing jazz with the Midnight Serenaders and Andrew Oliver's Bridgetown Sextet. Both bands draw from the rich and formative jazz sounds from the 1920's thru the 40's ... 8 pm, $12

The Felice Brothers will be at Mississippi Studios with a new about to be released CD, Celebration, Florida ... 9 pm, $17

Lauren Sheehan will bring her acoustic folk and blues to the cozy back room at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5
Speaking of wineries, vocalist Laura Ivancie will be at Vie de Boheme ... 8 pm, $5

Three solid bands at The Secret Society - the Don of Division Street, the Resoelectrics, and Cabinessence ... 9pm, $??


For you westsiders, Billy D & the Hoodoos are at the Rock Creek Tavern ... 9 pm, no cover


... and on the south side, Rich Layton & the Troublemakers are at the Falls View Tavern in Oregon City ... 8 pm, no cover


oh ... and if you're up for a great house party, it's some In the House cajun/zydeco with The New Iberians at Jim Flynn's ... 6:30 pm, $10, BYOB ... contact Jim (503-784-6824) for details ...

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Picks for a late April Thursday

Some very solid choices for tonight ... 

The show at the Alberta Rose Theatre will celebrate local blues fixture Lloyd Jones' first (and long awaited) acoustic blues CD release, Highway Bound. He'll be joined by special guests Mary Flower, Bill Rhoades, and Janice Scroggins for an outstanding evening of music. Two admission options - $22 includes a copy of the CD, $12 for the show only.  8 pm (doors at 7) ... oh, and Lloyd is celebrating his birthday too!  Hope to see ya there ...

Make It Pop is a tuneful benefit for PDX Pop Now! tonight at The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel with Laura Veirs, Eric Earley (from Blitzen Trapper), Isreael Nebecker (from Blind Pilot), Laura Gibson, and DJ Jeremy Peterson (from OPB) ... ticket info here ... 6:30 pm, $35

The Blue Monk has been having some fine jazz in their cozy basement room ... a couple of times a month (like tonight) you can catch fabulous drummer Alan Jones and his quintet ... 8pm, $5

Like you jazz mixed with some blues and soul?  Then catch Mel Brown's B3 Organ Band at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $5

How about a bigger band? Check out Chuck Israel's Big Band at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $10

Lauren Sheehan does her usual Thursday at the comfy neighborhood (at least my neighborhood) pub, the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

Lex Browning and Denny Bixby will be at O'Connor's  ... 8 pm, $5

Friday, April 22, 2011

Earth Day quick picks

Okay, so most of these actually have nothing specifically to do with Earth Day aside from that they all take place on Earth. Today.

One that does will be at the Alberta Rose Theatre ... it's an Earth Day Festival with music, poetry, talk, art, photography and more ... 8 pm, $20

Over at Duff's it's two fine blues bands, with Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes and A.C. & the Live Wires - if you like your blues guitars hot and greasy, this is the place to be tonight .... 9:30 pm, $??

Back from the road, it's one of Portland's finest songwriters and a passionate performer, Fernando, tonight at The Blue Monk ... 9:30 pm, $??

It's an EP release show for Fairweather at the White Eagle. Fine pianist and singer/songwriter, Naomi Hooley opens ... 9:30 pm, $5

Seattle's The Cave Singers are at the Doug Fir ... 9 pm, $14

And, on a non-musical, but entertaining option, it's the annual Bridgetown Comedy Festival all weekend at a number of venues ... all the info is on their site .... national, regional and local comedians will share the stage ... and, ya know, we all could use a good laugh (more often then we think) ...

OK ... head on out!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

A benefit show for Tsunami Relief on Sunday

Yes, this month it seems like there's a benefit show where ever you look. If you're not suffering from giving fatigue ... there's one Sunday you should check out ... it's got a dynamite blues lineup too!

It's called Jammin' for Japan and will be held at the Vie de Boheme Winery (1530 SE 7th Avenue) on Sunday at 4 pm.  The lineup includes the Ty Curtis Band, Terry Robb, Lloyd Jones, Robbie Laws, Lisa Mann, Rae Gordon, Steve Kerin, and more.  There will be some great raffle and game prizes including a Romance Package at the Heathman Lodge, a collection of wines, a catered in-home dinner for 8 including wine, numerous CDs, restaurant and spa gift certificates and more. Tickets are offered for a sliding scale donation of $10-$20 and you should probably secure them in advance. 100% of proceeds go to Direct Relief International.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Weekend music picks - all rolled into one post!

Okay .... I've already posted separately about two shows this weekend that I'll be at and really want to encourage you all to attend - the Rich Layton & The Troublemakers CD release show at the Secret Society on Saturday night, and the Ethos Music Paul deLay Memorial Scholarship benefit at the Aladdin featuring Marcia Ball and NW Pianorama.   But that doesn't mean there aren't more outstanding choices this weekend.  Let's start with tonight, for instance (given it's Friday, starting there is probably appropriate).

Friday
Two sold out shows I wish I could be at (but then I'd have to be in two or more places at once - a trick some people swear I've done, but I never violate the laws of physics or biology) - Randy Newman at the Aladdin (8 pm, $55) and David Lindley at Mississippi Studios (9 pm, $25).  Showing up with patience might score you a ticket if you were snoozing.

The Secret Society Ballroom has the Mary Flower Trio at 6 pm (no cover) and then Jackstraw at 9 pm.

Portland FolkMusic Society has folk music icon Peggy Seeger at Carvlin Hall ... 7:30 pm, $20

LaRhonda Steele and Chuck Barber are at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $5

Lewi Longmire and Bill Rudolf do a cool little duo thing at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

The Curtis Salgado Band is at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $20

Melao de Cuba is at Mississippi Pizza ... 9 pm, $7

And over at Duff's is the 2nd Annual Muddy Waters Tribute - an great excuse for a bunch of fine Portland blues musicians like Lloyd Jones, Alan Hagar, and Bill Rhoades to play their favorite Chicago blues. Wear your dancin' shoes ... 9 pm, $10

Saturday
More great choices abound ...

But first, a reminder that Saturday is Record Store Day ... so drop by your favorite independent record store (like Music Millennium) for all kinds of special deals and festivities (including RSD exclusives) ....

At Vie de Boheme Winery celebrate the 15 years musical collaboration of Kelley Shannon and John Stowell ... 8 pm, $8

It's a benefit (one more!) for Siren Nation at Mississippi Studios with Lady Sings the Blues, a tribute to Billy Holiday with the fine voices of Miss Michael Jodell, Laura Ivancie, Audie Darling, Sara Jackson-Holman and more ... 9 pm, $12

Wendy and the Lost Boys find their way to the Hawthorne Theater Pub ... 7:30 pm, no cover

Dave Camp and Sarah King are at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Lauren Sheehan has a series of shows celebrating the release of her excellent new CD, Rose City Ramble. Tonight she'll be at Backgate Stage at Artichoke Music ... 8 pm, $15   ... tomorrow she'll be doing a bluesier show at O'Connor's (7:30 pm, $5-15 sliding scale)

The DK Stewart Sextet is at Duff's Garage ... 9:30 pm, $8

It's the monthly review, Miz Kitty's Parlour, at the Mission Theater ... 7 pm, $12

...and as part of the Soul'd Out Festival, the Aladdin has the Ellis Marsalis Quartet featuring Jason Marsalis and Devon Phillips. Story here at Oregon Music News. ... 7 pm, $38

Sunday
Before heading to the Aladdin for Marcia Ball, if your also a fan of jazz guitar, you can catch a fine PDX Jazz show in the afternoon at the Hotel Modera.  Three of Portland's finest guitarists - Dan Balmer, John Stowell and Mike Pardew - will comprise the Portland Guitar Summit and pay tribute to living jazz icon and NEA Jazz Master, Jim Hall. The show is at 3 pm and tickets are $20 each and available in advance and day of show at Nel Centro or  http://www.brownpapertickets.com.

Okay .... now, get outta the house and catch some live music!

Three shows you shouldn't miss

There are three shows that for different reasons I want to write a bit about and encourage you to attend - the Gulfsongs/PDX 2 Gulf Coast Beyond the Spill film screening and benefit concert next Wednesday at the Alberta Rose Theatre; the Remember Me 2011 Ethos Music/Paul deLay Memorial Scholarship benefit show on Sunday at the Aladdin; and the CD release show of Rich Layton & The Troublemakers on Saturday at the Secret Society Ballroom.

I am directly involved in the Beyond the Spill show as one of the event producers and a member of the Gulfsongs team.  This show is on April 20th to mark a year since the beginning of the devastating oil spill in the Gulf, and will premiere an important film made by the Oregonians who traveled last summer to the Gulf Coast to observe and learn about the spill, the coastal wetlands, and the people directly affected ... and to look at an approach to a future less dependent on fossil fuels. To accompany the short documentary, Gulfsongs has put together a dynamite program led by Reggie Houston that will explore the rich history and significance of the music born of New Orleans. He'll be joined by four outstanding pianists - Janice Scroggins, Andrew Oliver, D.K. Stewart, and Steve Kerin to trace the development and deep influence of the music of the Crescent City. I really hope you will consider coming out on Wednesday (It would mean a lot to me).  The program starts at 7 pm (doors at 6) ... tickets are $15 and available at the Alberta Rose online box office or at the door.  Last year Gulfsongs raised over $8000 that went to helping provide support to affected communities through the food bank in south Louisiana and Bayou Grace Community Services. This year Gulfsongs will continue to support Bayou Grace, but also direct money to wetlands restoration projects. 

The 4th Annual Remember Me benefit show raises money for a scholarship fund at Ethos Music in memory of the amazing harmonica virtuoso Paul deLay. This year the featured guest is one of my very favorite musicians, Marcia Ball, who is on the road with an outstanding new CD, Roadside Attractions.  I guarantee that this show will be a ton of fun ... because you get not only Marcia and her killer band, but opening will be an all-star group of Northwest piano players (they are keeping very busy this week), who will tear it up separately and together - David Vest, DK Stewart, Janice Scroggins, Mac Potts, and Steve Kerin.  Reggie Houston, Lloyd Jones, and a host of Portland notables will be part of their backing band. Wow!  Ethos Music is a really effective organization dedicated to teaching music to students who may not otherwise afford lessons. This is another cause that resonates for me, and I hope for you too. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Show starts at 6 pm.

And, finally ...  two of my favorite locals - Rich Layton and Ron Rogers - are combining forces for Rich's CD release party.  Both have strong new CD's out (Rich & The Troublemakers - Tough Town / Ron - Country & Eastern), both are originally from Texas, and reflect what I like best about music with roots in that state -- you better write a damn good song, and we better be able to dance to it. Ron and his band, The Wailing Wind, bring the dustier central/west side of the state to his music ... Rich, the swampier Gulf side ... but those styles meet and blend somewhere around Austin where both have lived and played.  Check out the review of Tough Town, an article about Rich in Blues Notes, and this article about Ron in Oregon Music News.  I'm happy to call them my friends and have no problem shamelessly promoting their gig. For those of you who haven't heard them, you're gonna love 'em both. The show begins at 9 pm, and admission is $15, but that includes a CD (your choice of either one). And CBA members get two-for-one admission.

I hope to see you at one or all of these shows!

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Quick picks for Thursday night

In the middle of a thousand things (or at least 7) ... so this is going to be quick ...

Of, course, Lewi Longmire for happy hour at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover

Thad Beckman and Kurtis Piltz are at O'Connors ... 7:30 pm, $5

It's a Latin dance party with Quntillion at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $5

Master of the B3 organ, Dr. Lonnie Smith is at Mississippi Studios as part of the Soul'd Out Festival ... 9 pm, $20

Red Horse - Lucy Kaplansky, John Gorka, and Eliza Gilkyson - are at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $25

Danny Barnes is at the Wonder Ballroom .... 9 pm, $15

At the Doug Fir it's the Chris Marshall album release with Richmond Fontaine and The Low Bones ... 9 pm, $10

At The Goodfoot, it's Asher Fulero's Piano Summit ... seven jazz and funk pianists going at the keys in various combinations ... 9 pm, $6

Friday, April 8, 2011

Music for where the sun don't shine (like in Portland tonight)

But it's shining today. So after you get our somewhat rare dose of rays, consider these post-sundown music choices:

Two benefits to be aware of tonight. This seems like benefit month in Portland, so I highly recommend being in a contributing mood this month - it helps others, it feels good, and you can hear some great music while you're helping.

Up in St John's at Plews Brews is a benefit to help with medical costs of someone near and dear to both the music and St. John's community. You can read about Robbie Holmes and the benefit here. Miriams Well will be the featured music and will have guitarist Peter Dammann and Daniel Lamb (from March Fourth Marching Band) guesting. 8 pm, donations

At Mississippi Studios it's the Red Carpet Event and Tribeca Send-off for the local indie film Rid Of Me. It's a concert and auction to benefit the Sexual Assault Resource Center and the film's NYC journey ... and features Storm Large  .... tickets range from $50 to $150. 

In other shows ... 
There's some fine Celtic folk rock at the Secret Society Ballroom with the CD release show of Kathryn Claire ... 9 pm, $5
Lloyd Jones (quartet) will be at The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $??
Billy D & the Hoodoos are at The Trails End Saloon ... 8 pm, $??
The Knuckleheads will be at Duff's ... 9:30 pm, $??

More soon about tomorrow  ... particularly, The Baseball Project at Bunk Bar .... 


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Soul'd Out and way more for Thursday

Great night of choices. Of course, it's a Thursday in Portland.

Reminder that the Soul'd Out Festival begins tonight with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and the March Fourth Marching Band at the Crystal Ballroom and Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad and Kevin Kinsella at Mississippi Studios. More about the festival in today's Oregonian ...

Early music?  Of course there's Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst (6 pm, no cover) ... but also the Don of Division Street at Biddy McGraw's (6 pm, no cover), or the Portland Playboys at Duff's (6 pm, $2).

Up from Lafayette, LA, is singer/songwriter Johanna Divine ... she'll be backed by the Caleb Klauder Country Band and turn the Secret Society Ballroom into a stylish honky-tonk for the evening. Stumptown Aces on the bill too ... 9 pm, $12

At the Aladdin tonight is Cheryl Wheeler. By turns savagely funny social critic and sweetly insightful folkie, this New England music scene veteran is always entertaining ... 8 pm, $24

The Alberta Rose Theatre hosts Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh performing as the duo, The Barn Birds. Great teaming of two talented songwriters ... 8:30 pm, $12

Another fine songwriter about town, Nick Peets, will be at the Laurelthirst backed by Rob Stroup's band, followed by WhistlePunk ... 9:30 pm, $4

It's soul/jazz with the Mel Brown B3 Organ Band in their weekly Thursday gig at Jimmy Mak's (be aware it's also First Thursday, so the Pearl will be busy!) ... 8 pm, $5

Steve Kerin will take your requests for tunes obvious and obscure to play on the Chapel Pub organ ... 8 pm, no cover

There's tasty blues plucking with the Alan Hagar Duo is at The Blue Monk ... 8 pm, $5

... and, Lauren Sheehan holds down her weekly Thursday at The Muddy Rudder in Sellwood - folk, blues, traditional - all sounding fine from Ms Sheehan (who is also celebrating the release of a new CD this month with a series of shows around town - stay tuned) ... 8 pm, no cover

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Soul'd Out Music Festival begins tomorrow

Ten days, 11 venues, 30 artists ... it's the second annual Soul'd Out Music Festival and it all gets going on Thursday.  You really should check out some of the shows that are part of this ambitious festival that brings together the sounds of soul, jazz, hip-hop, latin, bounce, reggae, and more.

The outstanding lineup of shows includes Ellis Marsalis, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Lauryn Hill, Mos Def, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Donald Harrison, Raphael Saadiq, Big Freedia, and a rare appearance by the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Thursday night).

Lots more info at the festival's website or at Oregon Music News' comprehensive guide to the festival (lots of video by performers), or to this list of all OMN articles about the festival and artists.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Totally Tuesday

I don't usually blog about a Tuesday night ...but there's a couple of things to call your attention to for tonight ....

At the Aladdin it's the triple bill of Dave Alvin, Chris Smither, and Peter Case - can't wait to hear some of my favorite songwriters swap songs, play and harmonize behind each other, and probably needle each other a bit ... three veterans who know their way around a tune and know how to entertain an audience. Shouldn't miss this one .... 8 pm, $25

Over at the Alberta Rose it's a sold out show of spoken word with Henry Rollins ... maybe you can catch a ticket at the door if you really want to go.... 8 pm, $30

The first Tuesday Notes from the Underground series at the Mission Theater will feature The Kora Band. They just won the "2010 NW Jazz Recording of the Year" award from Seattle's Earshot Jazz .... 7:30 pm, $7

Happy hour music to start your evening .... how about the weekly Jackstraw gig at the Laurelthirst? .. 6 pm, no cover

And, up at the Mock Crest it's Atomic Cocktails time, with Johnie Ward and the Eagle Ridin' Papas featuring Lauren Sheehan on vocals .... 8 pm, no cover

Yep, Tuesday .... get on out!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

A couple of Saturday picks

Looks like showers and sunbreaks ... so enjoy the bits of sunshine today and consider these music choices for tonight - going to keep this short and head outside ...

You can catch former Portlander, now Austinite, Raina Rose at the Alberta Street Pub - Raina is a completely engaging performer and solid songwriter. Gary Furlow & the Loafers opens ... 6:30 pm, $12

Happy hour music at the Secret Society features the Portland Playboys this evening ... 6 pm, no cover

It's time again for Live Wire! Radio at the Alberta Rose Theatre ... always fun with the Live Wire! bunch and guests ... 7:30 pm, $20

At Biddy McGraw's will be an outstanding double-bill of the Ezra Holbrook Band and Rob Stroup & The Blame ...certainly the best bargain of the night! ...  9 pm, no cover

... and we seem never to run out of fundraisers that feature outstanding local music ... today's opportunity is at Classic Piano where there's a benefit for Dynasty House which helps victims of war in Sierra Leone. Music will be provided by Steve Kerin & Atomic Gumbo ... and, putting a little more Louisiana spin on the evening, there will be gumbo and king cake included for all attendees ... 6 pm, $40

Friday, April 1, 2011

Aging Rockers addendum

..and if you want it a little bit louder, Confidentials reunion, with Thin Man opening at Dante's tonight, 9 PM. Relive the real 80's Portlandia....

No April foolin' ...

You'd be foolish, though, not to consider the following for tonight ...

It's first Friday happy hour at the Laurlthirst, which means it's time for the James Low Western Front ... out of the recording studio and into the 'Thirst for two hours of sublime tunes penned by Mr Low .... 6 pm, no cover

Keyboard wizard Steve Kerin and bassist Jim Miller do their duo thang at Channel's Edge ... cool little spot on the Columbia ... 6 pm, no cover

Woodbrain is "In The House" at Jim Flynn's ... best house party in Portland!  Music starts tonight at 7:30 pm ... $10 and the Oregon Food Bank barrel will be at the front door ... for more info jimflynn@realtytrust.com or 503-784-6824

Sarah King and the Jason Spooner Trio will be at the Secret Society Ballroom ... 9 pm, $7

The Quick and Easy Boys are at the Mt Tabor Pub Theater ... 9 pm, $??

The I-5 Nine will have the dance floor jumpin' at Duff's ... the band features Paris Slim, Barbara Healy, Jerry Zyback, Dave Kahl, Johnny Moore, and DK Stewart .... 9:30 pm, $10

... and calling all Jerry's Kids and tiedyedsters ... time for the Dark Star Orchestra at the Crystal Ballroom ... 8 pm, $27