Bandstand May 2015
James Clem
Hi friends,
My new CD, Sugar Moon, is out now and available at Music Millennium, online for downloads, and CD sales at CDBaby.com. It should be on iTunes as well by the time you read this. Give a listen to the sample tracks if you can. You can also hear some complete tracks on my website. I am getting a lot of really positive reaction to this recording.
This was a long term project where producer/engineer Ron Rogers and I got some of Portland’s best musicians–such as Reggie Houston, Mary Flower, Johnnie Ward and lots more–and put them together with the hot rhythm section of Ken West and Craig Snazelle. We recorded them live in the studio onto analog tape.
There are two things that are bit out of the ordinary for CD’s that are reviewed in the CBA BluesNotes. First, it is more swing and western swing than blues, all though all the tunes are bluesy. Second, I am playing ukulele rather than my main instrument, the guitar. Actually, you could listen to this disc and not even be that aware that that is a uke and not a guitar, as they can sound pretty similar. There are some straight blues and ragtime on the disc so blues lovers should find a lot to like on this.
At the same sessions for Sugar Moon, we were recording an all guitar CD to be titled Road’s Gettin’ Muddy that will be out in late May. Pretty much the same great players I listed above on that CD. This disc is all blues but there are a few vintage country tunes from the Carter Family to give it some variety and even an electric surf instrumental I wrote. So I hope you can look out for these and you will be hearing some of the tracks on Portland radio as well.
See you around and keep diggin’ the blues.
James Clem
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Ashbolt
Hello fellow blues fans! Firstly, thanks to all the jammers and blues folks that continue to support our Bolt Upright weekly jams. I want to inform everyone about a couple of things happening in May. I’m going to trot out a new project I’m calling Beat’s Workin’ with me singing and leading the band from the front for a change. I’ll be singing tunes from my latest CD. I’m going to have my friend, Scott Mecalis, play drums (also harp/vocals and bass) along with Susie McDonald on bass/vocals, and Scott Steele on guitar and vocals. We’ll be showcasing this on the last weekend in May. May 29th at Cadigan’s Corner and May 30th at AREA 52. Please check us out.
Also, on May 30th, Susie and I will be co-hosting a blues show on KBOO radio with Joan Semprebon from 5PM-7PM. This program will feature all local talent, so if you want to be included, please get me some fresh tracks to play.
Bolt Upright with Lynn Axtell continues to host the Sunday Jam at Montavilla and most weekend shows. We have Scott Steele join us at AREA 52 and the The Lehrer. They each sound excellent. We’ve also added a new jam on Mondays at AREA 52 from 6PM till 9PM.
Please continue to support live music every chance you get! Thanks!
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Rich Layton & The Troublemakers
Dear CBA Community
It’s time to answer that age-old question: “What kind of music do you play?” Truth be told, we’re not a blues band per se – we’re more like that older first cousin who was always getting you into trouble growing up. On any given night, RLTM takes the blues out to a rockabilly barn dance, drags them though the Louisiana swamp, gets them liquored up at a Texas roadhouse and leaves them crying in their beer at a seedy dive just outside Memphis.
If you dig Dave & Phil Alvin, Marty Stewart, Delbert McClinton and JD McPherson, you’ll dig us. Like those artists, we are keepers of the flame for American roots music, blues included. We play a high-octane mix of classic and original songs that echo the sounds of Slim Harpo, Bo Diddley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and all their musical descendants. It’s the proud tradition of three chords and a bad attitude.
So look for us down at the crossroads of twang & tremolo. We’ll save you that special table under the broken Lone Star beer sign.
PS- can’t wait to spend the evening with our old Texas friends by way of LA, Teresa James & The Rhythm Tramps, May 15th @ The Lehrer. Get ready for spine tingling vocals and a groove that will swallow you whole. Not to be missed!