Duffy Bishop & The Rhythm Dogs

Duffy Bishop & The Rhythm DogsDuffy Bishop and Chris Carlson are certainly missed around here, and the Lake Theater & Cafe will be celebrating their return to the Pacific Northwest with a Duffy Bishop performance on Monday, May 22. Duffy and Chris will be teaming up with long time band members Dean Mueller on the upright bass and Carlton Jackson on drums. for a reunion that is sure to inspire. Duffy Bishop is a force of nature, a powerful blues blaster, a sultry soul singer, and a presence who connects with her audience in a deeply personal way be it in an intimate club or huge festival.

Tickets for this performance are available online at laketheatercafe.com for $15.00 general admission. Sorry, all of the VIP tables are sold out, so get your tickets now! Show time is 7:00 pm. The Lake Theater & Café is located in downtown Lake Oswego at 106 N State Street.

Tony Furtado - photo by Alicia J Rose

Very few musicians of any stripe so personify a musical genre as completely as Portland’s Tony Furtado embodies Americana roots music. Tony is an evocativeTony Furtado - photo by Alicia J Rose and soulful singer, a wide-ranging songwriter and a virtuoso multi-instrumentalist adept on banjo, cello-banjo, slide guitar, and baritone ukulele who mixes and matches a menu of sounds and styles with the flair of a master chef. Furtado has scheduled a CD release party to be held at The Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street, on Saturday, May 6. He performs in a wide mix of musical styles that have found him performing at major festivals such as varied as Telluride Bluegrass, Aspen Jazz, and Kerrville Folk. Influenced by musicians such as Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal and David Lindley, he has toured alongside artists like Gregg Allman, Derek Trucks, and Sonny Landreth.

“Tony Furtado is a major musical force without a doubt. He has his black-belt in voice and bottleneck guitar and his banjo playing scares the crap out of me.” – David Lindley

Furtado’s sixth and latest release, The Cider House Sessions,” was recorded live at Reverend Nat’s in Portland. That will be the focus for his performance at the Alberta Rose Theatre, but expect a night filled with some new tunes, old favorites, and special guests including the band DEAN, who will open the show.

Show time is 8:00 pm, with doors opening at 7:00 pm. Tickets can be obtained in advance through Ticketbiscuit.com for $15.00 or for $18.00 at the door day of show. Minors are okay when accompanied by a parent or guardian.

lloyd jonesBend-ing The Blues is a new series of concerts held at The Old Stone Performing Arts Center in Bend, Oregon that is aimed at bringing Portland blues masters to Bend. The kick-off event on Saturday, May 20 will host The Lloyd Jones Struggle with an opening set from Kinzel & Hyde.

Lloyd “Have Mercy” Jones has recorded six critically acclaimed albums, toured internationally, and racked up dozens of major awards and accolades, including induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame, a Cascade Blues Association “Lifetime Achievement Award,”  and the recipient of 35 Muddy Awards. A relentless road dog, Lloyd has been hitting festival stages, Delbert’s annual Sandy Beaches Cruises (he’s been a regular on six winter cruises), and clubs all across the land to enthusiastic crowds who can’t get enough of his swampy blues, back-porch picking, serious-as-anthrax funk, soul, roadhouse two-beats, and old-school rhythm and blues. He just may be the best-kept roots/blues/Americana secret on the contemporary scene today.

Also appearing will be Cascade Blues Association Hall of Fame Inductees and multiple Muddy Award winners Kinzel and Hyde. Regarded as “Guardians of Traditional Blues,” the pair have appeared on XM Sirius radio station “Bluesville,” NPR’s “Blues On Stage” and provided subject matter and soundtrack for the documentary “Portland Mojo: How Stumptown Got The Blues.” Deep-rooted in traditional sounds, including Delta blues, Cajun, Gulf Coast, classic country, jazz, folk, roots and swing, they are known for their humor and story-telling, taking  audiences on a tour of blues and roots music that will blow you away!

The Old Stone Performing Arts Center is located at 157 NW Franklin Avenue. Doors will open at 7:30 pm for the 8:00 pm show and is open to all ages. This is a limited seating dance event. Tickets are $18.00 in advance through the venue’s website www.oldstonebend..com and at www.Bendtickets.com. Admission at the door is $25.00.

This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event. CBA members attending will receive a complimentary CD from Kinzel & Hyde.

Bend is a great week-end destination with much to do and see. There are several hotels near The Old Stone, which is the oldest church in Bend and has been restored with new wood floors, service bar and fine acoustics. The Old Stone is located in historic Old Bend, near the downtown blocks, close to vibrant night life and fine dining, offered up Bend style! They have ample parking in a safe lot.

Vieux Farka Toure

Vieux Farka ToureIf you look at the musicians of Mali you just might find a direct link between Africa and the blues. Especially when you consider the late guitarist Ali Farke Toure and the family tradition carried on by his son Vieux Farka Toure. It was not a career that his father had intended or wished upon his son. He wanted him to become a soldier. But the talent was there and Vieux found his father’s blessings.

Vieux was originally a drummer, but found his true calling with the guitar. His fiery playing has earned him respect as one of the world’s finest guitarists and the nickname “The Hendrix of the Sahara.”  He has defined African blues rock and continues exploring other aspects of music. Vieux’s performances are exciting, intense and filled with passion.

Vieux Farka Toure will be performing at The Star Theater, 13 NW 6th Avenue, on Thursday, May 4 at 9:00 pm. 21 and over only. Tickets are $17.00 and can be bought at Ticketweb.com. Opening the night will be Jamaican-born, Seattle-based Clinton Fearon.

 

On Friday, June 2, Norman Sylvester  will be hosting “A Phenomenal Concert – The Journey of Blues and Gospel in America” at the Alberta Rose Theatre. This all-star event will focus on the music from the cradle of birth in Africa, the cotton fields of the Mississippi Delta, to our urban cities.

Performing at this event along with be the Norman Sylvester Revue featuring local musicians LaRhonda Steele, Leeanne Sylvester, Bill Rhoades, Renato Caranto, Peter Moss with special guests Chata Addy  (Ghanaian Drumming and Dance), and Tevis Hodge Jr. (Acoustic Delta Blues and Ragtime).

Also, as part of this event And a sneak preview of Jeff Dodge’s video project “Tales from Old Portland.”

Blues and gospel have been a major art form used in communication and inspiration since the days of slavery. Please join them in celebrating this healing music.

The Alberta Rose Theatre is located at 3000 NE Alberta Street. Tickets are $20.00 general admission and can be purchased through Ticketbiscuit.com. This all ages event  starts at 8:00 pm, doors at 7:00 pm.

 

Nick Moss Band

Nick Moss BandNick Moss has been recognized as one the great guitarists of his generation, garnering accolades from  the likes of Buddy Guy and others. His recording career spans decades working with some of the giants of the blues such as Jimmy Dawkins, Jimmy Rogers, and The Legendary Blues Band.  As a solo artist heading his own band, he has released multiple albums that have become staples at blues radio outlets worldwide, including his latest release, From The Root To The Fruit, that earned Blues Music Award nominations for Best Contemporary Album and Album of the Year.

Nick Moss Band has a legion of fans that flock to his shows, knowing that each night will be a grand musical experiment. There will be sonic textures to discover and new sounds to stir the soul. The band is super tight, made up of Nick Moss on lead guitars/vocals, Nick Fane on bass, Patrick Seals on drums, and Taylor Streiff on keyboard. The Nick Moss Band is also nominated for a Blues Music Award for Band of the Year.

Joining the band on this swing through the Northwest will be special guests Andrew Duncanson from the Kilborn Alley Blues Band on second guitar, and Blues Music Award nominated Dennis Gruenling on harmonica.

Squrl Music presents the Nick Moss Band at The Bingen Theater on Saturday, May 6 for an all ages show starting at 7:30 pm. Advance tickets are available for $20.00 tickets at Wacoma Bookstore in Hood River and Klindt’s Bookstore in The Dalles. This show is a benefit for The Columbia River Fellowship For Peace. Local favorites Funkship will open the night. The Bingen Theater is located at 210 N Oak Street in Bingen, Washington.

New Music to Note-September 2021

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

 

Beth Hart – Fire On The Floor (Provogue)

Billy Flynn – Lonesome Highway (Delmark)

Fantastic Negrito – The Last Days Of Oakland (Blackwell Universe)

Guy Davis with Fabrizio Poggi – Sonny & Brownie’s Last Train (MC Records)

Holfar Blue – Heard A Hound Dog Howl (Self Produced)

Lightning Kings – The Road Is My Throne (Self Produced)

Sean Chambers – Trouble & Whiskey (American Showplace Music)

Southern Avenue – Southern Avenue (Stax Records)

Tedeschi Trucks Band – Live From The Fox Oakland (Fantasy)

Toledo Kesch – Toledo Kesch (Self Produced)

Valerie June – The Order Of Time (Concord Records)

 

lightning kings

Lightning Kings
The Road Is My Throne
Self Produced

If you’re looking for some truly serious rocking blues with a punch, then Portland-based Lightning Kings’ new release The Road is My Throne will be right up your alley. This is engaging recording that hits you right from the get-go on the opening number “Rules of The Road.” Sharp guitar licks backed by a horn section and thundering organ throughout. It is a mixture of the sound of the old world school of classic rock baptized directly in the muddy waters of the blues, yet offering some funky variations at times through this collection of eleven original songs written by Thomas Anderson.

The Lightning Kings are comprised of Thomas Anderson on guitar and lead vocals, Matt Lind on bass, Rich Petko on keys and the late Ryan Petersen, who passed away this last September, providing drum work on the disc, with Seth Troublefield on backing vocals. Horn arrangements were put together by Anderson alongside Tim Baber and beautifully executed all over this recording by The Thunder Horns: Terry Baber on trombone, Malcolm Lewis and Eric Rabe on saxophones, and Ian Westbrook on trumpet. Also appearing on several numbers are The Jersey Queen Singers Jimi Campbell and Jennifer Del Villar. Everything was engineered and mixed by Tom Van Riper and the final mixes were handled by Terry Robb.

The songs are almost all lengthy crafts spanning nearly five and a half minutes or more on all but two. And by crafts I mean that they have been meticulously arranged to keep your attention and to tell their stories no matter what the length. “Rules Of The Road” delivers in the best of Texas blues fashion, “Pimp W Girls” has a funkier approach. The Thunder Horns are at full force with Petko’s organ on the opening of “Texas Shuffle,” with Anderson coming in for another blistering guitar solo midway through this fiery instrumental. The moods of the songs can change from one to the next as well, as “Texas Shuffle” with its fast pace is followed by the more somber approached “Right Or Wrong” with piano, sultry sax and more guitar giving the mood of the song its feel. Perhaps my favorite number of the album is the slow blues “Love For You.” It is a spell-binding piece that brings to mind something akin to a Gary Moore feel with both the riveting guitar performance, tone and vocals. The disc closes with a short little jam between the artists named “Ryan’s Song” for the memory of their friend and drummer. It ends with a phone message left by Petersen for Anderson about his thoughts on the sound of his snare on a track, saying goodbye and that he’ll see him on Saturday. With The Road Is My Throne, his presence will always be with the group.

The Road Is My Throne is a very strong release from The Lightning Kings. Filled with over the top instrumentation, lyrics and performance and very exceptional production. This should be something that will stick prominently in any blues rock fan’s player for some time to come.

 

Total Time: 64:31

Rules Of The Road / All I Can Do / Do What I Gotta Do / Bottom Boogie / Halleluja / Love For You / Pimp W Girls / The Road Is My Throne / Texas Shuffle / Right Or Wrong / Ryan’s Song

 

Journey To Memphis All-Stars

Since 1999, the Cascade Blues Association has sent local acts to represent our organization and region in The Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge. Over the years, our competition, the Journey To Memphis, has selected a terrific collection of some of our top talent, including several who have made the finals such as Junkyard Jane, Blind Rhino and Ben Rice & The iLLamtics, and even those who’ve taken home some of the top prizes, Ty Curtis Band – 2nd place 2009, Karen Lovely – 2nd place 2010, and most recently Rae Gordon & The Backseat Drivers – 3rd place 2017.

This year’s field of contestants seeking to reach their place competing in Memphis will come together for the first round at the Vinyl Tap, 2099 SE Oak Grove Blvd, on Friday, June 2 and Saturday, June 3. Set times for the acts were drawn at random and five will perform starting at 8:30 pm on Friday and the other six beginning at 8:00 pm Saturday. Set times will be 30 minutes long and they will be scored by a trio of judges on blues content, originality, vocals, instrument talent, and stage presence. The two highest scoring acts from each night will advance to the Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival for the finals to be held on the Front Porch Stage, Tuesday, July 4.

The acts for this year’s Journey To Memphis are: David Pinsky, Gabriel Cox, Holfar Blue, Jason “JT” Thomas, Julie Amici Duo, Lightning Kings, Louis Creed & The Geezer, Randy Morrison’s Party Bus, Rogue Rage Duo, and The Timothy James Band.

Admission for each night is $10.00, which will be used for the prize money awarded to the winning acts to help defray some of their traveling expenses to Memphis. Winning acts will also be awarded a set at the following year’s Waterfront Blues Festival, and Rae Gordon has once again scheduled a Blues Cruise on the Portland Spirit that will include the winners to assist in raising funds for the trip for the IBC, too.

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

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder Str., Portland
Wednesday, May 3 – 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $5.00
Opening Set – The Hellhounds
Second Set – Holfar Blue

May has everything in line to be a special month for the Cascade Blues Association and the blues in Portland. We will be celebrating our 30th anniversary at McMenamins Crystal Ballroom later in the month and crossing our fingers for our local artists nominated for the Blues Music Awards happening in Memphis a week earlier. But the right way to kick it all off, as is every month, is to attend the CBA’s General Membership Meetings. Always the perfect place to check out a couple of our local musicians in a cozy setting with dancing and friends. This month we’ll be bringing a couple of acts that have always had great reception when performing for us.

Opening May’s meeting will be The Hellhounds —  “Patio Pete” Gallatin and CBA Membership Secretary Fred Morgan have each been playing the blues for over fifty years and  have been playing and performing together in the Portland area for close to five years. Both found inspiration from traditional blues and folk artists. Pete notes the vintage pre-war styles of Robert Johnson, Charlie Jordon, and Leadbelly among those who affected his playing. Fred points originally toward Josh White and Dave Van Ronk, but truly found his calling following meeting icons like Rev. Gary Davis, Mississippi Fred McDowell, and Furry Lewis.

Both are adept guitarists with Fred taking on the acoustic six and twelve string, while Pete brings his slide-work as well as his harmonica to The Hellhounds. The duo offer a lively, entertaining walk through the history of the blues playing the hits of the 20’s and 30’s with some more contemporary songs thrown in for good measure.

Holfar BlueFor the second set of the evening will have Holfar Blue who have been delighting audiences in the Portland region for the last six years. They’ve steadily built a loyal following through their live shows and self-produced recordings and each of their performances are unique with their original music blending elements of modern blues, jazz, R&B soul, and rock. Along with their originals they weave in artful covers of classic blues and rock rarities, including songs from artists such as Jimi Hendrix, The Animals, The Doors, Little Richard, Bob Dylan, and Van Morrison.

Fronted by Michael Houlberg on lead vocals and guitar, he also writes their original material. After playing for many years for various bands in LA and San Diego, and having an eclectic ear for a wide range of music and his songwriting will make you think of other writers who marry diverse styles of music with clever and thoughtful lyrics. With seasoned band mates Dave Farrell on keyboard, Pat Bizon on bass and Brian Parks on drums, the quartet’s lively music and thoughtful lyrics will give you  something to think about that’ll stay with you. The band has a handful of self-released CDs and EPs including “Blue Suede Cadillac” (2012), “You Need Truth” (2013) and their most recent “Heard A Hound Dog Howl” (2017). All are available on Bandcamp.

Holfar Blue is a labor of love. A seasoned group of professionals in other fields, but they share a deep appreciation of music. They enjoy exploring the spaces where blues, jazz, and rock collide.

Don’t miss out on another exciting evening at The Melody Ballroom for the CBA’s monthly meeting. It’s a fun time with chances to win prizes through our ticket drawings, learn about what’s coming up in our area, listen to great blues artists and to hang out with good friends. Hope to see you there.