Ramblings On My Mind

ramblings201306BNGreg Johnson / CBA President

It’s already mid-July as I write this column. What? The summer is half-over and it seems like it just begun. So much happening around Portland and the area it is next to impossible to keep up with it all. As I sit here behind my computer screen, I am seeing photos and notices reported from shows all around town happening just tonight. It makes your spin, and it is not slowing down any come August.

One thing I do want to say, though is, enough is enough. Two months and two of Portland’s blues icons have passed on first Janice Scroggins and then Mel Solomon. This is too much hurt for our blues supporters to have to take. It is time for that grim reaper to give us a pass before claiming somebody else. At least give us some time to recover from those we have already lost.

On a better note, and I cannot believe it has already come and gone (I may have said something different last week when my legs were still feeling the pain), the Waterfront Blues Festival was once again off the charts. I do not know how he does it, but Peter Dammann continues to bring in the best performers to make the event roll smoothly. My favorites of the year? There were so many, but to keep it somewhat short: Leo Welch, Sugaray Rayford, Lee Fields, Curtis Salgado, Lil’ Ed & The Blues Imperials, Andy T & Nick Nixon, the entire Journey to Memphis competition, , where do I stop? Always way too many to catch everybody you want to see.

A huge thanks to Steve Pringle who scheduled the emcee announcing. I had a plethora of introductions this year including two of the four closing headliners, Los Lobos and Maceo Parker. But Steve gave me a last minute addition that certainly had to be a bucket list intro for me with Charlie Musselwhite. And as I walked off the stage, Charlie made a point to walk up to me and say, “Nice job, thank you.” It made it that much more personal and falls right in line with my all-time favorite introductions alongside Hubert Sumlin, Robert Lockwood Jr, Phillip Walker and Bobby Bland.

Hey, there’s still a lot more summer to come. Don’t miss out on the CBA’s members only picnic and the CBA Rummage Sale is right around the corner in September. And you’ll also be seeing those Muddy Awards nomination ballots making it your way, too. Get out. Enjoy the sun. And find some blues to keep you company. This is Portland, so that should not be too hard.

Duffy Bishop Farewell Performance At Duff’s Garage

Duffy Bishop (photo by Greg Johnson)

Duffy Bishop – photo by Greg Johnson

A message from guitarist Chris Carlson, “Yes, I’m goin’ down in Florida, where the sun shines damn near every day…Yeah, I’ll take my woman out on the beach fellas, and sit down on the sand and play.”

He may be quoting Muddy Waters, but Carlson grew up in Northern Florida and the time has come where he and his wife Duffy Bishop have decided to make the move down to the Southeastern corner of the country.

Now, now, do not get too overly upset just yet. The plan is that they will move down at the end of September and stay until April or May, then return to Portland for the summer. Now that’s not too bad is it? After all, we have had them gone for months at a time fairly regularly when they’ve left to perform the Teatro ZinZanni shows.

But before they do leave for their hiatus, Duffy and Chris will be holding a special Farewell Show at Duff’s Garage on Friday, August 22nd at 9:00 pm. Several guests will be on hand to help celebrate the night, including Jim Wallace, Kelly Dunn, Dave Kahl, Dave Fleschner, Brad Ulrich, Chris Mercer, Joe McCarthy and very special guest guitarist Henry Cooper.

Duff’s Garage is located at 2530 NE 82nd. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your current membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount on admission. Let’s make the night a party to last until we see each other in the summertime and bid our best regards to Chris and Duffy while they’re away and being missed by us all.

Vaneese Thomas

W166-OUTLINED-REV-APRIL15Blues For My Father
Segue Records

Here is another example of the apple not falling too far from the tree. Vaneese Thomas is the daughter of famed Memphis icon and bluesman Rufus Thomas and the sister of Carla and Marvell, both who have also set a permanent marker in the music world with their own contributions. Vaneese is a terrific vocalist and proves herself on this outing as a strong songwriter, penning ten of the twelve selections.

Though she has lived in New York City, her music maintains a knack for the sounds of pure Memphis soul and R&B. If you have listened to a great deal of music over the years you have without doubt heard her voice before, as she has worked onstage and on recordings not only with her father and sister, but such highly regarded artists as Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion, Stevie Wonder, Sting and even Luciano Pavarotti. She is simply one of the finest voices going and her new release, Blues for My Father, proves that without every spin of the disc.

The band behind her is crack of the whip sharp, laying down perfect grooves that compliment her vocals. This is sultry and sexy music with nary a bad number to be found, sounding better with each and every listen. Songs like “Wrap Your Arms Around Me,” “Corner Of Heartache And Pain” and “When My Baby Gets Home” are definite must hear numbers, filled with true heartache and emotion. Vaneese is joined by her siblings on the track “Wrong Turn” making it a family affair of the best proportions as the sisters duet vocally and Marvell lays down expressive organ. Even her cover of John Fogerty’s “The Old Man Down The Road” delivers a Memphis groove.

But without doubt, perhaps the most interesting number on the album is the duet she has crafted with her late father on his song “Can’t ever Let You Go.” Originally recorded by Rufus in 1962, Vaneese took the same path that Natalie Cole did with her father a few years back, digitally over-laying the number with her own parts that works exceptionally well. It is a tribute that is done with class and should bring this often overlooked number of Rufus’ to the appreciation it deserves.

If you were not familiar with the name Vaneese Thomas before, you’re surely going to know it now. This is definitely legacy showing strong with an artist that should grow into a favorite. Blues For My Father just may convince you as well. Outstanding!

Total Time: 56:00

Southern Central Blues / 10 X The Man You Are / Wrong Turn / Wrap Your Arms Around Me / Corner Of Heartache And Pain / Can’t Ever Let You Go / When My Baby Gets Home / Love ‘Em And Leave ‘Em Behind / Southern Girl / Lonely Me / The Old Man Down The Road / Blue Ridge Blues

Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival Hosts Coco Montoya, Blind Boys Of Alabama

Coco Montoya press photo

Coco Montoya – press photo

The 17th Annual Vancouver Wine & Jazz Festival is scheduled to happen Friday, August 22nd through Sunday, August 24th at Esther Short Park in downtown Vancouver, Washington. Tickets are available in advance through the festival’s website at www.vancouverwinejazz.com. Several headliners are scheduled to perform, though the line-up is not complete as of BluesNotes deadline. Blues-related artists this year include The Blind Boys Of Alabama on Friday night, and Coco Montoya and The Heritage Blues Orchestra on Sunday. Other acts include Lee Ritenour, Stanley Jordan, Don McLean and Toshiko Akiyoshi. Please check their website for further updated details, times and ticket prices.

MARY FLOWER: CD Release Show Aug. 24 at Secret Society Ballroom

The Local Show:

Sunday Aug 24: Secret Society Ballroom, 116 NE Russell, Portland

7 pm/Tickets $10 at the door

www.secretsociety.net
Press Release:

 

IMG_0326

Mary Flower – photo by Greg Johnson

When My Bluebird Sings is Mary Flower’s 10th release, this time on her own label, Bluesette Records. Mary says this about her new, all solo CD: “This CD is a departure stylistically from my previous recordings. The CD is a mix of lap slide instrumentals and guitar pieces with vocals, all original. Some of these tunes have been rumbling around in my head for quite a while and seemed well-suited for a solo project. Many of you have asked for more solo and more slide …so here it is, the raw and unadorned. Enjoy.” 

Flower’s immense fingerpicking guitar and lap-slide prowess is soulful and meter-perfect, a deft blend of the inventive, the dexterous and the mesmerizing. Her supple honey-and-whiskey voice provides the perfect melodic accompaniment to each song’s story.

An internationally known and award-winning picker, singer/songwriter and teacher, the Midwest native relocated from Denver to the vibrant Portland, Oregon, music scene in in 2004 and hasn’t looked back since. She continues to please crowds and critics at folk festivals and concert stages domestically and abroad, ones that include Merlefest, Kerrville, King Biscuit, Prairie Home Companion and the Calgary Folk Festival, among many.

A finalist in 2000 and 2002 at the National Fingerpicking Guitar Championship (Top 3 both years, and the only woman), a nomineeMary Flower CD cover in 2008 and 2012 for a Blues Foundation Blues Music Award, and a 2011 Portland Muddy Award winner, Flower embodies a luscious and lusty mix of rootsy, acoustic-blues guitar and vocal styles that span a number of idioms – from Piedmont to the Mississippi Delta, with stops in ragtime, swing, folk and hot jazz.

Flower’s 10 recordings, including her last four for Memphis’ famed Yellow Dog Records – Bywater Dance, Instrumental Breakdown, Bridges and Misery Loves Company – show a deep command of and love for folk and blues string music. For Flower, it’s never about re-creation. Her dedication to the art form is a vital contribution to America’s music.

Wumbloozo

Wumbloozo CD coverHouse Money
Delta Baby Music

Every now and then I have a CD passed on to me by a band I am not familiar with that really catches my ear. At this year’s Waterfront Blues Festival a disc from the Los Angeles-based band Wumbloozo came in my direction and when I gave it a listen I was immediately ensnared by the instrumentation and stories that their songs relayed.

The tunes are all originals filled with down on their luck individuals written by guitarist/vocalist Michael Richard. They’re moved along by nice, tasty string work from Richard accompanied effectively by guitarist Gary Krueger, Stan Harrison’s keys and the harmonica play of Herbie Katz who sadly passed away shortly after this album was recorded. Strong, steady rhythm is kept by drummer Ben Beckley and bassist Mark Peters. And the band is just at home playing acoustically or electric

There are a various number of approaches the band takes with their music from traditional blues to even a country flavored rock direction such as the song “House Money.” “Night Train” offers slide guitar, drums and low-churning harp to bring across the feel of the train building a quicker pace and more powerful as the song flows through. Humor is often the theme of Richard’s lyrics, such as in “Poh Boy” where he talks about his 103-year-old girlfriend. The song has a New Orleans styled piano base and dual guitars.

The stories of the songs are easy to bring to vision. “Losin’ Ticket Blues” finds the protagonist at the race track losing his shirt on a horse named Knocking Knees who’s more concerned with his fleas than racing. But our hero doesn’t so much mind losing his shirt, but why did they have to make him walk home without his shoes, too?

On “Lucky 13” the main character was born on the 13th, the 13th son, even with a birthmark that resembles the number 13. Unlucky? Not in his mind. He feels like he’s the luckiest man alive. The song shuffles with nice harmonica and somewhat growling vocals.

“Wake Up Daddy” is a jumping piece, kicked in the shins with her alligator shoes, but as long as she doesn’t have to use her pistol everything will be alright. The song breaks into a live setting taking on a slow blues with biting guitar and yet more throbbing harmonica. “Cadillac Rag” opens with a Muddy Waters “Can’t Be Satisfied” intro, once again finding the hero with woman trouble as his girl prefers his second cousin to him.

There is plenty of material here that is over the top good. It is easy to understand how they can be such a popular act in Los Angeles and leaves me with a desire to perhaps see them perform sometime if the opportunity arises. They cover a lot of musical direction and do it all very well.

Total Time: 48:41

Lucky 13 / Losin’ Ticket Blues / I Lost My Key To The Highway / Still Still Night / House Money / Night Train / Poh Boy / Cadillac Rag / Wake Up Daddy / Lulubelle / Sing To The Mule

Nico Wind Cordova Blends her Native Roots with her Blues Music

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02 IMG_1742By Laurie Morrisey

Nico Wind Cordova is a Native American who honors her heritage through her music. “I have very thick Native American roots in Montana and I am considered a song carrier among my tribe. I also sing traditional and contemporary native songs.”

In addition to native music, Nico describes her music as founded in blues, folk, jazz, soul, funk, and rock–not necessarily in that order. “Today I would be considered Indy blues or adult contemporary. I’m pretty diverse since I worked in top 40 a lot. My original music could play alongside with anyone from Bonnie Raitt to Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding to Amos Lee, to Native American artists, Ulali.”

Nico said she always wanted to perform. “I had the bug pretty bad, but I also loved animals and always had them in my life. I thought I would become a veterinarian before I would ever become a musician. Fate had her way with me because I didn’t choose the music path, music just came to me and fell in my lap. I got paid for my first performance on stage at age nine.”

Currently music is her full time job. “I have worked several different jobs throughout my career as a way to stay on my path as an artist, but not for any real longevity. I had my own Karaoke retail business that was very successful. I worked for North Clackamas School district as a bus driver for five years–that was fun.

She sings and plays guitar with a little percussion and flute. When discussing musical training, Nico says she’s like a sponge picking up stuff from people she has met along the way. “I did have formal voice lessons in Seattle with George Peckham. He taught me about breathing and thinking the notes.”

Early life

Nico was born March 20, 1960, in Portsmouth, Virginia–her father was in the Navy. Two years later her mother left her father and they moved to Lake Oswego to live with her maternal grandfather, who was an Episcopal clergyman. They lived there until her mom became a full time student at Portland State University. “I went to several schools but most of my grade school education was at Metropolitan Learning Center. For high school I attended John Quincy Adams in Portland. I finished my education on my reservation in Fort Belknap area Montana,” Nico said.

“My mom (Anne Morin) graduated with honors and became a high school English teacher for Portland Public Schools. She accomplished raising me as a single parent, working part time jobs, and with no real help from family until her sister, my Aunt Lucy, moved out here with us in 1966 to help with parenting and making ends meet. My Aunt Lucy was a classical guitarist who had studied under Segovia in New York. She was my greatest influence as a musician.”

Musical Influences

“I was surrounded by college students as a kid so I was hanging out with people a lot older than me. PSU had a good music department. Some of the people who gave me my first chances on stage included Upepo, Oregon, The Holy Modal Rounders, Carl Smith, Pleasure, then later Paul Delay, Jim Mesi, Curtis Salgado. I opened as a solo act for Ray Charles in the 1981 tour out of Seattle. He and some of his band members were the biggest influence on me.”

Nico won 2nd place in the 2nd annual Portland Music Association Song Writers Contest with her song “Purely Sexual.” She said, “They deemed it ‘latex rock’ because it was about safe sex and using condoms.”

CD’s

She has a CD out called Feather To Fly By, but it’s an old one and she’s not sure you can even find it anymore. She has also worked on a project with Ed Neumann and the Chameleons. She sang back up with Lily Wilde for DK Stewart’s title track Don’t Call Home album. She also wrote the theme song for NPRs Wisdom Of The Elders radio program and Discovering Our Story TV.

Nico is working on a CD project with a trio, Full Circle, (which includes Gordon Hermanson and Ray Davis). They hope to have a release later this year.

Experience

She has performed with artists such as Ray Charles, The Coasters, Roger Fischer, The Seattle Horns, Beau Kelly, Bobby Torres, Curtis Salgado, Jay “Bird” Koder, Jim Mesi, Joe Plass, Roger Sauce, Norman Sylvester, Ed Neumann, and many more.

Nico has had several different incarnations of her band: Nico Wind & Fyre; Nico Wind & The Barbarians; Nico Wind & Topaz; Nico Wind & Out of the Blue; Nico Wind & Ghost Riders; Nico Wind & Sky Skraper; Nico Wind & Inner G+; Nico Wind & Incognico; Nico Wind & Wall Street; Nico Wind & the Pedestrians; Nico Wind & Arrow; Nico Wind & Cedar Rose; and there may be more to come.

Currently she plays with three groups: Cedar Rose (Nico Wind and Karen Kitchen), a Native American traditional and contemporary duo; Nico Wind & Full Circle trio (Nico Wind, Gordon Hermanson, and Ray Davis), an acoustic guitar trio; and Nico Wind & Free Rein is (Nico Wind, Gordon Hermanson, Kirk Bryant, Rob Nelson, and Seth Cordova), a 5 piece band.

Conclusion

According to her website, “Nico always tries to honor the spirituality of her culture with her music. She believes in giving something back to the universe for the blessings and wisdom she has received as a human being. As an artist, song carrier, and animal advocate, Nico feels that our existence depends on what beauty we share and leave behind when our time here has come full circle. Nico Wind Cordova lives on the horizon and sings to the moon and stars.”

You can find some of Nico’s music at www.reverbnation.com/nicowindandfreerein. Visit her web site at www.nicowind.com.

Spirit Mountain Casino Welcomes Valerie June

Valerie June (press photo)

Valerie June (press photo)

Spirit Mountain Casino is proud to offer inspiring live entertainment, top-notch talent, and an unbeatable venue to experience it all! This summer, join us in welcoming Valerie June, the newest addition to the Songbook Series as she the takes the stage on August 29th.

Valerie June, the maker of ‘Organic Roots Moonshine Music,’ produces a rich sound that redefines stereotypical music genres. Her soulful voice merges the blues with gospel and folk, while her instrumentals are an experimental blend of Appalachian, country, and bluegrass. With a career beginning in Memphis, Tennessee, and has since created music that has garnered the attention of international and American audiences alike.

June’s 2013 release, Pushin’ Against A Stone, earned her a Blues Music Award nomination as the Best New Artist Debut and an Americana Awards nomination as Emerging Act of the Year. Billboard deemed that the album “definitely qualifies as a sonic treat,” and NPR described it as one that “slices across styles and decades of popular music with a cutting canniness.” She has toured with British sensation Jake Bugg and has collaborated with artists like Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys and Booker T. Jones.

Famed for her enchanting presence, she will blow you away on the stage! Songs like “Twined and Twisted” and “Workin’ Woman Blues” are best experienced live… And now, Spirit Mountain is offering you the opportunity to see her perform! Valerie June will be in the house on August 29th at 8PM. Tickets start at just $10. Buy one now to secure your seat at the Main Event Center for this special event.

Michigan Bluesman David Gerald Coming to Oregon

David Gerald - press photo

David Gerald – press photo

David Gerald grew up in Detroit, the son of Mississippi transplants who left the South to escape segregation and racial discrimination. Living near a neighbor who played guitar, David was given parts from scrap guitars that he would piece together in what he described as “Frankenstein Guitars.” With these makeshift instruments and a new-found love for the blues via artists like Albert King, ZZ Hill, BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughan, it led him to begin writing his own original blues material and working at performing. Now nearly thirty years later, David Gerald is considered one of Michigan’s most entertaining live artists and creative guitarists.

Touring under his latest recording, Hell And Back, The David Gerald Band will be performing in Northwest Oregon for a trio of appearances.

On Wednesday, August 20th, you can catch David Gerald in a free performance at Parklane Park at SE 155th & Main Street as part of Portland Park & Recreation’s Concerts in the Parks series. Showtime is 6:30 pm and is open to all ages.

Then on both Thursday, August 21st and Friday, August 22nd David Gerald will be playing at The Birk, 11139 Highway 202 in Birkenfeld, Oregon. The Thursday show starts at 7:00 pm, with dinner beginning at 5:00 pm for those who would like to make it a full night. Friday’s show starts at 6:00 pm to coincide with the annual Hood To Coast Run, as runners are scheduled to be passing through around this time and may decide to stop over for a bit of dinner and blues on their trek.

Three Opportunities To See The 44s in Northern Oregon

The 44s press photo

The 44s – press photo

Late August is perfect chance to catch up with one of the area’s most favorite touring blues bands, The 44s. They will be heading up from Southern California to perform three consecutive nights over August 28th thru the 30th.

The 44’s are a Los Angeles-based band who play blues-roots-rock music and are definitely one of the brightest rising stars on the American blues roots scene. Make no mistake about it. The raw rough and tough sounds generated by these four expert musicians during live performances and on their recordings demands to be heard by Blues music fans World Wide. A favorite band of club and festival crowds across North America, they evidence a genuine gift for creating blues in the moment while at the same time showing loyalty to a remarkable blues-and-r&b tradition that goes back decades through the James Harman Band and the Red Devils to storied greats like Howlin’ Wolf, Albert Collins, and Muddy Waters.

On Thursday, August 28th, The 44s will be in Birkenfeld, Oregon, playing a show at The Birk, 11139 Highway 202 for a 7:00 pm show.

On Friday, August 29th, they will head into Portland for a night at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd for a 9:00 pm performance that is also a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event. Show your current membership card to receive a $1.00 discount at the door.

Then on Saturday, August 30th, make the trip out to Hood River for your last chance to see The 44s on this swing through the area. They will be appearing at The Double Mountain Brewery, 8 Fourth Street for an 8:00 pm show.

Catch them at one venue or another, maybe all three. The 44s are guaranteed to get you shakin’ with their incredible bluesy grooves.