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.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Weekend music
Friday
Besides the previously mentioned Celebration of Life for Jim Miller at Duff's Garage, there's a couple of shows you might check out.
A roots/bluegrass weekend at the Alberta Rose kicks off with Jim Lauderdale tonight. The prolific Mr. Lauderdale is comfortable being a country artist, bluegrass picker, singer-songwriter, jam-band collaborator, and Nashville "A-list" writer. This year he's a Grammy nominated artist for Best Americana Album for Buddy & Jim a wonderful collaboration with Buddy Miller. This fall, Jim released three more recordings - one traditional bluegrass, the other two are sets of songs co-written with Robert Hunter (another long-time collaborator). Plus, he's a really down-to-earth guy and gracious host at his shows. Jim has hosted the annual Americana Music Association awards show 11 years running. Oh, and Lewi Longmire and Anita Lee Elliot open ... 8 pm, $22
Ritchie Young (Loch Lomond) continues a week long residency at Al's Den at the Crystal Hotel ... 7 pm, no cover
Chris Miller and James Sasser will be at the White Eagle. Jake Ray opens ... 9:30 pm, $8
Saturday
An excellent bluegrass band from North Carolina, Chatham County Line, park their pickin' at the Alberta Rose for two nights. Portland's The Wild Wood opens Saturday's show, Calico Rose on Sunday ... 8 pm (7 pm on Sunday), $15
Dante's will rock with the North Mississippi Allstars! Luther and Cody Dickinson continue to ply the deep groove of Mississippi Hill Country blues with attention to tradition and an ear to the future. Opening the show is Lightnin' Malcolm ... 9:30 pm, $18
Lloyd Jones and the big band (with Dover Weinberg back on the keys, horns and everything) are at Duff's ... much dancing will ensue ... 9 pm, $??
The Secret Society has the Midnight Serenaders and the Barndoor Slammers ... 9 pm, $12
The Goodfoot has Danny Barnes with Ty North and Carlton Jackson ... 9 pm, $10
Guitarist James Clem is at the Muddy Rudder ... 8 pm, no cover
... and the Devin Phillips Quartet is at Wilf's ... 7:30 pm, $10
Thursday, January 23, 2014
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR JIM MILLER
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR JIM MILLER
FRI Jan. 24th 9PM
The MYSTI KREWE OF NIMBUS will host a 'Celebration of Life' to honor one of its members, musician JIM MILLER, who tragically passed away after suffering a massive heart attack December 14th.
Jim was a fixture in the Portland music scene, and the evening will include performances by many of his bandmates and friends including Alan Hager, Atomic Gumbo, Bill Rhoades, Boyd Small, Dan Fincher, David Kahl, DK Stewart, Dover Weinberg, Ellen White, Jamie Leopold and the Short Stories, Jeff Hayes, Joe McCarthy, Kelly Dunn, Lloyd Jones, Louis Pain, Peter Dammann, Too Loose Cajun/Zydeco Band, Transcendental Brass Band, and Whit Draper.
Miller's career as a popular bassist/vocalist in Portland stretched over 4 decades and included playing with too many groups to list, but most notably, a stint with the '70's super group IRON BUTTERFLY. In addition to his musical skills, Miller served as President for the non-profit PORTLAND MUSIC ASSOCIATION, who gained notoriety for the production of many MAYOR'S BALL Benefit Events during the '90's, as well as handling Production duties for high profile Music events such as the Waterfront Blues Festival and The BITE.
The 'Celebration of Life for Jim Miller' will feature live music (organized by former band mate and friend STEVE KERIN) and will include remembrances from Family and Friends. Please, help us honor the memory of Jim Miller by attending this event.
The suggested donation for the show is $20.
Proceeds of the Event will go to his survivors Wendy (partner) and Wyatt (son).
CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR JIM MILLER
Duff's Garage
1635 SE 7th Ave
Portland, OR 97214
503.234.BEER
Friday, January 17, 2014
A Sunday night show for your listening pleasure ...
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Thursday, January 16, 2014
Yes, back with a few music picks!
But today I'll try to find my recommendation legs by with some minor prattling.
Tonight ...
It's the second of three nights of Reelin' and Rockin' at the Crystal Ballroom hosted by the Garcia Birthday Band as a benefit for the Rex Foundation. Tonight their special guest is Brothers and Sister, the killer Allman Brothers tribute band. The band does an amazing job of channeling the sound and energy of circa 1971 ABB ... twin leads, double drummers, and all ... 8 pm, $10 ... and tomorrow night their guest is the Freak Mountain Ramblers.
Friday night you can catch country/bluegrass/folk veteran John McEuen at the Alberta Rose. He'll share his story of the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and his life in music via song and image. This is a multimedia show that includes covering the band recording with country icons Earl Scruggs, Merle Travis, Roy Acuff, Doc Watson, and Mother Maybelle Carter to make the landmark "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". With his banjo, mandolin, fiddle and guitar, John takes us, with live music and a huge screen behind him, through the early years of 1966 and, as he says, "through the old daze" to the 'Circle' album - to now. Winner of the 'Best in the West' performer award from Folk Alliance, and many other awards, John is renown as a historian and storyteller, McEuen illustrates with music, hot picking, and film how young hippie musicians from California became the first American band, ever, to perform in Russia. (28 sold out shows in May of '77)... 8 pm, $22
There's an excellent triple bill at the Secret Society with Ezra Hollbrook, Love Gigantic, and Nick Peets ... great songs, great vocals, great chops all around ... 9 pm, $8
And Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys are at the Landmark Saloon ... 9 pm, no cover
Saturday at the Crystal Ballroom it's Southern Culture on the Skids ... it's time to Camel Walk ... 9 pm, $15
Hey, I'll be back tomorrow with a few more for the weekend ... don't want to overwhelm anyone with too many choices to fast. I'm getting dizzy.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Rising from the holidays...
If you missed last week's show with Patterson Hood from Drive By Truckers and Willy Vlautin and Dan Eccles from Richmond Fontaine...well, you blew it....Willy and Dan acoustic was breathtakingly pretty and though I confess to not being that familiar with DBT, Patterson was hysterically funny and entertaining. He is back the next two Wednesdays, at the Doug Fir, and this week Fernando Viciconte opens. Fernando is coming back from a few years of severe health issues that kept him from singing and has a new album coming out next month. He's still limiting his live performances, so be sure to catch this one.
On January 25, Jim Lauderdale returns to the Alberta Rose Theatre. Love that Nashville twang!
On the 29th, The Autumn Defense with Pat Sansone and John Stirrett from Wilco will be at Mississippi Studios...do not even think of blocking my view of Sansone if you go....
..and if you go to SXSW, say hi to my fave local band, Divers...they will be there representing the NW territories.