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REVIEW: Holy F*ck & Indian Jewelry @ Holocene (Portland, OR – 10/14/10)

15th Oct 10 (Fri) 4 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

First off… if you haven’t seen the adorable and infectious new music video for Holy Fuck‘s “Red Lights,” you need to go check it out now.  OK, now that you’re back, on to the review…

This was the first time to the Holocene for me.  It’s a nice venue, trendy looking bar, good beer on tap (Double Mountain IRA for me).  They had a few side rooms with colorful lights, practically unusable mirrors in the bathroom, and odd fabric or paper christmas tree looking things in the performance area.  In other words, everything that makes Portland its quirky, trendy self.

I got there near the middle of the first opener’s set.  Clipd Beaks, from Oakland, were good from what I heard.  Fuzzy rock with somewhat melodic vocals, use of trumpet, but primarily traditional rock sounds coming forth.  I didn’t get any usable photos from their set as the lights were in force, yet.

Next up was Indian Jewelry, a four-piece from Houston, put out a 40 minute blast of tom percussion, dirty guitars and keyboards.  They were a little warbly, drone-y in spots, and switched off between male and female vocalists.  I enjoyed them, but I couldn’t really “re-sing” any of their songs… nice and percussive, genre-less but not aimless.  I can see them working way better live than on record, but then again, I’ve been wrong about that before.  Anyway, I’d recommend checking them out if they swing by your neck of the woods… cracked cymbals and all.

Holy Fuck started setting up immediately after Indian Jewelry’s set ended.  They went on right around 11:30 and played a full hour, with encore.  Not dissimilar from their Mississippi Studios show from earlier in the year… lots of tunes from Latin – which I am legally required to state in every mention of its name… it’s the best album of 2010 so far.  Great groove-based live/organic electronic.

There were a few absent fab live tunes (Royal Gregory, Super Inuit, Milkshake), and I think I’m going crazy, as now I’m doubting my own note-taking… did they end with Lovely Allen?  Or was it Safari?  Or am I going crazy?  Anyway… they played Red Lights, which smoked!  I love Punchy’s bass on that track…

Setlist: about an hour

  • 1MD
  • Super Inuit
  • Foxy
  • Jungles
  • Red Lights
  • Lucky
  • Stay Lit
  • Silva & Grimes
  • Stilettos
  • Encore: The Pulse
  • Lovely Allen (I should know this with confidence, but my brain fell apart)
    italics – unsure of in the setlist, any help is appreciated

Great show as usual from Holy Fuck.  But… severe lack of dancing again… or at least in comparison to the grooves.  This seems to happen (i.e.- not happen) in Portland; so I don’t blame the band at all.  They should swing down to Eugene next time… we’ll show ’em how to party!  Pretty please!

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Metallica – S&M

HOLY FUCK & INDIAN JEWELRY PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Holy Fuck Fall 2010 Tour:

08-28 Leeds, England – Leeds Festival
08-29 Reading, England – Reading Festival
09-08 Louisville, KY – Zanzabar
09-09 Birmingham, AL- Bottletree
09-10 New Orleans, LA – Howlin’ Wolf
09-11 Austin, TX – The Mohawk
09-12 Houston, TX – Walter’s on Washington
09-13 Mobile, AL – Alabama Music Box
09-14 Athens, GA – New Earth Music Hall
09-15 Chapel Hill, NC – Local 506
09-17 Washington, DC – Black Cat
09-18 New York, NY – Le Poisson Rouge
09-19 Boston, MA – Paradise
09-20 Philadelphia, PA – Johnny Brenda’s
09-21 Buffalo, NY – Soundlab
09-22 Pittsburgh, PA – Brillobox
09-23 Cincinnati, OH – Midpoint Music Festival
09-24 Urbana, IL – Pygmalion Music Festival
09-25 Cleveland Heights, OH – Grog Shop
09-26 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick (Fucking Awesome Fest)
09-27 London, Ontario – London Music Hall
09-28 Hamilton, Ontario – Studio Theatre
09-29 Toronto, Ontario – Phoenix Theatre
09-30 Montreal, Quebec – Espace Dell’Arte
10-02 Ottawa, Ontario – Capital Music Hall
10-03 Guelph, Ontario – Vinyl
10-05 Winnipeg, Manitoba – Pyramid Cabaret
10-06 Saskatoon, Saskatchewa – Louis Pub
10-07 Toronto, Ontario – Republik
10-08-09 Edmonton, Alberta – Pawn Shop
10-11 Victoria, British Columbia – Element Nightclub
10-12 Vancouver, British Columbia – The Rickshaw Theatre
10-13 Seattle, WA – Neumos
10-14 Portland, OR – Holocene
10-16 San Francisco, CA – Treasure Island Music Festival
10-17 Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
10-18 Phoenix, AZ – Rhythm Room
10-20 Denver, CO – Larimer Lounge
10-21 Lincoln, NE – Bourbon Theatre
10-22 St. Louis, MO – Firebird
10-23 Indianapolis, IN – Radio Radio

Categories: Concert Photos, Indie Rock, Jazz & Avant, Post-rock, Rock & Pop Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: AMA Trio @ House Show (Eugene, OR – 9/25/10)

26th Sep 10 (Sun) Leave a comment

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

My second time to a lovely Rolling & Tumbling House Concert near UO campus in Eugene, OR.  R&T is a great!  They seem to bring in a lot of songwriters and world musicians.  SO, this was only my second of many R&T house shows…

When I saw Amy Denio on the list with a new project, the AMA Trio, I didn’t want to miss it.  I have been a fan of another of Amy’s bands – The Tiptons Sax Quartet.  The AMA Trio is a bit different from the woodwind-forward jazz of the Tiptons, more world fusion / Latin American music.  The AMA Trio is Amy Denio alongside Madeleine Sosin & Abel Rocha (who have a few CDs out under the name Correo Aereo).

They played traditional songs from Venezuela, Mexico and Argentina, as well as many of their own original tunes.  All three were proficient multi-instrumentalists.  Madeleine also played the violin, guitar, drum, shakers as well as singing on a few songs.  Amy played accordion, clarinet, and drum.  She sang on a few tunes as well.  Abel was the primary vocalist (when they weren’t jamming), as well as played a mean set of guitars and harp.  The ease of all three members switching from one instrument made it seem quite effortless.

Some of the most fascinating playing was what might be considered normally subdued instruments… Madeleine’s shaker playing made the little instruments seem way more distinctly rhythmic.  She should teach lessons… because I don’t know how many times I’ve seen people “just shaking” them with no real purpose.  Abel’s harp playing was also captivating… playing both the lead melodies and the rhythm parts.  Amy stuck to accordion for more than half the set, when she broke out the clarinet, she had some nice flavors and solos to add to the songs.  I dug the more jazzy textures she added when she was on reeds.

Setlist: a little over 2 hours

  • Set 1~ unknown
  • Carnaval (Venezuela)
  • Ararat (Armenian)
  • Jarabe Loco (Mexico)
  • Martiñana (Mexico)
  • “I Love You” (Amy’s tango for a cat)
  • Playa Grande (Venezuela)
  • Cuatrapeado
  • Raisa (Algerian-based original)
  • Ti Feu (Mexico – Spanish & Zapotec)
  • Entre a Mi Pago (Argentina)
  • Golpe de Agua
  • Set 2~ Tres Diamantes (Venezuela)
  • Finadita
  • Breakfast in Bed (Amy original)
  • Los Hermanos (Argentina)
  • unknown klezmer-Argentinian tune (Tiptons-y in spots to my ear, but actually arranged by Madeleine)
  • Guendanabani (Zapotec)
  • Darling, Please Don’t Wake Me (Amy original)
  • Golpes Tocuyanos
  • Hanana (Amy original)
    corrections to the setlist are welcomed

They’re going into the studio this coming week to make their first record as a trio.  Stay tuned to their MySpace page below for news as it becomes available.

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Beats Antique – Blind Threshold

AMA TRIO PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Singer-Songwriter, World Music Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Antibalas @ Berbati’s Pan (Portland, OR – 7/19/10)

20th Jul 10 (Tue) 3 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Originating from Brooklyn, ANTIBALAS (aka Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra) is: AMAYO (Vocals & Percussion), VICTOR AXELROD (Organ/Clavinet), ERIC BIONDO (Trumpet), STUART BOGIE (Tenor Sax), MARCUS FARRAR (Shekere), MARCOS GARCIA (Guitar), AARON JOHNSON (Trombone), JORDAN MCLEAN (Trumpet), NICK MOVSHON (Bass), LUKE O’MALLEY (Guitar), MARTIN PERNA (Baritone Sax, founder) and CHRIS VATALARO (Drums).

They are sooooo fun in concert, words don’t do them justice.  I saw them back in 2007 in the Cincinnati area, and haven’t had a chance since now to see them again.  I’ve been Jonesin’ for an Antibalas fix.

They’ve been busy the last couple years with the multiple-Tony Award winning FELA! Broadway musical (a tribute to afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti).  This July, Antibalas is doing a mini-tour in pre-support for their upcoming album on Anti-Records (untitled as of now).  The Sway Machinery opened the Portland show…

They were a nice horn-infused Jewish five piece rock band.  Their MySpace billed them as “Other / Blues / Afrobeat.”  Outside of the horns, I didn’t really hear the afrobeat.  Definitely Judaic and bluesy –  I dug their sound.  The mix last night was a bit bass heavy, and the vocals got drowned out, but I liked their vibe overall.  Their line-up is fairly power-packed… guitarist Jeremiah Lockwood of Balkan Beat Box, drummer Brian Chase of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, bass saxophonist Colin Stetson of Arcade Fire and Tom Waits‘ band, and the trumpet and tenor sax horn section of the band Antibalas, Jordan McLean and Stuart Bogie.  They’ve got an album, Hidden Melodies Revealed, out on JDub Records (same record label as Balkan Beat Box, SoCalled, etc).

Antibalas went on a little after 10:15 and hit the ground running with their percussive, groove-laden, horn-drenched bombast.  Lead vocalist Amayo came out at the second song and started off on percussion before moving over to lead vocals…

The sound in the club got a little more balanced for Antibalas, whose 12 band members were tightly jamming away.  Great mix of horn-heavy tunes, percussion heavy tunes.  The packed house danced away to the fun beats.  I’m horrible with their song names, and they didn’t play as many lyrical songs; so no luck on a setlist this time around.  If anyone has a setlist, pass it along, please.

Antibalas jammed away for a fairly dancey, long set without showing signs of letting up.  A fantastic night!  I’m hoping they hit the PacNW again when they come back through to support their upcoming untitled record.  Portland, Eugene, anywhere really. :)

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Jon Madof’s Rashanim – Masada Rock 

ANTIBALAS & THE SWAY MACHINERY PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Antibalas July 2010 Tour Dates

  • 07.14.10 – San Diego, CA – Casbah
  • 07.15.10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echoplex
  • 07.16.10 – San Francisco, CA – Great American Music Hall
  • 07.17.10 – Garberville, CA – Reggae on the River
  • 07.19.10 – Portland, OR – Berbati’s Pan
  • 07.20.10 – Seattle, WA – Neumos
  • 07.22.10 – New York, NY – River to River Festival, Castle Clinton
  • 07.29.10 – Philadelphia, PA – Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater
Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Post-rock, World Music Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

mini-REVIEW: Tiempo Libre @ OBF/Hilton Ballroom (Eugene, OR – 7/10/10)

11th Jul 10 (Sun) Leave a comment

How does the penultimate night of the Oregon Bach Festival keep things going?  By having a Cuban dance party… naturally. ;)

Wait… Cuban music at the Bach Fest?!  Well, Tiempo Libre melds the two seemingly disparate styles together in quite a popular way.  In fact, their latest CD, Bach in Havana, was nominated for a Grammy this past year (category: Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album).

The show moved out of the Hult Center’s confining chairs over to the Eugene Hilton’s Ballroom.  The dance floor filled up almost immediately.  Throughout Tiempo Libre’s two sets, the dancers spilled out off of the dance floor onto the surrounding carpet.  Super fun night, super hot music!

Tiempo Libre is Jorge Gomez (piano, coros, music director), Joaquin Díaz (lead vocal), Leandro G. (congas, bata & coros), Tebelio Fonte (bass, coros), Luis Beltran C. (sax & flute), Cristóbal F.G. (trumpet, trombone), and Armando Arce (drums, timbal & bata).

If you’re reading this early on Sunday… today is the last day of the Oregon Bach Festival.  Catch the festival-capping Elijah this afternoon at the Hult (3pm)!  Or check back soon for the 2011 schedule… http://oregonbachfestival.com/

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Múm – Sing Along to Songs You Don’t Know

Categories: Classical, Jazz & Avant, World Music Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Pink Martini @ OBF/Hult Center (Eugene, OR – 6/26/10)

27th Jun 10 (Sun) 3 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

The only appropriate way to explain the multi-culturally influenced, genre hopping band Pink Martini is that they are an Oregonian treasure.  You expect some schizophrenia when you mix classical, big band, jazz, and pop with vocals in not only English, but also French, two dialects of Italian, Japanese and Turkish.  However, that schizophrenic expectation melts away when you see how seamlessly they stir the musical melting pot.

Since 1994, Pink Martini has wowed not only their local Portland Oregonians, but also the world – Europe, Asia, Greece, Turkey, the Middle East, Northern Africa, Australia and New Zealand, and North America.  And while Pink Martini aren’t strangers to Eugene (we’re only 100+ miles south of their hometown), this was their first appearance at the Oregon Bach Festival (OBF).

The “mini orchestra” last night was led by pianist/founder Thomas Lauderdale and vocalist China Forbes and includes Timothy Nishimoto (vocals and percussion), Robert Taylor (trombone), Gavin Bondy (trumpet), Phil Baker (bass), Dan Faehnle (guitar), Nicholas Crosa (violin), Maureen Love (harp), Brian Davis (congas, drums and percussion), Derek Rieth (percussion), Martín Zarzar (drums) and more (names announced that weren’t in the program but I didn’t catch).

Saturday’s concert was only the second day of 2010’s OBF, and Pink Martini played the first bit of Bach for the Fest – Double Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor.  Pink Martini also dug into many songs from their excellent back catalogue, as well as a few new tunes – including the Turkish song “A Dusty Road” from their upcoming symphonic release.

Setlist: 2 sets spanning 2+ hours

  • Set 1: Bolero
  • Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love
  • Sympathique
  • Lilly
  • Kikuchiyo To Mohshimasu
  • big band instrumental song with band solos
  • Fantasy in F-minor for Piano and 4 Hands (Schubert)
  • And Then You’re Gone
  • But Now I’m Back
  • Double Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor (Bach)
  • Splendor in the Grass
  • instrumental song – Spanish flavor
  • Set 2: Ninna Nanna
  • Tempo Perdido (Adolfo Alves)
  • Over the Valley
  • Tuca Tuca
  • Hey Eugene
  • A Dusty Road
  • Hang On Little Tomato
  • Dosvedanya Mio Bombino
  • Encore: Amado Mio
  • Brazil

Some fan favorites throughout the double set were the entrance of China Forbes with “Let’s Never Stop Falling in Love,” the tango-rific “Lilly,” and the Schubert-inspired “And Then You’re Gone” (with China on vocals) and “But Now I’m Back” (featuring Timothy Nishimoto’s vocal response).  Even though the song is not about our fair city, “Hey Eugene” got the biggest crowd reaction.  To cap the wonderful night of music, Pink Martini got the crowd on their feet for a conga line with “Brazil.”  This was a wonderful ensemble opening to the two week long 40th Annual Oregon Bach Festival.

OBF attendees can win a chance to “cuddle up with Pink Martini.” There is a raffle to win this beautiful Pink Martini quilt (pictured at the right), handsewn by Corvallis fiber artist Karen Illman Miller. It has the band members’ autographs inscribed on each of the pink fabric martini glasses. Miller designed the quilt she calls “Singing the Blues” to help mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Corvallis Youth Symphony in 2007 (Pink Martini had performed with the CYS the prior year). Raffle tickets for the Pink Martini quilt are only $5 and on sale at the Bach Boutique in the Hult Center lobby, where the quilt is on display. The winner will be announced on July 11, prior to the Festival’s Eugene performance of Elijah. All proceeds from the raffle benefit the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy Scholarship Fund.

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

More upcoming OBF shows are running through July 10th.  Find out more at http://oregonbachfestival.com/events/

~Dan – np: Damien Jurado – Saint Bartlett

PINK MARTINI at OBF PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Higher Resolution (7 pics)

Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (34 pics)

<p style=”text-align:center;”><span style=”color:#800000;”><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”><strong>PINK MARTINI PHOTOS

</strong></span></span><strong><span style=”font-size:x-small;”>all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,

you may use freely under a <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/&#8221; target=“_blank”>creative commons attribution</a></span></strong>

<p style=”text-align:center;”><em><span style=”color:#800000;”>(click for larger)</span></em></p>

<p style=”text-align:center;”><strong><span style=”color:#0000ff;”><em>Higher Resolution (7 pics)</em></span></strong>

<p align=center><a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini01.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn01.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini02.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn02.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini03.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn03.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini04.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn04.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini05.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn05.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini06.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn06.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini07.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn07.jpg”></a&gt; </p>

<p style=”text-align:center;”><strong><span style=”color:#0000ff;”><em>Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (34 pics)</em></span></strong>

<p align=center><a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini08.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn08.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini09.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn09.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini10.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn10.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini11.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn11.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini12.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn12.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini13.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn13.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini14.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn14.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini15.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn15.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini16.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn16.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini17.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn17.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini18.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn18.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini19.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn19.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini20.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn20.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini21.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn21.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini22.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn22.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini23.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn23.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini24.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn24.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini25.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn25.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini26.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn26.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini27.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn27.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini28.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn28.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini29.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn29.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini30.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn30.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini31.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn31.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini32.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn32.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini33.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn33.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini34.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn34.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini35.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn35.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini36.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn36.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini37.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn37.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini38.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn38.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini39.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn39.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini40.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn40.jpg”></a&gt; <a href=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/pinkmartini41.jpg&#8221; target=”_blank”><img title=”Pink Martini plays Oregon Bach Festival OBF in Eugene 2010, photo by Daniel Temmesfeld, cc 2010″ src=”http://www.unemployedingreenland.com/pics/pmobf2010/tn41.jpg”></a&gt; </p>

Categories: Classical, Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop, World Music Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Zappa Plays Zappa @ McDonald (Eugene, OR – 6/12/10)

13th Jun 10 (Sun) 3 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Five years running, Dweezil Zappa and his precision-cut Zappa Plays Zappa band have toured the world bringing us a different slice of Frank’s music to our ears. Past tours have featured players from Frank’s own classic ’70s and ’80s band arsenals: Steve Vai, Terry Bozzio, Napoleon Murphy Brock, Ray White and more. There are no “old guard” members present in the 2010 incarnation — but regardless of which musicians surround Dweezil’s guitar mastery, the fact remains that the genius, adventurous spirit birthed in Frank’s songs is still alive.

The ZPZ band this time around is Dweezil Zappa: Guitar; Scheila Gonzalez: Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards & Vocals; Pete Griffin: Bass; Billy Hulting: Marimba, Mallets & Percussion (and lead vocals for a bit); Jamie Kime: Guitar; Joe Travers: Drums & Vocals; Ben Thomas on lead vocals; and introducing Chris Norton on Keyboards & Vocals.

With no opener, the band kicked into their long set a little after 9pm… they played a super tight, super long set.  Having seen the ZBZ band with Napoleon Murphy Brock and Ray White in the past, I was skeptical of this “new guy” Ben Thomas.  He joined the ZPZ band after Ray White left the tour last year.  After the first vocal belt, there was no more skepticism… Ben can sing (and plays a mean trumpet, harmonica and cow bell, too).  He handled the lows and highs, and carried the tunes in a way that would have made Frank proud.

Throughout the set, each band member got their time to shine… “Echidna’s Arf” was probably the tightest song the band played… lightning fast, and spot on.  Dweezil had killer solos on “Florentine Pogen” and “Pick Me, I’m Clean.”  “Big Swifty” & “Mystery Roach” showed off great solos from Billy on marimba, Scheila on sax, and Jaime on guitar.  Joe’s drum solo at the end of “Latex Solar Beef” could have ended the show, but (lucky for us) they stayed out and finished the main set with “Apostrophe” that featured Pete’s fuzzy, dirty bass groove and solo.

Here’s what they played:

Setlist: about 2 & 1/2 hours

  • Purple Lagoon
  • Stinkfoot
  • Daddy Daddy Daddy
  • What Kind of Girl Do You Think We Are?
  • Florentine Pogen
  • Big Swifty
  • Mystery Roach
  • Advance Romance
  • The Blue Light
  • Pick Me, I’m Clean
  • Blessed Relief
  • Echidna’s Arf
  • Keep It Greasey
  • Easy Meat
  • The Little House I Used To Live In
  • Latex Solar Beef (with hints of Willie the Pimp)
  • Apostrophe
  • Encore: Lonely Little Girl
  • City of Tiny Lites
  • Cosmik Debris
  • I’m the Slime

As in the past, amazing musicians this time out. Some of the highlights were the aforementioned tight “Echidna’s Arf,” “Florentine Pogen,” and the more gentle “Blessed Relief.”  The only song I was craving that wasn’t played was “Peaches En Regalia,” but it was nice to hear some older, rarer Frank songs being trotted out in lieu of the “fan fave” Peaches.  As far as sound quality, near the front it was OK, but I heard from people in the middle and back that it was a bit muddy.  Regardless of that downside, the evening showed off a super tight band who gave their all!  ZPZ band, Eugene loves you!  Come back soon!

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Jóhann Jóhannsson – & In the Endless Pause There Came Sound of Bees

DWEEZIL ZAPPA PLAYS ZAPPA PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Higher Resolution (18 pics)

Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (32 pics)

Tour Dates

  • May 30, ’10 Chilicothe, IL Summer Camp Music Festival
  • Jun 3, ’10 Mexico City, MX Teatro de la Ciudad
  • Jun 5, ’10 Ozark, AR Wakarusa Festival
  • Jun 6, ’10 Kansas City, MO Crossroads
  • Jun 7, ’10 Denver, CO Paramount Theatre
  • Jun 8, ’10 Salt Lake City, UT The Depot
  • Jun 10, ’10 Ventura, CA Ventura Theater
  • Jun 11, ’10 Santa Rosa, CA Harmony Festival
  • Jun 12, ’10 Eugene, OR McDonald Theater
  • Jun 13, ’10 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
  • Jun 14, ’10 Seattle, WA Moore Theater
  • Jun 15, ’10 Vancouver, BC Orpheum Theater
  • Jun 17, ’10 Richmond, VA Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens
  • Jun 18, ’10 Pittsburgh, PA Palace Theatre
  • Jun 19, ’10 Tarrytown, NY Music Hall
  • Jun 24, ’10 Woodstock, NY Bearsville Theater
  • Jun 25, ’10 Providence, RI Lupo’s
  • Jun 26, ’10 Westbury, NY Westbury Music Theater
  • Jun 27, ’10 Atlantic City, NJ House of Blues
  • Jun 28, ’10 Verona, NY Turning Stone Resort and Casino
  • Jun 29, ’10 Niagara Falls, NY The Rapids Theatre
  • Jul 1, ’10 Bridgeport, CT The Klein
  • Jul 2, ’10 Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
  • Jul 3, ’10 Great Barington, MA The Mahaiwe
  • Jul 4, ’10 Oxford, ME Nateva Festival
  • Jul 5, ’10 Moncton, NS Capitol Theater
  • Jul 6, ’10 Halifax, NS Rebecca Cohn Auditorium
  • Jul 9, ’10 Amsterdam, NL Melkweg
  • Jul 10, ’10 TBA, TBA Soon
  • Jul 11, ’10 Weert, NL Bospop Restival
  • Jul 12, ’10 Antwerp, BE Openluchttheater
  • Jul 14, ’10 Tel Aviv, IL Hangar 11
  • Jul 19, ’10 Nice, FR Nice Jazz Festival
  • Jul 21, ’10 Cambridge, UK Cambridge Corn Exchange
  • Jul 22, ’10 Brighton, UK Brighton Centre
  • Jul 23, ’10 Wolverhampton, UK Wolverhampton Civic Hall
  • Jul 24, ’10 London, UK London Classic Rock Festival
  • Jul 25, ’10 Liverpool, UK Liverpool Summer Pops Festival
  • Jul 26, ’10 Glasgow, UK Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
  • Jul 27, ’10 Gateshead, UK Gateshead The Sage

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Holy Fuck @ Mississippi Studios (Portland, OR – 6/6/10)

7th Jun 10 (Mon) 2 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

“Analog electronica at its finest.”

One of the best bands that you may have never heard of because of a fear of the unknown and/or an aversion to George Carlin’s Seven Dirty Words is Toronto’s experimental electro-rock band Holy Fuck.

Starting off more experimental with their self-titled debut in 2005 and moving into a more groove-fueled diet of instrumental rock in 2007, Holy Fuck has been tearing up clubs around Canada, Europe, and the United States for the past few years.  Their records are superb, and their live shows are even better.  This show in Portland was stacked with some other electro-pop favorites…

Portland-based Fake Drugs went on a little after 9pm.  They are made up of a few guys from Starfucker – Keil Corcoran and Shawn Glassford.  Their sound was a nice pop electronic.  Primarily rhythm guitar & live drums with primarily pre-recorded keyboards & loops.  Danceable and fun… not what I expected from Starfucker gents, but a good warm up.

Another Portland band, Nice Nice had a great electro-pop sound.  This two piece band was the primary tour support for Holy Fuck.  Fewer guys on stage compared to Fake Drugs, but it seemed like they had more going on.  The drummer played both live drums and electronic drum pads… there was a nice juxtaposition of both the organic and artificial sounds – usually intertwined with each song.  The singer played keys, electronic drum pads, as well as guitar.  They have a building, electronic-rock sound, much like Holy Fuck… they meshed really well, and I can see why HF brought them along.

On to Holy Fuck…

The seemingly scattered performance with keyboards, toy instruments, live drums & bass, 35mm audio strip replay, guitars, and distorted vocals ultimately leads into the music that is undeniably catchy and composed.  Brian Borchedt and Graham Walsh man the up-front melodic and non-melodic drive of the band, and bassist Matt McQuaid and drummer Matt Schulz are an excellent battery to fuel the groove.  They’re out supporting their latest, excellent record, LATIN.  It’s out now on CD, vinyl, and download formats (click picture to the right).  Personally speaking, it’s one of my favorite albums this year so far.

Holy Fuck went on at 11:25 and kicked it right off with the charged “Latin America.”  The band seemed pretty charged up, especially bassist Matt McQ… who really looked to be having a blast.  They plowed through an over hour set, hitting many of their new tunes, with some choice cuts from LP and the new version “Jungles” (on the +Ghost EP, based on the 2005 debut’s “Tonebank Jungle”).

Even if you aren’t a dancin’ fool… you’ll usually be turned into one at a Holy Fuck show.  The very danceable set was met with a severe lack of dancing from the crowd compared to past shows I’ve witnessed.  Perhaps it was a “Portland on a rainy Sunday” thing, because Holy Fuck was deep in the groove but the crowd seemed more concerned with their PBR’s.  Regardless of the “dancin’ deficit,” the crowd definitely showed their appreciation for the mighty HF via hoots & hollers…

Here’s what they played as best I remembered the song names…

Setlist: ~70 mins

  • Latin America
  • Super Inuit
  • Foxy
  • Jungles
  • 1MD / Red Lights
  • SHT MTN
  • Frenchy’s
  • Stay Lit
  • Lovely Allen
  • The Pulse
  • Stilettos
  • Encore: unknown… a really dirty, fuzzed out riff
  • P.I.G.S.

Brilliant show… my favorite was Red Lights, and its deep groove and killer bass.  Jungles and Stay Lit were close behind.  Stay Lit is probably HF’s most mellow song, and it features Brian on guitar instead of the electronics table.  They ended the night with a new song (or at least new to me) featuring a really fuzzy, dirty bass followed by P.I.G.S..

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Frank Zappa – Waka/Jawaka

HOLY FUCK, FAKE DRUGS & NICE NICE PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Holy Fuck 2010 N.A. Tour Dates (so far)

  • May 28 Le Poisson Rouge New York, New York #
  • May 29 The Middle East Cambridge, Massachusetts #
  • May 30 Johnny Brenda’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania #
  • May 31 Rock N Roll Hotel Washington, Washington DC #
  • Jun 1 Grog Shop Cleveland Heights, Ohio #
  • Jun 3 Turf Club Saint Paul, Minnesota #
  • Jun 6 Mississippi Studios Portland, Oregon #
  • Jun 8 The Independent San Francisco, California #
  • Jun 10 Troubadour Los Angeles, California #
  • Jul 5 Club Soda – Festival International de Jazz de Montreal Montreal, Quebec
  • Jul 9 Molson Amphitheatre Toronto, Ontario ^
  • Jul 30 Sappyfest Sackville, New Brunswick
    # w/ Nice Nice
    ^ w/ Metric and Passion Pit
Categories: Concert Photos, Indie Rock, Jazz & Avant, Post-rock Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Charlie Hunter @ WOW Hall (Eugene, OR – 5/18/10)

19th May 10 (Wed) 3 comments

Charlie Hunter‘s new CD Gentlemen, I Neglected To Inform You You Will Not Be Getting Paid was the first CD through the gates in 2010.  The CD is named after a saying from an undisclosed curmudgeon musician who used to pull that on his players (no, it’s not indicative of Charlie’s payment habits). 

The album is a fun jaunt full of the groove-laden jazz that Charlie Hunter fans know and love.  It’s a highly recommended purchase for 2010… (pictured to the right)

The current “Evening with Charlie Hunter” tour is slightly stripped down compared to the album… it features Hunter on guitar, Ron Miles (trumpet) & Eric Kalb (drums).  They hit the WOW Hall stage just after 8pm and played two sets and a long encore… well over two solid hours.  All three men played effortlessly… their first set was smokey and soulful.  Their second set was a bit more upbeat with more solos, including a few standards mixed in with the Neglected tunes.

Eric and Ron were very tight players, with stunning solos in their own right.  Eric had a great feel, and while I think Ron stayed in the shadows more during the sets, the trumpet flavor he added to the trio was a perfect fit.

One of the most amazing things from the night was watching Charlie play.  His seeming ease at which he plays bass and guitar on one instrument is stunning (and curse-worthy for the guitar aficionado in the crowd).  If you weren’t watching the stage, you’d easily be fooled that it was a quartet and not a trio.  It’s quite an amazing thing to see and hear.  He’s so unassuming about it, too… a showman without the show-off attitude.

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Method of Defiance – Inamorata

CHARLIE HUNTER PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Charlie Hunter @ WOW Hall (5/18)

18th May 10 (Tue) Leave a comment

The Charlie Hunter review with photos will be posted either late Wednesday or Thursday… in short: amazing!

~Dan

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop Tags: , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: That 1 Guy & Boy Eats Drum Machine @ WOW Hall (Eugene, OR – 5/15/10)

16th May 10 (Sun) 4 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

I’ve been a fan of That 1 Guy and the Magic Pipe since seeing him a dank club in Cincinnati opening for Drums & Tuba in the early 2000s.  He’s toured incessantly throughout the decade, hitting some major festivals and being a supporting act for some big bands.  It’s been nice to see his fanbase grow, and at many times I didn’t think his music was growing all that much.  Well, he proves us wrong with his fourth record, Packs a Wallop.  He seems to have found a nice balance between the experimentation and the groove.  The lyrical silliness is still there, but that’s part of the charm…

The opener was Portland’s Boy Eats Drum Machine.  Boy Eats Drum Machine is a one man band made up of Jon Ragel and his musical toys. I was only familiar with the video for “Hoop + Wire” (see below).  It’s a clever video, but I didn’t think it gave any insight into his live set.  Well, the Eugene crowd was blown away, to say the least.   He put out an incredibly danceable mix of record spinning, drum machine, live drums, saxophone and vocals.  He has a great voice, passion, and energy.

Boy Eats Drum Machine “Hoop + Wire”

Well, no, his live set wasn’t stop-motion animation, but it was as full of energy and fun as the video shows.  Eugene ate Boy Eats Drum Machine.  Portland, you can’t have him back!!

After only a short break, Mike Silverman aka That 1 Guy joined the Magic Pipe on stage for almost two and a half hours of lights, smoke, lasers, and all around jam-worthy tom-foolery…

Mr. Guy played almost non-stop, busting through his catalogue… playing many tunes from his latest album…

Setlist: almost 2 1/2 hours

  • Modern Man
  • Packs a Wallop
  • Buttmachine (with extended jam)
  • How’s Bout Them Holes In The Moon (Butter Side Down)
  • Heaven or Heck
  • Jam
  • Stones Throw
  • Oranges
  • Bananas
  • Laser Beans
  • Step Into Striped Light
  • Mustaches
  • Jam
  • Rainbow
  • Dig
  • One
  • “Magic Show”
  • Credit Card Jam
  • Lounge Outtro
  • Encore: Weasel Potpie
  • The Moon is Disgusting
  • Word Up (Cameo cover)
  • Lounge Outtro

Of the frequent stops through Eugene, this one seemed to be the most action packed.  He had full reign to play a longer set, and his light show has definitely stepped up a notch (I did miss the Mustaches & Laser Beams tour; so maybe this is just a continuation).  He pulled out the magic saw and magic boot near the end of the show.  He also treated the crowd to his magic card tricks and laser bows.  Ever the showman, he was soaking wet by the end of the night, yet still full of energy…

many more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Ben Goldberg Quartet plays Masada Book Two – Book of Angels, Vol 15: Baal

THAT1GUY & BOY EATS DRUM MACHINE PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Categories: Concert Photos, Indie Rock, Jazz & Avant Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Nellie McKay @ Berbati’s Pan (Portland, OR – 3/31/10)

1st Apr 10 (Thu) 4 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

Nellie McKay‘s most recent album, As Normal As Blueberry Pie, came out last year, and while different from her prior records, it definitely fit in her catalog nicely.  It featured her at her campiest but also her jazziest, versus her edgier side. For evidence of the campiness, check out the lovely publicity shots over on nelliemckay.com.  The serious and silliness perfectly fit her personality.  I wouldn’t want Nellie any other way.

On to the show…

The venue, Berbati’s Pan, was known to me more for its rock acts.  The “jazzy, bluesy, singer-songwriter evening” in store for us was bound to be a big question mark regarding how it would come across… well, it was delightful.  The lighting and small couches on the outskirts of the club made for a nice atmosphere.  We got to the show just before Howard went on.  Most of the people were hanging out on the chairs & couches; so we got some spots right up front.

Howard Fishman opened up the show and hit the stage around 8:45pm.  He played guitar in Nellie’s backing band, the Aristocrats, last fall.  He played a good set of bluesy standards and originals.  He had a lap steel guitarist, Henry Bogdan, playing with him.  He played about 25-30 minutes, primarily “upbeat blues” tunes… with a few darker tunes thrown in near the end.  Some of my favorites were “The One Rose (That’s Left in My Heart),” a silly song about the Red Sox, and the capper called “Best Days.”

After a short break, Nellie hit the stage alongside both Howard and Henry around 9:20pm.  Her set was a more stripped down version of what she brought to Seattle last fall.  A great selection of Doris Day and other older standards, with a few of her own songs thrown in for good measure.  Her originals were some of my favorites for the night – specifically “Toto Dies” and “The Dog Song.”  The newer cover tunes added to her setlist – “Small Day Tomorrow” and “Two Sleepy People” – were really great as well.

She was a giddy and lovable as usual… very jokey and generally in a delightful mood.

Setlist: about 75 minutes

  • Do Do Do (Doris Day cover)
  • Sentimental Journey (Doris Day Cover)
  • A Wonderful Guy (Doris Day cover)
  • Georgie Girl (The Seekers cover)
  • Mean to Me (Doris Day cover)
  • Prisoner of Love (Kitty Wells cover)
  • Close Your Eyes (Doris Day cover)
  • “Happy Birthday” (to Becky)
  • If I Ever Had a Dream
  • Toto Dies
  • P.S. I Love You
  • Mother of Pearl
  • Alone When It Rains (duet with Howard Fishman)
  • The Dog Song
  • A-Tisket, A-Tasket (Ella Fitzgerald cover)
  • Small Day Tomorrow (Bob Dorough / Fran Landesman cover)
  • Crazy Rhythm (Doris Day cover)
  • Encore: “Old-fashioned Bodega” (title unknown)
  • Two Sleepy People (Hoagy Carmichael cover, duet with Howard Fishman)


many more photos below

Howard joined her on vocals on two songs.  “Alone When It Rains” is actually a song of his, which was sung last night as a tribute to her former dog, Charro.  The Hoagy Carmichael duet (“Two Sleepy People”) had a giggle-fit lyrical screw up, but they kept rolling with it.  Henry’s lap steel changed the Doris Day sound to a more bluesy feel from the jazz sound of the Aristocrats backing band.  The more stripped down Nellie backing band was a treat.  I hope she keeps on swinging through the Pacific Northwest.

They’re off to Seattle next (check out more tour dates below).  Catch them if you can!

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Coheed & Cambria – Year of the Black Rainbow

no free download or torrent here
2010 Tour Dates (so far)

  • 3/28/2010 Los Angeles, CA Alex Theatre
  • 3/29/2010 San Francisco, CA Great American Music Hall
  • 3/31/2010 Portland, OR Berbati’s Pan
  • 4/3/2010 Seattle, WA Paramount Theater A Prairie Home Companion
  • 4/10/2010 Delaware Water Gap, PA Deerhead Inn
  • 5/15/2010 Sellersville, Pennsylvania Sellersville Theater 1894
  • 6/1/2010 through 6/12/2010 New York, NY Feinstein’s at The Regency
  • 9/17/2010 Monterey, California, United States Monterey Jazz Festival

NELLIE McKAY with HOWARD FISHMAN PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

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Categories: Concert Photos, Indie Rock, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop, Singer-Songwriter Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PDX Jazz Photo Wrap-up

2nd Mar 10 (Tue) Leave a comment

As mentioned earlier, there is a Flickr stream for all official Portland Jazz Festival 2010 photos by Fran Kaufman.  Check them out, they capture various aspects of the fest from shows, jam sessions, interviews, et cetera…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pdxjazz/
(click link for larger photos)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pdxjazz/
(photos by Fran Kaufman)

And if you missed it, check out my reviews for Dave Holland Quintet (2/27), Pharoah Sanders (2/28), and Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy (2/28).  It was a truly fantastic weekend.  Also check out Oregon Music News’ complete coverage…

Stay tuned to http://www.pdxjazz.com/.  Sign up for their mailing list and be there for next year’s fest!

~Dan – np: First Meeting (Satoko Fujii, Natsuki Tamura, etc) – Cut the Rope 

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant Tags: , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Dave Douglas @ PDX Jazz Fest (Portland, OR – 2/28/10)

1st Mar 10 (Mon) 5 comments

Right on the heels of Portland Jazz Fest‘s Dave Holland Quintet and Pharoah Sanders, was Dave Douglas and his Brass Ecstasy band – the capper to the festival.  I’d seen Dave Douglas four times before, twice with John Zorn‘s Masada quartet and twice with SF Jazz Collective (with Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon and others).  I was looking forward to seeing my first show with Dave Douglas as primary bandleader.

This new band of his features Dave Douglas on trumpet, Vincent Chancey on french horn, Luis Bonilla on trombone, Marcus Rojas on tuba, and Nasheet Waits on drums.  Their debut album, Spirit Moves, came out last year, and it was in my Top 5 Instrumental Albums from 2009.  Go get it!

They hit the stage shortly after 7:30pm and went right into the title track from their record, “Spirit Moves.”  It’s a fun number and a great start to the set.  Right after that, they did a lengthy version of “Bowie,” which is dedicated to Lester Bowie.  It was fun to see that song breathe and take over the room.  I’m also impressed by Luis Bonilla’s soloing on it.  It has to be difficult to solo on a trombone…

The trombone, horn, and definitely tuba drive the sound of this band to a familiar New Orleans street band – which I’d imagine was what Dave Douglas was aiming his sights towards.  Marcus Rojas also did some “tuba beat boxing” to mix things up.

I knew all of the songs they played, but luckily Dave announced them from the stage (yay, I didn’t have to keep them all up in my head)…

Setlist: about 90 minutes

  • Spirit Moves
  • Bowie
  • I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Hank Williams)
  • Fats
  • Rava
  • Awake Nu (Don Cherry)
  • The Brass Ring (with drum solo)
  • Mr Pitiful (Otis Redding)
  • Encore: Twilight of the Dogs

All members got their fair share of solos.  The drum solo on “The Brass Ring” was fantastic, and Dave Douglas’s trumpet solos were colorful and vibrant, as usual.  Favorites of the night were the bebop of “Fats,” and the acrobatic trumpet on “Rava.”  Dave played a lot of that song off mic, yet his sound carried throughout the room.  Thank you Portland Jazz Fest!  It was a wonderful weekend of great music.  See you next year!

I took a few iPhone photos.  I wish I was able to bring in my regular camera, as I was right up front and the iPhone only takes marginal photos at best (::sigh::).  Anyway, check out my photos below, or check the link at the bottom for PDX Jazz’s Flickr photo stream.

DAVE DOUGLAS’ BRASS ECSTASY PHOTOS
these pictures are (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

For photos from this and other PDX Jazz shows, check out PDX Jazz’s flickr stream:



(photos by Fran Kaufman)

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Susie Ibarra & Roberto Rodriguez – Electric Kulintang

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REVIEW: Pharoah Sanders @ PDX Jazz Fest (Portland, OR – 2/28/10)

1st Mar 10 (Mon) 4 comments

So, Pharoah Sanders is a legend.  He’s played with jazz great John Coltrane, and his tenor sax work has eclipsed those around him.  Free-jazzmaster Ornette Coleman referred to Pharoah as “probably the best tenor player in the world.”  He has a large swath of albums over the past 5 decades.  Passing up an afternoon concert at this year’s Portland Jazz Fest wasn’t an option. :)

I was just at the Newmark Theatre the night prior for the smokin’ Dave Holland Quintet show.  My seat for Pharoah was is almost the exact same spot (L12 versus L11).  I got a good spot right in the middle to check out Pharoah’s band: William Henderson on piano, Hans Glawischnig on bass, and Justin Faulkner on drums.  After a short introduction, the band hit the stage – Pharoah in a bright purple shirt…

The feel of the show was all over the place.  When Pharoah first started, it was quite remarkable.  He doesn’t play in straight lines, but your mind tends to connect those lines right as his sax is connecting them for you.  He seemed very much like a songbird who was free to sing what he wanted – but still very melodic.  He was very much like a bridge between John Coltrane and the more free-jazz Ornette Coleman.

They started off the show with a 25+ minute “My Favorite Things.”  Most of the rest of the 2+ hour show was the power trio of piano/bass/drums playing with Pharoah walking on and off stage and jumping in where he saw fit.  His long disappearances were interesting, but a 70 year old jazz legend can do whatever he wants. :)  On three of the songs, Portland (now New Orleans) saxophonist Devon Phillips came up and joined the band.

They played 6 or 7 tunes, and ended the show with an encore of “Save Our Children,” sung by Pharoah.  2 hours in total… utterly brilliant work from this master and his great band.

For photos from this and other PDX Jazz shows, check out PDX Jazz’s flickr stream:

(photos by Fran Kaufman)

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: David Bazan – Curse Your Branches

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Dave Holland @ PDX Jazz (Portland, OR – 2/27/10)

28th Feb 10 (Sun) 5 comments

I got into Dave Holland around the same time as a lot of other jazz.  I got into jazz through the backdoor (John Zorn) and then slowly moved into the more straight ahead jazz.  I think I can officially blame Ken Laster and his In the Groove, Jazz and Beyond podcast for playing a lot of Dave Holland.  Anyway, shortly after hearing Holland, I picked up Extended Play: Live at Birdland and Critical Mass.  Both are great, but the latter is quite fetching.  When I found out he was one of the headliners at this year’s Portland Jazz Fest, I was stoked.

I was equally stoked that he’d be bringing saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Nate Smith with him.  I saw Chris & Nate play in Cincinnati a few years back, and I loved both of them but was quite entranced with Nate’s drumming.  His flow and style are a sight to behold.

Well, on to the show…

I missed PDX Jazz Fest last year.  I was deeply entrenched in busy season at work (I’m a CPA), and perhaps there wasn’t as big of a draw in 2009 as in 2008 (SF Jazz Collective and Ornette Coleman).  2010, well, that’s another story… as I ended up staying the night to catch two shows on Sunday, too (check back for the Pharoah Sanders and Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy reviews on Monday).  Anyway, no cameras allowed.  I took a couple with my iPhone, but they didn’t come out all that well; so, yeah, I’m not posting them.

The band went on around 7:40pm after a short introduction.  The band was Dave Holland on upright bass, the aforementioned Chris Potter (sax) and Nate Smith (drums), along with Alex Sipiagin on trumpet and Steve Nelson on vibes.  The first thing I noted was how Dave’s bass really breathed.  There’s a reason why he’s a heavyweight in the jazz world.  His tone, his swing, his lyricism – all very prevalent.

They started off with “Step To It,” which started with Nate Smith drumming barehanded and featured a massive Chris Potter solo, and was capped off with a great gentle back and forth between Dave and Nate.  Here’s how it all went down last night…

Setlist: 95 minutes

  • Step To It
  • Last Minute Men
  • Looking Up
  • Cosmosis
  • Make Believe
  • Free For All
  • Encore: Easy Did It

“Cosmosis” and the encore “Easy Did It” both featured great Dave Holland solos.  On “Free For All,” Nate Smith drum solo was quite playful.  He was going all out, and actually lost one of his drumsticks amidst his free for all.  I haven’t mentioned Alex or Steve yet… both were great, but didn’t seem to take as many solos as Chris or Nate.  Alex’s few solos were superb.  I love some good trumpet music (hence my Sunday plans for Dave Douglas).  Steve’s vibe work was great, moreso as a back-up for the band (his solos didn’t do much for me).  I think as far as a quintet goes, I’d opt for piano over vibes (especially with an already powerful drummer on the stage).

All in all, Dave Holland reaffirmed his place with me as a force to reckon with.  They played over an hour and half, and it seemed like it was about 20 minutes.  It totally flew by and was highly energetic.  I hope he brings this band around sometime soon!

For photos from this and other PDX Jazz shows, check out PDX Jazz’s flickr stream:


(photos by Fran Kaufman)

Well, off to the next show, Damien Jurado across town at the Mississippi Studios…

The Appropriate Linkage:

~Dan – np: Dave Douglas’ Brass Ecstasy – Spirit Moves

Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

REVIEW: Medeski Martin & Wood @ McDonald (Eugene, OR – 2/25/10)

26th Feb 10 (Fri) 6 comments

FYI… PHOTOS of the SHOW at the BOTTOM

This was my fourth time seeing the great trio of Medeski Martin & Wood… and the second time as an “evening with,” which tends to work out nicely for a weekday concert.  No painful opener to sit through, and less likely a late show time.

We got to the venue only a few minutes before they went on.  They came out around 8:20 and started off with one or two from Zaebos, their album from John Zorn‘s Masada Book Two: Book of Angels series.  From there, they hopped right into a Medeski-keys-oriented tune and a more exotica piece.  Overall, their show last night was definitely more of the MMW groove show, versus a improvisational MMW “messin’ around” kind of show.  Sure, at one point illyB pulled out the ducks calls while Chris and John noodled around, but then they ripped right back into the more lyrical pieces.

McDonald had the floor set up with chairs for the evening, which was a shock for me.  The crowd started out in chairs, but by the third song, they were moving up the aisles and dancing.  When MMW came back out for the second set, it was pretty much a dance party… well, a dance party with a bunch of pesky chairs in the way.

I’ll post the setlist when/if I find it… again, I recognized a couple Zaebos tunes, plus I’m pretty sure they played “Amber Gris,” “Padrecito,” “Amish Pinxtos,” “Reliquary,” “Free Go Lily,” and a few more Radiolarians tracks.  Don’t quote me on all of those songs, but it was definitely a Radiolarians-heavy show.

Setlist: (thanks, nastyshadows!)

  • Set 1: Agmatia
  • Pappy Check
  • Broken Mirror >
  • Disrobe >
  • Open Improv >
  • Padrecito
  • Amber Gris
  • Set 2: Free Go Lily
  • Jean’s Scene
  • Reliquary
  • New Planet
  • Cloud Wars
  • Encore: Bass Solo >
  • Chubb Sub

Two hour-long sets plus encore (which started out with a nice Chris Wood bass solo).  Excellent show.  Medeski Martin & Wood do not disappoint.

more photos below

The Appropriate Linkage:

Check out more tour dates below.

~Dan – np: Dave Holland Quintet – Critical Mass

MEDESKI MARTIN & WOOD PHOTOS
all pictures (cc) 2010 Daniel Temmesfeld,
you may use freely under a creative commons attribution

(click for larger)

Higher Resolution (9 pics)

Limited to 1200 pixels wide or tall (21 pics)

February 2010 Tour Dates

  • 17 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
  • 18 – Los Angeles, CA – El Rey Theatre
  • 19 – Anaheim, CA – House of Blues
  • 20 – Santa Cruz, CA – Rio Theatre
  • 21 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
  • 23 – Petaluma, CA – The Mystic Theatre
  • 24 – Crystal Bay, NV – Crystal Bay Club Crown Room
  • 25 – Eugene, OR – McDonald Theatre
  • 26 – Portland, OR – Roseland Theater
  • 27 – Seattle, WA – Showbox at The Market
Categories: Concert Photos, Jazz & Avant, Rock & Pop Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

PDX Jazz Fest :: Dave Douglas & Brass Ecstasy

16th Feb 10 (Tue) Leave a comment

Well, the PDX Jazzfest in Portland, Oregon, is only 1 week away.  You won’t want to miss it.  There are many fantastic local and national acts, including these great headliners:

Thursday, February 25 – Luciana Souza
Friday, February 26 – Mingus Big Band
Saturday, February 27 (3pm) – Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli
Saturday, February 27 (7:30) – Dave Holland Quintet
Sunday, February 28 (3pm) – Pharoah Sanders
Sunday, February 28 (7:30) – Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy

As we lead up to the event, I’ll focus on one of the headliners a week… last up Dave Douglas and his horny band Brass Ecstasy.  I’ll be going to this show, which caps the PDX Jazz Fest.  I got into Dave Douglas via John Zorn’s Masada.  I’ve since gotten into Dave’s other bands: Tiny Bell Trio, Keystone, DD Quartet, DD Quintet, SF Jazz Collective, Second Sight, New & Used, Mosiac Sextet, Orange Then Blue, A Single Sky… tons of releases over 20+ years.

His Brass Ecstasy band released their debut recording, Spirit Moves, in 2009 – which features Dave joined by Vincent Chancey on french horn, Luis Bonilla on trombone, Marcus Rojas on tuba, and Nasheet Waits on drums and releases on Greenleaf Music.

Two-time Grammy-nominated jazz musician Dave Douglas is arguably the most prolific and original trumpeter & composer of his generation. From his New York base, where he’s lived since the mid 1980s, Douglas has continued to earn lavish national and international acclaim including trumpeter, composer, and jazz “Artist of the Year” by such organizations as the New York Jazz Awards, Down Beat, Jazz Times, Jazziz, and the Italian Jazz Critics’ Society. His solo recording career began in 1993 with Parallel Worlds on Soul Note and he has since released over twenty-eight recordings. In 2005, after seven critically-acclaimed albums for Bluebird/RCA, Douglas launched his own record label, Greenleaf Music. The same year, he was honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship. On Greenleaf, Douglas has released albums with his long standing Quintet, the electronic sextet Keystone, and the mixed chamber ensemble Nomad. His latest project, Brass Ecstasy, features a brass quintet of trumpet, french horn, trombone, tuba and drums and will release Spring 2009.

Douglas is currently the artistic director of the Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music at the Banff Center and the co-founder and director of the Festival of New Trumpet Music, which will celebrate its 7th year in 2009.

In addition to leading his own groups, Douglas has an important ongoing musical relationship as a member of John Zorn’s Masada and with artists such as Anthony Braxton, Don Byron, Joe Lovano, Miguel Zenon, Uri Caine, Bill Frisell, Cibo Matto, Mark Dresser, Han Bennink and Misha Mengelberg. As a composer, Douglas has been commissioned by the Trisha Brown Dance Company, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Norddeutscher Rundfunk, Essen Philharmonie, Library of Congress and Stanford University. Recent large scale works have included Blue Latitudes, for chamber orchestra and 3 improvisers, and Delighted States, for big band with soloists (both unreleased as of press date).

Webpage: http://www.davedouglas.com/

FOR INFO & TICKETS: http://pdxjazz.com/tickets/

~Dan – np: Hotel Lights – Hotel Lights

Categories: Jazz & Avant, Music News Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

PDX Jazz Fest :: Pharoah Sanders

9th Feb 10 (Tue) 3 comments

Well, the PDX Jazzfest in Portland, Oregon, is about 2 weeks away. You won’t want to miss it. There are many fantastic local and national acts, including these great headliners:

Thursday, February 25 – Luciana Souza
Friday, February 26 – Mingus Big Band
Saturday, February 27 (3pm) – Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli
Saturday, February 27 (7:30) – Dave Holland Quintet
Sunday, February 28 (3pm) – Pharoah Sanders
Sunday, February 28 (7:30) – Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy

As we lead up to the event, I’ll focus on one of the headliners a week… next up Pharoah Sanders.

Pharoah Sanders is a most distinctive tenor saxophone player and a legend, he’s one of the last living members of John Coltrane’s late ensembles of the mid-’60s.  Pharoah Sanders possesses one of the most distinctive tenor saxophone sounds in jazz. Harmonically rich and heavy with overtones, Sanders’ sound can be as raw and abrasive as it is possible for a saxophonist to produce, and although he made his name with expressionistic, nearly anarchic free jazz in John Coltrane’s late ensembles of the mid-’60s, Sanders’ later music is guided by more graceful concerns.

Pharoah Sanders (his given name, Ferrell Sanders) formed his first group in 1963, with pianist John Hicks (with whom he would continue to play off-and-on into the ’90s), bassist Wilbur Ware, and drummer Billy Higgins. His first record as a leader was in 1964 for the ESP label. The group played an engagement at New York’s Village Gate, where John Coltrane heard him and by 1965, Sanders was playing regularly with the Coltrane group. Strength was a necessity in that band, and as Coltrane realized, Sanders had it in abundance.

After John Coltrane’s death in 1967, Sanders worked briefly with his widow, Alice Coltrane, and then primarily as a leader of his own ensembles. From 1966-1971, Sanders released several albums on Impulse, including Tauhid (1966), Karma (1969), Black Unity (1971), and Thembi (1971). In the mid-’70s, Sanders recorded his most commercial effort, Love Will Find a Way (Arista, 1977); it turned out to be a brief detour. From the late ’70s until 1987, he recorded for the small independent label Theresa. From 1987, Sanders recorded for the Evidence and Timeless labels. The former bought Theresa records in 1991 and subsequently re-released Sanders’ output for that company. In 1995, Sanders made his first major-label album in many years, Message From Home (produced by Bill Laswell for Verve). The two followed that one up in 1999 with Save Our Children. In 2000, Sanders released Spirits — a multi-ethnic live suite with Hamid Drake and Adam Rudolph. In the decades after his first recordings with Coltrane, Sanders developed the capability of playing convincingly in a variety of contexts, from free to mainstream, and as a mature artist he has discovered a hard-edged lyricism that has served him well.

Webpage: http://www.pharoahsanders.net/

FOR INFO & TICKETS: http://pdxjazz.com/tickets/

~Dan – np: Clare & The Reasons – The Movie

Categories: Jazz & Avant, Music News Tags: , , , , , , ,

PDX Jazz Fest :: Dave Holland Quintet

2nd Feb 10 (Tue) Leave a comment

Well, the PDX Jazzfest in Portland, Oregon, is about 3 weeks away. You won’t want to miss it. There are many fantastic local and national acts, including these great headliners:

Thursday, February 25 – Luciana Souza
Friday, February 26 – Mingus Big Band
Saturday, February 27 (3pm) – Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli
Saturday, February 27 (7:30) – Dave Holland Quintet
Sunday, February 28 (3pm) – Pharoah Sanders
Sunday, February 28 (7:30) – Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy

As we lead up to the event, I’ll focus on one of the headliners a week… next up the Dave Holland Quintet.

At the pinnacle of his career, Dave Holland has settled into the unassuming role of jazz master. The multi-award and poll-winning bassist, composer, arranger and bandleader leads two of the most vibrant groups in jazz: the Dave Holland Quintet and the Dave Holland Big Band. He has collaborated in two of the top jazz collectives of the decade: the ScoLoHoFo quartet comprised of Holland, John Scofield, Joe Lovano and Al Foster and the Herbie Hancock-piloted all-star quartet including Wayne Shorter and Brian Blade.

Though he’s too busy to be fully engaged in outside projects, Holland has played on recent Roy Haynes albums and recorded trio dates with such leaders as Geri Allen and Kenny Wheeler-all outings that he says he could not pass up. He even has taken his recording career into his own hands, launching his own label imprint, Dare2 Records in 2005.

A onetime sideman with two titans of jazz, Thelonious Monk (a short tenure) and Miles Davis (a seminal experience during the trumpeter’s Bitches Brew era), Holland made his debut as a leader in the early 1970s. He broke in as a leader with Music for Two Basses (1971) with Barre Phillips and Conference of the Birds (1972) with a band featuring Sam Rivers and Anthony Braxton. Holland also expanded his work as a side musician to include recording with a diversity of artists such as Bonnie Raitt (Give It Up, 1972), John Hartford (Morning Bugle, 1972) and Lee Konitz (Satori, 1974).

In recent years, his recording career has continued to flourish, recording such milestone albums as his quintet CD, Extended Play: Live at Birdland (2003) and two Grammy-winning big band discs, What Goes Around (2002) and the potent follow-up Overtime (2005). Continuing this impressive creative streak into 2006, Holland released a new quintet album, entitled Critical Mass. The album is the first new studio recording by the Dave Holland Quintet to be released in over five years and marks drummer Nate Smith’s debut recording with the band.

In regards to his quintet, Holland sees his band as representing the evolution of different types of rhythmic structures and forms that has been transforming the face of jazz in the last two decades. In his search to keep the music vital, Holland says the band has delved into the rhythmic traditions of Africa, India, South America and the Caribbean, as well as the innovations in contemporary music in the hip-hop and R&B worlds.

Webpage: http://www.daveholland.com/

FOR INFO & TICKETS: http://pdxjazz.com/tickets/

~Dan – np: Yuka Honda – Heart Chamber Phantoms

Categories: Jazz & Avant, Music News Tags: , , , , , , ,

PDX Jazz Fest :: Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli

26th Jan 10 (Tue) Leave a comment

Well, the PDX Jazzfest in Portland, Oregon, is about 4 weeks away. You won’t want to miss it. There are many fantastic local and national acts, including these great headliners:

Thursday, February 25 – Luciana Souza
Friday, February 26 – Mingus Big Band
Saturday, February 27 (3pm) – Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli
Saturday, February 27 (7:30) – Dave Holland Quintet
Sunday, February 28 (3pm) – Pharoah Sanders
Sunday, February 28 (7:30) – Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy

As we lead up to the event, I’ll focus on one of the headliners a week… this week is all about Norwegian jazz masters Trygve Seim & Frode Haltli.

A unique saxophone/accordion duo and key figures in the new Norwegian music, Trygve Seim and Frode Haltli have played together in many contexts. The accordionist joined Seim’s large ensemble for live performances after the release of Different Rivers in 2000, and participated in the recording of The Source and Different Cikadas later that year, as well as Sangam (recorded 2002-2004). He continues to tour regularly with Seim’s large ensemble. Trygve and Frode have been playing in duo since 2001: Yeraz is the first documentation of their work in this format.

The two musicians share an interest in the expressive potential of acoustic music across all stylistic boundaries, from world folk traditions to contemporary composition. Accordionist Frode Haltli came to contemporary music early, but simultaneously began playing folk music in his local village community, and at 13 was the youngest member of a traditional dance band. Folk has remained a thread in a musical life that embraces improvisation as well as performance of composed music with a special focus on modern composers. His prize winning debut album Looking on Darkness (ECM New Series, 2002) including the title piece written by Bent Sørensen, was a powerful summing up of new directions in Nordic composition. Passing Images (recorded 2004) made connections between folk and improvisation and pooled a team of maverick talents including classical violist Garth Knox, jazz trumpeter Arve Henriksen and singer/composer Maja Ratkje.

Inspired early in his creative life by Jan Garbarek and by Edward Vesala, Seim has worked in many modern jazz contexts, and continues to tour with Manu Katché’s group. In his own music, however, distance from conventional definitions of jazz becomes ever more marked. Investigation of Asian, Middle Eastern and East European music – and especially the sounds of the Armenian duduk, the Japanese shakuhachi, and the Indian bansuri flute – have had their impact on Seim’s music and brought about a redefining of the nature of dynamics. Subtle shadings and textures are part of his palette, and microtonal phrasing characteristic of his melodic approach.

Webpage: http://www.trygveseim.no/

Webpage: http://www.haltli.com/

FOR INFO & TICKETS: http://pdxjazz.com/tickets/

~Dan – np: Mycale play John Zorn’s Masada Book Two: Book of Angels, Vol. 13 – Mycale

Categories: Jazz & Avant, Music News Tags: , , , , , , ,