FREE

SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR Alternative country, Americana, roots, Tfolk, gospel, and bluegrass music news

July 2003 Vol. 2, No. 10

what’s inside

Welcome Mat………3 Mission Statement Contributors Out and About

Full Circle..…………4 Fanny, Nook, & Cranny Lou Curtiss

Front Porch…………6 Anya Marina That Mad Ahab Twiggs Steve Denyes

Parlor Showcase...…8 Steve Poltz

Ramblin’ …………10 Bluegrass Corner Radio Daze José Sinatra Paul Abbott

Of Note.……………12 Peter Hall Darlin’ and Rose Shadowdogs Will Edwards Rookie Card

‘Round About ...... …13 RantHouse July Music Calendar

The Local Seen……15 Photo Page Phil Harmonic Sez:

“Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it.”

—George Bernard Shaw San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 welcomewelcome matmat

WHO SAID THERE’S NOTHING TO DOINTHIS TOWN? by Phil Harmonic The week- One of my end brought me favorite venues is In actuality, there is almost too back to my Dizzy’s. Located much to do. This city has more enter- responsibility of downtown, right tainment options than there are working for a liv- next to the new Starbucks outlets in the county. Well, ing, so I continued ball park, Dizzy’s maybe not. But still, the choices are to wrap up my is run by anoth- plentiful. I’d like to share what I did in delivery of Ken er veteran a less than 10-day period from May 29 Cinema film sched- musician and ules and our own cinitas booking agent, to June 7. y in En ’s Colon The Casbah Double-checking our itinerary for S.D. Troubadour to Artist Chuck Perrin. A real asset to the Later that evening, I ended up at the week, my beautiful wife, Tipsi various locations San Diego music scene, Perrin, who is Brave Combo at Fern Street Circus the Casbah where San Diego favorite Holiday and I were off to Balboa Park throughout the county. I happened to well-connected, brings top talent and Steve Poltz and the Rugburns played on Thursday evening to see Brave and friend and associate Marco stop by the Artist’s Colony in Encinitas diverse musical styles to Dizzy’s, one to a sold-out house, which included Combo at the Fern Street Circus’ out- Anguiano of the Adams Ave. Business (where Danny Salzhandler has been being Sven-Erik Seaholm whose CD A.J. Croce, Java Joe, Dave Easton, door stage in Balboa Park. What an Association. With old friends Rick doing a great job booking the music) at release party on June 5, in a word, and Adam Gimbel. My favorite thing to incredible treat, as anyone who was Sexton and Ruben Seja doing the the exact same time Cindy Lee ROCKED. Chuck Schiele and the do there, if the Galaga machine is there would know, to listen and dance sound, who else should show up but Berryhill and Randy Hoffman Mysterious Ways and Mr. Soul, Dave occupied, is to hang outside and to music played by the modern kings of two of San Diego’s music experts, began their evening perform- Howard, opened. All three are watch who comes and goes. I love this polka and just about everything else. George Varga of the S.D. Union- ance. Berryhill’s quirky songs great songwrit- bar. Kudos to Tim and Bob. Thanks, Glancing over the crowd, I spotted Tribune and Rob Hagey of Street are such a delight and so ers as well as guys. Oh, by the way, could you possi- local San Diego musician David Page Scene. It was a good time for all who wonderfully embellished by top performers attended. Hoffman on percussion, and arrangers. bly enroll the doorman (not Andrew) tympani, and everything Good friend Jon who has some big attitude on me, in a but the kitchen sink. Edwards (Java class like Social Skills 101 or Unfortunately I could only Joe's, Croce’s) Beginning Diplomacy? I told him he stay for five or six songs. handled the sound. was giving me a little too much atten- SAN DIEGO ROUBADOUR It was hard to pull Even the audience tion. Even to condescending doormen Alternative country, Americana, roots, myself away from included a semi- who lack diplomacy, I’m always com- Tfolk, gospel, and bluegrass music news watching master Who’s Who from the pelled to say, “Thanks for concerning Hoffman, who has local music scene: I yourself with me.” drummed every style shared laughs with (blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ Buddy Blue and chat- MISSION CONTRIBUTORS roll) in various bands ted with Dan Connor, To promote, encourage, and PUBLISHER and played every Dizzy’s Sylvester Bowen of provide an alternative voice for the kind of percussion instru- Freedom Guitar, saxo- Lyle Duplessie great local music that is generally ment, including Harry Partch’s original phonist Chris Klich, overlooked by the mass media; EDITOR instruments. His talent for innovation is Carol Ames, and the list goes on. It truly genius and I am surprised that his was a special night, concluding in namely the genres of folk, country, Ellen Duplessie roots, Americana, gospel, and blue- name doesn’t appear more often on North Park shooting pool at the grass. To entertain, educate, and GRAPHIC DESIGN locally produced CDs. Second Wind. Won some, lost some. bring together players, writers, and Liz Abbott On Sunday the Troubadour staff lovers of these forms; to explore were treated to a performance of Fire their foundations; and to expand the PHOTOGRAPHY on the Mountain at the San Diego audience for these types of music. Mildred Moreno Repertory Theater. I was moved, impressed, and pleased that San Diego Bill Richardson To receive advertising rates and has such quality theater as the Rep, Paul Grupp information, call 619/298-8488 or Lamb’s Players, the Old Globe, and the e-mail [email protected]. DISTRIBUTION La Jolla Playhouse. San Diego Historical Society entrance San Diego Troubadour Kent Johnson On Saturday afternoon, Tipsi and I P.O. Box 164 Ellen Duplessie went to Balboa Park and the San La Jolla, CA 92038 ADVERTISING Diego Historical Society, where Tipsi E-mail: [email protected]. volunteers, to see and hear a special Kent Johnson slide presentation by Welton Jones E WRITERS and Greg Williams, curator of the pho- tograph collection, on this city’s movie SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the Paul Abbott theaters from the early 1900s to the local source for alternative country, Lou Curtiss Lestat’s Coffee House Americana, roots, folk, gospel, and present. A real treat for San Diego his- Ellen Duplessie tory buffs. We were on the edge of our bluegrass music news, is published The Ould Sod Friday brought me to Lestat’s Lyle Duplessie seats! monthly and is free of charge. Coffee House. Headliner Carlos Phil Harmonic The day couldn’t have ended bet- Letters to the editor must be signed Wednesday night found me at the Olmeda stimulated the audience, ter. The 11th Annual City Heights and may be edited for content. It is Paul Hormick Ould Sod where the Hatchet Brothers which included his father and sister, were playing. I talked with C.J. International Village Celebration not, however, guaranteed that they Frederick Leonard with his unique songwriting style and Hutchens and fellow staffer Millie offered great music and food (thanks will appear. Jim McInnes interpretation. With his comfortable to Alma at Hot Monkey Love Café for Bill Richardson Moreno with whom I held a short stage presence, he is indeed a crowd All opinions expressed in SAN meeting outside, around the corner, in reminding me about it). Victor Payan, José Sinatra pleaser. Former Java Joe waitress, DIEGO TROUBADOUR, unless the parking lot. Gotta match? experienced talent booker for the Gus Williker Meghan LeRoque opened the evening otherwise stated, are solely the Tuesday night is special at Blind (my thanks to her manager, James Adams Ave. Street Fair, was the event Robert Woerheide opinion of the writer and do not Melon’s in Pacific Beach where José Adams for letting me know). Although coordinator. There was music by Hot represent the opinions of the staff D. Dwight Worden Sinatra hosts their Karaoke Night. Meghan and I had spoken many times Monkey Love, Los Alacranes, Len or management. All rights reserved. Ladies, here’s your opportunity to at Java Joe’s, I had never heard her Rainey et al. and lots of wonderful eth- ©2003 San Diego Troubadour. Cover Photography: Bill Richardson spend three and a half hours and play. I was, to use an old expression, nic food, including three different kinds become a close personal friend of the blown away. Her opener was a power- of ribs. By the size of the crowd, I Hose himself. He does this as a benefit ful song with a theatrical delivery that imagine the day was a huge success; I for a group in Japan that call them- would have made Nick Cave proud. was even able to buy my coffee beans WRITE TO US! selves the Save All Karaoke Effort or She can create a mood with just two from Helen at Coffees of the World, SAKE as they are known here in the chords and is able to emulate a dis- since her shop is close by. Truly inter- We want to hear from you! U.S. You will also find another local national in all aspects, especially the Send your comments, feedback, and tinctly different sound in each song. A writer with a regular weekly column gutsy sound with a hint of Alanis music, the festivities brought a warm suggestions to: behind the bar: Edwin Decker from Morrisette and Jason Mraz, she’s a feeling as I stood in my old neighbor- [email protected] City Beat. risk taker on the move, so watch for hood where I once shed my whiteness or to San Diego Troubadour, her name. and became a human being. P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA 92038-0164.

3 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour fullfull circlecircle

Fanny, Nook, & Cranny Jumpin’ in a

byTime Lyle Duplessie In 1976of the duo became a trioJive with musical territory, their interpretation the addition of bass player Barry and delivery could be quite differ- n the surface Fanny, Nook, Rekoon. With this change came the ent. Stone’s Throw presented very and Cranny appeared to be need for a new name. Thus, Fanny, cool and laid-back renditions, no more than a premiere Nook, and Cranny was birthed. The whereas Fanny, Nook, and Cranny localO lounge act of the mid to late trio’s name actually came by way of made the same songs swing and 70s. It went far deeper than that, a rewritten lyric from a crazy jump. however. This little combo special- Christmas carol penned by Johnson Between 1976 and 1979 Fanny, ized in recreating the music of great and his old friend José Sinatra a Nook, and Cranny became well- American artists from the ’20s, ’30s, couple of years earlier. known regulars around town. As a and ’40s. Though the group covered Johnson recalls the period mere partial listing, they performed the contemporary music of the day, when Fanny, Nook, and Cranny at the Mandolin Wind in Hillcrest, its claim to notoriety was how it came into being. “In the years just Jose Murphy’s in Pacific Beach, reached into the past for its soul and before disco, there were few dance Quinn’s Pub in Bird Rock, Dick’s at inspiration. The works of Fats bands around town. Bands were the Beach in Solana Beach, Harpoon Waller, Dizzy Gillespie, Bessie always playing to an audience, so Henry’s on Shelter Island, Jeremiah’s Smith, Duke Ellington, the Boswell every band that was successful also Steak House in Rancho Bernardo, Sisters, and so many more of the had to put on a good visual show. A the Heart of Europe in La Jolla, and great singers, players, and songwrit- band’s music and stage presence had the Triton Restaurant in Cardiff. ers sandwiched between the Roaring to be unique. They also had to When they weren’t playing taverns ’20s, the Great Depression, WWII, inject a lot of in-between-the-lines and restaurants, they were busy put- and the early post-war years, were humor in their shows. My favorite ting on shows at private parties, the mainstay of Fanny, Nook, and local bands that blended these political fund raisers, and casuals. Cranny. With their quirky, upbeat, aspects real well were O.D. Corral, They even appeared on the Gong and updated renditions of classic Montezuma’s Revenge, and Thunder Show in June, 1977! Out-of-state American musical gems, Fanny, Bolt the Wonder Colt.” gigs included a stint at the Holiday Nook, and Cranny provided Fanny, Nook, and Cranny was Inn in Lubbock, Texas, and a New patrons with not only fine known for its hysterical, Year’s Eve at the Hotel El Tovar at entertainment, but infectious blend of the Grand Canyon, South Rim. also a musical histo- class and irreverence Things were looking real good ry lesson. as well as their for the band when they got a call to The core of mastery of the play an extended gig at the Inn at Fanny, Nook, and double-entendre. the Park in Anaheim. This hotel was Cranny was com- Even though the part of the Disneyland Hotel Chain, prised of guitarist band had great and with a bit of luck they could be Kent Johnson and stage presence and regulars with salaried positions, welfare of the flutist Maxxine put on memorable health benefits, a retirement plan, other Fanny, Sherman. At the time, shows, it was always the and the whole shebang. With opti- Nook, and Johnson was a recently dis- music that mattered most to mism on high, the band moved up Cranny mem- charged sailor from the aircraft carri- its members. They were all drawn to to Anaheim. Everything was going bers can’t be er Kitty Hawk and one-time lead the popular sounds and songs of a fine until one night a hotel chain clearly ascer- singer for the navy’s Western Pacific nearly forgotten executive heard the band in one of tained, Kent Fleet’s rock and jazz band. Sherman era — ragtime, jazz, jug band, its frisky moods. He took offense to Johnson is still was a formally trained musician who blues, and sultry torch ballads some of the between-the-lines off- as creative and had studied at Juilliard. Both met became the substance of the band’s color banter going on between the effervescent as while band members of friend Craig repertoire. Many of those songs had band and the audience. What went ever. He put in Ingraham’s band, Freedom Quest, been a part of each member’s musi- over well in San Diego fell like a years of solo which included a young David cal baggage, but at this juncture lead zeppelin within the family con- work, collabo- Benoit on keyboards and a teenage they all became committed students, fines of a Disneyland hotel venue. In rated as one Bill Richardson on violin. When exploring this music even deeper. short order they were given their head of a two- Freedom Quest broke up in 1973, You could often find them at Lou walking papers, were out of jobs, headed serpent Johnson and Sherman attended Curtiss’ old Folk Arts digs on Fifth and stranded out in the Orange with his old Mesa College as music majors and Avenue, mining for the songs they County wastelands. comrade José began their collaboration as the duo would be performing a few days Soon after the dispirited band Sinatra, and Kent and Maxx. They became regu- later. They soon became experts on finally staggered across the San eventually mar- lars around town, playing venues as these songs, artists, and the times Diego County line, they decided to ried his beauti- diverse as the upscale Springfield reflected in its representative music. call it quits. Once again Johnson ful and talent- Wagon Works in Kearny Mesa to the As for the competition, only and Sherman regrouped around ed wife, Liz seedy Apartment beach bar across one other local band had a similar each other. Between 1980 and 1981 Abbott. He continues to be a friend from the then-derelict Mission Beach vision. That band was Stone’s they performed in town as the duo, and supporter to local musicians. roller coaster. Throw. Johnson remembers the two Two the Maxx. Shortly thereafter Finally, he remains a major asset to Duos are limited to what they groups sharing a good-natured and Sherman left San Diego, leaving the local music scene as an indis- can do. That’s even the case with a supportive rivalry. And even though Johnson to go solo. pensable member of the Troubadour very good duo like Kent and Maxx. both bands might cover the same Though the whereabouts and family.

4 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 fullfull circlecircle

Recordially, Lou Curtiss

Roy Acuff: The show about that time, and Smokey Mountain guy named Joe Chandler Boy at 100 Years did a show after that for a and a Blues year or two, but that was Thing or Two about it for blues on KPRI. They do have a blue jean The first phonograph commercial they air every records that I was even con- evening for a minute or two sciously aware of when I but that’s mostly white boy was about four or five years blues rip-offs. The only sta- old were by Roy Acuff and tion that plays blues on a the Smokey Mountain Boys regular basis is KSDS (88.3 on those old lavender Okey FM). Check out their 78s and I think one on Saturday line up that Melotone that my Mom includes picked up at • Second Line Parade, Seattle’s 8-9pm Lou Curtiss Pike • Every Shade of Blue (T’s Place Testament label others over the next celebrate the 100th year of award-winning show Market. (TCDS029). In 1979 22 or 23 years, his birth, well over 60 of for over 16 years), I remem- Ford teamed with mostly at local which were spent on the 9pm-2am ber tunes Sam Smart and clubs and parties. Opry. Hardly anyone ever • Beale Street Caravan, like “Wreck Louis Major (and Like most San speaks of him these days 2-3am on the Highway,” “Low and sometimes Big Daddy Diego blues musi- even though he Lonely,” “Tell Mother I’ll Be • Blues Attitude, 3-6am Rucker) to play around cians, he never got his was one of There,” “Be Honest With Then on Sunday, there’s the San Diego area, includ- due. Ford was a character the first four Me,” and of course “The my own show, Jazz Roots, ing at the first San Diego and stories about him, elected to Wabash Cannonball.” We 8-10pm, and T’s Is It Late Blues Festival, held at the many of them unprintable the Country also heard Roy on the Sunday or the Monday Normal Heights here, are well known. Ford Music Hall of national Prince Albert Grand Blues. Also on Thursday, Methodist Church Thompson is gone, but the Fame and Ole Opry broadcasts every check out Blues ‘til Five in the fall of Ford legend continues and always championed the Saturday night. Throughout and on Friday, Blues 1979. After that can only grow with time. Opry throughout his time my life his music has been Out of the Box. A band kind of there. I’d like to put togeth- Recordially, an important part of my pretty good line up came apart, Ford er a celebratory concert Lou Curtiss musical heritage, not from San Diego’s real continued to gig in Roy’s memory. I’ve always at the fore- “only station that plays occasionally with talked to a few fel- front but there the blues.” Check it out. Tomcat, Fred Heath, and low Acuff fans and nonetheless. For Speaking of San Diego I’d like to hear from me, Roy nearly blues, I learned that long- some others. Call me always symbolized time San Diego bluesman at Folk Arts Rare Records what was right about Henry Ford Thompson (619/282-7833) with your country music. I can’t say passed away. I first met Ford ideas. that I always agreed with his when Tom “Tomcat” I recently noted in the musical choices but more Courtney brought him by promo materials for the often than not he pointed the old Folk Arts recent San Diego Blues the way I was going. Roy store for one of Festival that radio sta- always stood for the tradi- our early ‘70’s tion KPRI laughingly tional side of Nashville and I concert series. called themselves San always thought he was a bit Originally from Diego’s only radio sta- lost with the Nashville Memphis, Ford tion that plays the blues. Sound and the non-country was a cousin of rock Well, that may have been direction Nashville had legend Chuck Berry. He and true back around 1970. In taken during his last few Tomcat’s dueling guitars, fact, I did my first radio years. On September 15, we with Tom singing, brought show on KPRI, an all blues down the house at the first San Diego Mini-Blues Festival in June of 1973. They also played together at the fifth and sixth San Diego Folk Festivals and appeared on Advent Records’ San Diego Blues Jam, recorded in 1974 and reissued on CD on the Henry Ford Thompson 1938-2003

5 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour frontfront porchporch

Miss Halfway Goes On the Road with That Mad Ahab All the Way by Paul Hormick and accordion come to the fore, changing the characteris- g by Robert Woerheide n i ake a banjo, mandolin, tics of the song from rock to K

r something more folk or east e and accordion; back t e

P European. Just imagine nya Marina makes waves. them up with drums, : o

t T Nirvana jamming with Pete Not the kind lapping on o bass, and guitar; mix in the h San Diego’s shores but P influences of Bob Dylan, Hank Seeger in the Borsch Belt and the kind that get her banned Williams, Tom Waits, and you get the idea. A Giebe is the most featured from The Mint [in Los Angeles] Willie Nelson; and you get instrumentalist in the band, and send little old ladies running That Mad Ahab, a sextet whose playing leads on guitar and for the hills. You might call her sound varies from the better mandolin. He picked up the spunky. You might call her out- days of Bob Dylan and The mandolin only a year and a landish. You might even — while Band to something that might half ago, specifically for the listening to her unapologetic be described as post-punk klezmer. band. Since then, “I fell in love lyrics in a crowded and beer- That Mad Ahab was with it,” he says. stained bar — call her rude. Just formed about a year and a half Gustafson describes his don’t call her dainty. Oh, you ago. “I had a bunch of songs choice of keyboards and accor- might think that if you caught a that I wanted some help on,” dion as arbitrary. The impor- glimpse of her across a crowded says Murphy Phelan, lead tant thing was playing in the room — a radio personality singer and songwriter of the band. “We just want to get up holding a cocktail, small-framed band. He started playing his on stage and have a good and modest. Approachable, songs with his cousin, Peter time,” he says. McLoud agrees. yes . . . but controversial? Soon Deprang, who plays bass, and He says, “I’ll be with the band you can decide for yourself. In Matt Giebe, who sings back-up as long as I can find time to do August you’ll be able to get your vocals and plays guitar and it.” He adds that Phelan’s songs own copy of the debut EP mandolin. attracted him to the band. release of the 94.9 FM deejay Their neighbors heard The drummer and bassist and fearless singer-songwriter, them practicing. Instead of also say that they want to enjoy Anya Marina. complaining about the noise, their music. Deprang describes The lack of inhibition is what they joined the band. Joel the band as “a good release, makes Marina so surprisingly McLoud picked up the banjo, and fun.” Raddatz says, “The outrageous and refreshingly Mike Gustafson started playing band’s my outlet. It’s the best time playing with these guys.” humorous. Her infamous song, keyboards and accordion, and The band’s name comes “Millionaire,” contains lyrics that Jeff Raddatz switched from gui- from Jack Kerouac’s On the would make even the most tar to drums. Since they’re all Road. At one point the author brazen schoolboy blush. Many of neighbors, it’s easy to schedule describes the Neal Cassady- the songs that have turned a rehearsal, which happens about every other day. They inspired hero of the novel, heads in San Diego will be play often at the Beehive and Dean Moriarty, as “that mad included on the EP, along with have been recording a CD for Ahab.” Of course Kerouac was some new material, which is sure the past two months. making allusions to Melville, to be memorable. The tentative Their repertoire consists and Melville was making allu- album title, Miss Halfway, is Anya Marina almost entirely of Phelan’s sions of his own. But that’s lit- more than just a clever play on compositions, with an occa- erature, and we’re talking words — it is a personal affirma- As if her fiery style weren’t If you can’t wait for Miss sional cover, such as Sam music right now. tion. She explains the title is enough on its own, Marina Halfway to hit the streets — or Cooke’s “Bring it on Home.” That Mad Ahab has a good “about fighting that evil twin worked with friends and musi- just want to catch this fireball in Dynamics play an important time with their music, and they inside you that says horrible cians to create her debut album, action, live — you can see part in their tunes. They might want their audience to have a things; it’s about coming to drawing from San Diego’s talent- Marina on July 11 in the be rocking out as they back up good time, too. Phelan sums it terms with that voice inside. It’s ed pool of artists. She laughs, Cannibal Bar at the Catamaran Phelan’s vocals, but as the jam up. “We want to make people about saying, ‘I’ll show you!’“ “This album has half of San Hotel in Mission Beach or at quiets, the sounds of the banjo feel as good about us as we feel That little voice better watch Diego on it.” Engineered by Twiggs on July 26. Her August about our favorite band.” out. Peter King, the EP features Steve gigs include a performance at P h

There are two sides of Poltz (with whom Marina wrote Dizzy’s on the 17th. In addition, o t o :

Marina’s talent that seem to several of the songs), O (Fluf), she has a sizzling web site that M a t compete for attention. Or per- Aaron Redfield (Dance Floor her fans can visit to keep t

G

Prophets), and stand-up bassists informed on everything Anya: o haps it’s a combination that l d e makes for an altogether better Rob Thorsen and Jim Austin. The http://www.anyamarina.com. n act. First, her appealing voice album was co-produced with and looks, together with her Scott Russo of Unwritten Law, original tunes, make for an who helped with arranging enjoyable musical show (that is, tracks. Red Room Recordings, a if the lyrics don’t bother you). record label associated with But it’s her sense of humor and Redsand, which regularly fea- wit that leave you wondering tures independent musicians, will why she doesn’t have a gig at release the 10-12 track EP. It will the Comedy Store instead. This be available for purchase at inde- is not to say that her music is pendent record stores through- not to be taken seriously, but out the county, such as Lou’s rather that her honest humor Records and Tapes in Encinitas adds to an already entertaining and Off the Record on Fifth show. Avenue in Hillcrest.

6 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 frontfront porchporch

Twiggs: More Than Just a Coffeehouse by Paul Hormick Ciccolella says that many local talents, international- of the musicians appreci- ly known finger-style gui- have a friend for ate the PA, too. “The tarist Muriel Anderson and I whom the ultimate sound is really good. We Laurence Juber (known for musical experience is made a sizable investment being Paul McCartney’s in some good gear,” he guitarist as well as for found at the stadium or ing and piano workshops Twiggs is located at says. doing a stint on the soap sports arena. Being one during the day. Stringfield 4590 Park Boulevard in Some of San Diego’s opera The Young and the among thousands as she handles the booking for the University Heights best musicians have Restless) have played there stands on her seat to spy these events. “Dan is a section of San Diego. They played at Twiggs. Fred as well. “They sought us the band — so high and very neighborhood con- also have a location in the Benedetti and George out,” Ciccolella says of far away on the stage — scious guy,” says newly refurbished El Svoboda have performed Anderson and Juber. He adds to her concert thrill. Ciccolella. “He wants a Cortez Hotel building. classical guitar duo there, explains that although community place for peo- For information and per- I never go with her. I like and so has Chris Klich these musicians are inter- ple to gather.” formance schedules, call my music a little quieter with his jazz combo. nationally known, the His work at the Green (619) 296-0616 or visit and to actually see the Singer songwriters number of fans they have Room over the last six their website: performers. That’s why Deborah Liv Johnson and in San Diego are few; years has been rewarding http://twiggs.org. you’ll find me at some of Gregory Page have sung therefore a smaller venue for Ciccolella. “I love to their fans in the Green like the Green Room works the smaller venues for my being around so many Room. Local singer song- well for them. music, such as Twiggs’ interesting and talented writer Will Edwards chose As part of Stringfield’s Green Room. As the room people,” he says. “I’ve Twiggs to celebrate his CD and Horan’s commitment holds only about 100 peo- watched people grow. I’ve release. He says, “Twiggs to the community, the ple, no seat is far from the seen some people become has the reputation as Green Room is available performers. very credible formidable being supportive of local for local business network- Twiggs and its Green artists.” musicians.” ing meetings, 12-step pro- Room were languishing In addition to these gram meetings, and act- until current owners Dan Stringfield and Bernie Horan bought the coffee shop six years ago. They

thought about turning the r e g e

Green Room into a gift u r K

and antique shop, but y c

ILL LAY FOR ONEY n WWILL PPLAY FOR MMONEY a decided to keep it a per- N

: o formance space. John t o h Ciccolella, who was a reg- by Ellen Duplessie the music business, but I, for one, Selis, Peter Sprague, Shawn P. Rohlf, P ular customer and lived in have not yet seen one written on the Deborah Liv Johnson, Scottie Blinn, the neighborhood, volun- howcasing his creative abili- realities of earning your way as a and Jeff Berkley, among several oth- teered to run the Green ties once again, Steve musician. ers who have since moved out of the Room’s sound system. “It Denyes has just completed “There are literally hundreds of area. Denyes gets to the heart of S books on how to write songs, get what it’s really like to make music for seemed like an interesting his first book, Gigging for a Living. and fun thing to do,” he After 15 years of performing in cof- gigs, and sell CDs, but none of them a living by asking them tough ques- expresses what it’s really like to tions about the effect their careers says. He soon took over feehouses, bars, restaurants, con- make music for a living,” explains have had on their lives, their rela- booking the room and cert halls, clubs, and theaters, Denyes. “There is a lot of joy in mak- tionships, and even their bank now runs the Wednesday Denyes decided it was time to write ing music but there’s also a lot of accounts. open mic as well. Six a book about the experience of struggle. I wanted this book to What makes it especially inter- years after the fact, he is a being a working musician. Steve Denyes What a great idea! We’ve all reflect the good and the bad.” esting reading for the local commu- bit surprised that he fully Denyes intentionally chose nity is the fact that the folks he’s seen so many “how to” books about Gigging for a Living: Candid manages the entertain- musicians who are making a living interviewed are all local artists. It’s a Conversations with Independent ment in the Green Room. playing music without the assistance most interesting insight into the lives Working Musicians, and Denyes “I didn’t think that I’d be of a major record label. “These are of many whom we already know and (along with many others) will cele- working in the capacity I musicians who are out there in the whose music we enjoy. We get a brate its release on Sunday, July 20, am now,” he says. trenches, playing gigs and making better idea about the sacrifices 7 p.m. at the 101 Artists’ Colony in Since the room is sep- records on shoestring budgets,” these artists make in order to follow Encinitas (25 East E St., 760/632- arate from the coffee says Denyes. “Their passion, dedi- their musical passions, along with 9074). His book is dedicated to house, musicians don’t cation, and perseverance is truly an the many rewards of doing so . Indian Joe Stewart, who currently inspiration to me. I hope their stories Although I’ve only had a have to fight the noise lives in Ramona and plays all over will inspire others to follow their chance to skim through the book, it from the espresso the county with his band, Indian Joe passion and do what they love.” is one that I don’t want to put down. machine, and they don’t and the Chiefs. Gigging for a Living includes It’s easy reading and quite fascinat- have to play over the voic- Denyes celebrates the book’s extensive interviews with 15 musi- ing. Watch for a complete book es of the patrons who release on Sunday, July 20, 7 p.m. at cians Denyes has come to know review in the August issue of the come to Twiggs not for the 101 Artist’s Colony in Encinitas over the course of his career, includ- S.D. Troubadour. music, but to converse. (25 East E Street). ing Steve White, Gregory Page, Eve

7 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour parlorparlor showcaseshowcase

by Bill Richardson

Buenos Aires. A new world opened its petals The Man for Steve; he was thankful to see it blooming Like the late Steve Allen, he’s able to vibrantly in San Diego when he followed his make a brand new, very good song up on the sister to live here in 1979. spot. Like Sammy Davis Jr., music may be the Then came college, along with a stint most essential component of the oxygen he playing classical guitar at the El Amigo breathes. Like Lenny Bruce, he’ll find a way to Ballroom in El Cajon and at Por Favor in La hasSteve successfully followed to Poltz isolate a bit of tenderness in a crunchy stew Mesa where, over time, he would work the this day. (That particular tip how often is of tragedy and outrage. odd original composition, with vocals, into must be kept secret for now, Unlike those other geniuses, Steve Poltz the diners’ background score. Various other since another local musical is still alive among us, a fact that makes us a jobs would help keep him in strings and text- figure got wind of it and has DYSFUNCTION very lucky bunch indeed. books, one of which carried the prescient title assured me that those I love And on September 9th, we can add of “nipple fitter” with a PVC pipe company. He might not enjoy pleasant another coat of luster to our lives with the graduated from USD with a degree in political lives were I to put it in print treated with such release of Mr. Poltz’s second studio album as science (having minored in Spanish studies before he tries it out him- a solo artist, Chinese Vacation. and business administration), but his true self.) For allowing the San Diego Troubadour vocation had already established claim to his There was the young first-crack-in-print-in-the-entire-world with heart: he and one of life’s fortunate miracles girl who served him tea at HAUNTING regard to his fresh new baby, we are very called Robert Driscoll had fused into a truly the original Java Joe’s in grateful to Steven for his kindness, courage, hot combo that they would eventually name Poway, a burgeoning artist and/or dementia. This may not be a pretty the Rugburns. who would eventually be story. But it’ll do its damnedest to be a beau- A handful of significant markers have known as simply Jewel. CHARM? tiful one. directed the path of Poltz’s journey, and he Steve took her into his heart His audience (especially his female fans) speaks of them with awe and humility. His and home; they gave birth to would disagree, but from well before his high first meeting with Driscoll, of course, is a number one hit, they tory in China. Vacation? That would be a kind school years and up to the present day, Poltz among them. Others involve the unexpected toured, recorded, globe-hopped. If there had way of putting it. has (honestly!) seen himself as somewhat of interest and kindness of several figures of the ever been any doubt, that doubt had died. And quite kindly it is put here in the a geek. Perhaps his reliance on his sister near-mythic San Diego music scene of over Steve Poltz was now officially a pro. invisible grooves of Steve Poltz’s Chinese (older by two years) as mentor and role two decades ago — people Poltz had grown His first solo album, One Left Shoe, Vacation. Imposed exile is the only feasible model can explain his ongoing, natural rap- to idolize. Buddy Blue (still going, glowing, received great reviews nationwide (including remedy to the two main problems our hero is port with members of the fairer sex (and, per- still better than ever!) might have kick-started Rolling Stone) and led to a fabulous half-hour facing: his lady and himself. haps, his penchant for occasionally wearing the Rugburns with a rave review in the special on VH1. I found myself listening to it as a single dresses on stage). That he was blessed with evening edition of the S.D. Union-Tribune, a The follow-up began its unique recording narrative, and when I told Steve about this dreamboat looks hasn’t been too much of a thrill that Poltz can still quote from memory, history on September 13, 2001, two days after face to face, his eyes widened momentarily liability either. S.D. Troubadour columnist even as his eyes fog in embarrassed pride. the vicious assault on humanity begun in New and he smiled. No objection at all. José Sinatra, watching from the wings at sev- Still led by Poltz, the Rugburns continue York and still reverberating internationally The songs can each stand alone as sepa- eral of his concerts in order to finger the to thrive today. Past and current members today. It was also a year in which Poltz had rate entities, and proudly. But their order female pulse throbbing in the front rows, continue to intermingle on the stages of vari- lost two of his dearest friends. seemed to me to be delib- logged in with an adept summary in these ous venues (particularly the Casbah) through- It was after com- erate, while I settled pages nearly two years ago. Their loving out the year. Stunning Stinky on sticks is a pleting Chinese “A handful of back to enjoy a soap acceptance of his musical performance, he show in himself, of course, aided in the beat Vacation that Poltz opera of majestic dimen- explained, seemed bruised by a common by bassist John Castro, who is often became aware of some- significant markers sions. urge: their need for his seed. enhanced by the cake icings of the co-vision- thing not quite right in The album kicks Well, ladies, there’s always hope. In the ary Driscoll and the redoubtable psychotic the work. His usual pas- have directed the off with “Friendly Fire,” sion seemed to sound meantime, everyone can play (and play with) sensitivity of troubadour par excellence path of Poltz’s a song with a killer smile his fruitfully multiplying, immaculate concep- Gregory Page. subdued. Too much hiding something dire tions. There was Dan McLain (a.k.a Country melancholy had seeped journey, and he and repressed. As pure Poltz, a classically trained guitarist, got Dick Montana) who, after one particular into too many aspects pop, it is of the highest his first taste of show biz in the Up With (SRO) marathon at Kelly’s Pub in Old Town of the production. At the speaks of them with order — at least as good People band, which travelled the globe, lead- offered a bit of advice to Steven regarding a cost of a tremendous as most of the classics ing to his first taste of ho’ fizz, set up for his certain physical act of showmanship — amount of money and awe and humility.” of the late ’60s, even as young sake by his “host family” (two wild and advice Poltz immediately put into action and nerves, Steve scrapped the lyrics hint at an crazy guys in the Martin/ Aykroyd vein) in the entire project, hop- intriguing, mysterious ing to resurrect it at some more agreeable, discord. What a way to begin the psychodra- more pleasant future time. ma about to unfold! As it was with “Walk His travels took him to Austin, where he Away Rene” or (Dusty Springfield’s) “I Only encountered a welcome, two-sided road sign Want to Be With You,” I didn’t want “Friendly that read Bob Schneider and Billy Harvey. Fire” to end. Yep, it’s a monster; you read it This was to be another of his life’s land- here first. marks. In the home studio of Harvey, Chinese “California” picks up later, our hero hav- Vacation was reborn. Several songs were ing ended up in a sanitarium. Whatever his changed in the running order, and an elative maladies, they don’t seem to have been symbiosis of art and production was at last caused by himself alone . . . achieved. “You Remind Me Who I Am” finds him Chinese Vacation is now, finally, exactly back with Her, reacquainting himself with how Steve Poltz had always wanted it to be. some kind of normalcy, finding undeniable It’ll be on his own label, 98 Pounder Records, comfort in her presence. A lovely melody with and will be distributed by Sony Red through- an edgy poignancy. (Steve co-wote this with out the world. the lovely Anya Marina.) The Music “Chinese Vacation” reveals that not only is she entirely crazy, but so is her whole fami- Several cinematic classics (beginning with ly. The only way out is out. The door. So long! the 1935 A Tale of Two Cities) have had one It is oh, so sweet. English-speaking character or another wish- In “Staxx,” he begins to break down and ing some hated enemy off to imagined purga- start to miss her. Witty lyrics reveal some of

8 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 parlorparlor showcaseshowcase

e her crimes Poltzand abuses . . . and the unexplain- able power behind the tug of love. The ping pong of splitting and reuniting again and again is aptly envisioned in “10 Chances,” in “Lost Without You,” and in “Waterfalls” (the latter being the only non- original here but thematically fitting and cer- tainly one of Poltz’s most popular concert favorites). Our hero finds himself alone again and on a downward spiral. For a song about hopeless love, infatua- tion, and overpowering lust, look no further than “Spiderboy.” Here the evils of alcohol are revealed, the cops are called, and things begin to get hairy in a very bouncy, perversely sexy way. “Music Box” sounds as sweet as its namesake, with a brooding sadness that may seem incongruous but fits like a custom den- tal dam. “I Killed Walter Matthau” finds the wasted couple pathetically together where they are able to share in one of the strongest narratives Poltz has yet written. It is here that our hero is actually named (surprise!) and yes, he does kill Walter Matthau. But he doesn’t. Dive into this one and you’ll under- stand it all through your own sad, sort-of happy smile. This deceptively pedestrian poem contains a line involving the verb “squeeze” that has an annoying ability to make me cry every time I think about it. Like now. Really. “Give You Up for Lent” concludes the sordid, immensely moving story of drunken despair with yet another one-way ticket to China . . . or even Acapulco. . . . Anywhere but here, where the listener is safe with memories of a truly splendid experience. You’ll be humming the tunes for years, happy to have found so much love within so much chaos. How often is dysfunction treated with such haunting charm? Steve Poltz graduates now to his next grade with honors. Heck, I’d give him a full scholarship for the future studies of his choice, so long as he promises to continue filing musical reports from the field back to the public on a timely basis. While a gracious God further blesses his geek heart, we per- haps should start getting in line. Now.

Photos: Bill Richardson, Troy Lee Wells, Millie Moreno

9 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ramblin’ramblin’

Radio Daze Bluegrass Corner by Jim McInnes

Germany and the Rock Opera by D. Dwight Worden several decades, Byron Berline is a has toured world-wide. His 6 and living legend who has played with twelve-string guitar artistry tran- uring the mid-to-late Next month is a big month for everyone from Bill Monroe to the scends the boundaries of style and 1990s, my stepson, bluegrass in San Diego with the Byrds. Dennis Caplinger plays fiddle genre as he ventures widely into D Dustin, a.k.a. Dirty, toured opening of San Diego’s first real at the same top level he plays the celtic, blues, jazz, bluegrass, classi- the world with San Diego's Rocket bluegrass festival. Be sure to visit banjo, while young Mike Tatar Jr. of cal, and folk styles. from the Crypt. In 1996 Rocket Summergrass San Diego Pickin’ in Within Tradition compliments the Dennis Caplinger, multi-instru- had a British hit “On a Rope,” Paradise Festival at the Antique Gas teaching team. mentalist and vocalist, is one of the which is where this tale begins. and Steam Engine Park in Vista any- Want to improve your singing? most sought-after studio musicians I had heard from friends in Jim McInnes time from Friday afternoon August 22 Visit the harmony singing workshop, in California and often travels to through Sunday August 24. There is London that they’d seen the band conducted by Ron Spears of Ron Nashville to do sessions. He is cur- former Alan Parsons collaborator. a great line up of top bands, food Spears and Within Tradition at 2:30 rently under contract with Network on the TV shows White Room and On the evening of the pre- aplenty, vendors, kids’ activities, on- pm on Saturday the 23. Ron has one Productions of San Diego, recording Top of the Pops, but nobody could miere, Rick and I were late, so we site camping, plus all the interesting of the best voices in bluegrass and numerous television and radio com- tell what sort of chart position “On had to be ushered to our seats aspects of the Gas and Steam honed his skills singing with Rhonda mercials as well as writing and a Rope” had attained. I entered during a break in the “action.” Engine Museum to explore. Get your Vincent and the Rage, among others. recording music for their extensive the song’s title into a web search tickets, reserve camping, check out Have the itch to write songs? Learn music library, one of the largest in Fifteen minutes later, as a masked engine and got scores of respons- the festival schedule at www.sum- from one of the best at the 4:30 pm the world. His movie soundtrack architect entered from stage right, es. I clicked on a random refer- mergrass.net, and get to the know song writing workshop led by Steve credits include Back to the Future singing in German, Rick leaned the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Spurgeon of Bluegrass Etc. III, El Diablo, Rio Diablo and Steven ence, which took me to the online over and whispered, “Let's go to Museum at www.agsem.com. If you are a newcomer to blue- King’s Apt Pupil among others. version of an English pop music Amsterdam!” The theater was only One exciting aspect of the grass but anxious to play and learn, Bill Bryson, legendary bass publication, the name of which a block from the Eurail station. The Pickin’ in Paradise for all musicians don’t miss the Get Acquainted Jam, player of the L.A. Country/ bluegrass escapes me. Before logging off sun was still shining. We were four is the great line up of free work- hosted by Les and Lou Ann Preston music scene, has been held in high from this website, I noticed a mes- shops offered at the Festival. Let’s with the able assistance of Ken esteem for the last 30 years. He was blocks from the hotel and we had sage crawling across the bottom of take a look at what’s offered. For Tagame on bass. The jam is sched- a founding member of the Desert almost no luggage. (We’re guys, the screen: Send us your best hand beginning to intermediate guitar uled on Saturday at 5:30 pm and Rose Band and the Laurel Canyon remember?) Forty-five minutes players there is a workshop by one again on Sunday at 11:30 am. Bring Ramblers. He has also toured exten- and win! Upon closer inspection I after entering the theater, we were of Southern California’s top perform- your instruments and join in the fun! sively with Dan Fogelberg, Chris read that the website would, for on a train headed for ing flatpickers and instructors, Mike Sunday, August 24, offers up a Hillman (of the Byrds), Bernie the next week, deal me an elec- Holland ... but I can’t remember ... Nadolson of Tricopolis Records and bass workshop taught by Bill Bryson Leadon (of the Eagles) and the tronic poker playing card every what was I talking about? Silverado fame. All you need do is of Bluegrass Etc. and Josh Ash of Bluegrass Cardinals. Bill has record- time I logged on. The idea was to show up with your guitar at 6:15 pm Within Tradition at 12:30 pm. For the ed with Merle Haggard, Buck I chatted with Alan Parsons assemble my best five-card hand on Friday August 22 – your festival more ambitious guitar players, Owens, Glen Campbell, Mary Chapin about 16 months ago; I mentioned and email it to the U.K. by the ticket is your entry to this and all although all are welcome, John Carpenter, Emmy Lou Harris, and the the ridiculous musical written by other workshops. Banjo players deadline. If I had a good hand, I Moore of Bluegrass Etc., Raul Oak Ridge Boys to name a few. He his former collaborator and how won’t want to miss the Saturday, Reynoso of New West, and Dan has won two Grammys and has could win something. For the next my brother and I escaped to the August 23, workshop at 10:30 am Crary of California will put on one been nominated numerous times for seven days I religiously logged on, Netherlands. He chuckled and with Dennis Caplinger of Bluegrass great guitar workshop at 2:30 pm, the Academy of Country Music’s got my e-card, and signed off, changed the subject. Five minutes Etc., who is among the top banjo followed by a mandolin workshop Bass Player of the Year Award. His never actually reading anything ago I looked on the web and saw elite in the nation and one nice per- led by John Moore at 3:30 pm. credits also include feature films but the card. When I put my best son and great teacher. John Want to be impressed by the such as The Long Riders, Cannery that the soundtrack to Gaudi is hand together, I had a queen-high Hickman of California will co-teach. teachers? Here’s a little about just a Row, and Bound for Glory as well as now marketed as an album by the straight flush, which kicks ass in And, near to my own heart (you can few of the workshop leaders. Dan numerous television and radio com- Alan Parsons Project. bet I will be there!) is a fiddle work- Crary is recognized as one of the mercials. the 3-D world and should do the I am currently writing the music shop on Saturday, August 23, con- founders of the dynamic flat-picking John Hickman, legendary banjo same in the e-world ... although, and lyrics for a new musical come- ducted by Byron Berline, Dennis guitar technique. He has recorded master ofa or f i ni CalBerlin, Crary, and as one who’d never won a thing dy, Armando, the Guy Who Fixed Caplinger, and Mike Tatar Jr. One of with Doc Watson, Tony Rice, Byron Hickman, among others, will be part except a wood-burning kit in Boy the Leak in Our Spa. the foremost national players for Berline, and countless others and of the teaching team for the banjo Scouts and $58 in a 1990 lottery workshop. If you want to see You might hear Alan Parsons (or drawing, I held no expectations. smooth, watch John’s amazing Eric Woolfson) on my swell new On December 26, 1996, my hands glide across the strings and eclectic rock show, The Vinyl the neck of his five-string. It’s noth- email told me I WAS ONE OF FIVE Resting Place, from 6 to 8 pm every ing short of spellbinding! WORLD-WIDE WINNERS!!!!! I had Sunday, on The Planet (103.7 FM). John Moore may be the fastest won a trip for two to Germany!!!! and cleanest mandolin picker out All we had to do was attend the there today, except perhaps for his premiere, in Cologne, of a new student Chris Thiele of Nickel Creek. musical! Since my wife was predis- In addition to being the mandolinist, posed at the time, I gave my guitarist, and vocalist of Bluegrass Etc., John is also the mandolinist brother, Rick, a call. To no one's with the internationally acclaimed surprise, he jumped at the oppor- band California, the International tunity to spend a Boy's Week Out Bluegrass Music Association’s 1992, 6,000 miles away from 1993, and 1994 Instrumental Band of r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i-b-i-l-i-t-y. the Year, and the Pickin’ in Paradise I was skeptical for about five headliner. weeks until, in early February, all These teachers are hot , hot , hot! And you get an hour with each the necessary documents arrived. of them for free as part of your festi- We were jetting off to Germany to val admission. Hope to see you attend the world premiere of there! Gaudi, a rock opera based upon the life and times of the Spanish art nouveau architect. We couldn't wait! A musical about an architect, composed by Eric Woolfson, the

10 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 ramblin’ramblin’

Hosing Down Needs vs. Wants by Paul Abbott The system goes like this: I never by José Sinatra buy more than one piece of new Right now — as I write equipment at a time. I know, you At least he seemed to float. were expecting something much We children planned our this — I’m referencing a recently mastered project with my head- more epiphanous. But the simplici- futures when we watched him ty defines its effectiveness. riding by. So cool, amid the phones on. And my thought is, When I purchase something noise and chrome. (So bold “...I really want to get that new new — be it an equalizer, sub- we would be on bicycles!) pair of Grado headphones.” And, as innocuous as that thought woofer, or speaker cable — I rely The king-of-all-modern-words sounds, it spurred the article on all my other gear, which is appears but once in the late you’re reading. properly calibrated to my listening Georges Alvina’s seminal Floating It seems like each month I have environment, to help me test and integrate a new item. This is the Stone of 1976. Had he known the a mental list of new equipment to Paul Abbott only way for me to determine how vicious power that single word purchase. To that end, I’ve created effective a new piece of gear is. If I two ways of looking at this ongo- sizing high frequencies, or is it that would wield in today’s America, trust my speakers, cabling, and lis- The inimitable Mr. Sinatra ing situation: equipment I need and my new equalizer has a steeper he probably would have assumed tening environment — all of which equipment I want. If you ask my curve than I’m used to using? By all blame for its unfortunate revi- have been tested and calibrated If I hear it or read it even one fiancee, all of it falls into the latter limiting myself to one piece of talization and likely would have with specific tones and measure- more time than the 423 I do each category. But, to be fair, some equipment at a time, I’m working cut off his own head years before ment equipment to verify day, I may have to become a things are purely desire while oth- with a known equation and can his actual, remarkable suicide. accurate frequency and spatial politician. It is hastening the ers are actual necessity. To keep calibrate it to work with my sys- results — I can rest assured that There is little doubt that Alvina myself out of relationship and tem. And if something seems zombification of our nation. my new equalizer is working the was a genius. (That his daughter credit trouble, I’ve devised a sys- amiss, I can easily isolate the prob- We must find a better term. way I believe it to be. However, if I Elaina, in her biography of her tem for purchasing new gear. In lem. Change “cool” to “hose.” get a new equalizer and new father, seems to focus only on his addition to helping me sleep bet- Hose whip. L.L. Hose J. Hosio. speakers, how can I tell where a I encourage readers with misogyny, questionable politics, ter at night, it’s also very useful in Hose down. Hey! That’s response is originating? Could it be recording equipment to adopt this and compromised hygiene, need- making sure my mastering studio really . . . neato. How totally hose. that my new speakers are empha- philosophy. You’ll notice more n’t concern us at this moment.) stays on the straight and narrow. consistent, effective results in your Any idiot should be able to see The man understood completely work and realize that your equip- the aesthetic benefits. What the power of the word well before ment is much more accurate and rhymes with “cool”? School. the word became God. And the effective when it’s used properly. If Stool. Jewe --- oops. Cruel. And word was so (not) you think this takes some of the “Hose”: Glows. Rose. fun out of purchasing new gear, Cool. Let there be light! you’re probably right. But for Yes, America, meet your new Georges Alvina certainly fore- whatever is lost in the instant grati- Master. saw the ultimate effect: fication of an impulsive equip- We seek it, proclaim it, form ment-buying spree, an equal if not bonds with it. Today it has become One day he floated, stoned. greater amount of gratification is the most frequently used adjective His body shattered glass store gained in using your equipment in any random celebrity interview. doors like rocks we’d throw. more effectively and accurately. It permeates movie poster quotes. Crystal crowbars opened up his eyes, that face, and Madison Avenue wields it as its chiseled out a jagged smile. most powerful sword. It is the only We saw those secrets living, word that, when even casually flowing, spoken, seems to somehow auto- drying up, while tailor- matically bestow its own meaning suited businessmen tallied up upon the speaker. the damages, inviting us to Cool. realize our own. Personally, I’ve had enough. I That is so hose! will become Judas to this new It’s time to learn some new messiah – not for 30 pieces of sil- words – any words – and substi- ver – simply for a bit of print. Even tute them for the “C” word, if only if it is impervious. Even if you can’t to prevent us from vegetating into make it produce a single decent vapor. anagram. You won’t have a cloo. O, my brethren. Lettuce spray. You’ll drive yourself loco. I’ll hang around and wait. Unlike It is destroying our soul. We’re Judas Iscariot, I’ll keep my noose even unable to pronounce it in its loose. proper single syllable, giving it two; the degree of nonchalance with which we speak it deter- mines the level of our own suc- cess in our quest to embody its essence.

11 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ofof notenote

Peter Hall Darlin’ and Shadowdogs Will Edwards Rookie Card Uncluttered Rose Somewhere ... Lookout Road First Day of Class South of the Clef by Frederick Leonard Tomorrow, by Phil Harmonic by Phil Harmonic Personality goes a long way. by Phil Harmonic When I started listening to Rookie Card. What a clever Sometimes the charm of one’s Yesterday “City Walls,” the first track from name for a band. If you listen to soul shines through in a way that Shadowdogs is a very talented Will Edwards’ new CD, Lookout them long enough, you might exceeds all technical issues, poli- by Frederick Leonard country-rock group with a sound Road, I was transported back to call them great songs. They’re tics, and personal preferences. spawned in Southern California the folk revival period of the catchy, melodic, and have a feel All I have to say about this 13- Listening to this CD is like dig- by such bands as Poco, Buffalo early ‘60s. This song features that will grow on you if you let song collection, in terms of its gin’ into a barbecued rib the size Springfield, the Byrds, Eagles, good lyrics and vocals that emu- it. They seemingly have many technical value, is that it’s home- of the one that flipped over Fred and Flying Burrito Brothers. Their late a proper feel from Edwards influences and my guess would made. Its clean, bare bones, and Flintstone’s car. Corn on the cob. new CD, Somewhere ... South of and backing vocalist Saba. Highly be Elvis Costello, the Beatles, free of any slick sonic ointments. A cold brew. Shucks, folks, this the Clef is right out of the mold effective instrumentation from Steve Poltz, and any late ‘60’s Not one studio trick. And this, record is absolutely wonderful – shaped by Gram Parsons, Chris Johnny Ciccolella (Twiggs' music group with good vocals and har- my dear friends, is exactly what another case of locating the heart Hillman, et al. The group, head- man) on fretless bass, Will Turner monies built around good guitar makes Peter Hall’s CD so charm- and knowing how to immortalize ed by Bruce Fitzsimmons, is on violin, and Nico Gutierrez on licks and chord progressions. I ingly warm and human. While it in plastic form. made up of well-seasoned musi- percussion create a mood with a know that this is a demo debut, much of the world is stressing Nisha Catron and Sylvester cians, including such notable less-is-more concept. To further but I still wish certain informa- on the newest, slickest, biggest, Bowen both play guitars, do the guests as Dennis Caplinger and explain what I mean, I would tion – such as who sings what baddest, bestest next thing ever, two-step, and sing to each other the late Jerry Glassel. describe the instrumentation as a and who wrote what, etc. – this sounds like he sat down one all over this gem. This is a happy, Fitzsimmons wrote nine of the subtle complexity of nuance that would have been included with day with a beer, hit the record fun record. “Don’t Make a songs and Rich Maiorano wrote arises out of its simplicity. Is that the liner notes. Lyrics would also button, and started spilling his Cowboy Cry in Texas” is enough the remaining five. Besides han- too cryptic? be nice. Despite my idiosyn- guts as a guy. to make me grab this guy anoth- dling all the lead vocals, On “Treasure Maps” I hear crasies, I still like this CD very Meet Peter Hall. He’s right er rib (and a beer!) when he’s Fitzsimmons also mixed and pro- shades of Chris Isaak, whose much. There is a lot of talent here in person, in 3D – a person between verses, just to keep him duced the CD. His voice is pleas- songwriting can convey a mood behind the sound. Songs that embedded in and giving life to from taking a dinner break and ant and quite suited to this style. with the best of ‘em. Like many impressed me the most are an otherwise lifeless piece of continue playing. And I’m certain Bassist Joe Scarantino is listed as before him, Edwards is a story- “Green Glo,” “2/29,” “Dear mass-produced digitally capable he routinely wipes the sauce off the only background vocalist teller that you can’t pigeon-hole John,” TEH Typos,” and “Put plastic. Tough trick, artistically his “strangs.” Nisha is captured in and, if this is so, adds excellent into one genre. His words cross Your Honey Where My Mouth speaking. He tells stories and a very sweet moment while well-balanced, full-textured high the boundaries of folk, rock, and Is,” which is a country song spins a heart-felt logic in a dreaming of the horse she wishes harmonies that remind me of country and find their way into amid the rock ‘n’ roll. Band unique baritone croon that is to ride someday on “Buttercup.” Timothy B. Schmidt and Randy their own realm. members – or The Rookies – quite special indeed. It was the The best part of this song is that I Meisner, two accomplished bass- My favorite song is “Wit’s include Jason Hee, Adam first thing that struck me as soon can’t really ever recall this theme playing vocalists who both End.” When you hear the lyrics, Gimbel, Nasrallah Helena, and as I popped in the disc. All the in a lyric before. I like it when played in Poco and the Eagles. you know this singer not only Gabe Acock. I really want to see while, Hall does his lyrical busi- that happens. The lush sound is extended and means what he is saying but you this band live and I’d also like to ness with a sense of humor and “Every Little Thing” is every embellished by Rick Schmidt’s also feel the conviction of his tell them that I thought their seems to have a knack for the sly big thing a HIT should be. The pedal steel guitar and Dennis words. laminated Rookie Card marketing delivery of irony. This is one of song’s hook sticks to me much Caplinger’s fiddle, mandolin, and Many of the songs on this CD scheme was a brilliant idea. those recordings that gets me like the cactus spur in Sly’s afore- banjo. Normally I don’t like to are similar in tempo (moderately chuckling in new places with mentioned “Texas” dittie. This is see musicians produce and mix slow) and, as good as they are, each spin. He is obviously intelli- the noble promise of an evolved their own work, because they the play list could use a pick-me- gent and soulful as a writer. Shit man who knows a good thing have a tendency to overproduce up song to provide a contrast for matters to this guy and he has when he’s lucky enough to be and polish. However the listener’s ear. I also say this the insight to share his context. kissin’ her. Damn right. As far as Fitzsimmons, also a multi-instru- about my favorite local song- The sound has a retro feel, songs-to-your-sweetie go, this mentalist, delivers a fine effort, writer, Gregory Page, when he but I must also say that it shines might be one to beat. I want to with a wonderful substance that performs solo. The old musician’s a contemporary attitude. Kinda hear this on the radio. shows through. There is a lot of adage used to be: You don’t play sounds like driving your very first This collection is extremely good listening here, and it is two slow songs back to back beater through the Blue Ridge well produced, with just the good listening music when unless you’re a dance band and Mountains on your way to the right amount of musical surprises you’re just hangin’ around the it’s the end of the evening. I still Haight with “Wild Horses” on to keep you lickin’ that sauce off house. It has a pick-me-up flavor like listening to these songs the radio. Musically there is yer fingers. The traditional that’s uplifting. There are also though, because they reach something unique about the “Crawdad Song” even features a slower songs and songs that cre- inside and touch you, and that is arrangements. Instead of trying hilarious jews harp rendered by ate a more melancholy feel, but all that is required of any song- to “audition” to the world about none other than Buddy Blue. all in all, this is feel good music, writer. how great his chops are (he’s “Heartsick, Lonesome and which will find you bouncing in got ‘em), he’s decided to simply Blue” is straight outta Lafayette, your chair. complement the spirit of each à la Marcia Ball, wailing away song with sparse and very with a belly full of shrimp appropriate renderings. The etouffee and sweaty Dixies in the result is impressive by way of late afternoon Bayou sun. subtleties (the truest sign of C’mon, grab your sweetie and intelligence and insight) and the hit the dance floor, because by image lies somewhere between the time you get to this track his basic roots instinct and the you’ll need to work off some of surreal irony by which Hall takes those ribs you been hoggin’, note in the very real world. buster. And, hey, save some for the little kids, will ya?

12 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 ‘round about ) m o c . s n o i t c u d o RANTHOUSE r p l r i g e u HE OCAL USIC CENE WELL MOSTLY l T L M S ( , ) b . w w w (

t r

by Gus T. Williker dominatrix) are gonna say: they are hippies with profession- restrictive — “a real bummer e v l a

al jobs and NO STINKIN’ MAN- man” — and the children should C

Pretty girl, pretty girl, i d i NERS! be free to be kids. Well, that’s all e

FOOL FER JEWEL H

do you hate her f o well and good if you plan to live y

I know the Jewel bashin’ band- ‘cause she’s pieces of you? It looked innocent enough — s e t like the Grizzly Adams family, but r moms, dads, and the kiddie u wagon is overweight, but I’m o c

You’ll quote Jewel, cuz you don’t o

in a society there are rules. You t sure that ox cart can handle one baseball team stopping off for o think for yourself. Now…I don’t h some pizza after the game. But trade some freedom for the P more pile on. Have y’all seen her hate her, but in my mind, Jewel new pictorial in Blender maga- picture this scenario… opportunity to eat at restaurants, has broken the unspoken get medicine for your brats, and Our man fer all seasons, Gus Williker zine? Oh sure, I pleasured myself • one boy repeatedly bouncin’ a Bohemian Busker Contract. If use technology like the cell to it a half dozen times before my you build yer career on flower Superball off the glass door next to our table (almost hitting phone attached to your hip. cynical mind intervened, but I dresses and livin’ out of a van, it my girlfriend in the head) Grow the “F” up! also eat a whole pint of Ben & just don’t seem right to reside in xoxo, Jerry’s Everything but the… ice Rancho Santa Fe with diamonds. • two brats using a miniature Gus T. Williker cream in one sittin’, and that “Who Will Save Your Soul” just soccer ball to play set-and- spike volleyball in the middle of don’t make it right! gits more and more ironic…don’t www.WhiteHotTrash.com the restaurant Jewel, whose wardrobe it? once recalled Janis Joplin, now • six drunk parents yellin’ con- RANDUM RANT versation at the top of their looks more like Dita von Teese. A Real white trash have an excuse. lungs black corset presses her boobs If Cletus shoots his neighbor’s • 12 or so kids runnin’ around into a chin rest, and her under- Mexican Hairless, cuz he screamin’ like blue-faced Mel wear straps peek out of her thought a “burnt dawg” should Gibsons charging a battlefield Britney-inspired hip huggers. be put out of its misery, we can No, I’m not a parent. But I Sex sells, and I’m sorry, but sympathize, because he’s poor know what it takes to discipline Jewel sold off the farm fer luxury and uneducated. But, there’s no a child, because my parents han- condos. I know exactly what you excuse for yippie trash. dled me. I would be that kid Everyday Angels (Jewel’s inter- My girlfriend and I had the using the double doors as a national fan club, which should extreme displeasure of “dining” bouncy-ball backstop, but my really change its name to next to some of them at our mom would’ve put a stop to it Everyday Dark Angels, consider- favorite pizza joint a few weeks real quick. But the yippie trash ing their leader now looks like a back. What’s yippie trash?! Well, think their parents were too

13 July 2003 • San Diego Troubadour ‘round‘round aboutabout

JULY MUSIC CALENDAR Berkley Hart, Valley Music, 520 E. Joel Rafael Band, Canyonfolk House Main St., El Cajon, 7:30pm. Call (619) Concert. tuesday • 1 sunday • 6 saturday • 12 444-3161 for ticket info. Mark Chestnut/Joe Diffie/Tracy B.B.King/Lisa Sanders, Viejas Dulcimer Night, Old Poway Park, See Spot Run, Lestats, 8:30pm. Lawrence, Del Mar Fair. Call for info. Casino, 7:30pm. 7:30pm. tuesday • 29 Ben Baran, Coffee House on Dan Connor & Little Big Men, Dark Mark Jackson Band, Golden Goose, Kenny Loggins, Humphreys Concerts Broadway, 2991 Broadway, 7pm. Thirty Productions, 11132 Pinehurst 10001 Maine St. Lakeside, 8pm. tuesday • 22 by the Bay, 7:30pm. Dr., Lakeside, 7:30pm. Dan Fogelberg/Deirdre Flint, Zoë/Java/Judd Duncan, Twiggs, Dion/Shangri-Las, Humphreys Sue Palmer & Friends, Calypso Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Motovo, Lestats, 8:30pm. 8:30pm. Concerts by the Bay, 7:30pm. Restaurant, Leucadia, 7:30pm. 7:30pm. Eve Selis, Del Mar Fair, Rock On tuesday • 8 sunday • 13 wednesday • 23 wednesday • 30 Stage, 9pm. Ben Baran, Coffee House on Peter Frampton, Humphreys Dixie Chicks/Michelle Branch, Cox Bayou Brothers, Organ Pavillion, Arena, SDSU, 7:30pm. Balboa Park, 5pm. wednesday • 2 Broadway, 2991 Broadway, 7pm. Concerts by the Bay, 7:30pm. Santana/Angelique Kidjo, Coors R.L. Buss, Lestats, 8:30pm. Jerry Jeff Walker, Belly Up Tavern, Rookie Card, Del Mar Fair, Rock On wednesday • 9 Amphitheatre, Chula Vista, 7:30pm. Solana Beach, 8:30pm. Stage, 1:30pm. Sage Gentle-Wing, Lestats, 9pm. Earnest Rapture, Lestats, 8:30pm. thursday • 24 Sage Gentle-Wing, Lestats, 9pm. monday • 14 Deborah Liv Johnson w/ Linda Harry Belafonte, Humphreys Ronstadt/Karla Bonoff/Wendy thursday • 31 thursday • 10 Waldman/Kenny Edwards, Dizzy’s, thursday • 3 Concerts by the Bay, 8pm. Suzanne Vega, Belly Up Tavern, Jazz at the Athenaeum, 1008 Wall 7:30pm. Steve White, Del Mar Fair, Deep Solana Beach. Call for info. St., La Jolla, 7:30pm. Sue Palmer & Friends, Calypso Blue Sea Stage, 5:15pm. tuesday • 15 Jackson Browne/Steve Earle/Keb’ Sue Palmer & Friends, Calypso Restaurant, Leucadia, 7:30pm. Bo Diddley, Del Mar Fair, 7:30pm. Mo’, Viejas Casino, 7:30pm. Restaurant, Leucadia, 7:30pm. Ben Baran, Coffee House on Billy Preston, Sycuan Casino, 8pm. The Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Broadway, 2991 Broadway, 7pm. Modern Rhythm, Dick’s Last Resort, Lyle Lovett, Humphreys Concerts by The Troys/Ryan Montbleau, Twiggs, 345 Fourth Ave., 8pm. Bayou Brothers, Patricks II, 9pm. the Bay, 7:30pm. Temptations/Four Tops, Humphreys 8:30pm. Concerts by the Bay, 7:30pm. The Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Blood, Sweat & Tears, Sycuan Bayou Brothers, Patricks II, 9pm. friday • 4 Casino, 8pm. Bayou Brothers, Patricks II, 9pm. The Troys/Jennifer Spector/Hugh Carlos Olmeda, Lestats, 8:30pm. friday • 25 WEEKLY Songs/Kevin Tinkle, Twiggs, 8:30pm. wednesday • 16 Billy Midnight/Rookie Card/Plural, Jack Williams, Valley Music, 520 E. She Blonde Swede, Lestats, 8:30pm. saturday • 5 Casbah, 9pm. Main St., El Cajon, 7:30pm. Call (619) every sunday 444-3161 for ticket info. 7th Day Buskers, Hillcrest Farmer’s Celia Lawley, Golden Goose, 10001 Market/DMV parking lot, 10am-1pm. Maine St., Lakeside, 7pm. thursday • 17 Hank Show, The Firehouse, La Jolla, friday • 11 8pm. Steve White, Elijah’s, La Jolla, 11:30am. Randy Graves (didjeridoo & guitar), Sue Palmer & Friends, Calypso Joan Osborne/Afro Celts, Celtic Ensemble, Twiggs, 4pm. 101 Artist’s Colony, Encinitas, 7pm. Restaurant, Leucadia, 7:30pm. Sage Gentle-Wing, Kensington Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, Coffee, 8pm. Extreme Country w/ Mike Vlack, 7- Bayou Brothers, Downtown Cafe, 7:30pm. The Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. 10pm, KSON (97.3 FM). 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 7pm. Sue Palmer w/ Candye Kane Band, Dwight Yoakam, Viejas Casino, 8pm. Women’s Gay Pride Kickoff Party, Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss, 9-10:30pm, Kitchenfire, Del Mar Fair, O’Brien KSDS (88.3 FM). Sue Palmer w/ Sharon Shufelt, friday • 18 The Abbey, 5th Ave., 8pm. Stage, 7:30pm. The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Deejha Marie, Jimmy Woodard, Sue Palmer/Motel Swing Orchestra, Aspasia Aid CD Release w/ Berkley Rice, 10-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). Bookworks/ Pannikin, Del Mar, 8pm. Angela Correa/Bushwalla/The Point Loma Music Festival, 6-8pm. Hart/The Troys/Bushwalla/Lisa Troys, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Sage Gentle-Wing, Kensington Sanders/Pete Thurston et al., Peter Sprague, Ki’s, 2591 Hwy. 101, every monday Joe Marillo Quartet, Dizzy’s, 8:30pm. Coffee, 8pm. Twiggs, 8:30pm. Cardiff, 8pm. Swing Dancing, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa Peter Sprague, Dizzy’s, 8pm. SHEMM, Caffeinds Lounge, 634 Sage Gentle-Wing, Kensington St., 6-8pm. Broadway, 9pm. Randi Driscoll/Mermaids Journey, Coffee, 8pm. saturday • 26 Tango Dancing, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa Twiggs, 8:30pm. St., 8pm. Kalani Kai, The Firehouse, La Jolla, Mark Jackson Band, Imperial Beach Sandcastle Days, I.B. Pier, 5pm. Dixieland Jazz Metaphor Cafe, 258 E. Anya Marina, Cannibal Bar, 8pm. 2nd Ave., Escondido,, 7pm. Catamaran Hotel, 9pm. Sue Palmer/Motel Swing Orchestra, Rob Carona/Holiday & the Open Mic Night, Lestats. Call 619/282- Adventure Pop Collective/Steve Gay Pride Festival, Balboa Park, 0437 for info. 6pm. Collins, Twiggs, 8:30pm. Open Mic Night, Rosie O’Grady’s, Echo Revolution, Lestats, 8:30pm. Jim Earp/Celticana, Borders Books Normal Heights, 7pm. & Music, El Cajon. Call for info. Jay Farrar/Tim Easton, Belly Up Tavern, Solana Beach, 9:15pm. Peggy Watson, First Lutheran every tuesday Church, 1420 Third Ave., 7:30pm. Zydeco Tuesdays, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa Peter Sprague, Dizzy’s, 8pm. St., 6:30pm. saturday • 19 Open Mic Night, Casa Picante, 10757 Aspasia Aid CD Release w/ Atom Woodside Ave., Santee, 7:30-9:30pm. Bayou Brothers, Julian Blues Orr/Patrick Dennis/Gregory Page/ Festival. Tom Brosseau/Anya Marina/Angela Comedy Experiment, Lestats, 9pm. Baja Blues Boys, Old Town Market, Correa/Saba et al., Twiggs, 8:30pm. Twigg St., 5-7pm. Christoper Dean, Patrick’s Irish Pub, every wednesday Sage Gentle-Wing, Hot Monkey 13314 Poway Rd., Poway, 9pm. Open Mic Night, Metaphor Cafe, Escondido, 8pm. Love Cafe, 5960 El Cajon Blvd., 6pm. Billy Midnight/Plastic Supermodel/ Rookie Card/Royaltones, The Open Mic Night, Twiggs. Berkley Hart, The Firehouse, La Sign-ups at 6:30pm. Jolla, 8pm. Leucadian, 1542 N. Hwy. 101, Leucadia. Call for info. Hatchet Brothers, The Ould Sod, 9pm. Peter Bolland/Dawn Jackson/ Beth Preston/Jack the Original, Twiggs, every thursday 8:30pm. sunday • 27 Will Edwards’ Music Show, Twiggs, José Sinatra/Troy Dante Inferno, Peter Sprague Group, Coyote Bar & 8:30pm. Claire de Lune, 8:30pm. Grill, Carlsbad, 5pm. Bitty Bums Showcase, Lestats, 9pm. Carol Martini, Lestats, 8:30pm. Hot Rod Lincoln, Tio Leos, 5302 Napa sunday • 20 St., Call for info. Dixieland Jazz Metaphor Cafe, 258 E. Poco/Richie Furey/Chris Hillman/ monday • 28 2nd Ave., Escondido,, 7pm. Herb Pedersen, Humphreys Ralph Stanley, Humphreys Concerts Celticana Dublin’s Town Square, Concerts by the Bay, 6pm. , by the Bay, 7pm. Gaslamp, 9pm.

14 San Diego Troubadour • July 2003 thethe locallocal seenseen M P M h i o o l r l t e i o e n : o p p u r G

l u p a p P

u : r o t G

o l h u P a P T

: o t o h P

Anya Marina and José Sinatra at the Casbah p p u r G

l Daybreak at Twiggs u a P

: o t o h P P h o t o :

Velveteen Rabbit at Dizzy’s M i l l i e

M o r e n p o p u r Annie Bethancourt G

l u a P

: o t o h P P h o t o Anyz Marina and Steve Poltz at the Casbah :

P a u l

G P r u h p o p t o :

P a u l

G r u

Danielle LoPresti at Dizzy’s p p p p u r P G

h l o u t a o P :

: P o a t u o l h

G P r u p p p p u

Lindsey Troy at Sushi r G

l u a P P

: h o o t t o o h :

P L i z

Katie Strand A b b o t t

Lisa Sanders at Dizzy’s

Angela Correa

Brave Combo at the Fern Street Circus

15