Weekend music reminders - Bragg & Henry, Kenny White

Last night's Alejandro Escovedo solo show at the White Eagle was really a delight - great mix of his tunes and stories Do not miss him next time around!

Remember - Joe Henry and Billy Bragg tomorrow night at the Aladdin and Kenny White at the Secret Society on Sunday.

Details here.

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

Music picks for the weekend

So what's this coming weekend looking like? Like there's a lot to like. Like Friday - 
Like early music? Try the Buzz Holland Band at the Starday Tavern (6 pm), Well Swung at the Secret Society (6 pm), Deadstring Family Band at the Laurelthirst (6 pm), or Ants in the Kitchen at Jimmy Maks (7 pm).

Head to the far westside to Hillsboro for the Acoustic Guitar Summit at the Walters Cultural Arts Center. Grammy Award winners Doug Smith and Mark Hanson join Oregon Music Hall of Fame member Terry Robb for an evening of blues, jazz, Hawaiian slack key, and more ... 7:30 pm, $18

Great touring acts in town tonight? Definitely!

How about Brian Wilson celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Beach Boys landmark album, Pet Sounds at the Schnitzer? Most definitely good vibrations ... 8 pm, $50-95

Consider the Jerry Douglas Band at Revolution Hall. This master of the dobro is a14-time Grammy winner and three-time CMA Musician of the Year. Chops galore ... 8 pm, $35

At the Wonder Ballroom it's the orchestral folk of  Okkervil River ... 8 pm, $20

Or the venerable, resonant voiced, songwriter Greg Brown at the Aladdin ... 8 pm, $35

And there's more ...
Liz Vice is at the Mission Theater ... 8 pm, $15

Check out Curtis Eller’s American Circus – par of the Minor Key Series at the Old Church ... 8 pm, $10

The Midnight Serenaders are at Duff's ... 9 pm, $??

And The Minus 5 and The Minders have a Dual Album Release Party at the Secret Society ... 9 pm, $10

Saturday
Start your evening with Kris Deelane & the Hurt at the Laurelthirst ... 6 pm, no cover

Time for the 10th Annual Oregon Music Hall of Fame show at the Aladdin. A number of notable Portland musicians including Fernando, Pete Krebs, and Paul Brainard are among this year's inductees and performers ... 7 pm, $25

The Strange Tones bring their always entertaining crime-a-billy sounds to Duff's ... 8:30 pm, $ ??

The Devil Makes Three is at Roseland ... 9 pm, $25

Sunday
One I'll note is Ottmar Liebert and Luna Negra will be at the Alberta Rose. Liebert's latest recording, Waiting n Swan, is this flamenco guitar superstar's pretty cool tribute to the music of Bob Marley. Flamenco reggae! Somehow it works ... 8 pm, $35

Too many choices! Think I'll stay home .... nah! See ya out and about!

Fwd: songfall: three shows for october

Hey folks ...

Here are three upcoming October shows from producer Matt Miner. I really want to call attention to the Kenny White show on Sunday, Oct 23 at the Secret Society. If you haven't heard or seen Kenny, I highly recommend checking him out and coming to this one. (And if you know him, I suspect you'll be there!)

As Matt quotes David Crosby below:  "I'd have to say that Kenny White has earned a place among my favorite singer/songwriters … and particularly, lyricists. As we say in the trade 'he goes deep.' A true wordsmith AND musician who reveals a fine sense of humor, as well. Put on your headphones and listen carefully."

Opening solo for Peter Wolf last month at the Aladdin, Kenny's set mixed thoughtful, heartfelt, and bitingly humorous tunes that garnered a well-deserved standing ovation. He's one of the best songwriters/performers I have the pleasure of knowing. Hope you will consider joining me at the show!

  --Jim

Songfall October 3: Songwriter Circle: Steve Bradley @ O'Connor's October 23: Kenny White/Amber Rubarth @ Secret Society October 28: Beth Wood/Anne Weiss@ O'Connor's October 3: Songwriter Circle Special Guest: Steve Bradley O'Connor's Vault A few tickets are still available for this show at http://circlebradley.brownpapertickets.com.  Once the show is sold out, a few tickets may be available at the door, at the discretion of the venue. O'Connor's Vault is a friendly, comfortable neighborhood music venue offering a full restaurant menu and full bar. October 23: Kenny White and Amber Rubarth Secret Society Tickets: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1275583?_ga=1.85272656.812510811.1474750100 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. "I'd have to say that Kenny White has earned a place among my favorite singer/songwriters … and particularly, lyricists. As we say in the trade 'he goes deep.' A true wordsmith AND musician who reveals a fine sense of humor, as well. Put on your headphones and listen carefully."    – David Crosby Check out David Crosby's contribution to Kenny's new album here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1U1xs1bOBQ Sharing the stage with Kenny for this show is Amber Rubarth  http://www.amberrubarth.com/. Amber has a natural simplicity and insightfulness to her musical musings on life that has connected with people around the world from villages in South Africa to small clubs in Japan, Carnegie Hall and full orchestra arrangements of her songs in New York to hundreds of venues across Europe.   "She has developed a unique gift of knocking down walls with songs so strong they sound like classics from another era." -Acoustic Guitar Magazine.  The word has spread organically around her self-released albums, attracting glowing features from The Huffington Post, NPR, and BBC Radio.  She has been hand-picked to open tours for songwriting legends Emmylou Harris, Kenny Loggins, Richie Havens, Loudon Wainwright III and Dr. Ralph Stanley and was recently awarded Grand Prize in NPR's Mountain Stage New Song Contest.  October 28: Beth Wood and Anne Weiss O'Connor's Vault Tickets: http://woodweiss.brownpapertickets.com Beth Wood http://www.bethwoodmusic.com is a modern-day troubadour and believer in the power of song. Her exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, and commanding stage presence have been winning over American audiences for eighteen years. Beth's music is soulful, organic, intelligent, barefoot, high-energy communication of joy.  Picture a home-body with an ever-present wanderlust, an introvert with a passion for performing, a creative free-spirit with enough discipline to rework her dream year after year, calloused little hands and a big pile of curly hair…and you've got Beth Wood. Anne Weiss http://anneweiss.com/ is  an outstanding multi-genre singer/songwriter. She studied classical piano, joined a street gang, became a mountaineer, developed a guitar obsession, worked as a political organizer, learned to salsa dance, became addicted to delta blues, sings with a hundred voice gospel choir, and recently started playing funk ukulele; and yes, you will hear it all in her music. Anne is known for her enormous bluesy voice, great guitar chops, and striking stage presence.  Anne has performed and/or recorded with folk and blues artists from Taj Mahal to Dar Williams. As a songwriter, Anne is poetic, political, humorous, sensual, full of characters and stories, Weiss came to lyrics through her poetic craft. She has received the Allen Ginsberg Award for poems in her poetry book, Making Paper From Leaves. Our generous sponsor, Hearing Health yourhearinghealth.com, is Portland's #1 rated Hearing Aid Provider, located in Raleigh Hills. More information from Matt Miner at 503-484-8196 or mattminermusic@gmail.com.