January 2018 - Cascade Blues Association

Hit Broadway Play, A Night With Janis, Plays Portland For One Night Only

Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Janis Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the queen of rock & roll. The unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made her a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Now, Portland is invited to share an evening with the woman and her musical influences in the hit musical A Night With Janis Joplin.

Fueled by such unforgettable songs as “Me and Bobby McGee,” “Piece of My Heart,” “Mercedes Benz,” “Cry Baby” and “Summertime,” this sensational show is a musical journey celebrating Joplin and her biggest musical influences—icons like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, who inspired one of rock & roll’s greatest legends.

The New York Times raved that A Night With Janis Joplin “rocks the house,” Variety called it “electrifying,” The Los Angeles Times said “A Night With Janis Joplin will rock your world!” and The Washington Post proclaimed it “Exhilarating … Remarkable … A joyful ruckus.”

First scheduled for this past October, A Night With Janis was postponed to the current Sunday, February 11 date at The Keller Auditorium, 222 SW Clay Street. The original tickets sold will be honored for the new date. Tickets are available at Ticketswest.com ranging from $35.00 – $65.00. Show time is 7:30 pm.

Three Rockin’ Nights Of Blues With Tommy Castro & The Painkillers

Past PDX Blues Event

California’s blues heroes Tommy Castro & The Painkillers will be heading up the coast for a handful of shows celebrating the release of their latest recording on Alligator Records, Stompin’ Ground. Night after night, Tommy Castro, a fierce and fiery road warrior, fervently delivers his driving, blues-soaked, soul-baring music to fans all over the world. The road is where he honed his guitar playing to a razor’s edge. It’s where he learned how to captivate an audience with his intensely passionate vocals and his memorable songs, licks and grooves. It’s where he learned to turn his band into a dynamic, high-performance engine, able to bring down the house with a soulful ballad and then bring fans to their feet with a blistering blues rocker. In the words of Blues Revue, “Tommy Castro can do no wrong.”.

The first stop will take place at Jaqua Concert Hall, at The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts in Eugene on Friday, February 16. Tickets are $29.00 and available online at Theshedd.org. The Jaqua Concert Hall is located at 285 E Broadway.

On Tuesday, February 20, the band returns to Portland at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 Alberta Street. This is an all ages event with advance tickets available at Albertarosetheatre.com for $22.00. show time is 8:00 pm.

Then on Wednesday, February 21, they will be heading to Central Oregon for a show at The Belfry, 302 E Main Avenue in Sisters. Show time is 7:00 pm and tickets are $20.00.

Seth Walker – Blues, Soul & Americana Master at White Eagle

Past PDX Blues Event

Seth Walker boils down the American music experience into a savory roux. A splendid mix of roots styles: blues, soul, and Americana, featuring deep-fried guitar licks, churchy organ and crisp horns, mostly delivered over spot-on shuffles. An artist who the Austin American Statesman calls “pure talent, a masterful blues guitarist, a singer with swing in his voice and a writer whose songs sound less composed than unleashed.”

Having lived in two of America’s musical meccas, Walker had taken his experiences from both Nashville and Austin, blending the influences left upon him by artists like Jimmy Reed, Ray Charles, and BB King, and developed his own unique form of songwriting and performance. And audiences have been enthralled by his diverse creativity both on recordings and on stage.

Seth Walker will be appearing in Portland at The White Eagle Saloon, 836 N Russell Street, on Thursday, February 1 at 8:00 pm. Tickets for this 21 and over show can be purchased in advance through Cascadetickets.com for $10.00 or $12.00 at the door day of show. Opening act is Portland-based Rainbow Electric, an electric folk/rock/blues band featuring improvisational jams and a range of emotion you won’t want to miss!

On Sunday, February 4, Seth Walker will be heading to the north Oregon Coast for a performance at Fort George Brewery, 1483 Duane Street in Astoria. Show time is 8:00 pm. This is a free show.

Curtis Salgado, Alan Hager and Friends, Two Portland Blues Icons Unite To Celebrate New Recording at Mississippi Studios

Past PDX Blues Event

Award-winning soul, blues and R&B vocalist Curtis Salgado’s earth-shaking vocals and forceful harmonica playing have devastated audiences around the world for over 30 years. Guitarist Alan Hager has been wowing fellow musicians from his hometown of Portland, Oregon and beyond for decades. Hager has been jamming with Salgado since 2003, and joined his band full-time in 2015. Together, the two blues fans and friends took time out of their busy touring schedule to record Rough Cut, a stripped-down album featuring a potent mix of newly written, timeless originals and carefully chosen blues covers. “We did it for the love of the music,” explains Salgado. “This is where our hearts are. These are deep songs that we love to play.”

That love comes through loud and clear on Rough Cut. Produced by Salgado and Hager, the 13 songs on the album (including six originals) range from plaintive to playful. Recorded in one live unrehearsed take, the original “I Will Not Surrender,” with its haunting and sparse soundscape, showcases some of Hager’s strongest guitar work, and some of the most profoundly emotive vocals Salgado has ever laid down. The canine-lover’s anthem, “I Want My Dog To Live Longer (The Greatest Wish),” is already a huge fan favorite. Salgado’s soulful singing and Hager’s elegant slide guitar playing shine on Elmore James’ “You Got To Move” and Muddy Waters’ “I Can’t Be Satisfied.” “He’s the best player in the business, unlike anybody else,” Salgado says of Hager. “One reason I made this record was to show him off.”

Curtis and Alan will be showcasing their new album with a CD release show at Mississippi Studios, 3939 N Mississippi Avenue, on Friday, February 2 at 7:00 pm. Tickets for this fully seated, 21 and over concert can be purchased in advance for $25.00 through Ticketfly.com. Day of show tickets, if not sold out, are $30.00 at the door.

What’s on Tap for February’s General Membership Meeting …

General Meetings

What’s on Tap for October’s General Membership Meeting

Wednesday, February 7 – 7:00 pm
Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24^th, Portland
Members always Free, Non-Members $5.00 (Please show your membership card at the door)
Opening Acoustic Set – David Brothers
Second Electric Set – Timothy James & The Portland Blues Revival

As the year gets in full swing, we’re going to keep things our tradition of bringing the best in blues to our members each and every month. In February we’re pleased to bring a couple acts that display just how strong our blues scene has been through the progression of younger musicians carrying on the genre.

Opening the night for our acoustic set will be guitarist David Brothers. Playing his own material, he mixes the influences of artists like John Coltrane, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Django Reinhart, and John Fahey. Certainly a diverse blend of musical approaches, but David has the talent to bring them all together. He began his musical careet in Johnson City, Tennessee and he has taken his playing to the reaches of the Appalachian Mountains, Texas, New York and finally the Pacific Northwest.

As a young artist, David Brothers was the recipient of the Cascade Blues Association Christopher Mesie Scholarship. He has performed with local guitar heroes like Terry Robb and Robbie Laws and was one of the finalists in the 2010 Journey To Memphis competition. His music besides those early influences can bring out samples of bebop, Latin jazz, gypsy swing, Americana and of course, the blues. This is highly evident with his 2009 recording Corn Flakes And Gin.

The second set of the night will feature our International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase representatives Timothy James & The Portland Blues Revival. Fresh from their trip from Memphis, this group of artists are all under the age of twenty and have been making quite the name for themselves with appearances at festivals and on television.

The band led by fifteen-year-old songwriter/guitarist/vocalist Timothy James also includes guitarist Noah Rozzel, drummer Quinn Everhart, bassist Ryan Stadlet, and keyboardist McKay Everhart — and they play their own original music along with well-known blues-rock classics. Make no mistake, this band though they’re young packs a mighty punch and are all experienced and talented musicians. This is the future of the local blues scene and they’re heading into the direction of recognition far outside of the Portland Metro area.

Remember, Catfish Lou’s fills up quickly for the CBA meetings. Get there early to find a table and don’t forget to pick up your free drawing ticket for your chance to win prizes. We will also have the usual multi-CD package with chances available for $1.00 each ticket to win it all. We’ll see you there for another fantastic night of blues.

Larkin Poe

CD Review

Peach
Tricki-Woo Records

Atlanta’s Larkin Poe are sisters Rebecca and Megan Lovell and they’re crossing the lines between blues and rock with determination. Whether delivering hard hitting originals or taking on new scopes with traditional pieces, they are setting their own boundaries and it’s both modern and innovative. Both are multi-instrumentalists and reading the liner notes it appears that they perform everything themselves on this stunning disc, Peach, using multiple program layers involving guitars, banjo, keys, drums, percussion, and their harmonious voices.

The album alternates throughout between recognizable blues with heavier rocking numbers that may seem more at home with indie rock listeners. But the sisters show their depth in talent with their interpretations of the classic country blues pieces that follow suit with songs like Robert Johnson’s “Come On In My Kitchen,” whereas Leadbelly’s “Black Betty” follows more in line with the 1970s Ram Jam rocking cover of the tune. Son House is twice covered, first with “Preachin’ Blues” that is paced with banjo and slide guitar; and then “John The Revelator” is extremely haunting with its guitar steadily becoming more piercing as the track develops.

But moving between these recognizable covers and their own originals may come as a shock in their approach. The girls know how to rock. And they also have a sharp knack for songwriting with their own numbers such as “Cast ‘Em Out,” “Pink & Red” or “Look Away” demonstrate. As stated in the opening lines of “Wanted Woman,” you ain’t gonna see it coming. They’re on their own path and catching a great deal of attention defying genres and various audiences.

Total Time: 32:01

Come On In My Kitchen / Freedom / Black Betty / Look Away / Preachin’ Blues / Cast ‘Em Out / Pink & Red / John The Revelator / Wanted Woman – AC/DC / Tom Devil

Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager

CD Review

Rough Cut
Alligator Records

With the release of Rough Cut, the world is for the first time hearing what those of us in Portland have known for many years, Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager are a natural fit for acoustic blues. The two have been long time friends and have performed together quite a bit at home throughout the years, long before Alan joined Curtis’ band performing his amazing deliveries of soulful blues that have garnered multiple Blues Music Awards. On tour with the band Alan catches the ears of the audience with his solid slide and fingerpicked guitar, but in an intimate acoustic setting this pair truly shine within their love of the blues.

Curtis and Alan took a day off from their busy touring schedule and went into Portland’s Falcon Studios where they laid down the tracks for the new album Rough Cut in one, unrehearsed session. Honestly though, these guys have been playing so much of this material with one another for so long that it’s like the back of their hands — they know it and each other inside and out. Thirteen songs, including six originals, and all are blues perfection, or as Alan states it “American Classical Music.” The two provide the majority of instrumentation over the selections with Alan’s amazing guitar work and Curtis not only putting out his devastating harmonica prowess but also throwing down some piano work on “Hell in a Handbasket.” A handful of side musicians make an appearance: Keith Brush plays bass on three tracks; Jim Pugh on keys and Jimi Bott appear on one; LaRhonda Steele takes us to church on number singing with Curtis; and drummers Brian Foxworth, Russ Kleiner and Carlton Jackson fill in for four selections.

The covers they present are more than just readings or reinterpretations of classic material from the likes of Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Big Bill Broonzy, Sonny Boy Williamson, Son House and Reverend Robert Wilkins. They are living testimonies in Curtis and Alan’s hands and full of life that would’ve made this recording more than worth hearing alone. But they’re paired with new songs that are well-executed in performance and lyrically filled with emotion, passion and story-telling of the first order.

The album opens with “I Will Not Surrender.” Curtis sings about the tribulations that he has experienced throughout his life, but no matter how many cuts he may have to endure, he’s not giving up. And Alan’s strong string work stresses the point nicely. On the barrelhouse number “One Night Only” the theme addresses just what can happen when situations take somebody in the wrong direction for just one time. “I Want My Dog To Live Longer” has been a popular number for Salgado for some time now, and it always strikes the heart strings. Among everything in his life that he could wish for, nothing would mean more to have his best friend live share his life with him longer.

Alan Hager offers his vocals on Robert Wilkins :Long Train Blues” and his slide playing is incredible on his own composition, the instrumental “The Gift Of Robert Charles.”

The year is only a couple weeks old as Rough Cut is being released, but there is no doubt that this is one of the finest discs that we’re going to hear this year or most any year. Every single number presented is of the highest caliber. Acoustic blues just doesn’t come any better than this. Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager have created a masterwork. Don’t just sit there, run out and buy it now!

Total Time: 49:51

I Will Not Surrender / So Near To Nowhere / One Night Only / I Want My Dog To Live Longer (The Greatest Wish) / I Can’t Be Satisfied / Too Young To Die / Depot Blues / Morning Train / You Got To Move / Hell In A Handbasket / Long Train Blues / The Gift Of Robert Charles / I Want You By My Side

New Music To Note – February 2018

New Music To Note

Here’s a list of new music received at the CBA office, purchased personally, or listened to this past month of note:

Andrew Chapman a.k.a. JoJo – Well, It’s About Time (Upistand records)
Bernard Allison – Let It Go (Ruf Records)
Big Shoes – Step On It! (Biglittle Records)
Billy Price Band – Alive And Strange (VizzTone)
Cary Morin – Cradle To The Grave (Maple Street Music)
Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager – Rough Cut (Alligator Records)
Daniel Eriksen – Narrative Boogie (Pzydeco Records)
Delta Wires – Born In Oakland (Mud Slide Records)
Dennis Johnson – Rhythmland (Self Produced)
Eileen Jewell – Down Hearted Blues (Signature Sounds)
Howl Devine – Howl (Little Village Foundation)
James Southwell – Where The Wind Blows: The Dockside Sessions (Yarwood Browning Music)
Jane Lee Hooker – Spiritus (Ruf Records)
Joel Dasilva – Everywhere From Here (Track Of Life Music)
John Latini – The Blues Just Makes Me Feel Good (Smokin’ Sleddog Records)
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band – Lay It On Down (Concord Music Group)
Mat Edwards – Amalgamated Blue (Self Produced)
Michael Malone –Slings & Arrows (SBS Records)
Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War (Ruf Records)
Patrick Recob – Perpetual Luau (Mr Lucky’s Blues)
Peter Karp – Blue Flame (Rose Cottage Records)
Peter Ward – Blues On My Shoulders (Gandy Dancer Records)
Polly O’Keary And The Rhythm Method – Black Crow Callin’ (Self Produced)
RD Olson – Keep Walking Woman (Self Produced)
Simo – Rise & Shine (Provogue)
Steve Krase – Should’ve Seen It Coming (Connor Ray Music)
Supersonic Blues Machine – Californisoul (Provogue)
The Jon Hay Band – Won’t Let You Go (Self Produced)

Ramblings On My Mind – February 2018

Ramblings

Greg Johnson, CBA President

2018 is starting off on a change of pace. For me at least. As I write this, the International Blues Challenge will be taking place this week. And after fifteen straight years volunteering to work the event, plus seven Blues Music Awards during those same years (twenty-two trips between the two as a volunteer), I have decided not to travel to Memphis this year. I love the event and have so many friends that I will miss seeing, and of course being there to support our representatives. But I have spent pretty much all of my vacation time in Tennessee over those years and because I have placed myself in so many positions during the event I was spending less and less time with friends and if the acts we sent were not in my venue I missed seeing them compete.

This past year Cherie and I have had the chance to travel to San Francisco and Austin. It opened my eyes that there are a lot of other places and events that I would like to see. I have always dreamed of going to the Chicago Blues Festival for example, but having used my vacation time in Memphis there was no way that I would be able to do much of anything else. It doesn’t mean that I will never return to Memphis, it’s just time to go other places, too.

I do highly recommend that you go to the International Blues Challenge if you have the opportunity. It is simply a blues dream to see new acts that will be the future of the genre. It’s a smorgasbord of activity and no way is it possible for anybody to experience it all in one trip.

On another much sadder note, yet another favorite venue has decided to close. It may have been a little more of a trip to get out to The Birk, but it was one of the most welcoming, family-like atmospheres of any venue I had ever been to anywhere, often open to all ages. Mike and Wendy Ingraham literally opened their home to musicians both locally and travelling. In fact, they had become a go to destination for most every act who toured through the area. After just one visit it was a place they immediately wanted to return. Case in point, Sugaray Rayford’s comments on Facebook following his hearing of the venue’s closing. He would make a point of starting or ending his tours there and he’d spend extra days just soaking in the calm and beautiful landscape of the Coastal Mountain range and the comforts Mike and Wendy offered. Sugaray called it his most favorite place of anywhere in the world. And these were not just words being posted on social media, he had told me directly many times these exact same sentiments.

Over the past couple years, The Birk became a venue that hosted numerous touring shows. It seemed that they were doing more than any of the venues in Portland, despite the hour-plus drive through winding, forested roads to get there. The last few months that they were open, they were hosting five and more shows a month. And they were only open for the most part on weekends, with an occasional Monday or Thursday thrown in. Some of the acts this past summer alone included the likes of The Andy T Band, John Nemeth, Jason Ricci, Anni Piper, Alastair Greene, Curtis Salgado, Seth Walker, Danielle Nicole, Jimmy Thackery, JJ Thames, The Delgado Brothers, Crooked Eye Tommy, Nick Moss, Matt Scofield and on and on.

For Cherie and myself, it is even more personal. We had always felt that we were welcome at any time and Mike and Wendy became very good friends that we looked forward to seeing as often as we could. We could even bring our dog, as did friends Mike and Laura Osborn, too. We held our engagement party at The Birk, with Cherie working with Mike to bring in the Duffy Bishop Band for a sold out afternoon filled with friends and much love. And we were already in discussion setting up arrangements to hold our upcoming wedding there in August. Unfortunately we will have to hold it elsewhere now, much to the sadness of not only us, but Mike and Wendy, too. We’ll miss The Birk, and Mike and Wendy even more, but we know that we’ll be seeing them at shows around town.

Who will pick up the void that is now open to touring acts? There are a small handful of venues in Portland that offer a spot for them at times, but not as it had once been. And like many cities around the country live venues are starting to close at a more rapid rate leaving not only touring acts but local musicians looking for places to play. We know that The Birk was a trek to make at certain times of the year or in inclement weather. But we have seen other venues come and go because people were reluctant just to drive to certain areas of town or maybe over the hill to the West Side. We need to support all of these locations that are offering places for us to hear and enjoy the music we love. New places will come and others will go. But get out there. Keep them in business. Even if you have to go a little bit farther, it’s worth it in the overall scheme of what we desire.

Songwriters Boot Camp Offers Rare Opportunity to Local Musicians February 9-11

Past PDX Blues Event

Soulcraft Records Songwriters Bootcamp If you know any blues musicians or songwriters in general who want to improve their songwriting, they need to attend this Songwriters Boot Camp, February 9-11 at Soulcraft Records in Central Oregon. Attendees will work with a Platinum & BMI Award Songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist & Vocalist, PolyGram/Mercury Artist, Jeff Paris.

Jeff has written hit songs and played in Robert Cray’s band and with Keb Mo for over a decade. He has produced, played, and written songs for Coco Montoya and played piano and BKG vocals on the Rod Stewart’s sessions 1971 -1998. He has also played with Slash, Lita Ford, and many others.

This February Jeff will be working with Soulcraft Records to provide an exclusive songwriters boot camp. “Not only will you get a song that has a chance, you will be connected to people who can get your song placed in the right hands,” explained David Samuels of Soulcraft Records. Deane Ogden, an American recording artist, session and touring drummer, producer, and broadcaster, will be rounding out the group.

Two gold and platinum songwriters, a multi-platinum drummer, and a 25 year NW music industry vet all team up together to teach participants how to write a song in three days. There is only room for 15 songwriters.

Normally, this kind of opportunity would cost between $10,000-15,000, when done through a major recording label. Jeff is helping bring this amazing opportunity, for the first time, to the Pacific Northwest for a fraction of what it would normally cost. The three day boot camp costs $1,200.

The format will be in a similar style of the Universal Group songwriting boot camp that they put on for their signed artist. The winning song (if good enough) will be shopped to record labels.

“If you are serious about doing something with your songwriting then you need to be here.” Contact David Samuels at 541-990-9376 or d777samuel@yahoo.com for more information.