In mid-October a group of Board Members gathered at the Cascade Blues Association office to listen to the eight CDs submitted to us for
consideration of being selected as our entry in The Blues Foundation’s Best Self-Produced CD competition. Each of the discs were judged on the same categories that they will be scored on by committees in Memphis: blues content, talent – instrumentation & vocals, sound quality, liner notes and art work. The eight entries we received were: Ashbolt Stewart – Beats Workin’, David Pinsky & Phil Newton – Over The Moon, Gabriel Cox –Gabriel Cox, Lisa Mann – Move On, McFadden Planet – Stories, Robbie Laws – Between The Lines, Tess Barr – Do What You Want, Tommy Hogan – Howl Like The Wind. The scoring was very close, but in the end the committee selected Lisa Mann’s – Move On. Copies of Lisa’s disc were sent to Memphis where it will face a series of up to three panels of judging to potentially reach the final five discs, with the overall winning CD being announced at the finals of the International Blues Challenge in The Orpheum Theatre on January 24th.
December 5th at 8:00pm at The Lehrer – will now be a fundraiser to help Tracey Fordice & the 8 balls get to Memphis to compete in the IBC on behalf of the Ashland Blues Society. Playing that evening will also be Kenny Koflar & The Third Power as well as Missy and Mr. Baker. A $10 donation is suggested at the door.
On Friday, December 5th, The Lehrer will present Blues Wonderland, A Christmas Special helping to usher in the holiday season with an all-star blues extravaganza. Performing at this event will be Cascade Blues Association and Oregon Music Hall of Fame member Lloyd Jones. Also appearing will be vocalists Karen Lovely and Lucy Hammond and all the artists will be backed by the 2014 Muddy Award winning Best New Act Tracey Fordice & The 8 Balls.
A real bargain at $15.00 for admission. An even bigger bargain if you come with your sweetheart and receive the couple’s admission rate of $20.00. It all starts at 7:00 pm and runs until midnight. The Lehrer is located at 8775 SW Canyon Lane.
A listing of new music received at the CBA office or purchased personally that should be noted:
Annika Chambers & The Houston All Stars – Making My Music (Montrose Records)
Austin Walkin’ Cane – One Heart Walkin’ (Lazy Eye Records)
Benny Turner – Journey (NOLA Blue)
Big Harp George – Chromaticism (Blues Mountain Records)
Brent Johnson – Set The World On Fire (Justin Time)
Bruce Katz Band – Homecoming (American Homeplace Music)
Catfish & The Hollywood Hound Dogs – Rite On! Rite Now! (Self Produced)
Chaz DePaolo – One Night Live In Iona (Rojer Records)
Deak Harp – Clarksdale Breakdown (Self Produced)
Empire Roots Band – Music From The Film Harlem Street Singer (Acoustic Sessions Recordings)
In The Pocket – I Got News! (Self Produced)
Jerry Lee Gingrey & The Juju Kings – Southside Of Nowhere (Mojo Palace Records)
Jimmy Carpenter – Walk Away (VizzTone)
Jimmy Thackery – Extra Jimmies (Blind Pig)
John Mayall – A Special Life (Forty Below Records)
Kaye Bohler – Handle The Curves (Self Produced)
Kyle Jester – After All This (Self Produced)
Magic Slim & The Teardrops – Pure Magic (Wolf Records)
Mark Hummel – The Hustle Is Really On (Electro-Fi)
McFadden Planet – Stories (Self Produced)
Mikey Junior – Traveling South (VizzTone)
Missi & Mister Baker – Where Black Ravens Flew (Self Produced)
Nathan James – Hear Me Calling/Natural Born That Way (Sacred Cat Recordings)
Randy Cate – A Different Kind Of Same (Self Produced)
Rip Lee Pryor – Nobody But Me (Electro-Fi)
RJ Mischo – Everything I Need (Self Produced)
Rob Stone – Gotta Keep Rollin’ (VizzTone)
S.E. Willis – Turtle Dove Bounce/Live At The Poor House(Self Produced)
Skyla Burrell Band – Blues Scars (VizzTone)
Spirit Level – Kolossi Blues (Self Produced)
Steve Krase – Buckle Up (Connor Bay Music)
Sunny Lowdown – The Blues Volume Low (Coolstreme)
Terry Gillespie – Bluesoul (Self Produced)
Uncle Wiggly’s Hot Shoes Blues Band – Still Burnin’ It Up (Mister Deluxe Music)
Guitar Lightnin’ Lee, a multi-talented rhythm and blues purist, has defied all rational logic by assembling his band with a bunch of veteran rock and rollers half his age. His talent, lyrics, powerful voice, and boisterous personality match perfectly with the energetic drive of his backing band. Thus creating a supercharged blown out style of New Orleans rock and roll and blues.
Born in New Orleans, Lightnin’ had music all around him. Originally taught by New Orleans bluesman, Boogie Bill Webb, he also mentored under the legendary Jimmy Reed in Chicago, who passed on his style of Delta Blues via electrified Chicago. Back in New Orleans he played with greats like Fats Domino, Earl King, Ernie K-Doe, and Little Freddie King, absorbing everything he heard.
Guitar Lightnin’ Lee will be making a rare trip to Portland for a show at Duff’s Garage on Thursday, December 18th for a 9:00 pm show. Remember to bring your current CBA membership card as this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event.
After All This
Self Produced
West Coast Guitar player Kyle Jester has certainly made his mark over the past fifteen-plus years working with a number of renowned artists in California. From 1999 to 2001 he fronted a power trio
called The Tri-Tones alongside former Paladins drummer Thomas Yearsley. The band played consistently around the San Diego area and even spent a few months backing Earl Thomas on tour and on an album called The Elector Studio Sessions. Following his time with The Tri-Tones, Jester took on the guitar position in another popular Southern California outfit, The Freddie Brooks Band and then spent several years touring the world as bandleader for the Candye Kane Band. In 2004 he recorded an album as the self-named Kyle Jester Blues Band, titled Ain’t No Way, receiving high praise from many blues reviewers.
Nowadays, Kyle Jester is located in the San Francisco Bay Area where he is once again performing with a power blues trio. This last fall he went to Kid Andersen’s Greaseland Studios in San Jose and laid down fourteen tracks for a new release titled After All This. Joining Jester in the studio were Bay Area stalwarts Sid Morris on keys, Aki Kumar on harmonica, drummer Brian “Nucci” Cantrell and Kid Andersen taking on the bass.
This disc is filled with good time West Coast blues, with plenty of great jump numbers. Mostly a collection of cover songs, Jester did compose a couple tracks, including the title song “After All This” and the “Big Fat Wallet.” The covers include fine renditions of songs like the O.V. Wright classic “Ace Of Spades,” Professor Longhair’s “Hadacol Boogie,” Snooks Eaglin’s “Drive It Home” and Jerry McCain’s “Turn Your Damper Down.”
After All This is an album that will have your toes tappin’ from start to finish, especially if you love that high-paced West Coast energy. There is a lot to like about this album, it’s got great vocals, songwriting and instrumentation. But most of all, it’s just an outright fun listen that’ll keep drawing you back again and again.
Total Time: 53:04
You’ll Always Have A Home / Whatcha Gonna Do / Drive It Home / Hadacol Bounce / Big Fat Wallet / You Tried To Ruin Me / Ace of Spades / Knocks Me Out / Number Nine Train / How Can You Be So Mean / After All This / BB Boogie / No Fightin’ / Turn Your Damper Down
Portland Oregon junkbox blues duo Hillstomp is infamous for digging through the dumps and forgotten backwoods of American music, recycling traditional elements into a refreshing and distinctive brand of do-it-yourself hill country blues stomp. North Mississippi trance blues, a bit of Appalachia, and a dash of punkabilly come clanging and tumbling from assorted buckets, cans and BBQ lids, all drenched in rambunctious slide guitar. “Hillstomp sounds like the best kinds of music from the hills have come down from said hills, into town, and tried to make nice, but instead decided to stomp you with awesome, crunchy blues licks.” –OregonLive
Although they may be based in Portland, Hillstomp is consistently touring and local shows only happen now and then. Well, they’ll be headlining a big-time show on December 12th at the Wonder Ballroom, 128 N Russell Street. Along with Hillstomp will be California-based The Good Luck Thrift Store Outfit who embrace roots and Americana music, but, as one recent convert put it, “the rest of America needs to hear this noise;” and Portland songwriting folk musician Jeffrey Martin. Tickets are available through TicketFly.com, for $10.00-$12.00. Showtime is 8:00 pm. This is a 21 & over show only.
This is to express my interest in serving again as Secretary of the Board for the Cascade Blues Association during 2015. During the past year I served in that role, after beginning service as an At-Large member of the Board in July of 2013. In addition to participating in Board meetings, I have assisted the Association by working at the CBA merchandise tent during the Waterfront Blues Festival; participating in the annual Picnic; working at the rummage sale; and assisting at the Muddy Awards ceremonies.
My background includes a strong record of volunteering, including serving as President of the Promotional Marketing Association of Northern California (2011), President (2006 and 2007) and several other roles for the Northwest Promotional Marketing Association (2003 – 2008); Board Member and Treasurer for the Northwest Collegiate Umpires Association (1996 – 2006); and for two terms as President of the Portland Baseball Umpires Association (1996 and 1997). I was named the Promotional Products Association International / RAC National Volunteer of the Year in 2012.
I look forward to contributing further and learning more about the CBA and the Blues, and to the opportunity to serve the Association. I will appreciate your voting for me for Secretary.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Pierce
Candye Kane photo by Greg Johnson
The story of Candye Kane’s long time battle with cancer has well been documented over the past few years, yet while many musicians who face this situation may have set aside their performances, Candye still hits the touring circuit bringing joy and entertainment to her fans despite the pain and discomfort. That truly earns her the title of the Toughest Girl Alive more than just another song in her repertoire. As anybody knows who has witnessed a Candye Kane show, she gives her full energy, emotion and personal love into each and every performance.
Armed with a number of outstanding releases garnering awards and nominations and one of the sharpest and adept guitar slingers on the planet with Laura Chavez, a Candye Kane show is one that should be on every blues lovers list of must see performances every time she comes your way. Filled with humor, often very risqué, her songs are social and quite telling of her own personal journeys as she proves she is a songwriter as well as a singer of high merit.
Candye Kane’s shows fill venues everywhere she goes and locally she has a huge following of fans and supporters. She will be returning to our area in early December for a pair of shows.
On Thursday, December 4th, Candye will appear at The Birk for a dinner show starting at 6:30 pm.The Birk is located at 11139 Hwy 202 in Birkenfeld, Oregon.
Then the following night, Friday, December 5th, she will be making her annual appearance at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd in Portland. This is a 9:00 pm show and guaranteed to have a full house so get there early. Admission is $15.00. Advance tickets are available through TicketTomato.com. This is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so make sure to show your membership card for a $1.00 discount at the door.
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE IF YOU SEND US ITEMS VIA MAIL – OUR NEW ADDRESS IS:
CASCADE BLUES ASSOCIATION
PO BOX 6566
PORTLAND 97228-6566
Wednesday, December 3rd – 7:00 pm
The Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland
Opening Acoustic Set – Rae Gordon, Gaddis Cavenah
Second Electric Set – Get Down Jones
For those members planning on attending the December General Membership Meeting who are reading the BluesNotes prior to the meeting, please remember to bring your current membership card with you. It is election time and having your card makes it easier to hand out the ballots without having to look up your name and status. Every December we vote for the leadership of your Cascade Blues Association; the positions we will be filling for 2015 are President, Vice President, Secretary, Membership Secretary and Treasurer. Please plan on attending this meeting and casting your vote.
Opening the night for us at the meeting will be somebody we have been seeing an awful lot of lately, Rae Gordon. For those who may not be aware, the monthly meeting calendar fills up pretty quickly for the year and it’s not unusual to have all the spots filled by the first of the year. Thus when Rae booked this date, we had no idea that her band would win the Journey To Memphis competition, meaning a lot of fundraising going on to make ends meet for traveling to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge.
But we are totally okay with seeing Rae so often. She is, after all, the Duffy Bishop Female Vocalist of the Year from this year’s Muddy Awards and you just cannot get enough of the fun effervescence she emotes on stage. This will be a special acoustic holiday set with Rae and friends singing Christmas and holiday classics, in a bluesy way I’m sure. It is a teaser for the big showcase she will be hosting at Jimmy Mak’s with an all-star gathering on December 13th. Included in her cast of friends for the CBA meeting will be her band leader and songwriting partner Gaddis Cavenah on guitar and one of Portland’s most amazing vocalists LaRhonda Steele, blending her own bluesy-gospel voice along with Rae’s. This has all the makings of a really fun set that you’re not going to want to miss.
The second set of the night will bring a new face to our meeting line-ups, Barney “Get Down Jones” Murnin. Born and raised in Portland, guitarist and vocalist Get Down Jones has been playing blues roots music for over 15 years, citing some of his biggest influences as Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, Albert King and Robert Cray. With a deep appreciation for roots music he states, “I believe that many great Americana roots musicians never made the transition to CD, and I would like to refresh some of those original contributions to music. First and foremost I am a fan and musical archivist with a foundation in America’s major contribution to music globally, the blues music can unite us.”
The band have written some great original songs as well to develop for an album, but for the most part the live show consists of some really treasured and great blues songs from some of the founders of American blues. Get Down Jones takes great care to recreate these songs in the original form and flavor, however, their Portland style and his swagger does seep into the songs. “We put some stank on it, but for the most part we give praise to the original artists of the blues.”
Joining Get Down Jones for his CBA debt performance will be members of the band’s most recent line-up that includes guitarist Bobby Poet, bassist David Baulding, Richard Sanders on keys, Sean Derrickson on organ, Chck Gilman on harmonica and vocalist Lisa Kent Baker
Get Down Jones is passionate about his performances and the onstage dramatics reflect his feeling of the blues and its emotion. Get Down Jones’ live shows are energetic and original and exactly what you need to feel good about your entertainment night out.
Of course, we will also hold our free ticket drawing to win CDs and other prizes, so do not forget to pick up your ticket at the door. And we’ll also have the winner-take-all $1.00 ticket drawing for your chance to win a 9-CD packet.
Do not miss out in December as we choose our CBA leadership for 2015 and a night of memorable music doesn’t hurt either. See you there.