Entries by Buko

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Cassie Taylor

Out Of My Mind
Yellow Dog Records

In the opening two-part “Ol’ Mama Dean,” Cassie Taylor tells the story of an abused woman who finally takes measures into her own hands and kills her partner. It is the extreme and she knows she will have to pay for her crime, but alas she now has freedom for her pain. It is an example of the detailed story-telling that Taylor has developed in her young life. But though she may be only 26 years old, she has already seen and worked the musical circuit for more than a decade, first accompanying …

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Anne Weiss

Where Folk Gets The Blues
Self Produced

In a city like Portland that is filled with outstanding musicians of numerous genres, Anne Weiss stands tall when it comes to overall talent and songwriting. A tremendous vocalist, she is also a multi-instrumentalist who may take on a song behind a guitar, ukulele or piano at any given moment. And she is more than exceptional at all.

Where Folk Gets The Blues is a double CD that offers two musical directions from Anne’s repertoire. Disc one is comprised of phenomenal folk selections performed by Anne mostly in a solo setting. Crafty lyrics …

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What’s on Tap for April’s General Membership Meeting April 3

Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland

Wednesday, April 3rd, 7:00 pm

Members always Free – Non-members $3.00

Opening Acoustic Set – Lucy Hammond’s NW Roots Uprising

Second Electric Set – Tracey Fordice & The 8-Balls

It’s the first of the month, so you should know by now where to be on that first Wednesday. The Melody Ballroom of course. You always want to make a point to join us for the Cascade Blues Association’s monthly membership meeting, where you’re sure to run into long-time friends and maybe make a few new ones, all while hearing two great sets of …

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2012 Blues Music Awards DVD/CD

This year’s event was captured masterfully by AudioGraphics Masterworks in a beautiful video production and the sound was recreated by one of Memphis’ best studios, Ardent. The line-up is a virtual who’s who of the blues world, including people like Charlie Musselwhite, Tab Benoit, Joe Louis Walker, Tracy Nelson, David Maxwell, Billy Boy Arnold, Samantha Fish and so many more.

The DVD is broken down into two sections, one for Public Broadcast airings which feature acceptance speeches mixed within the performances and the second showcasing songs from those who were nominated and collaborations onstage of exceptional pairings. Highlights have to …

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Brandon Santini

This Time Another Year
self produced

This is Brandon Santini’s sophomore solo disc and he has thrown together a stellar band to work with, most notably the addition of guitarist Jeff Jensen. The pairing of Santini and Jensen has proven to be somewhat magical as Santini’s easy-going manner onstage is offset by the frenetic pace of Jensen’s guitar playing. They’re the perfect foils for one another.

Santini has an exceptional knack for writing tasteful songs with memorable instrumental catches and lyrics. The title song, a reworking of Charlie Musselwhite’s “This Time Another Year,” maintains a steady walk as Santini’s harp …

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Kevin Selfe

Long Walk Home
Delta Groove

Jump ahead two months. Kevin & The Tornadoes had just completed a stellar set at the Waterfront Blues Festival featuring many of the same cats from the new album on stage with them. I was sitting in the VIP area with Tornadoes bassist Allen Markel and his wife Lisa Mann as I noticed Kevin across the way in conversation with Delta Groove boss Randy Chortkoff. Kevin soon walked over with a grin on his face. “You just got signed, didn’t you?” I asked him. He didn’t need to say anything. By the way his face …

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Dave Mathis

In Your Face
Self-Produced

Dave Mathis has long been one of the premier harmonica players in the Portland blues scene. This new release by Mathis may be referred to as his debut recording, but it is filled with highlights from his career over the past twenty years, really only a drop in the pond for as long as he has been blowing that tin biscuit around these parts. And that career has seen him perform with some of the very best talent around.

The disc starts out with a trio of numbers with Mathis playing alongside Kelly Joe Phelps; two …

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Tell Mama: Etta James Tribute CD Release Party

Early last year, following the passing of the great Etta James, a tribute show was held at the Alberta Rose Theatre featuring five of the city’s finest female vocalists: Amy Keys, Duffy Bishop, LaRhonda Steele, Lisa Mann and Rae Gordon backed by the DK Stewart Sextet and Friends. That event was recorded and highlights of it have been released as a CD titled Tell Mama.

To celebrate the CD’s release, a new show has been put together which will take place at the Alberta Rose Theatre on Friday, March 15th at 8:00 pm. Returning will be the DK Stewart Sextet …

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Franco Paletta & The Stingers

Franco and the Stingers CD coverI Like It Just Like That
Self-Produced

It seems like a long time since Franco Paletta & The Stingers last released Can’t Kick Love. But the wait is more than worth the time. I Like It Just Like That is a brilliant follow-up to that disc and surpasses it immensely. Utilizing the band that he won the Cascade Blues Association’s Journey To Memphis competition and took with him to Memphis for the International Blues Challenge, this is an ensemble that fires on the right track in every direction. The camaraderie between each member enhances one another, all masterful at their …

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Vicki Stevens & Sonny Hess

Vicki Stevens Sonny Hess CD coverBlues Alchemy
Self-Produced

Four of the six selections are well-known covers. But in the vocal chords of Vicki, “29 Ways,” “Built For Comfort” and “Groove Me” really takes flight. A couple of Sonny’s original songs have appeared previously on her All Aces CD, but they are a nice mix to showcase the new act as well. I particularly enjoy the new version of “Lie Myself” with Vicki taking the vocal lead. It sounds incredible and even more haunting, with Kevin LaBaron handing out exceptional saxophone and Sonny’s intense guitar work is one of her best outings ever. Add to that …