Saturday, December 29, 2012

Between the holidays music specials ... part deux

Ok ... time for a brief conclusion to weekend recommendations and a little something about New Years Eve choices ...

Saturday
Besides a few I mentioned in part 1 (like Jerry Joesph's string of shows - also mentioned by MaryChris in her post), here's a few for tonight:

They are now rockin' the Laurelthirst every Saturday for happy hour, so head there tonight for a last 2012 gig (though their first of the new year isn't far away). Talkin' 'bout the James Low Western Front. It's a tight, powerful band with one of Portland's perennially best singer/songwriters. Pick up their CD, Whiskey Farmer, one of 2012's top local recordings, too! ... 6 pm, no cover

The Press Club has Meester & Meester and friends ... 8:30 pm, no cover

The Quick & Easy Boys do the first of two nights at The Goodfoot ... 9 pm, $8 both nights

The Devin Phillips Quartet lay down some solid jazz grooves at Wilf's ... 7:30 pm, $??

Sunday
The Alberta Rose has the musically irreverent, The Bobs, for their post-holiday show ... 7:30 pm, $20

Monday, Dec 31 - New Year's Eve
Lots of great NYE music choices -- check out some good listings here and here. And there's now a very good music and events calendar at OregonLive - for NYE music choices just scroll/click through to 12/31 in the listings ...

Whatever you do, have a safe and happy holiday ... and resolve to get out to more live local music in 2013!

Thursday, December 27, 2012

The end is nigh...

...well, the Xmas musicals and live versions of It's a Wonderful Life have been put to bed for the season, so back to real music...
Saturday it's Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons and Truckstop Darlin' at the Mississippi Studios....depending upon what my friend Deb decides, I may have a free ticket for that show...so stay in touch..
New Year's Eve I will be helping the reunited Dan Reed Network ring in 2013 (and looking at pictures of Dan's new son, I'm sure...), but there are so many choices....the other tops of my list would be Lost Lander at the Backspace (which is desperately trying to raise some money to keep the doors open on one of the few all ages venues), or Patrick Lamb and Tommy Thayer (y'know, formerly of local band Black and Blue and now with that other little combo, Kiss...) at the Governor. 
So much already in the new year - Ken Stringfellow at Mississippi Studios, Jan. 21, a Feb. 1 surprise that I cannot reveal quite yet, but think LA punk....Feb. 26, Patti Smith at the Crystal and Feb. 27, Dave Alvin at the Aladdin.
Happy 'effin New Year!!!

Between the holidays music specials ... pt 1

First, at very happy holiday to all y'all ... Hope you find a bit of contentment and peace in the hubbub of the season.  I've been keeping a bit quiet knowing folks have lots to do besides going out to live music (though good for you if you can make some time for that too!).

But there're some shows I thought worth pointing out for the next few days ... so here goes:

Thursday
Swing with Everything's Jake at Vie de Boheme winery (and they'll be at the Press Club on Friday)... 8 pm, $5

Redwood Son is in the midst of seven days at Al's Den at the Crystal Hotel ... 7 pm, no cover

Mississippi Studios has the fine roots and rockabilly of Vancouver, BC's Petunia & the Vipers .. . 9 pm, $12

African music legend, Thomas Mapfuno & the Blacks Unlimited headline a don't-miss show at the Mt Tabor Theater ... The "Lion of Zimbabwe" is an infrequent visitor to the NW, so this is a great chance to catch one of the most politically influential musicians in Africa ... 9 pm, $10

Friday
Jerry Joseph and the Jackmormons are a busy band this weekend ... tonight at the Alberta Rose (9 pm, $15), tomorrow and Sunday at Mississippi Studios (9 pm, $15 or $25 2-show pass), and Monday (NYE) at the Bagdad Theater (8:30 pm, $20)... come on, you can catch one of the rockin-est trios anywhere at least once over the New Years weekend!

Pete Krebs & His Portland Playboys are at the Secret Society happy hour ... 6 pm, no cover

The Blue Monk has The Bridgetown Sextet ... 9 pm, $??

Looking for a bit of supper club elegance? Head to the Bijou Café where Rebecca Kilgore and Harry Allen perform A Salute to the Music of Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland ... tickets are $45 and include a special 3-course meal. Doors at 6 pm, music at 7 and reservations are encouraged.

Billy D & the Hoodoos are at The Blue Diamond (20th & Sandy) ... 9 pm, $??

 ... and Jimmy Mak's will be rockin' with the KINK Music Showcase presented by Bridgeport Brewing, featuring Kari Newhouse, The Druthers, Brownish Black, and the Ty Curtis Band ... 8 pm, $10

OK ... enough for now ... part 2 comin' at ya tomorrow or Saturday.




Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Mary Flower tonight at the Laurelthirst

It's a really fine early show tonight at the Laurelthirst with Mary Flower, Spud Siegel, and Jesse Withers .... here's what Mary has to say about it:

If you need to get out of the house tonight, I'll be at the Laurelthirst  with Spud on mandolin and Jesse on bass. Please note the correct time: 7:00-9:00 PM. We had a great listening crowd the last time and it was a good time for all!  Hope to see some of you there!

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Sub blogger here...

Hey kids - I may have to sell my ticket to John Cale at the Mission Theatre on December 4th - $35.00....I think I overbooked myself..sigh...contact me at:  xmass@comcast.net, if you are interested.
Also tonight Sunday there is a tribute to Tom Wait at The Know at 2026 NE Alberta, featuring Morgan Geer and then on the 6th Morgan's band Drunken Prayer will have a record release party at The Record Room on NE Killingsworth (what's not to love about vinyl and drinks?)
On Friday the Hollywood Theatre is showing, one show only, a documentary about the late John Fahey, "The Search for Blind Joe Death", with a musical performance featuring Chris Funk of Black Prairie and the other little band he used to be with, The Decemberists, at 7:30 PM.
..and next weekend Trail Band with Marv and Rindy Ross at the Aladdin...and best Xmas show coming up, IMHO, as the kids say - EL VEZ at Mississippi Studios on the 16th.