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SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news

November 2005 www.sandiegotroubadour.com Vol. 5, No. 2

what’s inside Welcome Mat ………3 The Ballad of Mission Statement Contributors Indie Girls Music Fests om rosseau Full Circle.. …………4 Counter Culture Coincidence Recordially, Lou Curtiss Front Porch... ………6 Tristan Prettyman Traditional Jazz Riffs Live Jazz Aaron Bowen Parlor Showcase …8 Tom Brosseau Ramblin’... …………10 Bluegrass Corner Zen of Recording Hosing Down Radio Daze Of Note. ……………12 Crash Carter D’vora Amelia Browning Peter Sprague Precious Bryant Aaron Bowen Blindspot The Storrow Band See Spot Run Tom Brosseau ‘Round About ...... …14 November Music Calendar The Local Seen ……15 Photo Page

NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR welcome mat

In Greek mythology Demeter was the most generous of the great Olympian goddesses, beloved for her service to mankind with the gift of the harvest, the reward for cultivating the soil. Also known as Ceres in Roman mythology, Demeter was credited with teaching humans how to grow, preserve, and prepare grain. Demeter was thought to be responsible for the fertility of the land. She was the only Greek SAN DIEGO goddess involved in the lives of the common folk on a day-to-day basis. While others occasionally “dabbled” in human affairs when it ROUBADOUR suited their personal interests, or came to the aid of “special” mortals they favored, Demeter was truly the nurturer of mankind. She was Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, also the only Greek goddess who could truly empathize with human suffering and grief, having fully experienced it herself. Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news A Season of Harvest MISSION CONTRIBUTORS To promote, encourage, and provide an San Diego Divas Jam in the Garden of Giving alternative voice for the great local FOUNDERS music that is generally overlooked by Ellen and Lyle Duplessie by Chuck Schiele cessfully set up preventive care clinics all over hurricanes. Donations of canned pet food and the mass media; namely the genres of Liz Abbott the U.S.” towels will go to the Helen Woodward Animal alternative country, Americana, roots, Kent Johnson ith a simple web search it doesn’t take I asked Kim how the show went in terms of Center, which is working with the St. Francis Animal Sanctuary of Louisiana, and also to their folk, blues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass. PUBLISHERS long for one to discover the fruits of goals and music fun. To entertain, educate, and bring togeth - AniMeals program, which distributes pet food to Liz Abbott Wseasonal generosity within the local “The show was definitely a success!” Kim seniors for their pets à la Meals on Wheels.“ er players, writers, and lovers of these Kent Johnson music scene — specifically, some of the ladies in continues. “We had a strong flow of people all forms; to explore their foundations; and our music scene and, even more specifically The show was a success and donations gen - night long. We raised $1,317 from door and raf - erated from the event went to the Interfaith to expand the audience for these types EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS than that, these ladies are creating important fle ticket sales, which was wonderful consider - Shelter Network for the Homeless, to the of music. Liz Abbott music events with a purpose. ing the recent hurricane tragedies and the many Storefront, and to the Helen Woodward Animal Chuck Schiele For advertising rates, call 619/298- donations and reaching out that is currently tak - Center in partnership with St. Francis Animal 8488 or e-mail [email protected]. ADVERTISING Sixth Annual GoGirls Music Fest ing place across the nation. We received huge Sanctuary in Louisiana. support from our many local sponsors, which Liz Abbott Coordinator: Kim DiVincenzo San Diego Troubadour enabled us to raffled off about $3,000 worth of Kent Johnson P.O. Box 164 prizes and merchandise, including concert tick - San Diego Indie Music Fest La Jolla, CA 92038 DISTRIBUTION ets, restaurant and theater gift certificates, CDs, Coordinators: Danielle LoPresti, Kelly E-mail: [email protected]. Lois Bach DVDs, and more. Everyone seemed to have a Bowen, and Alicia Champion Peter Bolland blast and were very generous in their donations. SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the local Greg Gohde It was such a great experience to work with so source for alternative country, Kevin Irvin many talented artists and local sponsors as well Americana, roots, folk, blues, gospel, Mark Jackson as contributing to a good cause that it would be jazz, and bluegrass music news, is pub - Jenna Duplessie Pabalate hard to pass up. I thoroughly enjoy planning big lished monthly and is free of charge. Bill Richardson events such as this and bringing great groups of Letters to the editor must be signed and Dave Sawyer people together for a night of fun. Coordinating may be edited for content. It is not, this year’s showcase has already fueled me with Kelly Bowen, Danielle LoPresti, Alicia Champion Chuck Schiele however, guaranteed that they will ideas for making next year more successful.” Indian Joe Stewart Kim DiVincenzo The San Diego Indie Music Fest is a landmark appear. And the good heart of Kim DiVincenzo con - event dedicated to supporting and celebrating Last month the Sixth Annual GoGirls MusicFest tinued harvesting when she took part in a con - All opinions expressed in SAN DIEGO PHOTOGRAPHY the independent musician, initiating discussion showcased the best local and regional indie cert on October 21 at Mira Mesa College in TROUBADOUR, unless otherwise stat - Steve Covault and education of all that is Indie, and fertilizing women in music in 13 cities around the country. Oceanside for a female-infused concert to raise ed, are solely the opinion of the writer the San Diego independent music scene. In the WEB MASTER The most recent installment of the fest in San money for another great cause, the American face of the current state of the music industry, and do not represent the opinions of the Will Edwards Diego was coordinated by local singer/song - Cancer Foundation. Go, girl, go! staff or management. All rights writer Kim DiVincenzo and took place October these three young women, in conjunction with reserved. WRITERS 8 at La Jolla’s Hard Rock Café. Hosted by Pete KPRI Radio, have come together to create a pro - Liz Abbott Thurston, the show featured performances by Second Annual National Make a totype for the present that will grow exponen - ©2005 San Diego Troubadour. tially with each new year, benefiting not only Alan Adams Renata Youngblood, Annie Bethancourt, the Difference Day Concert Lou Curtiss the artists but also the community wise enough Victoria Robertson Band, Kim DiVincenzo, Coordinators: Anita York and Eve Selis Simeon Flick Dropjoy, Evan Bethany, Pi, Ren Daversa, and to support and celebrate them. Businesses, ven - The San Diego Troubadour is Myrna Goodwyn Mermaid’s Journey. Proceeds went to The Lynne dors, artists, the media, and more will represent dedicated to the memory of Ellen and Kate Kowsh Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Research. their indie-minded missions at booths and Lyle Duplessie , whose vision inspired Jim McInnes tables throughout the event with information, I asked Kim what it was all about. the creation of this newspaper. Bart Mendoza CDs, and merchandise available for everyone in Gregory Page “GoGirlsMusicFest was created as a way to attendance, while indie music pours over the crowd. Chuck Schiele use the power of great music to raise awareness Diversity reigns at this year’s festival, with Sven-Erik Seaholm and funds for a reputable charity. [Past benefici - aries have included MusiCares, Rock ‘n’ Roll music ranging from rock to pop, R&B to hip- José Sinatra Mary Dolan Eve Selis Camp for Girls, the American Liver Foundation, hop, salsa, spoken word, folk music, and more. D. Dwight Worden and the Nicole Brown Charitable Foundation. The 12-hour two-stage show, which takes place John Philip Wyllie Since 2000 over 85 all-volunteer run shows on November 5 from noon until midnight, fea - Craig Yerkes have been held.] San Diego is just one of the 14 tures a most impressive 20 plus line-up of local Cover Design: Liz Abbott GoGirlsMusicFest events that took place across buzzmakers playing alongside national indie Cover Photo: Sam Jones the U.S. during the month of October, all to icons, including Veruca Salt, Alfred Howard and benefit the same foundation,” she explained. the K23 Orchestra, Hornswaggled, the Bellrays, “This year we decided to work with the Danielle LoPresti and the Masses, the Weepies, Lynne Cohen Foundation for Ovarian Cancer Peggy Lebo Patty Zlaket Alicia Champion, Anya Marina, Saba, Alfonso de Research, which was founded in 1998 by the la Espriella (from Bogota, Columbia), Sarah Cohen sisters, three young women who lost On October 22 Eve Selis, Mary Dolan, Peggy Wolf (from Boston), Grant Langston and the their mother, Lynne, to ovarian cancer. They Lebo, and Patti Zlaket played a concert at the Supermodels, Simeon Flick, and the Eveoke decided to bring out “the good” from such a dif - Seaside Church Auditorium in Encinitas to ben - Dance Theater. ficult loss to help the drive for more research to efit Project Warmth, a program sponsored by You can find this first-rate event at the treat and cure ovarian cancer in hopes that other The Everyday Angels Foundation. The Interfaith Historic Abbey (stage one), located at 2825 5th children, husbands, and families would not have Shelter Network is the event’s beneficiary. Ave. and at San Diego Kung Food (stage two), to experience such a tragedy. The Lynne Cohen According to Anita, “We had so many dona - 2949 5th Ave. in San Diego. Pre-sale tickets are Foundation is dedicated to funding research for tions last year that we will also distribute blan - $20 general admission and $17 for seniors and an early detection test for ovarian cancer, raising kets and warm clothing to the Storefront, which students. Kids under 5 attend the event for free. money for improved clinical treatments for the is San Diego’s only emergency homeless shelter Check out the official website for more informa - disease, and developing and supporting preven - for teens. This year we are also including help tion. www.SDIndieMusicFest.com tive care clinics for women with increased risk for homeless animals in our collections. This is for ovarian and/or breast cancer. They have suc - especially important right now in light of the

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by Bart Mendoza has cited band teacher Mr. Kavelman as having been particularly influen - an Diego has been home to tial, introducing him to 12-tone many renowned performers music. Unfortunately his love of mis - Sover the decades, but for even chief made his stay brief. Contrary to casual fans of music history, 1954 popular belief Zappa never graduated would be considered a special year. from that or any other San Diego The mid-fifties were bringing school; he was expelled. It seems changes to this country that would that he had a love of explosives and culminate in the late sixties counter had already almost caused serious culture; three icons of that period damage to himself once before mov - happened to spend 1954 in San ing to San Diego. His exodus from Diego going to school. Though they the local education system rosters were all passing through town on came when he and a friend decided the way to greater things, it’s clear to set off a mixture of rocket fuel and that the seeds of their successes were stink powder at Mission Bay High’s planted here. annual open house for parents. He was caught and turned over to the Jim Morrison authorities. Only family intervention The biggest surprise to many is Jim Morrison Dennis Hopper Frank Zappa and the news that the Zappas were that while The Doors may be known once again relocating, this time to as a Los Angeles group, Jim Morrison Lancaster, kept the young Zappa reunited for concerts, capping a bril - High School in 1954 while appearing Prevention Week poster contest. (December 8, 1943-July 3, 1971) is from serious punishment. He spent liant career, but it can't be the same in productions of Twelfth Night and Much more important, he joined his actually from Clairemont. Well, sort the last few months of his senior without Morrison. As rock icons The Merchant of Venice at the Old first band, The Ramblers later that of. Coming from a Navy family, the year at Antelope Valley High School come, they don't get any bigger and Globe and Hamlet at the La Jolla year. Legendary for his guitar playing son of Rear Admiral Steven Morrison in Lancaster, where he graduated on it's fascinating to think that in some Playhouse. The years of hard work today, he was a drummer to begin no less, Jim traveled much as a June 13, 1958. The next time he small way, life in our perennially and obsession with his craft paid off with though not a particularly good youth, but his family settled here on returned to San Diego in 1966 was to sunny burg, influenced the Lizard almost immediately. Within the year one. Like something out of the Our and off. Visitors to the Rock and Roll perform with the Mothers of King. Hopper had appeared in the first two Gang comedies, Zappa used pots and Hall of Fame can see a slew of Invention. He also also played a of more than 140 television shows pans for drums at initial rehearsals, Morrison’s childhood mementos Dennis Hopper dozen gigs up through 1984. Zappa and was also on his way becoming since he didn’t actually acquire a from his stay at Longfellow didn’t spend a lot of time in San 1954 also featured a graduation one of the screen’s best known and drum kit until the week before the Elementary School in good old Diego but in looking back at his for Dennis Hopper. Synonymous intense actors. Later that same year gig. He played his first show at the Clairemont. Ranging from his cub long-storied career one can easily see with the 1960s (and one of the first he simultaneously began his film Uptown Hall at 40th & Meade, after scout uniform to his report card, the that every second counted. major film directors to use rock career, shooting two movies in quick which the band split the seven dollar display really contrasts with music as more than an exploitation succession, one of which included take between them. Having been Despite the fact that San Diego’s Morrison’s image as the Lizard King. soundtrack), his role in Easy Rider Rebel Without a Cause . Numerous chastised for being too splashy with place in the history of the arts is The famed tale about a young Jim forever cemented Hopper’s image as other credits in the ensuing decades his cymbals, being a little shaky with often overlooked, it’s clear that local Morrison being thrown out of the a rebellious sort. A multifaceted pop include directing and co-writing the rhythm, and managing to forget performers have been making an Cub Scouts for either talking back to culture icon, the actor-director was 1969’s Easy Rider , Apocalypse Now, to bring drumsticks to his first gig, it impact since it first became possible a den mother or riding a bike with - born in Dodge City, Kansas on May, Giant ,True Grit , and about 200 other wasn’t long before the Ramblers to do so. Though some made their out using his hands, depending on 17 1936, moving to San Diego in film credits. Hopper has returned to replaced him. Indeed, by the time he greatest impact after moving on, it’s your source, which took place right 1949 at the age of 13. Already town often for plays and civic turned 18 he had switched to his sig - important to note that without their here was clearly an early stab at dreaming of being an actor, during events, including a performance in nature guitar. Zappa would continue time spent in San Diego, none of rebellion. According to one biogra - his time here he transformed a love the play The Skin of Our Teeth and a to work with members of the these performers, and therefore pop phy Angels Dance, Angels Die by for theater into a major movie career. curtain raising luncheon for the La Ramblers in later years. Patricia Butler, Morrison was class culture, would have been the same. The family resided at 3224 Jolla Playhouse. During that fall, he transferred to president and gave a few speeches to Massachusetts St., just south of Mission Bay High School as a tenth the student body, but his stay would Frank Zappa Broadway in Lemon Grove. While grader. Zappa took to the school’s be short. The family arrived late in his father worked at the local post Closing out the triumvirate, we music department immediately and v 1952, taking up residence at 2634 office, legend has it the younger come to Frank Zappa (December 21, Arnott Street, with Jim in class from Hopper worked at an early Jack in 1940-December 4, 1993), noted com - 1953-1954 and graduating from sixth the Box location in the area. He cer - poser, actor, producer, and guitarist. grade on June 16, 1955. More impor - tainly attended Lemon Grove Junior Due to the fact that the Zappas tant, Morrison first dipped his toes High School and, for a brief time, moved around quite a bit, it’s hard into the poetry well while here. One Grossmont High School until the to nail down exact dates the Zappa of his earliest poems on display at opening of Helix High in 1952. family actually resided in El Cajon, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is There he excelled in drama and but we do know that they arrived in dated May 21, 1954 and already debate, but was kicked out of his 1954. Frank was 14 and enrolled at shows his love of western imagery. speech and social studies classes. Grossmont High School. As a teenag - It’s titled “The Pony Express.” Jim Truth be told, his love of theater er he was enamored of R&B and col - would return to the San Diego area meant that he was often somewhere lected 78 rpm records (his favorite during the early 1960s to inform his other than his school seat. He began record was “Angel in My Life” by the parents, again stationed here, of his performing as soon as he arrived in Jewels) but was also interested in decision to attend UCLA, which was town at both the La Jolla Playhouse more diverse sounds. It was his dis - not received positively. The rest, as as well as the Old Globe Theatre, covery of The Complete Works of they say, is history. The Morrison where he took lessons on a national Edgar Varese, Volume 1 [French com - family remained in San Diego, so it Shakespeare scholarship. At first act - poser known as the father of elec - was only natural that the Doors ing was almost an afterthought for tronic music], which he bought at a played a few shows here: July 8, 1967 him at the La Jolla Playhouse, as he La Mesa stereo shop that really at Balboa Stadium on a bill that was kept busy running errands in the opened up his eyes to the possibili - included North County's Lyrics; company’s truck, cleaning up the ties of music. It was also while in San November 4, 1967 and June 29, 1968 premises, and doing other odd jobs. Diego that Zappa first made an at Golden Hall; and August 22, 1970 But in eighth grade he appeared in a unsuccessful attempt to reach Varese, at the Sports Arena. The Morrison- production of Hamlet and, almost as trading a $5 Christmas gift from his less Doors also played a gig at Balboa important, later met Vincent Price sister for the chance to make a long Stadium on August 13, 1972. Music there. Price was not just an actor but distance phone call. In the end he historian Jon Moore notes that the also a collector of contemporary art, only reached Varese’s wife, but it was band’s concert there on October 26, and this meeting with an adjacent a quest Zappa would continue. 1969 was canceled. Doors members introduction to art would help spark Zappa first made the papers in Ray Manzarek and Robbie Krieger a lifelong passion. Voted most likely April of 1955 when, as a ninth grad - returned to town often with their to succeed, he graduated from Helix er, he won the county’s Fire solo projects and have recently 4 www.sandiegotroubadour.com NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle

Recordially, Lou Curtiss MUSIC REVIEW

music so long, they’ve become the these here politicians, but I roots music and the Adams Avenue real thing. digress) and another old-time Roots Festival is. Write to them at One of the main projects of the string band from Georgia called 4649 Hawley Blvd., San Diego, CA San Diego Folk Life Project is to Matt Kinman and the Old-Time 92116. You’d make me feel a whole raise additional money to support Serenaders. I met Todd Gladson lot better and, who knows, maybe the presentation of roots music this past summer, the band’s fiddle someone could be talked into rais - artists in San Diego, particularly at player, ing our budget a bit. We all need to the Roots Festival. The Folk Life think about the music, where it’s Project is a non-profit been, how it came from there to organization that raises here, and how we’re gonna keep Kenny Hall & monies through tax- it around. You all need to deductible dona - help that process whether the New Santa Lou Curtiss tions and grants it’s with time, money, to do their learning a new old Fe Ramblers good works. tune and performing ell, another Adams Drop by it, buying and lis - Avenue Street Fair is North Sanger Blues Folk Arts tening to old-time out of the way and let - W Rare roots music on ters have already gone out for next by Lou Curtiss Records CD, or just writ - April’s Adams Avenue Roots to get ing a letter (or Festival (the 33rd). Add those 33 I’ve known Kenny Hall for about more emailing or just festivals and the last 13 Street Fairs 40 years and long ago I came to informa - yelling real the conclusion that there is no bad that I’ve booked the music for and tion or to loud). Let folks Kenny Hall recording. There are four blues festivals that I did in see how who matter just too few of them. I’ve heard days of yore (1973-1980) to days you can (especially those him play music with everyone not so yore (early ’90s) and it turns get with funds) know from Lydia Mendoza and Sam out that between 1967 and 2006 I involved. that we matter. Chatmon to Tommy Jarrell and, will have put together the music Next April Roots music is, in a you know, the only thing I can’t for 50 festivals — some kind of a variety of way, the stepchild of understand is if Kenny Hall knows record I guess, considering I’m still old-timey and the arts community and 1,100 songs (I can’t believe he interested in putting them together. traditional people we often, like the child in knows that few), why aren’t they It would be nice to have a little should be added to the song, get left out in the all out there on CD for us to enjoy, extra money for Number 50, so the festival roster. We cold if we are not heard. So if to learn from, and to pass on? I’ve that I could bring some people have letters out and are talk - you like Appalachian mountain seen Kenny bring a tune to a festi - who might cost a little more (par - ing to bluegrass pioneer Bill music or Cajun French music, or val and play it, and the next year ticularly if they have to come from Clifton whose Dixie Mountain when he country blues, or honky tonk, or everyone is playing it. Now this the East Coast and plane fares are Boys made some pioneering was in town. I also think about country swing, or vintage blue - CD, North Sanger Blues features involved). I’ve always been a big Kenny with some tunes I’ve heard recordings for the old Starday label those I could have brought out grass, or just about any other kind fan and collector of southern him play for years and then there back in the 1950s and who hasn’t over the years if I’d only had the of ethnic roots music, you’ve prob - mountain music from unaccompa - are some that are completely new been out this way for a long time. money. I see big budget festivals ably been, or should have been, at nied mountain songsters to vintage to me. At the age of 81, Kenny’s He makes his home in the Clinch like Street Scene and the bucks the Roots Festival. With all the bluegrass and all the fiddles and voice is strong and his mandolin Mountain area of Virginia. We’ve that big shows like those at Coors other problems our city has going banjars and duet singin’ and primi - and fiddle are as exciting and con - contacted the Blue Creek Ramblers Amphitheater and elsewhere rake for it, support for roots music tive Baptist shoutin’ that the region fident as ever. This CD tends to from east Tennessee. Three old- in and sometimes I just get shouldn’t be another one. If you has given us. Over the years I’ve sound like some of the many jam timers and an 18-year-old girl who ashamed of the lack of monetary have any ideas, drop by Folk Arts been able to bring people like sessions I’ve heard Kenny take part is the Tennessee state old-time support for roots music in our city. Rare Records or give me a call at Roscoe Holcomb, Tommy Jarrell, I know those who give support do (619) 282-7833 and let’s make my in on the front porch of the old banjo champion (Why don’t we Sweets Mill lodge or out in the Lily Mae Ledford, Kyle Creed, Sam what they can like the Adams 50th festival and 33rd Roots have an old-time banjo champion Aztec Center patio during a folk and Kirk McGee, and revivalists Avenue Business Association who, Festival a special one. Thanks. in California, or even in San Diego festival or in someone’s living like Mike Seeger, Ginny Hawker, I’m never quite sure, understands County? Old-time music sanc - Recordially, room (maybe right here in San the Highwoods String Band, and so what roots is all about. They hear tioned and payed for by govern - Diego). many more. Today it’s hard to tell it from me but letters from some of Lou Curtiss ment order. That’s socialism at its This is a CD you have to own, the revivalists from the real thing, you might help too. You could best, folks. Lots better to vote for with familiar Kenny Hall standards and some of the revivalists (like write the A.A.B.A. and tell them people who can pick a tune that like “Hawaiian Blues,” “Mississippi Mike Seeger) have played the how important their support for Sawyer,” and the title song and obscurities like the Swedish “Noah’s Snoa” and his Russian Tony Anna Troy Dan gypsy tune “Bright Shines the Muhammad Papaila Moon.” Kenny’s music reflects the cultural differences of all the peo - aat t att att eellRRaayyoo eellRayo ellRayo ple who came to the Great Central Valley of California. You can get a S S S hold of this CD through www.ken - R R N N N nyhallband.com or see Kenny at a A A O O O festival. You certainly need to do S T S T S S that. S I I S S S U U E A E E L G L B G L

• Beginning to Advanced • Beginning to Intermediate • Focus on Music Theory • 15 Years Musical Background • Advanced to master class • Local and National Experience • Local and National Experience • Local and National Experience • Jazz, Blues, Improv & sight • Rock, Blues, Folk & Pop • Jazz, Blues, Improvisation reading techniques • Fun and Energetic

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Questions for Tristan Prettyman Traditional Jazz Riffs by Myrna Goodwyn and Alan Adams band from the Northwest; and Cornet Chop Suey, a high energy 5by John Philip Wyllie band from St. Louis. hanksgiving is the holiday when we count our bless - In addition to the principal wo years ago, singer/songwriter bands, the festival includes spe - Tristan Prettyman was little T ings, enjoy a traditional known in San Diego and com - Thanksgiving dinner, and watch cial educational sets that focus on T early artists and composers; pletely unknown outside of America’s football on television. In San finest city. You might occasionally find Diego Thanksgiving is an also pianoramas featuring top pianists her on a Saturday night playing at opportunity to celebrate America’s playing ragtime, boogie woogie, Twiggs or Kelly’s Pub, but other than only original art form straight from and stride styles; swing dance that, the laid back surfer girl and for - New Orleans: jazz! The upcoming demonstrations by young dancers mer Roxy model was flying completely 26th Annual San Diego from local dance clubs; plus under the radar. Oh, how things have Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Sunday morning Gospel sets. changed! Festival offers an eclectic mix of JazzSea Jam is a new feature With Virgin Records behind her and traditional jazz, Dixieland, and this year. Throughout the weekend a critically acclaimed album in music cornetist Dick Williams will organ - outlets from coast to coast, Prettyman swing for listening and dancing. is gaining big market airplay and fre - The first annual festival 25 ize musicians interested in jam - quent mention in prestigious publica - years ago was called the Holiday ming, so that everyone has an tions such as Rolling Stone , Bowl Jazz Festival and was opportunity to play traditional jazz. Entertainment Weekly , and Billboard . scheduled in December to coin - Bring your instrument, come join In between gigs on a national tour cide with the Holiday Bowl foot - the fun, and jam to your heart’s in support of 23 , her Virgin Records ball game. However, because content! (You can find the jam - debut album, Prettyman consented to December is such a busy time of mers’ song list posted at www.dix - an interview, excerpts of which appear the year, the festival was moved ielandjazzfestival.org.) below. to the week of Thanksgiving and is Furthermore, community bands Q. One of the biggest concerns you had now known as the San Diego that play regularly at the Tristan Prettyman signing autographs in Horton Plaza initially was finding the right record Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Metaphor Cafe in Escondido, label. I’m wondering how Virgin is living are on the road practicing, you are you? Festival. This year’s event offers Fuddruckers throughout the San up to your expectations? Diego County, the MacDonald’s at essentially practicing every night. So, I A. “Love Love Love” is great because the opportunity to experience A. They have been great! I had met think growth is bound to happen that song was written back home and some of the top traditional jazz the corner of 53rd St. and El Cajon with a few labels and just hadn’t found because you are working on your craft. it is about home. It’s about being able bands in eight different venues at Blvd, as well as countless private the right one yet. When I met with parties, will also perform at the Q. My guess is that your life has been to spend my summers with my friends the Town and Country Resort and [Virgin] a year ago, everything was changing drastically with your career and my family and hanging out at the Convention Center. festival. really cool. I really got along with my A now taking off. What has been your beach all day. [That and] being thank - Music presented at the festival With more than 25 bands on & R and everybody that I met from the reaction to your budding stardom? What ful to be living in such a beautiful covers the history of jazz, from hand, there is something for label was nice. Their main concern was has been the up side and down side of it place. There is a song on the CD called ragtime to early swing, and fea - everyone, whatever one’s taste in that they didn’t want to change a “Song for the Rich,” which is a song I all? tures musicians from throughout vintage jazz may be. Come out to thing I was doing. They just wanted to wrote a couple of years ago about a the U.S., Canada, and the Czech hear the music born in the city of help enhance it and get it out to more A. You know, not much has really friend who had a drug addiction. I New Orleans. people and that was really important changed yet. I went to New York and I wrote that song for him and it was Republic. The music will take you to me. They really let me keep my made a record and got a record deal, about the only thing that finally made around the country — from the 26th Annual San Diego sound and I am really stoked about the but when I go home my friends are him stop and realize how many people music of early New Orleans and Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz still the same. We still go out. All the record that I made. he was hurting. That is one of the Chicago to the New York jazz Festival, Wednesday through girls go out to dinner and I still go heaviest songs on the record. I think scene, and then back across the Sunday, November 23-27, Town Q. Could you talk about your evolution surfing with my parents. The only my personal favorite is the last song on country for some Kansas City jazz and growth from your first CD to this thing that has really changed is that I and Country Resort and the album, “Simple as It Should Be.” I followed by San Francisco-style one? get a lot of fan mail now. There is a lot Convention Center, 500 Hotel wrote that song in New York while I jazz. A. The songs [written] over the last more mail in my mailbox. I’ve allowed Circle North, San Diego. was in the process of recording my The festival’s world-class line year or two are just a little more tech - myself to be really open with my fans album. There is a point in the song Festival sponsor America’s Finest up includes the Reynolds Brothers nical and advanced than some of the so that they can grow with me [rather that mentions the [album] title, 23 . It City Dixieland Jazz Society is a Rhythm Rascals, who utilize the ones on the Love EP. The Love EP was than] watch me grow further away is about what the 23 means to me. In non profit organization dedicated from them. I send postcards to people. washboard as well as other very simple. A lot of those songs were a way it was the closer for my album. to preserving our traditional jazz So it is not really any different, there unique instruments to accompany four or five years old. Everything on It just came about one night. It was heritage. For more information on this CD is brand new. [The songs are are just more people. I don’t really feel their novelty tunes; the Night very unplanned. All of a sudden I was AFCDJS, the Festival, adult jazz about] new experiences and [were cre - like much has changed. I am still get - sitting there and it just popped out. I Blooming Jazzmen from camps, music workshops, monthly ated while] exploring new writing ting to do what I love. Things are still came into the studio the next day and Claremont, California, who first normal when I go home. dances, and education programs techniques. I’ve been on tour for prob - everyone was really stoked on it. It was appeared in 1980 and are still ably eight months of the year for the that promote traditional jazz, visit Q. Which of the songs on the new CD is so fresh that we recorded a track just entertaining audiences with their last year and a half or two years and I our website at the most meaningful or important to to kind of have reference to it and it music, showmanship, and patter; think that definitely helps. When you www.dixielandjazzfestival.org. ended up being a track that went on the Steamboat Stompers from the record. It was so fresh and it cap - the Czech Republic; the tured the newness and excitement of Uptown Lowdown Jazz that song. Band; the Mighty Q. I know there was some collaboration Aphrodite Jazz Band, [with boyfriend, Jason Mraz] on this CD. an all women’s Do you often sit down together and play music back and forth? A. We don’t, because he has a ten - dency when I am playing something to say, “Honey, you should change this note to this note.” I’m like, “Go away and write your own song.” I don’t want to hear about it. We have a ten - dency to start correcting each other and giving our opinions. We just learned early on that it is not a good thing. We both really want to write another song together. We talk all the time about being a duo and writing a lot of songs together but who knows if that will ever happen.

Tristan Prettyman returns to San Diego on November 26 to open for Jason Mraz at Copley Symphony Hall. James Blunt will appear on the same bill. For tickets: (619) 220-TIXS. 6 www.sandiegotroubadour.com NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch Aaron Bowen Eases on Live Jazz Down the Road Somewhere in the silent ether, Ophaned by the ear, by Simeon Flick g n

Floats every note was ever played o e h

That we no longer hear. C

aron Bowen is a lot more relaxed c a a s

these days — his right thumb still I

The iceberg tip of tape and disc : o

gives him an occasional fit, but he t We resurrect at will o

A h Is but one note in millions can still pluck a mean acoustic guitar. P He’s always thought of his instrumental Drowned and ever still. prowess as his ace in the hole, the one thing about him that couldn’t be sub - True — the ink the quill and paper jectively disputed. But now it no longer Genius put to use seems so pressing to be an aspiring king Still comes alive in concert halls of the guitar-shredding heap. He wants In reverence — or abuse. to learn other instruments, like cello and tenor banjo because he’s bored But what of every masterpiece with guitar and needs more options in That died while being born, the studio. He wants to continue Through smoke and booze in gin mills recording and begin producing other From piano and from horn? artists at Ouija, his home studio. He Aaron Bowen wants to meet and play with artists like Paul Simon and James Taylor, which For every Monk or Coltrane chorus in single digits, and he began recording from music and longed for the ceaseless will raise the bar and inspire him to other similar bits straight off the televi - grind to end. Ever put to tape improve, although he freely contradicts sion so he could play them back and Seen in that light, the accident was Are millions, more profound by far, this impulse with a self-deprecating revel in the way the warm, memorable a mixed blessing. The drill press bored That made their sad escape. remark that he’ll never be as good as melodies lifted his spirits. Perhaps the a hole through the webbing between either of them. He wants to keep writ - very idea behind the story — quitting the thumb and forefinger on his right Those instant creativities, ing music he can live with (he cringes the mundane world for a vividly wild, hand, severing the tendons. Those ten - Confetti-ed in the air — progressively less when he hears it on enthralling, sing-song realm — provid - dons aren’t necessarily crucial to a Lost to all the world, save for the the stereo now), music rich with ed a vicarious escape from his own mechanic, so the doctor intended to Few who heard them here. melody, like the stuff that galvanized quandaries. It undoubtedly helped leave them unattached until Aaron him as a child. He just wants to write a strengthen his emotional connection to spoke up and said, “I need to be able to — Johnny Frigo good song (although he says he never the music. play guitar.” It took a long time to will), and he is learning to ease up and By adolescence, the flame of rehabilitate his hand, and it proved to enjoy the journey on down the road. Bowen’s ambition had all but engulfed be further motivation to change the From When My Fiddle’s in the Case, One would hardly guess, after hear - his affinity for the old-time music he direction in which his life and music The Poetry and Paintings of ing his debut solo album, A Night at had grown to love as a child. He had were headed. Jazz Violinist Johnny Frigo Sea (reviewed in this issue, page 13), long since forgotten Harold Arlen and In 1999 Bowen bowed out and sold that this decidedly old-school dude Yip Harberg, the brilliant composer and the business soon after the accident hails from the Chula Vista area of San lyricist behind the music of The Wizard and then returned to San Diego. The Diego. Bowen and his CD recall erst - of Oz , and had turned his attention nest egg generated from the sale of the while ways and means, and he possess - toward the frenetic, seemingly lucrative company afforded him some time off es the kind of aura that those from the world of scales and arpeggios of guitar to recuperate and regroup, wherein he South would call “character” but might heroes like Steve Vai, and Frank began the exploratory process that be labeled “eccentricity” by the sun- Gambale, with whom he actually stud - helped shape his current musical para - baked So-Cal pundits. For better or ied. The Guitar Institute of Technology digm. worse, he’ll tell you what he really (GIT) beckoned him north to L.A., About three years ago the first song thinks about whatever it is you do, where, at age 17, he was essentially on came, which was initially scoffed at by especially if he likes it. (He’ll only tell his own. a few old friends who could only you the rest if asked, and then with no The ambitious tack seemed to be accept Aaron for the guitar hero he was sugarcoating, so be careful!) And he has working for a while — Bowen was able trying to distance himself from. There a penchant for wearing old-fashioned to get a fair amount of studio work and was no shredding in these songs he was hats and button-down shirts. toured extensively as a sub. He even now writing on — gasp — acoustic gui - Two important things happened had an endorsement with a popular tar, just front-porch fingerpicking during Bowen’s formative years: his guitar company, Ibanez, which is a (which went easier on his right hand) mom played favorites with his older dream come true for any aspiring gui - and melodic vocalizations. There was brother, which inspired him to take up tarist. no going back musically or vocational - music (guitar was his first love at age But once again, two important ly; he realized he was no longer cut out five; the violin followed later), and he things happened. for anything other than a life of music, discovered The Wizard of Oz , which Bowen began to feel disenchanted and that his music must make him catalyzed his lifelong infatuation with with the highly technical, practically happy first and foremost, not necessari - the sophisticatedly simple, melodic aimless music he had been playing. He ly famous (although he’s open to what - music of the ’30s and ’40s. began to long for a more meaningful ever happens from here). Bowen had Bowen was dually impoverished application of virtuosity. And so it hap - begun to move on into his current growing up, since his family was finan - pened that in his early twenties he dis - musical personae. cially bereft and said older brother got covered the gypsy jazz of Django These days Aaron Bowen is a para - the lion’s share of the praise and atten - Reinhardt. It was virtuosic to be sure, doxical mixture of contentment and tion. This lit a motivational fire under but it seemed to have more of a point ambition. He’s happier with his life and young Aaron to become the undeni - in that it was actually melodic. He his art, but he’s still anxious to improve able, quintessential best at something, began to rediscover other acts from the and evolve and innovate. He’s already anything that would get him the same time period, like the Mills in pre-production for his next record, parental accolades and validation that Brothers, who delighted him to no end which is going to be slightly more eso - his brother received so naturally. The with their vocal simulation of harmo - teric musically than the first and will guitar fit his reclusive bent to a tee; he nized horn sections. boast an expanded array of instrumen - would sometimes spend eight or more It was right around this time that tation (including the aforementioned hours at a stretch, sequestered in anti - Bowen injured his right hand. cello, banjo, and even glockenspiel). social seclusion with his inner eye firm - As we all know, it’s hard to get The ambition and competitive spirit are ly fixed on the goal of becoming the music to pay. Serendipitously, Bowen still there, but now they serve to fulfill hottest guitar player there ever was. He had managed to transform a sideline his own happiness on the yellow brick began to see the guitar as a way out of interest in cars into a full-blown, boom - road to creation. the myriad destitutions that plagued ing business. His specialty was custom him, and he would later pursue this technical modifications on high-end aim relentlessly. cars, and it involved a lot of detailed Something about the strong work with heavy industrial machinery. melodies in The Wizard of Oz captivat - The job kept him a little too busy, and ed him instantly. He remembers watch - he literally became suicidal from the ing the fantastical musical adaptation drudgery of the concomitant manual starring Judy Garland on TV while still labor. He also lamented his separation www.sandiegotroubadour.com 7 NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

by Liz Abbott with Gregory Page

North Dakota

om Brosseau has the voice of an angel — an angel from environment of the twin cities was some long-forgotten era. If you were to hear him for the incentive enough for Tom to make the first time with your your eyes closed, you’d think you decision to move to neighboring were listening to an old recording of some Carter family Minneapolis where he felt ready to member. His pure, high-lonesome sound, almost eery at test the waters of the local coffee - times, conjures up mental pictures of prairie grass, old house scene. He lived in the city for trucks, and sitting in the parlor drinking lemonade — two years, writing songs and perform - comforting thoughts of a simpler time to be sure. His uncluttered gui - ing while gaining the confidence and tar accompaniment is a perfect complement to his delicate vocals. experience he would need if he want - His lyrics only draw you in further. ed to take his music up a notch. He A child of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Tom grew up in the did. tiny town of Drayton, North Dakota (pop. 900), which was where, one would presume, he soaked up all the wonderful imagery that shows Nashville up in his songwriting today. n the back of Tom’s mind, Tom’s early music influences Nashville was like making his way are varied. He credits his grand - Ito Oz in a way. To perform in mother, Lillian Uglen, as one of Nashville meant you were serious the first people to stimulate his about your music. Over the course of interest in music. Around the several months Tom gigged around time he was 10 years old Tom and town, but with money running out, he his grandmother would spend soon decided that he really couldn’t hours together, singing the songs afford to stay. Before leaving town, she knew: an odd mix of however, he managed to schedule an Norwegian folk songs and bad audition for a coveted spot perform - renditions of her favorite John ing on a Sunday Writers Night at Denver songs. She was also Nashville’s legendary Bluebird Cafe. responsible for teaching him Young Tom on a family vacation. With auditions held quarterly and basic guitar chords so he could restricted to Nashville residents, accompany himself when she those lucky enough to be selected wasn’t around. find themselves in the company of s

While grandma was teaching the Tom how to play guitar, his e

others who show growing talent in n o J father was immersing him in the music of Guy Lombardo and Pat

their songwriting and performance m a

Boone. “Simple music for simple people,” he’d tell the boy. Mr. S

skills. He had chosen to sing : o t

Brosseau believed that in every song there was a lesson to be learned o

“Yodeling for You” and felt confident h P and if you listened carefully, your life could be guided by the pearls of and ready when he walked into the wisdom contained in the songs. Often in the morning Tom would be audition. When he finished, he awakened by the sounds of “Dancing in the Dark” and “Boo Hoo” com - thought it had gone well and left town ing from the stereo. believing he had “nailed the gig.” Grandpa Brosseau, like his father before him, was a barber and Those who audition are usually noti - cut hair in the basement of his home, where it was set up like a bar - fied by letter whether they have made the cut or not. A few weeks was so kind and generous to each performer (especially the girls), ber shop. Once or twice a month, on a Saturday or Sunday, the later, Tom called his parents’ home to see whether there was any he forever wore a smile, yet his breath always reeked of beer. At Brosseau family would go over to news waiting for him. Yup. There was something from the Bluebird the end of each Monday night he would close out the evening Grandpa’s house where the men Cafe that had with the same damn tune that he sang outta key year after year would get their hair cut. It was a come for him. but each time with so much heart and soul you had to sing regular family ritual as they each Along with a along… “Thanks for coming out to Java Joes tonight, supporting got their hair cut one at a time. In very nice rejec - open mic night at Wendy’s Open Mic Night. We hope you had a the quiet atmosphere of the tion letter good time tonight….” One day I got a phone call from Wendy basement, “Grandpa would put a advising Tom telling me about this fella who had turned up on the previous smock on you, then tilt the chair not to give up Monday. Wendy said that he sang with a voice that was unlike back and look you over,” Tom or feel discour - anything anyone had ever heard at Joe’s before. The next week I remembers, laughing. “He’d aged there was went down to Ocean beach in the hopes I’d hear this ghost of a sprinkle water in his hands and a one-sheet gentleman who sang like a bird and looked like a thin, scrawny then rub them together before containing tips John Wayne. he’d run them through your hair for writing a Sitting in the back office with Joe we suddenly heard the sweet to assess what needed to be good song. sounds of a beautiful woman’s voice, singing out in the main done. He gave us all the same A recent photo of the Brosseau family The Nashville experience was an eye opener for Tom and showed room. I jumped up, opened the door, and saw that it was a dude hair cut every time.” him that he had a ways to go with his music. Whereas his energy had singing. The room was still and no one blinked while this tall fig - It was usually around noon when the family would eventually previously been directed at eventually arriving in Nashville and play - ure up on stage sang and yodeled. It was if time went backward move to the living room where the sweet smell of hair tonic and tal - ing the Bluebird, Tom was now lacking a plan. He drifted for awhile, and we had all tuned into an old-fashioned radio program from cum powder filled the air. The grownups would have a drink, usually eventually landing in Park City, Utah where he found a kindred spirit the 1930s. I didn’t meet him that night but I left Joe’s thinking whiskey and water. It wouldn’t be long before someone would turn on to hang out with. Her name was Rebecca and she was from San about him. Who was he? Where did he come from? Perhaps this the stereo and put on a record, usually the Ink Spots, Grandpa’s Diego. person is an old soul who had unfinished business on earth. My favorite. After a while, Uncle John would get up and begin noodling Tom had no real burning desire to come to San Diego questions would be answered soon enough. around on the piano, accompanying the music on the record. Soon other than he had never seen the ocean and he had never At that time I had a gig every Wednesday at an Irish pub afterward, the others would join in. Sometimes there would be 10 been to California. But when Rebecca told him that’s where I was rocking and rolling with my rotten roots coun - family members jamming for the rest of the afternoon. Grandpa where she was going and did he want to go with her, try outfit called The Hatchet Brothers. Joe and Wendy, Brosseau sang, Tom’s dad played guitar and tuba, and there was he thought, “Why not?” When the two arrived in town, and many of the regulars from Java Joe’s, would be Uncle Pete on clarinet. Tom’s mom, Jolene Brosseau, played piano Tom wasted no time finding out who was who in the in attendance hanging onto each other, singing and so did Grandma Brosseau, but they usually deferred to Uncle local music scene and got his feet wet at many of the along, and throwing up outside by the pet John, since he was the best piano player of the group. Tom’s older open mics around town. It wasn’t long before he met store. During a set break, Wendy put his brother Ben and younger sister Carrie would join in, singing. Gregory Page. arm around me and dragged me over Tom’s father, James Dean Brosseau, was a doctor who taught to a table to introduce me to his new courses in medicine as well as literature at the University of North San Diego favorite singer. “Gregory, meet Dakota in nearby Grand Forks. A pivotal moment in Tom’s life came Tom.” I sat down and we immedi - by Gregory Page when, as a teenager, he accompanied his father to a writer’s confer - ately began talking about music. ence at the university. There was one particular author at the confer - nce upon a time in a magical land called I kept glancing over at the ence who made a big impression on him and the idea of storytelling Ocean Beach lived a man named Java Joe. He black-haired beauty sitting stuck in his mind as something he’d like to try. Making the connection O was (and still remains) a giant among giants. next to him who was his gal between storytelling and music made the notion even more appeal - He opened his big heart up to anyone who wanted to at the time. Here was a ing. play songs, tell jokes, or recite poetry on his stage. young gifted song stylist Minnesota For more than seven years Joe’s master of ceremonies who spoke in a soft tone was a guy named Wendy. Mr. Wendy hosted Java Joe’s and had a hot little num - fter graduating from college in 1999 with a degree in com - Open Mic Night. Where a future super star named ber on his arm. We munications, Tom wanted to take a some time to venture Jason Mraz would sign up like any other ordinary cre - made a date to meet A out, do a little traveling, and see how serious he really was ative soul who simply needed 15 minutes to try out for a quiet drink and about playing music. When the Red River overflowed and the Great new material in front of a packed and appreciative discuss the possibili - Flood of 1997 did its damage, he was forced to transfer from the audience. Wendy would wear tight fitting trousers ty of working togeth - University of North Dakota in Grand Forks to finish up his studies at and brightly colored form-fitting shirts, and in his er in the future. I the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota.The culturally rich short blond hair he clipped a butterfly barrette. He also needed to know Photo: Thom Vollenweider 8 www.sandiegotroubadour.com NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

The Ballad of tom brosseau

if he had any naked photos of his girlfriend. They called themselves The Shelleys because Tom had a crush Tom came over to my apartment with his book of lyrics and on a girl named Shelley when he was a kid, and Angela thought that his Gibson axe from the 1970s. My room is tiny and it is filled with was rather amusing. They also liked the way the word sounded com - old-fashioned recording gear that nobody uses anymore. We talked ing out of the mouth — soft and pretty. Upon hearing that there was briefly about my wanting to record his songs and the next thing we an Irish band with the same name, the two of them changed the name knew I had set up two $99 microphones and was pressing the of their duo to Les Shelleys. Angela adds, “I had lived in France for a record button on my tape machine. I sat there and listened to him while and spoke some French, so using a different pronoun for the Portrait of Tom Brosseau by Roy Ruiz Clayton croon with tears in my eyes. The songs (which were later included “the” part of our name just seemed perfect and sort of romantic and in what has become known as the Blue Album) were not familiar to old timey and, again, we liked the way the name sounded when we me, however, instantly each one became my new favorite. After we said it. However, Tom has never quite remembered that Les means the Tom’s Blog had recorded ten tracks, we both needed a drink. We walked down because he always says, ‘Hello. We are the Les Shelleys,’ which makes At the time I had only been in California just under a year, so no one had really to the bar and found ourselves talking for hours. I had not seen any me laugh on stage every time.” heard of me. I had this plan I would take my music and new album door-to-door person drink beer so quickly; I guess that’s how they drink in North Les Shelleys is mostly about the like a vacuum cleaner salesman. I got a real smart haircut Dakota. Over the next few weeks I spent much time recording pump songs. As Angela explains, “There are so and bought a tie and a short sleeved button down shirt and organ and tenor guitar and texturing his music in a spare fashion. many beautiful songs that have a lovely, a parlor hat and a good pair of slacks and my guitar and We became fast friends during those sessions and decided to form perfect melody and sentiment, songs set out to sell my new album. I started out in San Diego in a duo, calling ourselves The American Folk Singers. Lou Curtiss, that need little more than a voice or two a section called Mission Hills. I must have knocked on our musical advisor, told us that if we want to make lots of dough to tell the story. So Tom and I seek out 200-300 doors. I didn’t sell one record. I had my routine we needed to play folk music. Tom and I took our show to various these old songs that have either been down and everything. I started out ringing the bell and retirement homes and sang for anyone who would listen. We even somewhat forgotten or that have been saying, “Hi, my name is Tom Brosseau and I have a new played at a school for the deaf. cherished and sung by folks forever. We album for sale. I would like to play you a song from it. Do Tom’s birthday came and went during the recording of his listen to them and work them out and you want to hear a song today?” but there was too much debut album. He was 25 going on 99. I look back on that period in arrange them to make them our own in room for people to say no. So I revised my routine so that which we had captured these songs as a very special time. a way. We spend far more time than when people opened their door I just started singing. I got people thinking I was selling Bibles, I got people laughing Like listening to a time machine, Tom’s songs are pure and genuine anybody probably should, learning them Tom during a radio interview. and filled with poetic imagery. He is an old soul cut from the same and figuring out the notes we want to at me, I got people telling me they were going to call the bar stool as Hank Williams Senior, Jimmy Rodgers, and Woody sing. Then we practice them over and police, I got people telling me to take singing lessons, I got Guthrie. Real country music today cannot be found on commercial over until we don’t even think about people slamming the door in my face, I got people who did puke radio stations. Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Nickel Creek, and Tom what we are singing anymore because it call the police. It was a true lesson that things are some - Brosseau are much more country than Mr. Achy Breaky Fart. The just flows out of us. But the most times a lot harder than they seem. I am not discouraged by Nashville of today needs to be taken out and given a good ol’ fash - important thing is that we listen to each it. ioned whooping, because what they’re churning out sounds like bad other while we are singing, so the songs Following his collaboration with Gregory Page on rock music from the ’80s with a pedal steel to remind you of how are slightly different and a little bit liv - the production of his eponymous first CD, also awful it is. ing each time. Tom will introduce me to known as the Blue Album, Tom sent it out to I sent a rough mix of the blue album to my pal John Doe and after songs that his Dad taught him as a kid dozens of radio stations, seeking airplay. Many hearing Tom’s songs, he really encouraged me to leave them as naked and I will remember songs that I heard doors closed before he finally got a bite from as possible. Wendy was the first person to discover Tom, I was the my Grandma humming or that I heard in KCRW’s Nic Harcourt, host of “Morning Becomes first person to record Tom, and John Doe was the first person to take some old movie. Sometimes we find a Eclectic” out of Los Angeles. Airplay on that radio Tom on tour. song on an old tape while visiting home station got him noticed by others and he soon Last night Tom performed in the Big Apple to a packed house of or something. When we’d go to L.A., we Performing with Sara Watkins, Angela Correa, et. al. developed a following. He began to tour. He fans — a long way from the Monday night Open Mic Night at Java would spend an entire evening at became so well received in Boston that he even Joes. Amoeba [a used record store], hunting considered moving there when he was ready to for songs to work out.” leave San Diego to pursue new opportunities. A Although Tom and Angela are both Instead he moved up to Los Angeles so he could are very busy with their own solo musi - still be close enough to drive down to San Diego cal endeavors, they still manage to per - once in awhile. After all, he had made some good The Story of Les Shelleys form as Les Shelleys about twice a friends and valuable contacts here. He plays regu - month. Over the past few years the duo ngela Correa was living in San Diego while pursuing a grad - larly at the Adams Avenue Roots Festival with has shared many memorable experi - uate degree in Latin American studies when she met Tom Gregory Page as well as Lestat’s and the North Park through Gregory Page. ences. A few of their favorites include P Vaudeville and Candy Shoppe, a charming 35-seat A h o opening for Sam Phillips at the

A big fan of Gregory’s music, she t o venue on El Cajon Blvd. :

S Silverlake Lounge in L.A., playing to a

had heard through a friend that t

e Since moving to Los Angeles, Tom’s life has been v

e hushed crowd; performing at the he had formed a folk duo with a C busy and productive. He constantly performs in o young blond kid with a really v Marjorie Luke, a historic 800-seat the - a and around L.A. both solo and with Angela Correa u

l ater in Santa Barbara; and playing at a little house concert in the mid - high voice. Already well traveled, t at such venues as the Silverlake Lounge, Largo, Tangier, and the dle of nowhere while on the road touring together. especially in Chile and Mexico Mercury Lounge. He’s been written up in Performer , the Chicago Tribune , Arranging their schedules has become more difficult lately, but because of her studies, she found Chord magazine, and Harp magazine, to name a few. He’s also been they know that the music they perform is worthwhile because of the herself spending more and more interviewed on dozens of radio stations and is currently on tour, with way people respond to it. With two CDs under their belt, they are time in her room recording her - stops in Chicago, New York, and Boston. ready for their third, recording the abundance of songs they’ve self, writing songs, and thinking He was recently signed to Loveless Records, an indie label based in learned lately. They also have plans for recording old country western about folk music and songwriting Seattle and founded by Sam Jones, a photographer best known for tunes that were written by Boudeleaux and Felice Bryant for a project more than anything else. She had making the Wilco documentary I Am Trying to Break Your Heart . His lat - in Los Angeles. Gregory Page will produce the album. given Gregory one of her tapes, a est CD, What I Mean to Say Is Good-Bye , was released in June to rave crazy little recording she had reviews (reviewed in this issue, page 13). Bonnie Raitt even men - Les Shelleys’ Angela Correa and Tom Finding a Home for his Music made on a four-track, which he tioned him during an interview in Performing Artist magazine as an up Brosseau and Tom listened to one day. om Brosseau could be described as a hopeless romantic, a and comer worth listening to. After Tom had heard her sing, the master storyteller, a fun lover who likes to laugh, a quiet So how did this North Dakota boy, raised on John Denver songs, two of them began to spend more time together, singing old songs T observer, and a bit of a mischief maker. Blessed with a fertile the Ink Spots, and Guy Lombardo end up sounding like a such a pure, just for fun. They would work up songs they both knew, such as imagination, he can write about anything — a speck of dirt on the timeless soul? It’s hard to say. Maybe his music can tell you. “Goodnight Irene,” “Roll on John,” or “Sowing on the Mountain.” After sidewalk, a chip in his coffee cup — anything. He is also determined Angela invited Tom to sing on a track of an album she was recording, and resourceful, having spent an enormous amount of energy and they began singing together more and more often, which became so work into promoting his music. During the time he lived in San Diego U easy and natural that they decided to make it official and gave them - he cooked up a scheme, which he wrote about on his website: selves a name: The Shelleys. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9 NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Bluegrass CORNER

by Dwight Worden by Sven-Erik Seaholm Neil Finn, and Peter Case, along with Waits and Vega will almost certainly have DUET SINGING IN BLUEGRASS have grown up together singing and talking their names added near the top of the list FROM THE TOP DOWN , P ART I Have you ever stopped to notice that all their lives, in church and elsewhere, have of the Pop Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. a kind of unspoken connection and under - Sven-Erik Seaholm some of the most beautiful harmony singing n a clear, cool late night’s drive This suggests two things: One is that the standing of what the other is likely to do, in bluegrass music, or in any other form of home from a performance in previously described radial sonic which makes their duet singing so sublime. music for that matter, is often done by two approach is done as service of the song The Gibson Brothers, for example, each know O Temecula, fellow singer-song - people singing duet harmonies? And, did you writer Peter Bolland and I have just and its performance. The other is that it ever notice that of the duet singers the best what the other is going to sing at any given begun listening to the latest Bonnie Raitt better be a damn good song and perform - of the best are often brothers? Think of the moment and can blend their voices, their record, Souls Alike. Peter asks an interest - ance if it’s going to bear the kind of great brother duets from the past, including inflection, and their harmonies perfectly as a ing question: “So Sven, out of all the weight that these eccentric treatments the Everly Brothers, the Louvin Brothers, the result. Likewise with the Everly Brothers, the bring. Osborne Louvins, Jim and Jesse, and the other great music that’s available out there, what was One might also infer that these pro - Brothers, Jim brother duets. it that made you choose this CD?” I said, ductions are built from the top down and Jesse You don’t have to be brothers to reach this “Well, ever since her “comeback album” McReynolds, level of unspoken communication, but it (1989’s Nick of Time) she has made an rather than from the bottom up. In other and many oth - helps. Other good singers can achieve this unbroken string of albums as good or words, they weren’t started with beats ers. More same high level, but usually only through better than the one before. Each time she and textures (a typical approach of mod - recently, think of years of singing together so that they seems to have improved her singing and ern pop and R&B records), but treated the Gibson become brothers for musical purposes. Listen playing. Some have had more of her orig - after the song’s basic tracks were laid Brothers and to Herb Pedersen and Chris Hillman, for inals than others, but the songwriting bar down. This is the key element to insuring their contempo - example, do their duets and you will see how has never lowered. The production and that inorganic elements work in material rary recordings. good duet singing can by two people who are recording quality especially, is always where they would be seemingly out of Let’s take a not related but who have been singing amazing.” context. You’re building off of the vibe together for years. and emotional context that’s been dictat - Charlie and Ira Louvin look at why duet As if on cue, the second song “God singing can be The next time you listen to good duet Was in the Water” begins, and I turn it ed by the song’s performance. so compelling and why brothers seem to do it singers see if you can hear what they doing. up. A “Leslie’d” guitar line accompanied So how can the fledgling producer/ In use, the “loops” (I use the term so well. In western music there are seven See if you can hear the subtleties of the by a blurry monotone flapping bass and engineer experiment with these loosely, as they are often 16 bars long) fit notes in any scale, with the eighth note being blend and how they “stack” the harmony at a sparse, not-quite-reggae-not-quite-funk approaches in the absence of great song together seamlessly and one can quickly any given point in the song. To do duet the octave of the first or “root” note. From tribal drum beat set a shadowy, ambigu - performances? piece together a sketch of a jazz piece singing well is very difficult, but it sure is these seven scale notes chords, or combina - ous mood. Soon, a wah-wah’d guitar I found a great (if unlikely) resource within a minute or two. Once you’ve tions of three notes played simultaneously, worth it! joins in as Bonnie sings the opening line, in the form of Big Fish Audio’s Jazz done this using the combo loops, you can be made that are pleasing to the ear. LOCAL HAPPENINGS and the whole thing seems to have Quartet traditional jazz construction can then go about the business of replac - (Why some three-note combinations are The San Diego Bluegrass Society has evolved into dark, mysterious water. In loops ($99.95). There are 3.1 gigs of ing these with the similarly named indi - pleasing to the ear and others are not is a moved its fourth Tuesday of the month fea - less than five measures, we’ve been material here in the form of 83 “con - vidual instrument loops. This is the point question answered by physics and signal the - tured band event (formerly at Godfather’s unwittingly transported to someplace struction kits.” Three formats are provid - where I began to have some difficulties, ory, but for our purposes take it as a given Pizza) to the Boll Weevil on Miramar Road. ed, 24-bit WAV files, 24-bit REX files (for because as these are live jazz combo per - that else. Stop by next time if you haven’t visited this use with programs like Recycler) and 16- formances, there is some leakage between some Although the album credits clearly new SDBS venue. In September the SDBS bit Apple loops. the instruments, particularly with the three- state that this record was produced by fourth Tuesday at the Boll Weevil featured piano and drums. This is a “real world” note Bonnie Raitt, the likely culprit of this The “kits” are made from loops that the Virtual Strangers and an SDBS fundraiser issue though, and I think it makes great combina - sonic hijacking would be engineer and are broken down as bass, drums, guitar, for hurricane victims. The SDBS raised funds practice for when you’ll undoubtedly run tions co-producer Tchad Blake. As I am a big and piano, along with an additional that will go to the American Federation of sound fan (okay, disciple) of his work, I know combo version. They are logically organ - into this situation with your own record - Musicians Hurricane Relief Fund, a fund that good and (through reading interviews with him ized into general folders with names like ings. will give relief to New Orleans area musi - some and his longtime creative partner, pro - “052 Cmin,” the first number represent - Going through and doing strange cians who suffered from the hurricanes. And, don’t.) ducer Mitchell Froom) that he likes to ing the tempo and the second obviously things to the resulting drum, piano, and the AFM will match each donation dollar for referring to the key. Within each such guitar tracks yield such fun and informa - These dollar. This is a way for local bluegrass create a sonic landscape that transports folder there are between 3 to 11 different tive results, I just had to recommend this Eric and Leigh Gibson basic enthusiasts to directly help fellow musicians the listener to someplace new. A place sub folders (named 01 52 Cmin, 02 52 approach. Try it and see what you think. three- in need. If you would like to contribute, send that may not exist in nature, but Next month, we’ll explore the “Top note chords are called “triads” and comprise your check to: SDBS earmarked: “Hurricane nonetheless exists as an ideal environ - Cmin, etc.), which hold different varia - Down” theory from the perspective of the first note in the scale, the third note, and Relief” at: PO Box 15292, San Diego, CA ment for the song at hand. Blake and tions that can be utilized for A, B, and C individual musical performances. For the fifth note of the scale. More complex 92175. Froom have done entire albums filled sections, etc. The performances are no chords can be created by adding the sixth, joke, with some pretty damn fine playing now, listen closely and listen often! On Saturday November 26 Richard Greene with these strange but wonderful undis - the seventh, or other notes. Harmony singing and rock solid time keeping in addition (who played with Bill Monroe and his covered worlds. Great examples can be is done by “stacking” the singing voices to Bluegrass Boys) will appear with the Brothers found in the Los Lobos albums Kiko and to the excellent recording quality. create this same chord sound by having each Barton at Acoustic Music San Diego, 4650 Colossal Head as well as Blake and singer sing one of the chord notes. In three- Mansfield (Normal Heights) at 7:30 p.m. For Froom’s side project with members of part harmony the three voices sing the three tickets and information, call (619) 303-8176. that band, Latin Playboys. The first two notes of the chord, and in duet singing one Keep pickin’! Soul Coughing albums that Blake pro - singer sings the melody and the other sings one of the remaining chord notes to create duced are also great examples of this, and harmony. So, we note that in three-part the evolution of this approach is wonder - singing the singers must be more disciplined. fully chronicled on the first three They also Crowded House albums. To see where it have less all started, one need only pick up Tom freedom — Waits’ watershed recording, since there Swordfishtrombones. And if you really are only love what you hear in any of these three notes recordings, you have to check out the in a triad two Froom/Blake recordings for Suzanne chord, each Vega — 99.9F and Nine Objects of Desire. Chris Hillman and Herb Pedersen singer has These last two probably represent the at the Grand Ole Opry. to sing one production duo at their collective cre - “assigned” ative peak. note to avoid duplicating another singer. In The previous paragraph may seem duet singing the person singing harmony has like another tangential digression, but it a choice of which of the two remaining notes actually brings us full circle. It is my to sing, and thus a measure of freedom. And, belief that regardless of the ingeniousness the duet harmony singer can even change of Tchad Blake’s radical approach to notes as the song progresses, maybe singing recording and mixing, without a great the third note harmony for the first part of a song and the skilled and empathetic verse, and then jumping higher to the fifth note harmony to build tension and drama and playing of the musicians involved, all of then back to the third. it would amount to so much muffled racket in the halls of musical history. The great duet singers have routinely made good use of this creative freedom to In fact, a cursory glance down the vary the harmony as it progresses, to keep Froom/Blake discography reveals perhaps the sound interesting to the listener and to the biggest secret to their collective suc - generate tension and release. Brothers who cesses: Randy Newman, Elvis Costello, 10 www.sandiegotroubadour.com NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’ s n e v e t S

e k n i Radio

Hosing Down r B

: o t o

by José Sinatra open-jawed, blazing-eyed, eternal h P scream of agony sported by the LOVE AND RASPBERRIES squashed tabby I encountered on Daze (or Love, Raspberries, Cod Adams near Park Blvd. very early on by Jim McInnes Stew, and Crab Cakes?) Christmas morning in 1995. Wow, that one took a chunk of my soul and has Good to have you back again, after never stopped reminding me of the Rash Decisions that extended, dreamless snooze. theft. This one is dedicated particularly an Diego’s Rocket from the Crypt Okay, just what does that absurd to those who actually missed my holy performed its last show ever (at digression have to do with show biz? Jim McInnes writ, and specifically to the female S least until the reunion tour) on Maybe nothing at all, really, until you figured that it was improbable that one of readers who, at this moment, are Halloween night. My wife Sandi and I consider that either of those departed the friggin’ Rocket from the Crypt guys beginning to feel a pleasant filling of The scintillating Mr. Sinatra attended their infamous 1996 Halloween felines, had they been able to avoid couldn’t get a ride from anyone else! And a troubling void. bash at the Mission Valley Marriott. the distracted, cellphone-using driv - The call, of course, never came. Had Our son Dustin, aka “Dirty,” was part of Sharmon wasn’t really blotto after all. She I want those precious doves to ers, might have gone on to promising it all just been a dream? the band’s live show back then, contribut - was a shill, there to take us to our flight! know that “Hosing Down” is more Sandi had even set it up with my program careers in music or film. Or maybe Certainly not, a creepy crew of ing backing vocals, dancing, and keeping than a mere duty for me. It’s a privi - director so I could take a few days off. Cool! even as a roadie for the Raspberries. British crabs soon informed them. the energy level high. Rocket were awe - lege to do what little I can to keep some as usual. When the show ended and Sandi and I boarded our flight still in Please, people, if you own a pet, When they confided to me their you happy, fresh, feminine. everyone was soaked with beer and sweat, costume. How odd it must have seemed have the decency to teach it about experience, I told them that life is full By the way, you’re looking lovelier Dirty asked if he could take our car because when I, dressed like Tor Johnson from Plan crosswalks and stop signs. And if of lessons and they just learned a he had to get somewhere and he couldn’t 9 from Outer Space , walked onto the plane than ever. you’re driving somewhere, leave your pretty painful and embarrassing one. I find a ride. As we were spending the night accompanied by the late Nicole Simpson, Yes, you are. Does your man say cellphone at home where it belongs assured them that only the three of us fresh from being filleted by O.J. that to you every hour of the day, as at the hotel, we said that was fine and that or have it spayed, for the love of God. would ever know about it (I respect he could drop off the car at the house the We actually flew into Reno, where Sandi any truly honest lover would? If he My, but I do get distracted. So . . . them that much) and then personally next day. had arranged for a rental car. This woman doesn’t, he’s either dishonest or an anyway, the Raspberries, in the olden undertook the eradication of the lat - Then we ran into Sharmon, one of thought of everything. “She should be my imbecile, and you should jettison him days, were known to be prodigious est British “invasion.” It was a serv - Sandi’s pals. Sharmon seemed to be four manager,” I thought, “if I had something to manage.” from your valuable life immediately. womanizers after shows— true ice I rendered with infinite patience sheets to the wind and unable to drive It was a beautiful drive into the Sierras This will free you, my flower, from dis - champs in the “scoring” department. and care, promising to be available home, so we invited her to crash in our to a resort/casino on the California-Nevada traction as you prepare to accept my And like most other musical satyrs, for the necessary twice-weekly fol - hotel room to sleep it off. own unconventional, unconditional, The next morning even my hair hurt! state line, our home for the next few days. they were routinely unconcerned low-ups during the next three months, After settling into our room, which had yet thoroughly sustaining, love. with the shattered female hearts they by which time clean bills of health I’ve always been good at finding ways to have a really great time at the expense of a beautiful view of the mountains, the Then soon, when the time is right, propagated. Tender hearts that hours would be assured. my liver and kidneys. Sandi and Sharmon pines, and the snow, Sandi surprised me you will come to me and be fully and earlier floated in ponds of love, erod - That’s the kind of person this didn’t seem to feel too bad, though. After again! finally mine. If I’m not home, leave a ed into cheap hotel sheets. singer is, and yes, that’s rare. checking out of the hotel, the three of us “Jim, I’ve booked massages for both of note and I’ll get back to you at my Dammit, women are not here on I did it because I cared. And piled into Sharmon’s car, still in costume, us. Go downstairs and get yours from first convenience. But until that glori - this earth to be used like some bar - because, unlike all those other male for the quick ride back to our home in Ursula, the German masseuse, and I’ll meet ous moment . . . you back here in an hour.” I thought, gain box of Kleenex. At least not all of “superstars.” this one carries his tal - Tierrasanta. “Yeah, I need that. Maybe we can play Slap The Raspberries concert, which them. ent with him when he leaves the Instead, Sharmon began driving down and Tickle after that!” was to have taken place at 4th and B Remember now, it wasn’t just the stage. Friar’s Road, heading West instead of East. a couple of weeks ago, was can - Despite my semi-living state I knew she was Ursula gave me the massage of a life - Raspberries, and it wasn’t just way So I can share my abundance with celled — a cultural tragedy to our going the wrong way and, pointing to the time, using exotic oils and fragrances. Then back then. I know two beautiful you, personally. Think of a snake on a I sat in the sauna and the jacuzzi. arts community that surpasses even South, protested, “Hey, we live back there!” young sisters who were recently steroid binge . . . Aaaaahhhh. Paradise. 7/11 in gravity. The reunited ‘Berries The women said, “Relax Jimmy, we’re invited to spend some “quality time” If you need me now, I’m here. We As I showered before returning to our are the original four: Eric Carmen, a going to get some lunch. It’ll make you feel with a legendary singer whom I shall don’t have to wait out another month, room, my right leg began to itch. voice more McCartney than almost human!” I agreed and fell asleep. A pseudonymously identify as “Cod do we? After toweling off and dressing, I head - McCartney himself, with writing few minutes later I was shaken from my Stewart” for personal reasons. slumber by the wife, urging me to get out ed back upstairs to meet the wife for a little chops to rival anyone but the Fabs; Life can be so beautiful, darling, Stephanie and Debby Martly, of the car. Prying my eyelids apart, I saw we afternoon delight. When I opened the door Wally Bryson, the real heart of the when we grasp at the beauty that is sweethearts whom I’ve known for were at the airport. “Hey! This is the air - to our room, she had spread rose petals group, also multiply gifted; Dave always so near to us. As close as ink everywhere, lit some sweet smelling can - over a decade, showed up outside port!” I mumbled. “Shut up, meathead. Smalley, as splendid a on a printed page. As close as a dles, and was playing some great music. Cod’s dressing room after a perform - Get the bags from the trunk. We’re leaving bassist/writer/vocalist as there’s ever columnist’s photo, the one who dares Oh yeah, baby. I scratched my thigh. I ance, hoping to obtain the singer’s town,” said the Queen. “Where to?” I been; and Jim “Banshee” Bonfanti, to care . . . about you, so very, very scratched my butt. I scratched everywhere, autograph for their Grandmother asked. “Tahoe,” Sandi replied. the drummer with unlimited ability much . . . because the massage with Ursula’s exotic Betty, who had all of Cod’s albums. My birthday was in two days and Sandi and invention — unobtrusive but Time to grab that ball in your court, was hijacking me to Lake Tahoe to oils had given me the biggest eczema attack They did indeed get the autograph. thoroughly spectacular. Reports of babe. I’d bet you’re ready to score. celebrate! of my life! And a lot more. So we watched television and celebrated the tour have been ecstatic. (Their More of Dr. Sinatra’s empowering Now it was beginning to make sense. Near the end of their encounter my birthday with a bottle of calamine “Ecstasy” reigns supreme as the words of empowerment are con - Dustin had taken our car so we wouldn’t with rock royalty, Cod Stewart prom - have to deal with parking. I should have lotion. most cost-effective trip even any tained in his latest book, Love Me or ised them a follow-up call to set up a raver could take, and I’d take issue Die , to be published by Waddilove more vital second encounter the next with Eric Carmen’s statement that the Press, if he ever actually writes it. In evening. You see, according to Cod, ending of his “Starting Over” is the the meantime, he will be at Lestat’s he’d fallen in love, real love, for the best he’s ever written; in truth, it’s on Friday, November 18, with the Troy first time in his life and needed a day probably the best anyone’s written, Danté Inferno. ever.) to decide which of the Martly girls would become the fourth or fifth Mrs. Hot damn, they were good, even Stewart. “It’ll be the toughest deci - when Smalley and Bonfanti were sion of me life,” he confessed to replaced for the fourth and final LP, them. “I never thought something like which was released in 1975. this could really happen. You’re both I saw another dead cat on Adams so special, like magic,” he purred Avenue yesterday. The tongue shot solemnly, watching them dress. out into the intersection like a The girls floated in warm, drooling steroid-overdosed snake. Otherwise, fantasy through most of the following there was a look of peace on pussy’s day, until it became tepid, then chilly. face. Quite a difference from the

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 11 NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

Crash Carter D’Vora Amelia Peter Sprague Precious Bryant Red Buttons Blink Comfortable Browning Taking It All In The Truth Company by Craig Yerkes Little Jazz Bird by Craig Yerkes by Lou Curtiss

Crash Carter’s Red Buttons Blink is a by Kate Kowsh As a jazz guitar lover, I have sat Born in Talbot County, Georgia, in bit of a throwback to the ‘70s when by Kate Kowsh front row to see greats such as Joe 1942, Bryant grew up in a musical artists like Elton John, Gary Wright, I have to be honest. When I first Pass, Joe Diorio, Anthony Wilson, and family, picking up her natural finger Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Hall and looked at this album cover — a picture If I were to hear Amelia Pat Metheny. For those of you who style guitar licks from the musical Oates, and Billy Joel were filling the of a woman sitting on the floor of her Browning's’ voice floating around don’t realize this already, Peter blues community around her when top 40 charts with catchy, keyboard- house, guitar in hand, with her cat sit - the corridor of some swanky hotel Sprague has a place right up there she was very young. I’ve been hear - based, male vocal-driven tunes. That ting in her guitar case — I was a little lobby, I’d follow it to the jazz bar, with the great jazz guitarists of our ing about Bryant for some time and having said, this disc in no way sounds leery. D’vora dedicates Comfortable order a dirty vodka martini, and time. More than just his instrumental have wanted to bring her out to the dated, thanks to the exuberance and Company , the title of her new CD and hang out for a while. It’s welcoming, and improvisational prowess, Sprague Roots Festival for the past several fresh musical approach of the band, as well as the first track, to her depart - like an audio invitation to stay a is a writer-composer of positively years but have been unable to with which takes some of the old school ed cat, Shawna. How much could I while. world-class abilities. Taking It All In , his the budgets like they are. This is appeal of the aforementioned artists enjoy an album dedicated to a dead A comfortable soprano, Browning latest release, is a wonderful and unique finger style (à la Elizabeth and throws in other varied influences, cat? But I pressed on…and Karma was wraps her style around 10 jazz and inspiring snapshot of the essence of Cotton and Memphis Minnie) by a i.e., Sting/The Police and Squeeze. good to me for doing so. blues standards on her new album, Peter Sprague, the composer, musi - southern lady guitar player and Whatever stylistic approach they This album is full of mature, well Little Jazz Bird . The title couldn’t be cian, and human being. singer who does a “Tennessee Blues” happen to be taking, the appeal of thought-out musical ideas and stories. more fitting. Her voice, soft, crisp, In the liner notes, Sprague indicates that sounds like it could have been Crash Carter hinges primarily on the Each song is dedicated to one thing or articulate, and unobtrusive, chirps that he wanted to capture what his written 60 years ago. She also does a piano playing and vocals of Casey Gee. another that meant something to every note just as naturally as the band does live by recording mostly live blues tribute to a post-apocalyptic The good news is that this guy can D’vora and to her pack of background birds do. with minimal overdubs. The result of television heroine called “Dark play and sing with the best of ’em. vocalists. Whether it’s a cat, a departed This album doesn’t scream for this purist approach is equal parts play - Angel.” This CD is her second for the John Mears and Jeff Bowman add friend, a coffee shop, or Anne Frank, attention. It doesn’t have to. It’s ful, pristine, stunningly tight, ener - Terminus label; the first was all drums and bass, skillfully managing to the album as a whole hangs out on comfortable hanging out in the getic, heartfelt, and just plain fun. acoustic and this one’s a mix of pull off the difficult task of enhancing the bluegrass area of the musical spec - background. The title track starts the disc with a acoustic and electric. Both CDs are this material with just the right blend trum. But every once and again, it Covering Buddy Johnson’s “Save surprisingly simple, almost recklessly gems. of gusto, groove, and sensitivity. In the travels into country music territory. Your Love for Me,” Browning takes strummed acoustic guitar progression wrong hands, these tunes would be Maybe it’s because of the fiddle. her time and handles this one with that sounds a little like something you seriously damaged by a heavy-handed “Talking Hay Fever Blues” is the care. Accompanied by Kamau would hear if you walked into an open rhythm section. Track one, “Unreal,” gem of the album. Think Johnny Kenyatta on the piano and Kevin mic at a local coffeehouse. As layers continued from previous column gets things started nicely with an up- Cash’s “I Walk the Line” but add in a Green on drums, the trio does this are added to the tune, we go way past tempo, hook-laden ditty, complete sense of humor. Ken Graydon recants, song right. coffeehouse territory into increasingly small part thanks to bass playing that is with soulful falsetto vocal riffs and a in his baritone speaking voice, his Track 10, a cover of Charles interesting harmonic ground, especial - so tight and juicy, I almost can’t driving piano track. “Tidal Waves” is loathing for hay fever. He whines, All I Mingus and Joni Mitchell's’ “Dry ly in the bridge where a haunting, believe a mere mortal did the job. “Joe probably the catchiest tune on the wanna do is lay down and die/In my Cleaner From Des Moines,” is an up- bowed bass melody takes us by sur - Farrell” returns to a more straight disc, with hooks galore and a stellar dust-free coffin/non-allergenic dacron- tempo tune, heavy on electric bass prise. I also loved the relaxed ahead, mid-tempo bop feel and fea - chorus, but it also brings to light the filled lining/Don’t send flowers. and saxophone accompaniment. “Metheny-esque” guitar solo that tures some wonderful interplay among one and only complaint I have with “A Tribute to Camarillo Café” With a voice similar to Joni floats over the changes so nicely as if the musicians as they trade 12-bar the CD: I wish that on this track, and a sounds like a Jimmy Buffet tune weld - Mitchell’s, Browning skips up and he had all the time in the world. Right solos. “Alien I.Q.” returns to the slow few others, the band would have ed to one of Bob Marley’s bass lines. down the scales with ease. from the start, you get a sense that funk of “Acid Peter” and gives the lis - added some kind of high register Written to show her gratitude to Someone said to me once that Sprague likes to give his tunes that tener what they may have been wait - instrument (like maybe a soprano sax). owner Jack Zigray for “providing a you should only cover a song if you extra level of effort in composition. All ing for in “Acid Peter” — a stellar bass In my opinion, some of the tunes venue for our kind of music,” D’vora think you can add something to it. of the tracks on this recording manage solo. I also loved the slick vibe sounds would benefit from that extra some - sings about what a Friday night at the To just say that Browning adds to avoid the dreaded jazz pitfall where on the melody. The closing track, thing in the high register. “Play On” Camarillo Café is like. something to each of the songs she the melody seems almost an after - “Kundalini” is a kinetic, playful, up- incorporates more of a Police influence This album is clearly D’vora’s baby. covers wouldn’t even begin to skim thought to be rushed over in a mad tempo (and yoga inspired) bop tune, a with a righteous percussion track and It’s well-bred and professionally culti - the surface. She brushes years of dash to get to the solos. Check the perfect summation of what I think this sly, Sting-esque layered-doubled vated. dust off them, gets to know them, giddily cool melody on “Shinobi” as album represents. In the liner notes, vocals. Three tracks deep into this and polishes them up, pumping the band moves solidly into a more Sprague tells us that this tune was writ - recording, you will be struck at just warm, red blood through the cold straight ahead, bop-orientated ten back at the start of his career. It’s how impressively versatile Gee’s voice and brittle veins of jazz music alto - approach. “Zen Joao” is a seductive obvious from listening to “Kundalini” is. This guy really uses his vocal instru - gether. Latin jazz tune that features an intoxi - that Sprague hasn’t lost his initial ment to full effect and has remarkable continued from previous column. cating lead line, hauntingly voiced and enchantment with music. There is such range. “Fill You Up” lays down a mean flawlessly executed in the high and a sense of wonder and excitement ooz - groove and makes a cool, subtle shift One thing I loved throughout the low registers by the bass and flute. ing from this album, and “Kundalini” from the piano driving the music to whole recording is the way so many “Unmarketable Math” highlights wraps it all up with a nice bow. My the drums and bass primarily making it old school keyboard sounds were Sprague’s more twisted harmonic sen - favorite Peter and Tripp Sprague solos snap. incorporated, especially the insanely sibilities by throwing us into the mid - are on this track — simply smokin’, On my two favorite remaining groovin’ clarinet parts that show up on dle of a kinky, slower bop tune based inspired improvisation as they move tunes, “Jungle” features a somewhat “Jump Ship” and “Better Than on diminished scale harmony — confidently through changes only mas - kinky chord structure and melody in Myself.” Producer Sven-Erik Seaholm spacey and groovy! Next up is a truly ters can handle with this kind of ease. the verses, creating the perfect ramp- seems to have wisely made the choice inspired choice for the only cover tune: Of the other stellar talents and per - up for yet another ridiculously catchy to let Red Buttons Blink stay pretty close “Travels” by Pat Metheny. The beauti - formances on this disc, I will simply say chorus. It also introduces some cool, to what Crash Carter does live and not ful acoustic guitar and soulful sax that Bob Magnusson on bass, Duncan subtle production touches like the add too many bells and whistles. The dance around each other perfectly and Moore on drums, and Tripp Sprague retro-cool, fuzzed out bass part on the sly touches that do show up (i.e., live the guitar solo is so tasty that I found on sax and flute are world-class players bridge. “Talk, Turn and Run” is a mov - crowd sounds on “Once Like You”) are myself saying, “Hey, listen to this! Isn’t cut from the same cloth as Sprague. ing ballad that, like “Jungle,” master - welcome additions that don’t detract that righteous??!!” “Acid Peter” shows Taking It All In is an incredible jour - fully uses a tension building harmonic from the natural strength of the tunes us yet another side of the man and the ney to appreciate for the musical structure in the verses and then deliv - and the performances. band with a cool, slow funk groove. genius that it represents, enjoy for the ers a big time melodic, lyrical, and In a world of too many guitar bands The melody is so wonderfully twisted way it tickles the ear, and cherish for emotional resolution in the chorus. and guitar plucking singer songwriters, and nasty that my face involuntarily how it touches the heart. When Red Buttons Blink is a wonderful breath contorts every time I hear it. “Acid Sprague invites us to “take it all in” of fresh air that is likely to bring Crash Peter” just won’t stop funkin’, in no with him, it is anything but a hollow Carter a dose of well-deserved invitation. continued next column ➙ attention. continued next column ➙ 12 www.sandiegotroubadour.com NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

Aaron Bowen Blindspot The Storrow See Spot Run Tom Brosseau A Night at Sea The Spring Band Double Dingo What I Mean to Collection Say Is Goodbye by Simeon Flick The Storrow Band by Craig Yerkes See Spot Run strikes me as a band Aaron Bowen’s first solo release by Craig Yerkes by Gregory Page sails in like a Mississippi riverboat by Simeon Flick who takes their music and the mes - fresh off the oceanic void; he’s the The Spring Collection , from sage of their music very seriously. Does it make a difference if you captain of his own lonely ship, adrift Blindspot, is much more than a sub - You can almost hear the down Double Dingo , the double CD from listen to a recording once or a 100 on “Waves of Regret” and resigned tle wink and a nod to the classic, shedding off the spreading wings of See Spot Run, has a very earthy and times? Not really. You connect or you in the depths of his own pathos. A Rickenbacker-fueled hippie sounds of The Storrow Band on their epony - somewhat metaphysical feel, like forget. Tom Brosseau’s latest CD, Night at Sea finds Bowen back on old (the Byrds, most notably). With a mous debut release. The ono - something you would hear around a What I Mean to Say Is Goodbye, is a shore, successfully putting the trou - hefty 16 (!!) tracks, this disc is like a matopoeia of the music reveals three fire pit at a spiritual retreat of some love it or leave piece of work. There bled captain’s log to an antithetically full-blown tribute album to a genre. budding young musicians, led by kind. Fans of this genre will no is no middle ground on this collec - relaxing, campfire-evoking musical At its best, The Spring Collection is an singer-songwriter Martin Storrow, in doubt enjoy Double Dingo and my tion of poetic compositions. You revue. effective, lovingly crafted ode to that the process of leaving the nest and guess is that See Spot Run has loyal either enjoy your music with a per - A Night at Sea is a strikingly sub - vintage, whimsical, blissfully simplis - commencing adult lives on their own fans who appreciate their particular sonal flare or you are an insensitive tle fusion of old and new, as though tic, free spirited pop/rock of the late terms. This is the sound of a young brand of music and spiritual empha - member of the commercial main - Woody Guthrie and Robert Johnson ‘60s and early ‘70s. At its worst, this and intelligently talented band aban - sis. Unfortunately, this recording suf - stream. learned some jazz and possessed Paul disc drones on to become a repeti - doning the cliff-side roost to put fers from what seems to be a general This is commercial suicide at its Simon during a séance held at James tive wash of “didn’t I just hear this their nascent wings to the test. lack of recording/production savvy. best. Brosseau’s voice is a blast from Taylor’s house. The vintage atmos - song?” tracks and even dances dan - In some ways they’re still literally Track after track, I found myself the past, his very own time machine phere is further corroborated by the gerously close to unintended parody and figuratively discovering the noticing problem areas, such as from the bad old days. This is a con - accompanying packaging; the ornate (à la “The Flower People” by Spinal groove (witness the loose — albeit effects being applied much too cept album that begins with “West of early twentieth century-style cover Tap). I think it’s possible that even endearing — group rhythms and heavily, tempo/groove issues, and Town,” where Brosseau’s chilling har - finds Bowen posing in black and the CEO of Rickenbacker Guitars percussion on some tracks). poorly recorded/EQ’d instrumental monica makes you shiver inside. You white with an antique guitar and hat himself might have to concede that However, the sagacious songwriting, tracks (acoustic guitar, in particular) can almost smell smoke from the next to a covered bridge. He contin - this disc tests the limits of how much instrumentation, and production on to name a few. This entire recording chimneys that line a lonesome North ues to wax archaic by splitting the Rickenbacker the human ear can this CD don’t come off like begin - sounds more like a lovingly created Dakota street. The fairly tale tune songs into two acts, with an endure, but if you’re a die-hard fan ner’s luck. There’s also a wonderfully demo than a finished, studio quality “Jane and Lou” sounds like a true “Interlude” and “Encore” and pre - of this style of music, you certainly wide-spanning range of influences — recording. I kept waiting for at least story that was made up in the mind senting the credits under the head - won’t feel like you didn’t get enough everything from the John Mayer-ish one track in which all of the ele - of a simple soul. By the time you ing “Cast (In Order of Appearance)” of what you like. “One More Day” and Mraz-ian ments came together to rise above stumble upon “Tonight I’m Careful like an old vaudeville show. The tracks that worked for me “Monsters” to the Dylan-esque “Ten that “demo-tape” level, but it never With You,” featuring Tom Petty and Bowen’s contemporarily trained were “Something Happened,” “A Thousand People in White” and the really happened, even though it’s the Heartbreakers’ Benmont Tench hands deftly execute old-time finger - Little Bit Of Me,” “I Thought You’d (Willie) Nelson-like “Song That clear that the potential is there. To on piano, you have fallen hook line picking and modern-age percussive Miss Me,” and “Rolling Hills and Makes Brendon Cry.” be fair, this album was recorded at and sinker for this modern day trou - plucking as they alternate through Winding Roads.” “Something The musicianship and production the home studio of one of the band badour. both traditional and innovative chord Happened” and “Rolling Hills and choices are certainly top-notch, espe - members according to the liner When you listen to Brosseau’s changes on tunes like “Friends And Winding Roads” rise well above the cially for neophytes. But these days notes, but the way the CD is pack - music, your life feels more enriched Enemies” and “Real Love.” And other up-tempo material on the there are hardly any frontiers left in aged and marketed seems to indi - and things don’t seem so bad, espe - something convincing in Bowen’s album by way of strong melody lines songwriting besides the lyrical con - cate that Double Dingo is intended to cially when you know there is a wan - earnestly high wisp of a tenor gen - and lyrics that manage to perfectly tent (12 notes against thousands of be more than just a home demo. dering ghost out there, driving across uinely makes you want to help him exploit the distinctive sound of the words, you see), and that is where The three tracks that come the a dusty prairie land in a rent-a-car. when he sings the potentially music rather than be swallowed up these songs shine most propitiously. closest to putting it all together are, “Wear and Tear” is an upbeat lugubrious lines I am all alone in this by it. “A Little Bit of Me” is an effec - Lines in “One More Day” like I “Jupiter,” “Voice of Reason,” and number that paints a wonderful pic - hell/Come and rescue me from myself tive ballad that again fits strong thought about seething rage/I thought “Occam’s Razor.” “Jupiter,” an ture of honest day-to-day life in a in “Tea Cup Boat.” melody and lyrics seamlessly with about grieving waste/and I thought instrumental, features a beautiful small town. Nickel Creek’s Sara The supporting instruments — the sound of the record. These tracks about soothing hate/But in the end melody and adds a violin to create a Watkins’ haunting violin fires up the everything from slide, pedal steel, do exactly what I want music that what’s one more day without a face? very effective, atmospheric piece of imagination in the song “Unfamiliar and lead guitar to the wonderfully sounds like this to do: to take me to lure you into deeper insights with mood music. “Voice of Reason” Places.” scarce rhythm section — are gath - that blissful idea of a more simple their capricious wordplay. seems to best sum up the heartfelt Keeping the production spare ered around the central hearth of and free place in this world. “I “Ugly” and “Living to Return,” like message of the CD, and I loved the and to a minimum was a wise choice acoustic guitar and voice, warming Thought You’d Miss Me” is a sly little the album as a whole, are resplen - way the passionate lead vocal and by Sam Jones, who is as sensitive as their hands on the heat cast outward alt country ditty that serves as a nice dent with a youthful energy and acoustic guitar riffs so nicely in com - Brosseau in the art of magnetizing by the flames of his strong, memo - detour from the rest of the tracks naiveté that chafes at its attacked municating the emotion of the song. such special musical reflections. You rable songwriting. You’ll get chills up with its shuffle feel and the very wel - idealism. The former finds the singer “Occam’s Razor” features some very get the sense that you are peering in your spine listening to Steve Peavey’s come addition of some very nice slightly indignant at the dawning clever lyrics and fits them nicely with through a secret window at Brosseau pedal steel textures as they support pedal steel work. realization that love sometimes just a great backing instrumental. One and his friends who are playing and the pensively mellow vibe on the Besides cutting a few of the tracks isn’t enough ( And though I tried to wild (if somewhat oddly placed) sur - recording music that will live on for - aforementioned “Tea Cup Boat.” altogether and tweaking others a bit, meet demands and be the man to spin prise on “Occam’s Razor” (which ever and ever and ever. Amen. There’s not a lot of variety here, the other thing I wish the band had the planet at her toes/I learned that also shows up on an earlier track, but the homogeneity lends itself well done on this disc is to do more with nobody is everybody’s type so stop pre - “Electric”) is some blazing, Satriani- to a unity of mood and concept that the way cool, Byrds-esque layered tending let it go ). The latter is vibrant esque lead guitar work. However, seems increasingly rare and difficult harmony vocals that appear ever so with the yet unjaded optimism that even these stronger tracks are to pull off, which this record does. briefly from time to time. I really did stems from the promise of a young plagued with some of the aforemen - Buy this CD and you will be dig the four tracks that I singled out life ( ‘Cause I’ve never felt so young tioned production issues in sufficient transported to another time and and couldn’t help but wonder how and free/I’ve never had this energy measure as to distract from the over - place, adrift on the ocean with Aaron much better The Spring Collection before ). all strength of the material and per - Bowen, who won’t feel so forlorn could have been with a little more The Storrow Band contains the formances. with you on board. www.aaron - restraint and editing. sweet strains of a promising band See Spot Run is clearly a unique, bowenmusic.com. emerging into the world and chasing talented, and charismatic band. the sun south for the winter to fol - Double Dingo never quite gets on the low the warmth. You can follow too rails completely, but I wouldn’t be at www.thestorrowband.com. surprised if they come back again with some newly learned recording skills and I will be in line to check it out. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 13 NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ’round about

NOVEMBER CALENDAR WEEKLY High Society Jazz Band , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Yellow October/Bass/Tim Fallen/Lindsey Waldo Bliss/Ben Varela/Elise Levy , every sunday Napa St., 7pm. wednesday • 2 Yung/Derek Evans/Borne , Twiggs, Twiggs, 8:30pm. 7th Day Buskers , Farmers Market, DMV Open Mic Night , Twiggs, 8:30pm. Rachael Gordon/Shambles/Odds Against , 8:30pm. Gregory Page/Dave Howard , Lestat’s, parking lot, Hillcrest, 10am. Lestat’s, 9pm. Carlos Olmeda/Samantha Murphy/Aaron 9pm. Connie Allen , Old Town Trolley Stage, Twigg every thursday Bowen , Lestat’s, 9pm. St. & San Diego Ave., 12:30-4:30pm. Open Blues Jam , Downtown Cafe, 182 E. thursday • 3 sunday • 13 Celtic Ensemble , Twiggs, 4pm. Main, El Cajon, 6pm. (no jam on Nov. 24) sunday • 6 Traditional Irish Music & Dance , The Field, Acoustic Cafe Open Mic/Open Jam , Homegrown Talent Night , Music Room, S.D. Folk Song Society Meeting , 544 5th Ave., 5:30pm. Milano’s Pizza, 6830 La Jolla Blvd., 7-10pm. Bonita Golf Course, 5540 Sweetwater Rd., Int’l Blues Competition 2006 , Calypso Acoustic Expressions, 2852 University Sue Palmer , Martini’s, 3940 4th Ave., 7pm. 7pm. Cafe, 576 N. Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 1-5pm. Ave., 2pm. Hot Fudge Sundae Open Mic , O’Connell’s, 1310 Morena Blvd., 9pm. (except Thanksgiving, Nov. 24) Peter Pupping/Jeff Basile , Escondido George Benson , Sycuan Casino, 5469 Regina Carter Quintet , Neurosciences Wood ‘n’ Lips Open Mic Sweet Delights, Public Library, 239 S. Kalmia St., 7pm. Casino Way, Dehesa, 7pm. Inst., 10640 Hopkins Dr., 8pm. Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss , 8-10pm, KSDS , (88.3 FM). 3709 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa, 7-10pm. Wes Montgomery Tribute w/ Peter Cahill & Delene , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., Gilbert Castellanos Quintet , Dizzy’s, 344 Amelia Browning & David Owen ( Jazz), Sprague, Jaime Valle, Bob Boss, Mitch 7pm. 7th Ave., 8pm. The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice , 10- midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Turquoise Cafe-Bar Europa, 873 Turquoise Meyerson , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers , Lestat’s, Fruit CD Release/Jane Lui , Lestat’s, 9pm. St., 8:30pm. Audrey Surface/Ankle Deep/Renata 9pm. every monday Swing Thursdays , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., Youngblood/Christopher Dallman , 9pm. Twiggs, 8:30pm. tuesday • 15 Blue Monday Pro Jam , Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, Shelter Island, 7pm. Pete Thurston Night , Lestat’s, 9pm. monday • 7 James Brown , 4th & B, 7:30pm. Open Mic Night , Lestat’s, 7:30pm. every friday Jump Jones , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa, 9pm. Country Dick Montana 10 Year Memorial Roberta Piket/Billy Mintz/Ratzo Harris , Tango Dancing , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa St., 8pm. California Rangers , McCabe’s, Oceanside, Party hosted by José Sintra w/ the Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Penetrators/Off Brothers/Pleasure 4:30-9pm. Eric Burdon & the New Animals , Belly friday • 4 Barons/the Farmers , Casbah, 9pm. every tuesday Open Mic Night , Egyptian Tea Room & Up, 8pm. Smoking Parlour, 4644 College Ave., 9pm. Paul Seaforth/Peter Sprague/Bob Roots Music Night on Lou’s Front Porch , Magnusson , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Folk Arts Rare Records, 2881 Adams Ave., Sligo Rags , Dublin Square, 554 Fourth Ave., tuesday • 8 7pm. 9pm. (except. Nov. 18) Jane Lui , Borders Books, 1072 Camino wednesday • 16 They Might Be Giants/Steve Poltz , Del Rio N., Mission Valley, 8pm. Robin Henkel/Nathan James/Ben Blues Jam , Blind Melons, 710 Garnet, 7pm. 4th&B, 8pm. every saturday Tim Dismang , Borders Books, 668 Sixth Hernandez/Anna Troy , Lestat’s, 9pm. Zydeco Tuesdays , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa, 7pm. Ave., 8pm. Connie Allen , Old Town Trolley Stage, Twigg Open Mic Night , Cosmos Cafe, 8278 La St. & San Diego Ave., 12:30-4:30pm. Anna Troy , Borders Books, 11160 Rancho wednesday • 9 Mesa Blvd., La Mesa, 7pm. thursday • 17 Sligo Rags , Dublin Square, 554 Fourth Ave., Carmel Dr., 8pm. Gordon Bok , Acoustic Music S.D., 4650 Irish Music Jam , The Ould Sod, 7pm. Nathan Hubbard Quartet , Dizzy’s, 344 7th 9pm. (except. Nov. 26) Woods Tea Company , Acoustic Mansfield St., 7:30pm. 619/303-8176. Comedy Night w/ Mark Serritella , Lestat’s, Ave., 8pm. Christian/Gospel Open Mic , El Cajon. Info: Expressions, 2852 University Ave., 8pm. Richard Shindell/Wendy Waldman , 9pm. Holiday & Adventure Pop Collective , J.D., 619/246-7060. If/Matthew Jordan/Alfonso/Sunlight for Lestat’s, 9pm. Meeting Grace House Concert, Normal every wednesday the Kings Crusaders/Dave’s Son , Twiggs, Diane Waters Band , O’Connell’s, 1310 Heights, 8pm. [email protected] 8:30pm. Morena Blvd., 9pm. Music at Ocean Beach Farmer’s Market , Foresaken Truth/Ted Ehr/Renata Newport Ave., 4-7pm. Foe Show/Red West/Annie Bethancourt/ Youngblood/Kethro , Twiggs, 8:30pm. Tim Curran/Jessie Gloyd , Lestat’s, 9pm. thursday • 10 Acoustic Underground , Lestat’s, 9pm. saturday • 5 B.B. King , 4th & B, 7:30pm. Rockin’ Aces , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa, 9pm. Mike Baas/Abby/Renata Youngblood/ San Diego Indie Music Fest w/ Veruca Trevor Hall , Twiggs, 8:30pm. friday • 18 See Spot Run Benefit for Escondido Salt/Hornswaggled/Bellrays/Alfred Robin Henkel Quintet/Norton Buffalo , Anna Troy , O.B. Peoples Co-op, 4765 Humane Society , Metaphor Cafe, 258 E. Howard & K23 Orchestra/Danielle Belly Up, 8:30pm. thursday • 24 LoPresti & the Masses/Weepies/Alicia Voltaire, 5:30pm. 2nd Ave., Escondido, 8pm. Ex-Friends/Whiskey Breath/Cindy Lee HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Champion/Laura Jane/Anya Marina/ Cathryn Beeks Ordeal , Milano’s, 6830 La The New Dadaists/Lenny & Ben Berryhill , Lestat’s, 9pm. Anna Troy/Saba/Amber Rubarth/Michael Jolla Blvd., 7:30pm. Ingraham/Erin McCarley/Kenny Sacks/ Billy Watson , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa, 9pm. Raj , Twiggs, 8:30pm. Tiernan/Simeon Flick , The Abbey, 2825 Hurricane Katrina Benefit , Claire De friday • 25 Fifth Ave., noon-midnight. Lune, 2906 University, 8pm. Allison Lonsdale/Greg Laswell/Evan Chet & the Committee , Downtown Cafe, Bethany , Lestat’s, 9pm. Big Bad Voodoo Daddy , Ca. Ctr. for the friday • 11 Jim Earp/Joe Mersch , Borders Books, Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., 8pm. 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 6:30pm. 1072 Camino Del Rio N., 8pm. Jim Earp , Borders Books, 668 Sixth Ave., Hank Show , Pine Hills Dinner Theater, Michael Tiernan , Milano’s, 6830 La Jolla 9pm. Jon & Noah/Korrie Paliotto/Jamie Robb/ Blvd., 7:30pm. Chris Klich Quintet CD Release , Dizzy’s, Mike Dawson , Twiggs, 8:30pm. 2960 La Posada Way, Julian, 7pm. 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Diane Waters Band , Mission Bay Boat & Tim Flannery , Moonlight Cancer Anna Troy , Borders Books, 1905 Calle Ski Club, 2606 N. Mission Bay Dr., 9pm. Gene Johnson Birthday Party , Lestat’s, Barcelona, Ste. 120, Carlsbad, 8pm. The Gooses/Amy Ayres/Liana Piper/ 9pm. Foundation Benefit Concert, Seaside Carlos Olmeda , Twiggs, 8:30pm. Church, 1613 Lake Dr., Encinitas, 7pm. Alexis/Ernie Halter/Kyle Phelan/ Henry Rollins , 4th&B, 9pm. Delancey , Twiggs, 8:30pm. José Sinatra & the Troy Danté Inferno , sunday • 20 Jim Earp , Borders Books, 159 Fletcher Lestat’s, 9pm. Pkwy., El Cajon, 7pm. Dehra Dun/Sputnik Monroe , Lestat’s, Bela Fleck/Edgar Meyer , Ca. Ctr for the The Joey Show , Tio Leo’s, 5302 Napa, saturday • 26 Suzanne Shea , Trislers, 8555 Station 9pm. Arts, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., 6pm. 9pm. Mama’s Mink , Acoustic Expressions, Village Lane, Ste. C., Mission Valley, 7pm. Band in Black , Cask & Cleaver, 3757 S. 2852 University Ave., 2pm. Dave Alvin , Acoustic Music S.D., 4650 Mission Rd., Fallbrook, 7pm. saturday • 12 Richard Greene & Brothers Barton , Mansfield St., 7:30pm. 619/303-8176. saturday • 19 New City Sinfonia , 1st Unitarian Church, Jim Earp/Bill Benzel , Upstart Crow, 4190 Front St., 7pm. Free. Acoustic Music S.D., 4650 Mansfield St., The Chapin Sisters , San Dieguito United Seaport Village, 7:30pm. Suzanne Shea , Trislers, 8555 Station 7:30pm. 619/303-8176. Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Village Lane, Ste. C., Mission Valley, 7pm. John Stewart , Dark Thirty Productions Arturo Sandoval , Ca. Ctr. for the Arts, 340 House Concert, Lakeside, 7:30pm. Jason Mraz/Tristan Prettyman , Copley Encinitas, 7:30pm. 858/566-4040. Anna Troy , Borders Books, 159 Fletcher N. Escondido Blvd., 8pm. 619/443-9622. Symphony Hall, 750 B St., 8pm. Randy Phillips CD Release w/ Peter Pkwy., El Cajon, 7pm. Sparky & Rhonda Rucker , Acoustic Laurence Juber , Acoustic Music S.D., Afro-Rumba , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Sprague, Bob Magnusson, Duncan Jennifer Lee/Peter Sprague/Clifford Moore , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., 8pm. Expressions, 2852 University Ave., 8pm. 4650 Mansfield St., 7:30pm. 619/303-8176. Andrea Reschke/Fly to Blue/Just John & 858/566-4040. Lamb/Gunnar Biggs , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., the Dude/Jennifer Lee , Twiggs, 8:30pm. Jaffe/Levity , Dream Street, 2228 Bacon 8pm. Men of Worth , San Dieguito United Common Rotation/Harmonious Remedy , Methodist Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Matt Jordan , Lestat’s, 9pm. St., OB, 8pm. Tim Flannery , CanyonFolk House Concert, Dream Street, 2228 Bacon St., OB, 8pm. Encinitas, 7:30pm. 858/566-4040. Kyle Phelan , Borders Books, 668 Sixth Harbison Canyon., 8pm. [email protected]. NeilFest w/ Coyote Problem/Peggy ESP Jazz Quintet , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., Ave., 8pm. The Storrow Band , Borders Books, 668 sunday • 27 Watson/Truckee Bros./Shawn Rohlf/Joe 8pm. Tim Dismang , Borders Books, 11160 Rathburn/John Katchur/Pete Thurston/ 6th Ave., 8pm. All Night Blues Party w/ Chet & the David Peters/Kirsten Asche , Twiggs, Rancho Carmel Dr., 8pm. Arabella Harrison , Dizzy’s, 344 7th Ave., Patty Hall , Borders Books, 11160 Rancho Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. 8:30pm. 8pm. Carmel Dr., 8pm. Lisa Sanders/Natasha Alexandra/Clara Lofaro , Lestat’s, 9pm. monday • 28 All Night Blues Party w/ Chet & the Fiona Apple , House of Blues, 1055 Fifth Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Ave. wednesday • 23 Dixieland Jazz Festival (thru Nov. 27), Phil harmonic Sez: Town & Country Resort, 500 Hotel Circle N. See back page for info. Molly Jenson , Lestat’s, 9pm.

It is our basic nature to care for for Escondido cert Hum Con ane the well-being of every person, it and animals displaced by So nef Hurricane Katrina cie Be ty creature, plant, rock, and Saturday, November 19, 8-11pm Metaphor Cafe, 258 E. 2nd Ave., Escondido molecule of this Great Illusion. Hosted by See Spot Run — Big Dharma Law All donations and matching funds from the band go to the Escondido Humane Society

www.escondidohumanesociety.org • www.spotheads.com 14 www.sandiegotroubadour.com n Ave ue NOVEMBER 2005 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ms Str a eet the local seen Ad Fair t

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