Best Self-Produced CD Competition 2011
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Since 2005, The Blues Foundation has celebrated up and coming artists by bestowing an award for the "Best Self-Produced CD" of the year. It will do so again in 2011. The Best Self-Produced CD award honors artists who have achieved excellence in the studio. The Cascade Blues Association has participated in this competition since its inception and we are looking for an entry for 2011.
If you have a self-produced CD that you would like to be considered, please send a copy to the CBA in an envelope labeled:
Self-Produced CD
Cascade Blues Association
PO Box 14493
Portland, OR 97293
All entries must be received no later than September 27th. Any act or member of an act who has been nominated for a Blues Music Award or whose release is on a label that has been nominated is not eligible to submit an entry into this competition. Entries must be recordings released no earlier than November 1st, 2009. Compilations are not eligible. If your CD is selected as our representative, we will contact you for extra copies of the CD, as The Blues Foundation requires four copies for their judges.
CDs will be evaluated on four categories: Musical Performance, Audio Quality of the Presentation, Cover Art & Design, and Credits & Liner Information.
Cascade Blues Association Hosts Gulfsongs Oregon Event, Sep 12, 2010
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This past June, Jim Friscia from Gulfsongs Oregon came to a Cascade Blues Association board of directors meeting to ask if the CBA might be interested in helping to promote Gulfsongs Oregon in their quest to raise money for the people of the North Gulf region directly affected by the B.P. Deep Horizon oil spill. Without hesitation, the entire board was behind the project. Not only to help spread the word and promote their efforts, but it was decided that the CBA would hold an event themselves in partnership with Gulfsongs Oregon. That event will take place on Sunday, September 12th, at Trails End Saloon (1320 Main St., Oregon City). It will be a seven-hour extravaganza starting at 1:00 pm, featuring a diverse selection of many of the best blues musicians the State of Oregon has to offer. This is by far the largest scheduled show to date for Gulfsongs Oregon.
The Cascade Blues Association’s hosted show for Gulfsongs Oregon is one of eleven such showcases that have either been held or are scheduled to take place through the end of September. In times of need, musicians are always among the first to respond. These concerts will provide not only financial support, but positive outlets for the frustration and feelings of helplessness which many are trying to express.
Read more: Cascade Blues Association Hosts Gulfsongs Oregon Event, Sep 12, 2010
CBA PICNIC APPRECIATION
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Of course, a blues picnic has to have great blues music; and thanks to the Lucy Hammond Band, the Gusto Brothers, the New Iberians, Franco and the Stingers, and Kolvane, we had five straight sets of summertime blues.
Our sponsors and supporting members stepped up with two kegs of microbrew donated by Pyramid & MacTarnahan’s. Safeway and Grocery Outlet provided gift cards and wine. Dave’s Killer Bread came through with hundreds of Dave’s Killer Blues Buns.
Giveaways included CD’s from Terry Currier, Greg Johnson and Rose Allen, with Blues by the Sea tickets and Willamette Valley Blues and Brews tickets donated directly from each of those regional festivals.
A special thank you goes out to Conrad Sundvold for providing the excellent guitar amps and Rich Lantz for providing his personal drum kit, in addition to his sound duties.
None of this would have been possible without our CBA Volunteers donating uncounted hours of prep work, grilling, setup, teardown, registration, booth work, and beverage and food services. Again, thanks to all!
But most importantly, we would like to thank all of you, our members, for continuing to participate and support our mission of keeping the blues alive.
David Vest CD Release Party for Rock A While, Sep 3, 2010
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Since moving to the Pacific Northwest a few years back, pianist David Vest has surely made a nice name for himself within our blues community. Working with The Cannonballs and the Paul deLay Band before setting off for his own local solo position, he continues to leave audiences in joy and awe with his crafty songwriting and his unbelievable knack with the keys. Calling himself the “last of his kind,” he harkens back to those rolling boogie riffs that can bring to mind perhaps Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis, while also being quite capable of throwing down jazz master styles in the manner of Thelonius Monk or Sun Ra.David has a brand new disc out titled Rock A While. It does more than rock, though. It covers that wide range of styles that David Vest can switch back and forth between with complete ease. Outstanding story-telling which reflects his life travels and experiences will keep you avidly attentive. It’s even better when witnessed live.
David Vest will be celebrating this new CD with a release party happening at Duff’s Garage (1635 SE 7th) on Friday, September 3rd, 9:30 pm. Admission is only $10, and CBA members will receive a $1 discount at the door by showing their current membership card. But be sure you bring extra cash, because once you hear the new tracks from this extremely wonderful CD, you’re going to want to take a copy home.
EXPERIENCE NEW ORLEANS/NW ON THE OREGON COAST SCENIC RAILROAD
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Your day begins with a "Mimosas on the Platform" greeting party. Enjoy the round trip steam train ride from Garibaldi to Wheeler, with an onboard Louisiana Po' Boy sandwich box lunch. The entire trip features New Orleans style live music includingReggie Houston & Turtle Vandemarr, The Too Loose Cajun / Zydeco Band, Lady "A" accompanied by Mac Potts, as well as Steve Kerin and Peter Dammann.
During the Wheeler turn around and engine repositioning, you can take advantage of a 45-minute refreshment stop at the stunningly situated Sea Shack Restaurant where owner Jason Boyer is preparing a special treat just for us. There will be music everywhere on this adventure! From the dance car to the enclosed dining cars and the fresh air viewing seats, you'll never be far from a bit of blues, swing, and zydeco/cajun rhythms. Along the way, Debra Seek will be onboard to show you a few dance moves! There's even an "after party " for all the passengers.
Musicians and guests alike find a Delta Music Experience to be incredibly memorable. Bring your own friends and family and meet new ones in the informal atmosphere - Crescent City style! CBA readers are still offered the early booking rate of $98 so book TODAY, as space is limited to fewer than 90 passengers. Lodging packages and Portland to Garibaldi transport options are available. Want more information? Please visit www.deltamusicexperience.com or call Amanda Gresham at 504-524.BLUEs (2583).
For detailed train information and to purchase your tickets over the phone call RailsNW at 800.717.0108 and let them know you heard about the Big Easy DMExpress through the CBA to receive the $98 early booking rate. If you choose to book online go to www.AGDME.com and select “Get your tickets here”. See all y’all on board!
Joe McMurrian Celebrates Release of New CD, Sep 24, 2010
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Joe McMurrian will be having a CD release party for his hot new disc Get Inside This House on Friday, September 24th, at the LaurelThirst Tavern (2958 NE Glisan). Showtime is 9:30 and will feature two sets. The first with Joe playing selections from the new album, followed by a second set with Joe playing with his band Woodbrain, offering songs from their latest Yellow Dog Records recording Swimming In Turpentine as well as new, yet unreleased songs from their forthcoming CD (not yet titled). Admission is $5.
Liana Mesi’s Life Celebration Memorial Concert
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So, on Sunday, September 19th, a number of Jim’s friends will be coming out to celebrate the life of Liana Mesi and to offer assistance to the family by performing at the Cascade Bar & Grill (15000 SE Mill Plain, Vancouver, WA). They’re all giving their time, some traveling a great distance to do so, to honor Liana and Jim.
Scheduled to appear will be the Northwest Women In R&B, The Strange Tones, a Strat Daddies reunion (including Jim Mesi, Terry Robb, Robbie Laws, Jimmy Lloyd Rea, Tim “Too Slim” Langford, Doug Rowell and Randy Lilya), Duffy Bishop & Chris Carlson, Ty Curtis, Steve Bradley, Jay “Bird” Koder and D.K. Stewart, Linda Hornbuckle, Lloyd Jones, Bill Rhoades’ Harmonica Showdown, Norman Sylvester, and far too many other generous musicians and stage technicians to list here.
There will also be a silent auction and a raffle at the event. Contact Jan Bisconer at 503-702-7946 if you have an item you would like to donate for this cause.
Showtime will be from 5:00 – 11:00 pm. Admission is requested to be a generous donation at the door to help the family in this time of need. Please try to attend and give what you may.
100 Miles To Go
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Mitch Kashmar & the PontiaxDelta Groove
For those who have been familiar with the West Coast blues scene for quite some time, the name Mitch Kashmar was nothing new when Delta Groove records released his initial CD, Nickels & Dimes. No, Kashmar had been making audiences jump to his stellar harmonica riffs for more than two decades, most notably as the leader of the Santa Barbara-based blues band The Pontiax, who made frequent trips up and down the Left Coast, as well as taking their sound to far-away lands in Europe, the South Pacific and Canada. The band released a few albums, but sadly most of those are out of print.If you’re lucky you might find a copy in a used record store (that is if the previous owner was willing to part with it). That’s why seeing Delta Groove reissue the band’s recording 100 Miles To Go is something to get excited about.
The Pontiax were not just about Mitch Kashmar, however. They had a superb group of musicians making up the band. Guitar player Jon Lawton sounds great on this disc, was a member for ten years, and then formed Little Jonny & The Giants after leaving The Pontiax. Along with second guitarist and sax player Bill Flores (who also played with Little Jonny), bassist Jack Kennedy, and Tom Lackner on drums, these guys knew how to kick some butt behind the mics and onstage! This recording also featured special guests Jim Calire on sax and keys, and West Coast harmonica legend, the late William Clarke lending a hand on his own self-written instrumental “Horn Of Plenty.”
100 Miles To Go is an album that just jumps out at you from the get go and holds on tight as it takes you for a super-charged ride of bouncy blues numbers and shuffles. Mitch Kashmar is at the top of his game on vocals and harp throughout. His presence is felt strongly. The instrumental “Lip Service” is Kashmar at his harp-blowing finest. It shows that he’s always had the chops that everybody regards so highly nowadays. Nine out of the twelve tracks were penned by him. “Let It All Fall Dead” is magnificent. It says to the world that Mitch Kashmar has talent as a songwriter and performer, so bend your ears and give the man a listen..
It’s a great example of just how much fun The Pontiax actually were in their prime. A long lost classic brought back to life by the good folks at Delta Groove. And it even includes two new numbers recorded by the original members. It’s a lot of something old and a little something new, and it’s all wonderful, and it’s all blues! Like taking a trip in the way-back time machine. We’re dancing and grooving to The Pontiax once more! And loving it!
Total Time: 50:24
Night Creeper / My Kinda Woman / 100 Miles To Go / Lip Service / Gonna Find Someone New / Horn Of Plenty / Long As I Have You / Walkin’ Downtown / Let It All Fall Dead / I’m Sorry About That / When You Do Me Like That (I Wanna Do You Like This) / The Petroleum Blues
Cyndi Lauper at the Zoo Sep 1, 2010 - Charlie Musselwhite to open
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The Oregon Zoo summer concert series, presented by NW Natural, ends with a fun-filled performance Sept. 1, when Cyndi Lauper takes the stage as part of her national Memphis Blues tour.
Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite will open for Lauper, balancing her new interpretation of blues with his nearly 45-year-history in the field.
irst known for her new wave, postpunk pop hits, Lauper has evolved into a multifaceted renaissance woman. In June, she released her 11th studio album, “Memphis Blues,” a bold collection of blues covers featuring appearances by Allen Toussaint, B.B. King, Johnny Lang and others.
Tickets for the concert can be purchased at the Oregon Zoo for $27 each. Tickets can also be purchased (with service charge) at all Ticketmaster ticket centers, online at Ticketmaster.com and by phone at 800-745-3000. For more information on the concert schedule, to read artists’ biographies or purchase tickets, please visit www.oregonzoo.org/Concerts/index.htm
Mt. Rainier Rhythm and Blues Festival Sep 25, 2010
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The 4th annual Mt.Rainier Rhythm and Blues Festival is all set to take place at the Mineral Lake Event Center in Mineral, WA. on Saturday, September 25th, 2010 from noon to midnight.
This year’s festival features some of the top bands from Portland, Olympia, Spokane, Walla Walla, Seattle, Tacoma and beyond: Big Monti with Peter Dammann; The Hudson Rocket Band; The Fat Tones; Jeff and the Jet City Fliers: The Coyote Kings; Little Bill and the Bluesnotes;The Randy Oxford Band; The Al Earick Band; The Nolan Garrett Band; and more to be announced.
For more information visit www.minerallakeeventcenter.com or call 360-492-5039.
Nick Curran to Kick Things Up at Duff’s, Sep 24, 2010
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Nick Curran will be making his debut at Duff’s Garage on Friday, September 24th, for a 9:30 pm show. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door for a $1 discount. This is one show that is guaranteed to rock the house big time. Do not miss out!
Ramblings On My Mind, Sep 2010
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Wow, August has sure been a busy month. CBA picnic, United By Music showcase, Duffy Bishop’s film premier, lots of touring acts and festivals. How can anybody possibly do them all? Well, I guess that’s not only a thought, it’s really a question of reality. Can I afford to do them all, or some, or how can I be in two places or more at the same time? Oh, to have these problems all the time. If we had that much blues going on all the time, how great would that be?
Guess what! September doesn’t look like it’s going to make things any easier either. So much going on.
I have to say that the United by Music showcase held at the beginning of August at Jimmy Mak’s had to be the best feel-good event I have seen in ages. So glad to be a part of the development team in Portland. Watching the performers who have been told all their lives that they’d probably never amount to anything due to their intellectual challenges prove those naysayers wrong was beyond heartwarming and made you proud to watch the talent surging from the stage. And you could see that pride in the eyes of Candye Kane, Joris Van Wijngaarden, Barbara Hammerman, and everybody associated with the project. It’s time to move this forward in the United States, and the Pacific Northwest can be the right place for that start. Let’s work on developing means to fund and support local events to bring it to life in Portland. Visit the website at www.unitedbymusic.org for more information on becoming involved.
There has been so much talk that never seems to end on the loss of venues and the impact it will have on working musicians. It’s true that some longtime places may have shut their doors, but there are still a lot of smaller locations offering live music to be explored around town, too. I’m excited for one to see the renovated Alberta Rose Theatre opening in NE Portland.
Triple Header Showcase Features Swedish & Northwest Favorites, Sep 2, 2010
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Swedish guitarist Mikael Kahari has been playing guitar since he was seven years old and formed his first blues band at age twelve. Inspired by artists like Jimi Hendrix, Peter Green, Eric Clapton and Leslie West, he takes his music into the core of all forms of blues, not just the rock edge as would be expected from these mentioned icons. As his website states it, “after three decades of jamming and playing with a great number of artists, Mikael’s style is one of a kind.” He formed the trio Mikael K’s Rumble Pack in 2006 and they have been taking audience’s breath away ever since everywhere they perform. The band is filled out by stellar musicians bassist Staffan Mhyrman and drummer Lasse Johansson and they can lay down whatever blues groove you can imagine, whether it’s Texas boogie, West Coast swing or even a little jazzy feel. Making their first trip to the Portland area from Kopparberg, Sweden, the band will surely be finding more fans here.
Co-headlining the bill is Duffy Bishop, who certainly needs no introduction to local blues fans. Renowned as the Queen of Northwest Blues, Duffy is always energetic, entertaining and guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and the urge to dance along. This Muddy Award Hall of Fame member will be bringing her top-notch new band with her, featuring guitarist Chris Carlson, drummer Kelly Dunn, bassist Dean Mueller and horn players John Goforth and Brad Ulrich. No matter how many times you see Duffy Bishop you can never get enough!
Rounding out the event will be The Hellhounds. This hot new band features guitarist Joe Hare and drummer Charles Pike, both transplants from the South where their blues visions were formed and honed. Filling out the trio is bassist Rick Mazzotta who has plied his wares with worthy adeptness behind a number of acts throughout the Northwest over the years. They’re a driving new force to be reckoned with on the Portland blues scene and they’ll hold their own quite well.
Showtime is 7:00 pm. This is a CBA co-sponsored event, so bring your up-to-date membership card and show it at the door for a $1 discount.
Robbie Laws Live
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Robbie LawsSelf-Produced
Robbie Laws has put out a handful of sensational recordings throughout his career, but catching him perform live is the essential setting. He is so at ease on stage and knows the way to excite an audience. That’s why this new self-produced CD pieced together from shows over the past few years is so welcome. The enjoyment of a live Robbie Laws show is captured to perfection. His vocals are spot-on and his guitar work is crisp, tasty and quite often simply jaw-dropping amazing.
Most of the tracks were recorded with the Hoodoo Nation Band he fronted for several years, which included Ken Brewer on keys, Jim Miller on bass, saxophonist Drew Baird, and depending on the tracks, either Bill Mead or Bryce Shelton on drums. And the majority of these were taken from shows at The Triple Door in Seattle. The band cooks.
The selections are also well chosen. Of course, you have to have a take of Robbie playing Louis Jordan’s “Caledonia.” You cannot have a Robbie Laws show if that is not included. It is a staple for him and always flawless. It is one of many highlights to be found on this outstanding disc. Bobby Bland’s “36-22-36” has a finger-snapping draw to it. While the band delivers the repetitive call of the title, Ken Brewer lays down nice keyboards and Drew Baird belts out a burning sax solo that brings everything to life and home. Guitar playing is stunning throughout, Cornell Dupree’s “Okie Dokie Stomp,” Johnny "Guitar" Watson's “Hot Little Mama,” and Ronnie Earl’s “Shout About It” are all more than exceptional showcases of Robbie’s vast knowledge of guitar forms and prowess to bring them off as his own. Personally, I believe it’s the nearly-12-minute take of “Sweet Little Angel” that really makes this CD indispensable. The guitar break in the song leaves me breathless with every listen.
Mixed in with all the live tracks is a studio recording of Robbie’s self-penned number “Swamp Thang.” A catchy little bayou piece that finds him recording with two of Portland’s best musicians, Jeff Minnick on drums and Albert Reda on bass. Though not a live number, it fits right in with the CD’s flow.
There is a reason why Robbie Laws has held such demand with audiences in the Northwest for so long. He is one of the area’s best live performers. If you cannot make it to a show, this disc will leave little doubt of that fact. Stunning, absorbing and incredible, this disc should be in your collection without hesitation.
Total Time: 51:49
T-Bone Shuffle / Sweet Little Angel / 36-22-36 / Hot Little Mama / Shout About It / Swamp Thang / Okie Dokie Stomp / I Smell Trouble / Bad Case Of The Blues / Caledonia
What’s on Tap for September 2010’s General Membership Meeting
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Wednesday, September 1st, 7:00 pm
Members always Free – Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set – Pete Gallatin
Second Electric Set – Vicki Stevens Band
Where did the summer go? Seems like it was late in arriving in Portland, and now it’s pretty much over. Well the least we can do is to keep the blues heating things up around here. And you can always count on the Cascade Blues Association’s General Membership Meeting to do just that. In September, we’re hoping that if you’re not familiar with the acts we have, that you very most likely will be. Because that’s what we like to do for our blues friends . . . introduce them to even more friends.
Opening the meeting for September will be guitarist Pete Gallatin, who has called Portland home since 2005. Moving to the city from California, Pete describes the types of places he performed in the Golden State as varied as hootenannys, frat parties, churches, bars, prisons and senior centers. In other words, he has played for just about every walk of life known to man. Originally he wrote mostly country music; he has now refocused his playing toward folk blues, country blues, and Delta blues, in the styles of artists from the 30s and 40s like Robert Johnson, Charlie Jordan, Scrapper Blackwell, Leadbelly and others. For the meeting Pete is planning on presenting half of his set with slide guitar and the other half fingerpicking the six strings. If you’ve been to O’Connors in Multnomah Village, you may have caught Pete sitting in while honing his blues skills. He is quite excited to showcase his skills for the CBA and we’re excited to have him with us, too.
For the second set of the night, we’re really going to turn the heat up as you’ll be entertained by one of the CBA’s 2010 Journey To Memphis finalists, the Vicki Stevens Band. The hot outfit made a lot of fans the past two years with their involvement in the Journey To Memphis, and the set they gave at the finals at the Waterfront was sensational. Though they did not win with us, that did not stop their determination, as they entered the Rainy Day Blues Society’s competition and took home the top spot. Look out Memphis, they’re aiming at taking Beale Street by storm. Led by Vicki Stevens, winner of the Rainy Day Rooster Award for best female vocalist, the band has performed more gigs the past year in the Eugene area than any other group. Vicki is more than adequately backed by first-class musicians, guitarist Dennis Monroe, multi-instrumentalist Bill “Froggy” Hyland, and newest members drummer Bradd Stine and bassman Jim Badalich. The band is definitely a favorite of the lower Willamette Valley and they’re ready to open the eyes and ears of the Portland area. They have just what it takes to do so, too! Do not miss out!
Be sure to have your current membership card in hand for free admission. If you’re not a member, what are you waiting for? You can join at the meeting. Otherwise it’s $3.00 for non-members to witness great blues artists, make new friends, and to have the chance to win prizes just for being in attendance. Don’t forget your drawing ticket at the door. And maybe throw in an extra dollar or two, and even purchase a raffle ticket to win a multi-CD package thrown together just for the meeting.
Hope to see you there.Bring along your family, friends and neighbors. We’re always excited to see new faces of those who love the blues.
Greg Johnson
CBA President
Walk The Talk
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Self-Produced
By Greg Johnson
After multiple listens to Walk The Talk by Son Jack Jr. & Michael Wilde, I keep finding myself asking, “Just where in Mississippi is Seattle located?” It’s not? Then why do these guys sound like first cousins to folk like Kenny Brown or Lightnin’ Malcolm or Mississippi Morris? I swear you could picture yourself sitting on the front porch of a shotgun shack outside Senatobia cooling the heat and humidity with a nice cool glass of sweet tea while listening to this album. It just sounds that down-home authentic.
Outstanding readings of selections from the songbooks of R.L. Burnside, Charley Patton and John Lee Hooker drive the mix with believability that there has to be a mistake on where they actually live. Further driven home when you hear their original material. Ain’t no way that was written by anybody that hasn’t been brought up around cotton fields or strolling down Highways 49 and 61. These songs are modern blues classics. Great themes. Feeling down so low that you’d have to get up just to die? Their baby howls for them in the middle of the night. And you’d better listen to these guys, because they mean everything they say. They walk the talk! And it’s a serious conversation!
Instrumentation is A-1 throughout, start to finish. Michael Wilde’s chromatic workout on “Crying Time” is powerful and grasps at your heart with its intense somberness. On “Maximum Security” he can whoop things up just like Sonny Terry. Son Jack offers multiple blues guitar approaches from Delta fingerpickers, to sizzling slides, to Hill Country trance. But he can also surprise you with a track like “Requiem” on which he comes across more like Leo Kottke or John Fahey with his solo string beauty that tells you there is more behind this man than just the blues. The pair are joined nicely throughout the disc by drummer Billy Barner and bassist Mark Davies, with keyboardist Eric Roberts joining in on a pair of tunes. It adds the proper flavoring. Just the right piquant to get you snapping your fingers. This music is so tasty you might be smacking your lips trying to savor that deliciousness.
Walk The Talk is more than just a good CD. It’s exceptional. Kick back and throw the disc on your player. More than likely you won’t be sitting long. The groove here will make you move whether you plan on it or not. Son Jack Jr & Michael Wilde will make you believe that Seattle really is in Mississippi. The far Northwest corner that is. A run-out-and-buy-it record for anybody who loves Southern blues music. Top shelf material! Need I say more?
Total Time: 43:23
Walk The Talk / Crying Time / When You Love / Crawlin’ King Snake / Miss Maybelle / Down So Low / Maximum Security / Requiem / Pony Blues / I Heard A Man / Howlin’ Poppet / Skinny Woman
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