Friday, August 26, 2011

Back to paying attention ... Fri picks

Missed telling y'all about some shows that I'm sure were pretty damn good this week (like Dumpstafunk last night) ... but past is past, so what's in our near future?

A festival going on this weekend is just across the river in Vancouver - the annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival. It has a pretty good lineup of acts beginning tonight - I especially like Sunday's acts that include John Hammond, Bill Frissel and the Dirty Dozen Brass Band ... Check it out.

If I could be in three or four places at once, I'd be simultaneously enjoying:

The Decemberists out at Edgefield.  Second of two nights (some tickets left for tonight, too) and joined by Okkervil River and AgesandAges ... And Jenny Conlee should be back with the band on keyboard and accordion for this show (yea, Jenny! - I know the band and your fans and friends have missed you) ... 6:30 pm, $38

Lloyd Jones with full band and horns at Jimmy Mak's. The show will include video recording for a future release.  Lloyd want folks to dress stylish and be ready to enthusiastically party (but that's always easy at his shows!) ... 8 pm, $10

Filmusik at the Hollywood Theater for Gamera vs. Barugo.  Take one campy 60s Japanese monster movie, add a music score by the fabulous Andrew Oliver, and live voice actors dubbing the film in English (from the original script) and you have the ingredients for a very fun and slightly skewed evening ... 8 pm, $12

Colin Lake and Wellbottom at the Ponderosa Lounge at Jubitz ... yes, the lounge out at the truck stop has the former Portlander, now New Orleans resident back in town to throw down some solid roots and blues-based original tunes.  He's become a regular player in NOLA, and this is his Portland CD show celebrating the about to be released The Ones I Love. And as a bit of lagniappe, piano wizard Steve Kerin joins the band tonight!   ... 9 pm, $??

Okay ... I'm gonna need to pick one place to be, as cloning or finding some hole in the space/time continuum isn't an option ...

A few other choices for tonight include ...
Celilo also celebrate the release of their new CD, Bouy Bell, at the Alberta Rose.  Sean Flinn and The Royal We, and Carcrashlander, too ... Oregonian story about the new CD and show here ... 8 pm, $10

The DK Stewart Sextet featuring the Soul Survivor Horns is at Duff's tonight ... and doing a live audio recording ... 9 pm, $10

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

Franco Paletta is at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

Okay ...now get up and go somewhere!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

What a week already..

..survived Jim's birthday, hung out with Mr. Doe at his Bing Lounge set for KINK and at the Millennium instore....and now just a quick note on a couple of my picks for the end of the week. Colin Lake, formerly a local boy now living in New Orleans, will be playing a local show Friday at Jubitz's Ponderosa Lounge. These shows are way too seldom now and if you haven't heard Colin play lap steel and sing, you are missing a bet!! He's channeling some old soul. Tomorrow night, Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men, with Los Straitjackets opening at the Aladdin Thursday night. And then, get ready, TBA, PICA's music art fest and Musicfest NW open same weekend in two weeks!!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Another August weekend ... picks for Friday and Saturday

Honestly, I haven't been paying attention to live music at all this week ... distracted with other matter of life ... but I gotta say there's some great picks for tonight ...

I was impressed by the Carolina Chocolate Drops' presentation of African-American string band music last year at the Oregon Zoo, so it's great to see them back. Heard their fine set at the Newport Folk Festival a couple weeks back and highly recommend their show tonight ... plus, the Be Good Tanyas open ... 7 pm, $19

And tomorrow night at the zoo it's Aimee Mann, making this a great weekend to catch some tunes among the animals. The Weepies open ... story and interview with Aimee at WW ...  Sat, 7 pm, $20

Excellent pair of songwriters - Richard Buckner and David Kilgour are at Bunk Bar. David is a respected artist from New Zealand, Buckner is touring to support his long-awaited new CD - his first in five years ... 9 pm, $12

Look out comrades, the Russians are coming! Surf, reggae, and swing will rock Dante's with a post-Cold War twist when the Red Elvises invade tonight ... 9:30 pm, $??

Also at Dante's on Saturday is The Blasters headlining a four band night ... Phil Alvin and company still going strong ... it will be rockin' ... 9 pm, $20

The Parson Red Heads (a growing local fave of mine) will be doing a CD release show at Mississippi Studios tonight ... Dolorean also on the bill ... 9 pm, $7

For something a little different, this looks like a interesting meld of classical and rock music at the Alberta Rose Theatre from Classical Revolution PDX and the Electric Opera Company ... 8 pm, $8

The McMenamins add to their beer and venue empire with the grand opening of the Wilsonville Old Church & Pub ... music and special events all weekend ... tonight with Portland Cello Project and Adam Shearer ... free

Lew Tabackin with the Peter Boe Trio are at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $15/$20 reserved

Lloyd Jones and band are at O'Connors ... 8 pm, $5

Linda Hornbuckle and Janice Scroggins will be at Halibuts (and Robbie Laws on Saturday)... 8 pm, no cover

Friday and Saturday wrap up a week of The Don of Division Street's residency at Al's Den ... tonight joined by Matt Brown ... 7 pm, no cover

Kathryn Claire and the My Oh Mys are at Biddy McGraw's ... 9 pm, no cover

On Saturday and Sunday for something very different, check out the Lagunitas Beer Circus at the east side of the Hawthorne Bridge ... it's part of the PDX Bridge Festival ... $10 - $25

Also on Saturday ...
The Pete Krebs Swing Trio is at the Press Club ... Good story about Pete in Oregon Music News ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Jeremy Wilson will be at The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $??

Little Sue and Friends will be at Hawthorne Hophouse ... 9 pm, no cover

Okay .... on this beautiful summer weekend ... get out to some live music!!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

XMass's asides....

I'm sure Jim would mention this, but we have a big week of visitors from the south this week: Phil Alvin and the Blasters at Dante's on Saturday, John Doe doing an in-store at Music Millennium to preview his new album "Keeper" on Aug.23 at 6PM (I'm still reeling that it's been 4 years since his last record...), and then brother Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men (including our own Chris Miller), with Lost Straitjackets opening on the 25th at the Aladdin...must be too hot in Cali this time of year. And a little bird has told me that John Doe will return Oct. 22 at Dante's for a solo show.
For the music and theater old timers - there will be a Storefront Theatre reunion at Creston Park on SE Powell and 45th, Sunday the 21st at 1 PM. Teddy Deane of Rounders and Clamtones fame will be coming down from the San Juans and there's no telling who else will materialize. Pot luck.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

More music picks for Saturday

I should have given you all a heads up for the annual Music Millennium Customer Appreciation BBQ that starts at 11 am and runs until 6 pm.  While there, enjoy lunch on them, enjoy free live music (including Stephanie Schneiderman, Truckstop Darlin', Jon Koonce, Cal Scott & Jack McMahon) all afternoon, and by all means head into the store and shop for some music!

Besides The Bite, McMenamin's Americana Music Festival at the Grand Lodge, and a few other weekend events I mentioned yesterday, Saturday's choices include ...

Excellent Cuban band - Dina y Bamba Su Pilon D'Azucar -  will have the Washington Park Rose Garden Amphitheater hoppin' ... 6 pm, free

The Bridgetown Sextet at The Blue Monk ... 9 pm, $7

New Monsoon and the Quick and Easy Boys at the Alberta Rose Theatre ... 9 pm, $12

Jimmy Mak's has the Alan Jones/Randy Porter Trio  ... 8 pm, $10

The Old Yellers and Ezra Holbrook will be at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Guitarist Alan Hagar is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover

Get up and get out!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Friday live music picks - Aug 12

Wow ... almost the middle of August ... summer is flying by, but don't pass this weekend without checking out some very fine live music choices .... and lots of it outside!

Friday
The Bite of Oregon starts today at Waterfront Park.  Though it used to feature some pretty top-notch touring acts, the last few years has been scaled back to focus on some of the best local/regional music.  Check out the Garden Stage schedule ... I know I'm looking forward to the last five hours of Sunday that has a distinctive Louisiana music focus with the Too Loose Cajun Band, the New Iberians, and Atomic Gumbo.  Maybe time to second line! Linda Hornbuckle tonight, Wendy & The Lost Boys and Lewi Longmire tomorrow ... $15 for all weekend pass, $10 single day and proceeds go to Special Olympics Oregon. Here's a link to find a deal (expires later today) for 2-for-1 tickets.

Another festival that runs tonight and tomorrow is the McMenamin's 10th Annual Americana Music Festival at the Grand Lodge in Forest Grove ... always fun and free ... this year with Mike Midlo, the Freak Mt Ramblers, Langhorne Slim, Billy D, AgesandAges, Y La Bamba, and more ... begins today at 5 pm.

My pick show for tonight is at Duff's Garage.  Mississippi-based pianist and vocalist Eden Brent is a three time Blues Music Award winner and the 2010 Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year. She's an impressive artist with an excellent new CD, Ain't Got No Troubles. She recorded it in New Orleans with producer-guitarist Colin Linden, and the fabulous NOLA bassist, George Porter.  Eden's style blends boogie-woogie with elements of blues, jazz, soul, gospel, and pop - and the latest recording with a little helping of Louisiana spice. Her vocal style has been compared to Bessie Smith, Memphis Minnie and Aretha Franklin. Should be a great show at Duff's tonight!  ... 9:30 pm, $10


Ah, but there's more  ... in other acts on their summer tours through town:
At the Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn tonight it's a solid double bill of Amos Lee and Calexico ... 6:30 pm, $35/$59 reserved

At the Oregon Zoo, it's k.d. lang and the Siss Boom Bang with The Secret Sisters ... 7 pm, $36

The Crystal Ballroom has Beirut tonight ... 9 pm, but sold out (show up and maybe you can score a ticket)

The English Beat are at the Wonder Ballroom ... 8 pm, $23

Other shows in and around town ...
Blue Cranes will be doing a free, all ages, outdoor concert at the Washington Park Amphitheater. They'll be playing with the Northwest Dance Project and a string trio ... 6 pm, free

Looks like an interesting music event at Disjecta ... the Quiet Music Festival of Portland (Fri & Sat) ... I know that could make my ears much happier ... 8 pm, $8 each night or $13 for both. 

Hargo, Stephanie Schneiderman and Adrienne Pierce are at the Alberta Rose Theatre ... 9 pm, $10

Grammy nominated guitarist Andre Bush will be in town from the Bay Area to make a rare PDX appearance this Friday night at Touche ... 8 pm, $??

Naomi Hooley and Amanda Breese are at Biddy McGraw's ... 9 pm, no cover

The Press Club has Morgan Geer and Drunken Prayer ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Lewi Longmire is at the White Eagle ... 9 pm, $6

Bill Rhoades and Alan Hagar are at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

Get out to some live music!

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wednesday picks for Aug 10th

It was a fun weekend at Pickathon (with a side trip to Paul Thorn's excellent show at Mississippi Studios on Saturday) ... Mavis Staples was amazing, but I also discovered some bands that were very impressive, including Old Light, Mike & Ruthie (both with gigs in town tonight), Eliot Brood, Joy Kills Sorrow, Grupo Fantasma, AgesandAges, Richard Swift, Fruit Bats, Pokey LaFarge ... and ones I knew who did great sets - Laura Viers, Eilen Jewell, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Pine Leaf Boys ...

But on to some excellent choices for tonight, including:

Stereovision at Music On Main ... 5 pm, free

Dan Reed at Washington Park ... 6 pm, free

Eels at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $25

Imelda May is at the Oregon Zoo (got a big recommendation on this one - check her out) ... 7 pm, $14

Sassparilla and Frank Fairfield will be at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $10

It's Cuban Night with Dina Martinez and Al Criado at Vie de Boheme ... 8 pm, $5

Swing Papillion @ The Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

Nancy King and Randy Porter will be at Touche ... 8:30 pm, $??

Seattle's Led to Sea is at the Ash Street Saloon ... 8:30 pm, $5

Piano Throwers are at the Laurelthirst  ... 9:30 pm, $??



Saturday, August 6, 2011

OOPS - my bad..

....the Dan Reed show at Washington Park is on WEDNESDAY, Aug. 10...I failed to mention that...

Friday, August 5, 2011

While Dad's out on the farm.....

..XMass will just sneak in a couple of other music options. Lostlander will play at RonTom's on Sunday night at 9 PM and for those of us who can still remember the '80's, Dan Reed (yes, he of the Dan Reed Network) will be playing up at Washington Park, by the Rose Garden. I believe this starts kind of early - 6:30 PM, and is free. If you haven't heard his new solo CD, get on it! Tony Demicoli and I agree; his most soulful music ever. His next gig in town will be on my birthday, Nov. 19, at the Star Theater...presents and presence will be accepted. And don't forget, next Saturday, Aug.13 is the Customer Appreciation BBQ at Music Millennium - free food, music, prizes...come have fun and show your support for our favorite local music vendor...and you can get Dan's CD while you're there....just sayin'. Next instore event I'm looking forward to will be John Doe on Aug. 23, previewing his new album "Keeper" which comes out on the 30th...but he pays me to say that. Also in our musical future: The Blasters @ Dante's on Aug. 20, followed by brother Dave Alvin and the Guilty Men (featuring our own Chris Miller) on Aug. 25 at the Aladdin.
Hoping I get out to see the Sadies at Pickathon myself (but relying on an elusive freebie, I confess..), but if you're stuck in town, the neighborhood (Jim's and mine) is having a big garage sale..mostly around SE 19th, 21st and Umatilla area...so come by, say hi and buy stuff!!

Music for the weekend

This is going to be my only (and short) post for this weekend.  Most of the weekend I'll be out at Pendarvis Farm as a volunteer at Pickathon, directing some of the live streaming video production that will be going on throughout the festival. That starts tomorrow afternoon and runs through Sunday night ... check out the festival and schedule - it looks great and is truly a unique experience.  Who's going? If you are, hope to see ya there!

Show of note I see - on Friday there's the James Low Western Front happy hour at the Laurelthurst (6 pm, no cover), Wendy & The Lost Boys happy hour at the Hawthorne Theater Pub, Rich Layton & the Troublemakers at Vino Vixens (8 pm, $5), Rebecca Kilgore and David Frishberg at Touche (7:30 pm, no cover), and the Ben Darwish Trio and Andrew Oliver's Kora Band are at Jimmy Mak's (8 pm, $10).

If you're up for a road trip, head to Springfield for the Willamette Valley Blues and Brews Festival with some of the region's best blues artists ...

On Saturday, I highly recommend seeing Paul Thorn at Mississippi Studios.  Paul, who hails from Tupelo, Mississippi, is a modern-day southern storytellers in song. He's a guy with a compelling life story who explores the deep contradiction of the sacred and profane in us - thoughtfully, humorously, and with music muscle. He has a great band that has been supporting him for years - they are more a family than most bands I know - and all great players. I've gotten to know these guys a bit via Delbert's cruise and their last visit to Portland a few years back to play the Waterfront Blues Festival.  It's great to have them in town again, and I'll be ducking out of Pickathon to head over to Mississippi Studios to see them ... 8 pm, $16.50 advance/$19 day of show

Also Saturday ... Street Fairs continue with the Fremont Fest - it will have two stages of music, and acts that I know about include Berthaline and Paula Sinclair.  Rob Stroup & The Blame are at Biddy McGraw's (9:30 pm, no cover), and Laura Ivancie is at Vie de Boheme Winery (8 pm, $5).

For other shows, check the calendars ... and I'll be back posting next week ...