Friday, October 28, 2011

Friday and Saturday picks ... and Halloween tunes

As Halloween is Monday, there's a passel of (naturally) Halloween-themed music events all weekend ... here's a great list from Oregon Music News ...

There are some solid local music out and about tonight, including ...

Music on the cheap (but worth a lot more ... so feed the tip jar!):
Ron Rogers & the Wailing Wind doing their monthly Friday happy hour at the Hawthorne Theater Lounge ... 6 pm, no cover   Whoops, Ron is in Europe! No happy hour this month!

Sasspirilla's monthly Friday happy hour at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover

AnnaPaul & The Bearded Lady at the Secret Society  ... 6 pm, no cover

Jon Koonce and friends at Al's Den at the Crystal Hotel ... 7 pm, no cover

La Rhonda Steele at Clyde's Prime Rib ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The Don of Division Street and Morgan Geer at the Press Club ... 8:30 pm, no cover

For a few dollars more ...
Looks like an excellent night at The Woods, with Blue Cranes and Alison Miller's Boom Tic Boom.  Alison is a drummer from NYC (Ani DeFranco, Brandi Carlile) with a very fine band  ... Blue Cranes will be introducing some new music before going into the studio to record .... 8 pm, $12

Bon Ton Roulet and the New Iberians will bring a bit of  Cajun and zydeco to Duff's ... 9 pm, $??

Franco & The Stingers are at the Trails End Saloon ... 9 pm, $??

Jay Koder and the Soulmates are at Vie de Boheme ... 8 pm, $5

Saturday scary-good options includes ...
The Transylvanian Voodoo Ball with Vagabond Opera and Chervona at the Star Theater
The Midnight Serenader's Halloween Bash at the Secret Society
Mood Area 52 doing a live score for a screening of Nosferatu at the Mission Theater
Cascade Zydeo Association's annual Halloween dance featuring Andre Thierry & Zydeco Magic
The Strangetones create some crime-a-billy Halloween mayhem at the Trails End Saloon

But Saturday choices also include:
 Jeff Beck at the Schnitz ... 8 pm, $45 - $65

Bassist Phil Baker (Pink Martini) and band at Jimmy Mak's in a benefit for the Jazz Society of Oregon ... 8 pm, $15

DK Stewart is at Duff's ... 9:30 pm, $??

Kelly Shannon at Touche ... 8 pm, $??

There's probably more ... but gotta run!  See ya out and about!

Oh wait ... also remember for Monday and Tuesday - Richard Thompson at the Aladdin! He's playing solo and opening are the Webb Sisters (who were wonderful as part of Leonard Cohen's touring band last year)

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Thursday live music picks for 10/27

A few quick hits for tonight ....

Early ... there's Lewi Longmire at the Laurelthirst ... dependably rockin' your Thursday evening! ... 6 pm, no cover

Or check out the free performance at Music Millennium of Paula Sinclair at 6 pm (hey, do both!) ... Paula is getting ready to do an ambitious show covering Joni Mitchell tunes at the Alberta Rose on Nov 9th.  Catch a preview of the show tonight!

I received a great recommendation on this band from Brooklyn that's in the middle of a three-night residency at the Edgefield - Miss Tess & the Bon Ton Parade ... 7 pm, no cover

There's an excellent jazz show at the Old Church that's a benefit to help pianist Darrell Grant raise funds for the Jazz Bridge Project that will take musicians on a cultural exchange trip to Russia ... read about it here ... 7 pm (but with a reception that begins at 6), $25

The Ruth Moody Band is at the Alberta Rose tonite. Ruth is from the Wailin' Jennys and her recent solo CD was nominated for a Juno award (that's the Canadian version of the Grammy) ... 8 pm, $15

Lauren Sheehan will be at the Muddy Rudder with some death-tinged tunes for Halloween ... 8 pm , no cover

Rebecca Kilgore & Dave Frishberg bring their sublime voice/piano duo to Touche ... 8 pm, $??

And ... Steve Kerin will take you requests on the pipe organ at the Chapel Pub ... 8 pm, no cover

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wednesday night picks for 10/26

OK ... I think I'm back.  Maybe not completely, but working on it.  Life's distractions ... what can you say.

But it's time to get right down to the nitty gritty ...

Oregon Music News celebrates its second anniversary with a free show at the Secret Society Ballroom that features a host of acts, including the Renato Caranto Project, Auditory Sculpture with special guest Stephanie Schneiderman, and Sunbeam ... music starts at 7 PM and it's free. I'm planning to drop by for a bit and help OMN celebrate ... hope to see ya there!

It's the last October Wednesday happy hour with Black Prairie ... 6 pm, no cover (if it wasn't the 6th game of the World Series tonight, this is where I'd be)

Jon Koonce holds down a week of shows at Al's Den at the Crystal Hotel ... 7 pm, no cover

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

Nancy King will be at Touche ... 8 pm, $??

Dave Friesen and band will performing at Vie de Boheme Winery ... 8 pm, $7

Austin's roots-rockers, The Gourds, are at the Doug Fir Lounge tonight ... 9 pm, $17

And there's a very fine jazz show at Jimmy Mak's with the Javon Jackson Band featuring the legendary Jimmy Cobb on drums ... 8 pm, $20

More about Thursday and the weekend soon!  See ya out and about!

Tony Furtado's Kickstarter campaign

Kickstarter is a great tool for musicians (and other artists) that want to raise money from their friends and fans for an upcoming project.  For instance, James Low just successfully raised the money he needs to do a proper release of his new CD, Whiskey Farmer.  Pre-funding not only helps the artist but gives the contributors valuable gifts from the artist depending on what is contributed - like an early download of the CD to a full concert in your living room (along with posters, tee shirts, etc, etc).

Another of my favorite artists in town, Tony Furtado, launched a campaign last week to raise money to put together a live video for DVD distribution.  Check out the video and head over to Tony's Kickstarter page to help him meet his goal.



Maybe he'll even make you some cupcakes!

Friday, October 14, 2011

..more music fun...

Addenda to Jim's notes...Lincoln Crockett at the White Eagle on Saturday, electrified.  And of course, excitement builds for the John Doe show at Dante's next Saturday, the 22nd, featuring our neighbor girl, Paula Sinclair opening as well as acoustic Dead Rock West filling the middle slot.  And I will be sneaking away for my personal addiction, David Ryan Adams in Eugene on Thursday...

Friday and Saturday music picks

Here's a few for the weekend (sorry for the lack of links ... time crunch) ...

Friday
Need somewhere to start the evening?  Try Woodbrain at the Laurelthirst for some great roots/blues, or Brad Creel at Mississippi Pizza for some cool country. Both at 6 pm.

 The Portland Soul All-Stars do a tribute to James Brown at Jimmy Mak's  ... gonna be a very funky celebration of the Godfather of Soul ... 8 pm, $12

Sassparilla will celebrate the release of their latest CD, The Darndest Thing, at the Kennedy School ... 7 pm, no cover

Annie Clark, aka St. Vincent, is at the Crystal Ballroom ... 9 pm, $19

Lloyd Jones is at Sip d'Vine in Multnomah Village ... 7:30 pm, no cover

3 Leg Torso and Meester Meester will be at Touche ... 8 pm, $??

Ty Curtis Band, DK Stewart and Peter Dammann are at Peter's Room at the Roseland Theater ... 8 pm, $10

The Lisa Mann Duo is at Vino Vixens ... 8 pm, $5

Kevin Selfe and the Tornadoes are at Halibuts ... 8 pm, no cover

Petunia & the Vipers snake their way into Duff's ... the High Flyers, too ... 9 pm, $??

Rob Stroup & The Blame are at Biddy McGraws ... 9:30 pm, no cover

Saturday
My pick show tonight is the joint CD release at the Aladdin featuring Naomi Hooley and Jake Oken-Berg ... 8 pm, $15

Pete Krebs & the Portland Playboys do happy hour at the Secret Society ... 6 pm, no cover (followed by Trashcan Joe at 9 pm)

Billy D & The Hoodoos are at Mississippi Pizza ... 9 pm, $??

Soul Vaccination is at Mississippi Studios ... 9 pm, $10

Ethiopian funk-jazz anyone? Check out the Tezeta Band with Toque Libre at The Woods ... 9 pm, $10

... and there's a benefit for local jazz pianist Mark Simon (alas, another musician dealing big illness) at Vie de Boheme ... 8 pm, $??

I've probably missed a few ... but check out the calendar links for more ... 

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Thurs (10/13) live music picks

If it's Thursday, it's probably a killer night of music .... and it must be time for Lewi Longmire's happy hour set at the Laurelthirst (as if you need reminding)... 6 pm, no cover

In the midst of a week residence at Al's Den, it's Michael Dean Damron - tonight with special guest James Low ... 7 pm, no cover

Thad Beckman, on a break from the road with Tom Russell (supporting tour for Tom's excellent new CD, Mesabi), is back home in the friendly confines of O'Connors - tonight playing a duo gig with harmonica wiz Kurtis Piltz ... 8 pm, $5

There'll be nowhere to run or hide (cause the place will be packed!) at the appropriately named Jimmy Mak's when Miss Martha Reeves hits town tonight to play with her old friend, Mel Brown ... there should be dancing in the streets for this Motown legend ... 8 and 10 pm shows, $20 ... might be best to get an advanced ticket at Tickets Oregon.

Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks are at the Crystal Ballroom ... 9 pm, $20
Now in there 40th year, the band Oregon will perform at the Aladdin Theater tonight ... Excellent story about the band at Oregon Music News ...  8 pm, $30

Vocalist Lara Michell's new band, A Simple Colony, will be joined by Sarah King, and Miss Michael Jodell at the Alberta Rose Theatre ...7 pm, $8

The Red Hot Blues Sisters with Lisa Mann will be at Duff's ... 9 pm, $??

Alan Jones' jazz jam is at the Blue Monk ... 8 pm, $5

Friday, October 7, 2011

Reel Music Festival, a loss in the music community, and weekend picks

Kind of a three part post ...

First, sad news.
Last week we lost one of the finest voices and beloved member of the Portland music community - Teisha Helgerson.  The distinctive voice of Amelia, she was an immensely talented, smart, warm, and giving presence.  Teisha succumbed to lengthy battle with leukemia.  She will be greatly missed.  Here's more from the Willamette WeekOregon Music News, the Oregonian, and OPB Music. There will be a memorial service at Peace Lutheran Church (2201 N. Rosa Parks Way). 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.


........................................

It's not January, but, yes, it's time for the now re-scheduled NW Film Center's Reel Music Festival. Moved to October, we get to enjoy a few weeks of some of the most intriguing documentary films about music in the fall.  This is truly a music junkie's delight.  So check out the schedule - it opens tonight with Martin Scorsese’s “George Harrison: Living in the Material World” ... a three and a half hour bio-pic about the quiet Beatle. More about the festival and Oregon Music News' picks for must-see films here ...
.........................................

Now on to some music picks for Friday and Saturday ...

Friday
Kickstart the evening with the monthly first Friday happy hour from the James Low Western Front ... you also should check out James' Kickstarter campaign (with a great video!) to help with the release of his latest and long-awaited CD, Whiskey Farmer (which is outstanding!)  ... 6 pm, no cover

Richmond Fontaine debut their 10th studio recording, The High Country, tonight at the Star Theater (13 NW 6th).  This looks like a fascinating new work (a story in song and prose) from Oregon Book Award winner and RF songwriter Willy Vlautin. Excellent article about the project from Ryan White at the Oregonian ... this should be a very cool show ... 8 pm, $10

Lloyd Jones will have it fun, funky, and bluesy at Duff's ... horns and all ... dancing shoes required! ... 9 pm, $10

Curtis Salgado and band are at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $20

Kevin Selfe & the Tornadoes are at the Trail's End Saloon ... 9 pm, $??

Rich Layton & the Troublemakers turn the amps down a bit (not to cause any trouble) at Vino Vixens - call it harmonica fueled and swampified, but slightly unplugged ... 8 pm, $5

Loch Lomond will be warmly welcomed at Mississippi Studios tonight ... it's an excellent triple bill with Lost Lander (new Matt Sheehy project) and Lewi Longmire ... now that's a bargain for $10 ... 9 pm.

The Midnight Serenaders are at the Alberta Street Public House ... 9:30 pm, $8

Saturday
Kick off the 10th year of Miz Kitty's Parlour - the modern monthly vaudeville show that regularly sells out the Mission Theater.  Should be a fun night ... and you can read more about it here ... 7 pm, $12

Wendy and the Lost Boys can be found at the White Eagle ... 9:30 pm, $6

The Devin Phillips Band is at Jimmy Mak's ... 8 pm, $10

Big Monti and the Precious Darlings are at Duff's  ... 9:30 pm, $??

OK ... get yourself outta da house and to some live music!

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fwd: House Concert this Saturday -Help us fill the seats

Here's an FYI on an occasional house concert series that you might be interested in checking out that has a show this coming Saturday. 


6:00PM - Potluck, schmoozing

               (Bring a dish to share, BYOB)

7:30PM - Dana plays for us

8:15PM - Coffee, cheesecake, schmoozing

8:45PM - Dana plays again

9:30PM - Additional schmoozing

 

$15 per person suggested donation

All proceeds to the artists

 

RSVP - mike@hillcountrywest.com or call

503-680-2866 for more information and reservations

 


Saturday, October 1, 2011

Benefit concert Sunday for musician Glenn Holstrom

I am forwarding this message from Lloyd Jones about a benefit concert this Sunday at Vie de Boheme Winery for Lloyd's longtime musical partner and friend, Glenn Holstrom, who has been battling colon cancer.  It's an all too familiar story of a musician who gets seriously ill, doesn't have insurance, etc, etc ... Luckily there's a supportive community that can step in and provide some assistance and comfort.  I won't get started on my "socialist" views of how we should be doing healthcare (will save that rant for some other time), but simply say that if you have a few bucks to contribute and want to hear some great music to support a member of the community that is hurting, come out on Sunday afternoon.

I originally was going to be out of town this weekend, but plans changed, so I am looking forward to attending tomorrow ... hope you can join me. 

    --Jim

=====================================
From: Lloyd Jones <news@lloydjonesmusic.com>
Subject: Important Sunday Concert!

Attention Music Lovers!


This Sunday, October 2nd at Vie de Boheme (SE 7th & Clay St., Portland, OR) 4-11pm, Tom Grant, Bobby Torrez, Dan Balmer, Ellen White, King Louie, Louis Pain, Peter Dammann, Gary Hobbs, Michael Bard, Lloyd Jones Struggle & Friends, Peter Boe, and many others will be performing to raise funds for the "One & Only G-Man" …Glenn Holstrom!


All these musicians know what a genius piano player, organ player, arranger extraordinaire, and treasured friend the great "G-Man" is, but many of you fans may not. Glenn has played & arranged the music of Tom Grant, Lloyd Jones, Curtis Salgado, Ellen White, Dan Balmer, Paul deLay, and dozens of others. Truly the "go-to-guy" for all of us musicians. So many of us have said, "you should ask Glenn, he'll know what to do". Yeah baby…he's the man!

 

G-Man needs our help now. He's fighting a serious battle with colon cancer and we want him to win.


If you ever were moved by any of these peoples' music (and I believe you have or you wouldn't even be on my email list), no doubt you've been moved by "G-Man".

Please come out for this inspired evening of special music & friends and help Glenn as you can. I believe you'll get a lot out of this night…I know Glenn will. It's just what he needs right now.


For more info & schedule of performances go to: http://mygignet.ning.com/events/benefit-for-glenn-holstrom-all-star-jazz-and-blues-lineup

 

Thanks for your support,

LJ


PS – Glenn Holstrom will be attending and possibly playing on Sunday.

PSS – We will also be demonstrating and performing the dance known throughout the tri-county area as…"The Holstrom".  Anyone, even musicians, can do it!

 

Lloyd Jones

"Groove Merchant"

www.lloydjonesmusic.com