March 2018 - Page 2 of 5 - Cascade Blues Association

What’s on Tap for April’s General Membership Meeting . . .

Wednesday, April 4 – 7:00 pm
Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24th Ave, Portland
Members always Free – Non-Members $5.00
(Members please show your current cards at the door)
Opening Acoustic Set – David Pinsky & Phil Newton
Second Electric Set – Drop Dead Red

Join us at Catfish Lou’s on the first Wednesday of April for the Cascade Blues Association’s monthly general membership gathering. We will be offering two sets of top blues music this month featuring two long-time groups of friends who are always highly entertaining. Our monthly meetings are one of the best ways to catch up with great friends and see two musical acts drawn from our wealth of regional talent. Plus you’ll have the opportunity to win prizes just by being in attendance.

For our opening set, traveling from up from Medford will be the acoustic duo of David Pinsky & Phil Newton. No strangers to the CBA, they have represented our society in Memphis at the International Blues Challenge in the past. They have been a major part of the Southern Oregon blues scene for over thirty years working as both an acoustic and electric duo.
David’s propulsive guitar, welded to Phil’s harmonica chops, provide a steady groove reminiscent of the 60’s Chicago style duets. The two on occasion will also employ a twin harp attack. Both David and Phil bring decades of vocal experience, with David concentrating on his original compositions and Phil interpreting Blues and roots.
After a short break to make announcements of what’s happening and coming up in our area, and to do our popular prize ticket drawing, the stage will be taken over by Drop Dead Red. This 7-piece band is exciting and features top-notch musicians who bring decades of musical experience to this quality, talented and well-orchestrated outfit. The band plays a mixed bag of music which is sure to bring a night of listening and dancing pleasure.

Drop Dead Red consists of a diverse collection of musicians who’ve worked with some of the most recognized artists of the area and nationally. Theresa Lowe fronts the band with her vocals which she shares the vocal duties with percussionist Wilton Merritt. Jon Tennis on guitar, Tim “The Deacon” Doyle on keys and bassist Joanne Mead all also provide vocals, while Bob Anderson plays sax and newest member Chandler Bowerman is on drums. Always a hit whenever they play the CBA meetings, Drop Dead Red is packed full of mighty fun!

Randy Morrison Band

CD Review

Hard Place
Self Produced

With the release of Hard Place, the Randy Morrison Band has crafted a righteous collection of West Coast blues filled with catchy guitar lines and rhythmic grooves aimed at keeping your blood pumping and feet moving. Its high-caliber, original music proves that this is a band poised to make a worthy statement in the hot Portland blues scene.

The band itself is formed by a foursome of musicians that have long held their own amongst the best, with twin guitars by Randy Morrison and Stephen “Midnight” Anderson, backed by the solid rhythm section of bassist Laura Petch and drummer Dusty Hill. Add into this mix the powerful organ of Shawn Lyday and the horns of Scott Franklin and Joe McCarthy and magic happens. The musicians all offer great solos and vocal leads. The group is pretty much intact with the exception of Anderson’s number “Trouble” where Scott Franklin and Allyn Jackson turn tremendous horn parts with Dan Pettis on keys and Steve Shroy handling drums.

The album has a driving combination that offers a feeling of bluesy, soulful R&B flowing through all ten tracks. Each song has its own life and will either make you smile or feel the pain being told, depending on the track. Favorite numbers may include “Sensible Shoes” where our hero talks about how much they’ve got in life, but all they really need is some sensible shoes – the ones that lead me back to you. Laura sings about how much you may think you’re happy right now, “You’ll Get Tired Of Winning” and realize that the best place for you is back with her. The cover of The Cate Brothers’ “There Goes The Neighborhood” has some absolutely blistering guitar licks being thrown out. That one sizzles big time! Truth be told, every number, start to finish, is well conceived and sound fantastic. Hard Place is certainly going to turn a lot of heads. Well worth checking out!!

Total Time: 48:26

You Deserve Better / Our Ship / You’ll Get Tired Of Winning / Trouble / Sensible Shoes / Hard Place And The Rock / Brand New Cadillac / There Goes The Neighborhood / Right Place, Wrong Time / Into The Midnight Sun

Myles Goodwyn

CD Review

Myles Goodwyn And Friends Of The Blues
Linus Entertainment

For some musicians, the blues is a life-long passion that just seems to slip between their fingers as they work in another musical genre. That is the case with Canadian Music Hall of Fame member Myles Goodwyn. Falling in love with the blues in the 1960s, it’s always been a genre he wanted to record, and he’s been writing blues numbers for years. But working with the highly successful rock band April Wine, Goodwyn’s songs were likely not going to be recorded by that band — they just didn’t fit their mold.

But Goodwyn kept his personal dream alive and has now put together a collection of those songs that he has been writing over time and brought together some recognized musicians that are best known as being blues artists to help him lay down his tracks. On the album, Myles Goodwyn And Friends Of The Blues, Goodwyn sings and plays guitar and keyboards. He also composed all the tunes on the album but Jesse Winchester’s “Isn’t That So.” Joining him are keyboard masters Kenny “Blues Boss” Wayne and Bill Stevenson, and a slew of guitar players including Frank Marino, Rick Derringer, Amos Garret, David Wilcox, Jack De Keyser, and fellow April Wine bandmate Steve Segal.

The tracks can go from rocking (as you’d expect) on a number like “Last Time I’ll Ever Sing The Blues” to slower pieces like “It’ll Take Time To Get Used To.” For Goodwyn, he is drawn to the blues because not only does he state that the music is vital, but it’s passionate, heartbreaking and even humorous, as displayed in songs like “I Hate To See You Go (But I Love To Watch You Walk Away),” “Tell Me Where I’ve Been (So I Don’t Go There Anymore)” or “I’ll Hate You (Till Death Do Us Part).” “All of this drew me to make this album, like a moth to a flame,” he explains.

Listening to the album it is obvious that Goodwyn has a love for the blues. He brought the right group of people to help him out to make it more authentic as he wanted his songs to sound. There may be a lot of rockers out there today who feel that they may be able to cash in by doing a blues recording, but with Myles Goodwyn he legitimately has wanted to do something like this his entire life. It is a well-done album that is far from the music he has been associated with and received so much acclaim for in the past. This is fulfilling his dreams and doing it right with justice.

Total Time: 48:33

Hate To See You Go (But I Love To Watch You Walk Away) / Isn’t That So / It’ll Take Time To Get Used To / Tell Me Where I’ve Been (So I Don’t Go There Anymore) / I Ain’t Gonna Bathe In The Kitchen Anymore / I’ll Hate You (Till Death Do Us Part) / Good Man In A Bad Place / Brand New Cardboard Belt / Willow Tree Blues / Last Time I’ll Ever Sing The Blues / Nobody Lies (About Having The Blues)

Big Shoes

CD Review

Step On It!
Biglittle Records

Step On It! Is the latest disc from highly regarded session players making up the Nashville-based band Big Shoes. They include guitarists Rick Huckaby, Will McFarlane and Kenne Cramer; keyboardist Mark T. Jordan; bass player (and former Portlander) Tom Szell; drummer Andy Peake, and Bryan Brock on percussion. Huckaby also provides lead vocals throughout the disc. This illustrious cast of musicians have been featured behind the sounds of Bonnie Raitt, Van Morrison, Taj Mahal, Bobby Bland, Etta James, Delbert McClinton, and a seemingly endless cast of performers. So with that type of background you just know that their combined output just has to be stellar. And it is.

This is the band’s second recording. Originally formed to perform a tribute to the music of Little Feat (get it, Big Shoes, Little Feat), they enjoyed playing with one another so much and the music flowed so nicely that they decided to take it even further. Their sound can deliver the mood of the best of classic blues flavored rock, taking the form of people like Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, The Band or others. But this is no tribute here; all of the tracks are originals. It might be pointed out that the song “Walked Out The Front Door” did appear on Raitt’s Home Plate album, but truth is that it was co-written by Big Shoes’ Mark T. Jordan. And on top of all the rocking blues sounds, the band can also bring on the very best of sounds from funk, gospel and soul to the table, too, whatever direction they seem to choose. This is a very enjoyable album with each track a true gem worth hearing.

Total Time: 43:34

Duplex Blues / There You Go / The Last One To Leave / Don’t You Do Me That Way / Too Early For The Blues / Bad For You / Dixie Medody / Walked Out The Front Door / Ain’t Nobody Loves You Like Me / Give It To Me Now / Honey Pie

Blues Music Award Nominated Southern Avenue to Play Jack London Revue

Past PDX Blues Event

The Memphis Flyer proclaims that “Southern Avenue is simply the best band in Memphis . . . the coolest music to come out of Memphis in years.” This hot young band is tearing up stages in venues and at festivals all over the world with its soulful, funky, rock n’ roll stew cooked over the open flame of the blues. Featuring the fiery stage presence of vocalist Tierinii Jackson and guitar master Ori Naftaly, Southern Avenue was a hit at last summer’s Waterfront Blues Festival, with their set being nominated for a Muddy Award as performance of the year.

Southern Avenue returns to Portland on Tuesday, April 3 for a show at Jack London Revue, 520 SW 4^th Avenue. Show time is 8:00 pm with tickets available at Ticketweb.com for $10.00. 21 & over only.

Chad Rupp — Kickin’ it with Pure Portland-Style Blues

Cascade Blues Note

“Raw and authentic Portland style blues,” is the way Portland native, Chad Rupp describes his music. He has been in and out of the Portland Blues scene for almost 25 years. Semi-professionally for about the last ten years. But he says he has been a bluesman from the very start. “From the first time I heard Muddy do ‘Mannish Boy’, I was hooked.”

“When I was a young teenager, my brother, Greg, hipped me to SRV and I burned through tapes like crazy from that. I was introduced to Portland’s greats in the late 80’s and fell in love with what was, in my humble opinion, THE blues scene in the country at that time. I feel so very thankful for those wonderful musicians who carved out that niche and who still work the scene today.”

Chad plays a variety of instruments. “Over the years I have picked up some skill on guitar, piano, harmonica, bass and ukulele, though I’m always ready to pick up another instrument. I think sax might be the next.”

His training has been semi-formal and he says it is continuously evolving. “I have learned some things myself and I have taken lessons for certain aspects of instruments and performance.” He credits Robbie Laws and Jim Mesi with help on the guitar, and DK Stewart on piano. And he is self-taught on harmonica and ukulele.

Currently he teaches a few different instruments and for the moment, that’s keeping his head above water, along with a weekly gig at The Lair on Thursday nights in Milwaukie. “The 1-4-5 Blues Jam Party is bringing a lot of talent together and giving some local musicians a chance to craft. The band and I are providing a proving ground for up and comers. It’s very rewarding and a lot of fun!”

Influences

“I have a lot of influences, as I play several instruments. All the classic blues greats have played a part in what I play, however, my most revered influences are my Portland professors. The classroom has always been their live performances in local venues. Jim Mesi, Paul deLay, Lloyd Jones, Norman Sylvester, DK Stewart, Curtis Salgado, Duffy Bishop and their supporting bands were the faculty and remain so. There are many others who have given me a supplemental education over the years. I have the deepest respect for our local musicians and hope to carry on the tradition.”

CD’s

Chad says he has made recordings, but hasn’t released any albums as of yet. For the moment, catch him live. “I have a fun little EP I’m putting together called Murderville: The Service Industry Blues. Should be out mid-summer 2018.”

When it comes to performing line-up, Chad says his shows and jam sessions have featured many of Portland’s most loved musicians from past to present and continue to do so. “I feel so fortunate to have been on stage with those who I consider to be the best Portland’s scene has to offer, however, there are still a few left to keep me motivated. If you are reading this article, you’re likely hip to Portland’s blues scene. I am honored to have played with almost everybody based here, including Curtis Salgado, Lloyd Jones, Norman Sylvester, Jim Mesi, DK Stewart, Duffy Bishop, Robbie Laws, Big Monti, Ben Rice, Lisa Mann, Rae Gordon, Karen Lovely, and their supporting band members. There is an endless cast of jammers sitting in, being featured, or others featured as part of my own band or session.”

He says he feels fortunate to have access to an amazing pool of talent. Whatever position needs filled in a band, he can count on quality, so depending on the size of the show, he adds the musicians needed. “When I create an event, I grab the best musicians I can. I’ve had some magical combos in the rhythm section with members like Brian Foxworth, Reinhardt Melz, John Mazzocco, David Kahl, Mike Klobas, Ashbolt Stewart, Calen Uhlig, Marty Henninger, Gene Ermel, Chandler Bowerman and others. Musicians like Doug Rowell and Josh Makosky have sided up with me numerous times. David Gofreed has been a go to call for me as well.”

The current band mates for the 1-4-5 Blues Jam Party every Thursday at The Lair are bassist David Kahl and alternating on drums, Gene Ermel and Chandler Bowerman. Chad mans the guitar, keys, harmonica, and vocals.

Closing Comments

“When it comes down to it, I am about service to our scene. I want to find us new venues to play in, I want to re-introduce live music to our neighborhoods and remind them what groove is. I want our legendary players to be heard and I want Portland to know what a great gift it has in talent and entertainment. These are my simple goals.”

“In closing, I’d like to say to you, the reader, take a few hours a week to go out and appreciate some live music. Dance, sing, play with us and if you can, don’t forget to tip the band. We need gas money! See you out there!”

New Music To Note – April 2018

New Music To Note

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

Danielle Nicole – Cry No More (Concord Records)
Freddie Pate – I Got The Blues (Self Produced)
James Grant – Detour (Self Produced)
Joyann Parker – Hard To Love (Hopeless Romantics Records)
Laurie Morvan – Gravity (Screaming Lizard Records)
Myles Goodwyn – And Friends Of The Blues (Linus Entertainment)
Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys – My Life: Twentieth Anniversary (Nevermore Records)
The Nick Moss Band – The High Cost Of Low Living (Alligator Records)
Various Artists – Hard Core Harp (Electro-Fi)
Wayne Riker – Soulfully Sliding (Fretfull Records)

Journey To Memphis Update — Application Deadline April 4, New Venue

Journey to Memphis

The first round of the 2018 Journey To Memphis competition will be held on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 at Mekong Bistro, 8200 NE Siskiyou Street in Portland. The CBA will hold the event earlier this year to avoid conflict with Rose Festival events and holiday commitments on the weekends of Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Also, this year’s competition will take place during the afternoon to allow acts to keep already scheduled evening gigs.

This event will determine The Cascade Blues Association’s representative for the International Blues Challenge in early 2019. The highest rated acts from this event will compete in the finals during this summer’s Waterfront Blues Festival.

Applications to compete in the Journey To Memphis must be turned in no later than the April Cascade Blues Association Membership Meeting on Wednesday, April 4. If sent by mail, the application must be postmarked prior to April 4.

Blues acts from Oregon and Washington who have not been nominated for or received a Blues Music Awards are eligible; this applies to all members of bands who may have been nominated – no exceptions. Application fee is $25.00 and all money will go toward prize money for winning acts. You must submit a short intent to compete letter, a band bio, any performer under 21 must be noted, a photo at least 300 dpi, and a sample of your music (full length songs or CDs as we try to set time for radio promotion if possible). Application packets can be turned in on hard copy (paper), disc, or USB thumb-drive.

Set lengths will be determined depending on number of acts submitting applications and set times will be drawn at random.

Due to state-required building updates and improvements, The Garages will be closed until further notice — thus the reason behind the change of venue for the Journey to Memphis competition.

Something To Talk About: A Portland Bonnie Raitt Tribute

Past PDX Blues Event

At The Alberta Rose Theatre on Saturday, March 24 and Sunday, March 25, many of Portland’s finest singers and musicians gather for Something To Talk About — two nights of music celebrating the music of Bonnie Raitt. Performers include Anne Weiss, Lisa Mann, Bre Gregg, Ara Lee, David Jacobs-Strain, JP Garau, Dan Stueber, Mark Bowden, and Bob Beach, as they take the stage to honor “The Queen of the Bottleneck Blues.” With her smoky vocals and amazing guitar chops, Bonnie Raitt is a legendary artist who has transcended her blues background into reach mainstream success. It will be all Bonnie Raitt tunes, all night.

Tickets can be purchased in advance at Ticketbiscuit.com for $18.00, or $22.00 at the door day of show. This is an all ages event. The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street. Show time Saturday is 8:00 pm, Sunday is 7:00 pm.

Peter Ward

CD Review

Blues On My Shoulders
Gandy Dancer Records

Originally from Maine, Peter Ward is no stranger to the blues scene in the musician rich Northeastern corner of the United States. Having lived in Boston for many years he has filled in for touring musicians including the likes of Jimmy Rogers, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson and Lowell Fulson and toured as part of The Legendary Blues Band that consisted of former members of the Muddy Waters band. His guitar playing is above reproach; he can hold his own easily amongst the best. It’s filled with grooving bluesy rhythms that often have jazz inflections.

Blues On My Shoulders is a long overdue debut release from Peter Ward. It contains reflections of the guitarists and musicians that have influenced his career with tributes to several. The songs are all his original material, save for the lone take on Jim Jackson’s “Kansas City Blues,” performed in the style of Robert Nighthawk. Those that he also takes note of in his compositions in Robert Lockwood Jr and Lonnie Johnson in “Collaborate,” Chuck Berry in “Which Hazel” and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith in “Drummin’ Willie.” He lists a long line of musicians that had impact on his career and playing in the latter song, too.

Peter Ward brought together a stellar cast of friends to help him create this album. Sugar Ray Norcia and The Bluetones are all on hand for the majority of the disc, Norcia on harmonica and taking the lead vocal on “Collaborate,” “Monster” Mike Welch on guitar, Anthony Geraci on keys, Neil Gouvin on drums, and Peter’s brother Michael “Mudcat” Ward on bass. Other notable artists include his former roommate Ronnie Earl on guitar and “Sax” Gordon Beadle on saxophone.

The musicianship and songwriting on Blues On My Shoulders is simply outstanding. It is a nice mood setting collection of blues done right. For guitar lovers or for anybody who loves good music, Peter Ward has created a recording that will fill the bill.

Total Time: 50:18

She Took It All / Which Hazel / Blues On My Shoulders / Collaborate / Shiprock / What Can I Do To You / It’s On Me / Southpaw / A Little More / On The Ropes / Colletta / Kansas City Blues / Drummin’ Willie