Blackberry Smoke Headed to Revolution Hall

Blackberry Smoke

Blackberry Smoke

Pigeonholing Blackberry Smoke has never been easy. Since emerging from Atlanta in the early ‘00s, the quintet — vocalist/lead guitarist Charlie Starr, guitarist/vocalist Paul Jackson, bassist/vocalist Richard Turner, drummer Brit Turner and keyboardist Brandon Still — has become known for a singular sound indebted to classic rock, blues, country, and folk. This fluidity has paid off handsomely in the form Billboard chart-topping albums in both the country and Americana/Folk charts. Their latest release, Find A Light, doubles down on diversity with songs that hew toward easygoing roots-rock and Southern rock stomps, as well as stripped-down acoustic numbers and bruising alt-country. Rich instrumental flourishes —keening fiddle, solemn organ, and bar-band piano boogie — add further depth and resonance. “That’s one of my favorite things about Blackberry Smoke albums—there’s a lot of variety,” Starr explains.

Blackberry Smoke will preform at The Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark Street on Wednesday, February 13 at 8:00 pm. $25.00 Ticketfly.com, $28.00 at door. 21 & over.

Chico Schwall’s American Roots – Blind Willie McTell & The Carter Family

Chico Schwall's American Roots - Blind Willie McTell & The Carter Family

Chico Schwall's American Roots

Wednesday, February 6, Eugene’s Chico Schwall and company will pay tribute to two American Masters: Blind Willie McTell & The Carter Family.

Blind Willie McTell (1898-1959) did it all: blues, ragtime, hokum, slide guitar — and all of it on his trademark 12-string guitar. He recorded, on various labels and under various names, dozens of commercial records in the 1920′ and ’30’s and was recorded by Alan Lomax for the Library of Congress in 1940. His song “Statesboro Blues” is one of the most covered songs in the sixties, a hint at his mighty legacy. The Carter Family went straight from family entertainment to recording stars in 1927 at the dawn of the record industry, and remained the favorites of musicians and listeners for decades. Propelled by vocal harmonies, Maybelle’s driving and unique guitar playing and an endearing authenticity they recorded hundreds of songs and influenced generations of American music.

This event is scheduled for Sheffer Recital Hall, The John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts, 285 E Broadway, Eugene. 7:30 pm. $15.00 – $19.00 at Theshedd.org.

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue Slated for Revolution Hall

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue

Troy ‘Trombone Shorty’ Andrews has God-given talent, natural charisma, and a relentless drive to merge many Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenuemusical genres. His new album opens with a dirge, but if you think the beloved bandleader, singer, songwriter and horn-blower came here to mourn, you got it all wrong. That bit of beautiful New Orleans soul—”Laveau Dirge No. 1,” named after one of the city’s most famous voodoo queens—shows off our host’s roots before Parking Lot Symphony branches out wildly, wonderfully, funkily across 12 diverse cuts. True to its title, this album contains multitudes of sound—from brass band blare and deep-groove funk, to bluesy beauty and hip-hop/pop swagger—and plenty of emotion all anchored, of course, by stellar playing and the idea that, even in the toughest of times, as Andrews says, “Music brings unity.”

Captivating on stage, Trombone Shorty and his longtime band, Orleans Avenue – guitarist Pete Murano, bassist Mike Ballard and drummer Joey Peebles – consistently bring audiences to their feet, dancing in appreciation.

On Saturday, February 2, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue will play Revolution Hall, 1300 SE Stark Street. 8:00 pm. The show is sold out, but check at Lyte.com for ticket exchanges available. 21 & over. Portland R&B/funk/soul artist Lilla opens the show.

The Record Company to Play Two Oregon Shows — Open for Bob Seger

The Record Company

The Record Company

Founded in 2011 by Chris Vos (guitar, lead vocals, harmonica), Alex Stiff (bass, guitar, vocals) and Marc Cazorla (drums, piano, vocals), The Record Company immediately took their hometown by storm, hailed by L.A. Weekly for “making bluesy music that would sound more at home in a sweaty, backwoods Mississippi juke joint.” Known as a unique and unstoppable live act and with a sound that blended the biting blues of John Lee Hooker with the charismatic swagger of the Rolling Stones, the band went from releasing their home-recorded debut to taking the stage at Madison Square Garden in the span of just 18 months. Rolling Stone declared The Record Company to be among “10 New Artists You Need To Know.”

The Record Company will offer two Oregon shows. First, on Saturday, February 2 at The Moda Center, 1 North Center Court Street. 8:00 pm. Opening for Bob Seger. $69.00 Ticketmaster.com

Then, on Monday, February 4 in Bend at The Tower Theater, 835 NW Wall Street, at 8:00 pm. $27.00 – $42.00 at Towertheater.org

31st Annual Winterfolk Festival Scheduled for Alberta Rose Theatre

 

Winterfolk FestivalWinterfolk, Portland’s largest annual folk music festival, will kick off on Saturday, February 2. This performance is a benefit for JOIN PDX, an organization pledged to assist folks who may be homeless or living in the cars find and maintain housing throughout the Portland area. This event is one of those rare expressions of giving which brings disparate parts of our area together in the common celebration of music and caring with the knowledge that every dollar raised at the door goes to the folks it is intended to help.

This year’s Winterfolk Festival has a strong line up of some of the region’s best musicians, including CBA Muddy Hall of Fame member Mary Flower, Tom May & Friends, Josephine County, The Portlanders, Woodlander, Kim Stafford, and Richard Colombo & Laurie Lynn.

Alberta Rose Theatre, 3000 NE Alberta Street. 7:00 pm. $30.00 advance through Ticketbiscuit.com, $32.00 day of show. 21 & over.

JJ Grey & Mofro Visits The Crystal Ballroom

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JJ Grey & Mofro

JJ Grey & Mofro

From his days of playing greasy local juke joints to headlining major festivals, JJ Grey remains an unfettered, blissful performer, singing with a blue-collared spirit over the bone-deep grooves of his compositions. His presence before an audience is something startling and immediate, at times a funk rave-up, other times a sort of mass-absolution for the mortal weaknesses that make him and his audience human. Onstage, Grey delivers his songs with compassion and a relentless honesty. When you see JJ Grey and his band Mofro live – and you truly, absolutely must – You’ll experience the musical fearlessness of the man.

JJ Grey and Mofro will perform at The Crystal Ballroom, 1332 W Burnside Street, on Friday, February 1 at 8:00 pm. $30.00 advance at Cascadetickets.com. 21 & over.

36th Annual Reel Music Film Festival Scheduled for January 18 through February 17

During January and February, the Northwest Film Center will host the 36th Annual Music Film Festival. Featuring a kaleidoscopic of genres, movements, labels, bands, and solo artists, the Reel Music Film Festival offers the latest in music film—from intimate portraits to career-spanning celebrations—alongside archival films ripe for rediscovery. Regardless of whether your passion is jazz, blues, folk, rock, electronic, world, or classical music, you will find something inspirational in this eclectic mix of films that celebrate great artists, sound, and images, while exploring the connections between music and culture.

Some of the films that may appeal to blues enthusiasts:

Friday, January 18 – Mr. Soul! about the groundbreaking television show dubbed as “The Black Tonight Show” featuring appearances by people like Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Muhammad Ali.

Saturday, January 19 – A Bright Light – Karen and the Process, the story about the late Texas folk singer Karen Dalton.

Friday, January 25 – The Ballad of Shirley Collins, a documentary about the UK folk singer.

Saturday, February 9 – Gospel According to Al Green, following the path of the soul superstar who turned his back to fame to turn to gospel music.

For more information on this film festival, go to https://nwfilm.org/festivals/reel-music-36/

Curtis Salgado & Alan Hager Acoustic Duo Coming to The Lake Theater

Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager

On Monday, January 28, Curtis Salgado and Alan Hager will preform at the Lake Theater. With Salgado’s inspired singing and world-class harmonica playing and Hager’s spellbinding guitar, the award-winning Rough Cut is the album the pair have always wanted to make together — soulful, sparse, haunting — a blues lover’s dream come true. The music is a moving exploration of the joyful, emotionally uplifting power of passionately played and soulfully sung acoustic blues, giving their fans a taste of what Alan calls “American Classical music.” “This type of music moves us the most,” says Salgado. “You believe it when you hear it.”

 

The Lake Theater & Café, 106 N State Street, Lake Oswego. $25.00 general admission, $130 VIP Tables (seating four, closest to the stage) at Laketheatercafe.com. All ages welcomed.

The Trifecta — Onstage Together Again at The Lake Theater

On Monday, January 21, Lisa Mann, Bre Gregg, and Mary Kadderly — collectively known as The Trifecta — will join forces to bring you a show complete with soulful performances, three-part harmony, and powerful interpretation. All from different musical backgrounds, this show covers the blues, soul, jazz, and pop, and is packed with original music…some of it brand new. All three performers are on-stage throughout the show, creating a band with three lead singers, three songwriters and three times the energy and joy to share with audiences.

Lake Theater & Café, 106 N State Street, Lake Oswego. 7:00 pm. General admission $15.00, VIP Tables (seating four, closest to stage) $80.00 at Laketheatercafe.com. All ages welcomed.

Ben Rice All Star IBC Fundraiser Slated for Catfish Lou’s

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On January 20, help the CBA’s Journey To Memphis winner Ben Rice make his way to the International Blues Challenge at the end of the month by attending an all-star extravaganza of some of Portland’s most amazing talent. This all day event will feature local luminaries such as Karen Lovely, Kivett Bednar, Doug Rowell, Marty Henninger, Dante Zapata, Arrogant Bastards, and a performance by United By Music North America. 100% of all raffle proceeds and admission sales, plus 10% of all bar sales for the event will go towards helping Ben make his way to Memphis.

Catfish Lou’s, 2460 NW 24th Avenue. January 20 — Noon until whenever. Admission is your donation, $10.00 minimum recommended. 21 & over.