Songwriters decending

Looking over the next few weeks of shows in Portland I see some of the finest songwriter/performers around coming to town for your listening pleasure. Four shows I really want to encourage you to see are:

On Thursday, Oct 20, it's the incredible Alejandro Escovedo at the White Eagle. He's knocked me out in both large venues and small, but I'm really looking forward to a show in this relatively intimate McMenamins venue. He's supporting his soon to be released CD, Burn Something Beautiful, produced in Portland with Peter Buck (R.E.M.) and Scott McCaughey (The Minus 5). It was a collaborative affair with both Buck and McCaughey co-writing many of the tunes with Escovedo. If the preview track, Heartbeat Smile, is any indication, this is going to be most excellent!  ... 8pm, $30

Saturday, Oct 22 at the Aladdin brings the Billy Bragg and Joe Henry Shine a Light Tour ... a great pairing of two like-minded talents who teamed up for a very special project. ... 8 pm, $40

In March 2016 Billy Bragg and Joe Henry, guitars in hand, boarded a Los Angeles-bound train at Chicago's Union Station looking to reconnect with the culture of railroad travel and the music it inspired. Winding along 2,728 miles of track over four days, the pair recorded classic railroad songs in waiting rooms and at trackside while the train paused to pick up passengers. On the Shine A Light Tour, they'll be playing songs from the journey, along with favorites from their own back catalogues.

Sunday, October 23 at the Secret Society brings us a special evening with Kenny White. 

Kenny White http://www.kennywhite.net has been a fixture on the New York studio scene writing and producing hundreds of records and commercials for TV and radio. He has worked with Gladys Knight, Linda Ronstadt, Dwight Yoakam, Ricky Skaggs and Aaron Neville among others. White produced three records for legendary J. Geils Band leader, Peter Wolf. The second, "Sleepless," was included in Rolling Stone Magazine’s list of one of "the 500 greatest albums ever made," as well as giving Kenny a chance to work with Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, and Steve Earle.

This tour introduces Kenny’s new release, “Long List of Priors,” which features an A-list of supporting players including David Crosby, Peter Wolf and guitarist Larry Campbell.

Since getting turned on to Kenny in 2010, I have not missed an opportunity to see him. From cerebral and emotional, sardonic to heartfelt, from cultural commentary to explorations of life's lessons, Kenny's tunes always provide an illuminating and entertaining perspective. Not to mention he's a kickass pianist. Check out some great videos of Kenny at his site. Sharing the stage with Kenny for this show is Amber Rubarth. ... 8 pm, $12

The legendary Danny O'Keefe will be in town for two house concerts and a songwriting workshop on October 28 and 29. Here's the details and recommendation from Mary Flower:

A most prolific, soulful and innovative songwriter, legendary Danny O'Keefe will be in our fair city for two house concerts and a songwriting workshop at the end of the month. I strongly suggest you not miss this brilliant musician. It has been years since he has played here but you should remember the iconic "Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues".
Oct 28 at Doverlaff House Concerts
Oct 29 Songwriting workshop at Mike Doolin's (email mike@doolinguitars.com), 1 PM
Oct 29 House concert at Abbie Weissenbloom's

Danny is one of those songwriter's songwriters. Here's a fun interview with Danny by Portland's Frank Goodman (Buzz Holland to many of you) from a few years back.

And here's Danny doing his most famous tune.

That's a pretty strong passel of shows in the next two weeks! How about November? I'd have these on your radar:

Iris Dement at the Aladdin on Friday, November 11

Suzanne Vega at the Alberta Rose on Tuesday, November 15

James McMurtry and Anders Osborne at the Aladdin on Thursday, November 17