Speakeasy Self Produced By Greg Johnson Paula Harris made quite a statement when it came to her 2012 debut, Turning On The Naughty, with its rambunctious and bawdy blues presentation. It was a prime display of what had garnered her a third-place showing at the International Blues Challenge. It has been a few years, but […]
Salvation Road Never Lucky Records By Greg Johnson Rich Layton, a first-hand veteran of the Houston Gulf Coast scene has been plying that same authentic sound in the Portland area for many years. Layton’s a sly songwriter who just happens to be a powerful harmonica player, vocalist, and strong live front man. Salvation Road is […]
Live at C-Boy’s Last Music Company By Greg Johnson If you’re ever in Austin and checking out the music scene (what else would you be there for, right? Okay barbecue, too), head over to the South Congress and just a few blocks away from the famous Continental Club you’ll find another one of the city’s […]
Benton County Relic Single Lock Records By Randy Murphy The word “relic” holds many meanings — it’s a thing that stays behind once the original is lost, or what remains of the possessions of saint. It’s also something cherished, worshipped even, for its ability to reach into the past and recreate a different era. In […]
Hailed as the “New Queen of the Blues,” Shemekia Copeland never holds back. Her instantly recognizable voice—capable of being sultry, assertive, and roaring, delivers every song with unparalleled honesty and passion. Her wide-open vision of contemporary Americana roots and soul music showcases the evolution of a passionate artist with an up-to-the-minute musical and lyrical approach. […]
Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, mentor of Bob Dylan and traveling companion of Woody Guthrie returns to the Alberta Rose. One of the last true links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over forty albums under his belt, Elliott is considered one of the country’s legendary foundations of folk music. He learned the blues […]
Mike Rubin of The New York Times recently described a performance by Bombino: “On a recent night in Williamsburg, an ecstatic crowd jammed the dance floor of the club Brooklyn Bowl to see one of the world’s greatest living blues guitarists. He doesn’t hail from the Mississippi Delta or Chicago’s South Side, but from the […]
New album and a new name: Rich Layton & Tough Town are keepers of the flame for American roots music with their high octane swamp rock, country, rockabilly, honky tonk, and blues echoing from an East Texas roadhouse. The band’s signature sound sits right alongside contemporary acts like J.D. McPherson, The Alabama Shakes, and Hayes […]
Due to an injury, Karen Lovely will be undergoing hip replacement surgery on March 11. She will then engage in physical therapy and be unable to perform for two months or more. To help support the award-winning vocalist, on March 24 a group of her peers are gathering together to try to raise a little […]
Celebrate St Patrick’s Day with some of the finest young guitarists in Portland as they share stories and songs in an old-fashioned acoustic guitar circle. Set in the intimate setting of The Manor Undergound, this house concert will include three-time 2019 Blues Music Award nominee Ben Rice along with Willamette Week’s Best of Portland winner […]