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

November 2009 www.sandiegotroubadour.com Vol. 9, No. 2

what’s inside Welcome Mat ………3 Mission Contributors Hoffer’s Full Circle.. …………4 California Rangers Recordially, Lou Curtiss Front Porch... ………6 Brooklyn Mackintosh Dave Humphries Irish History thru Song Parlor Showcase …10 Peggy Watson Ramblin’... …………12 Bluegrass Corner The Zen of Recording Hosing Down Radio Daze Stages Highway’s Song. …14 Richard Thompson Of Note. ……………16 Baja Blues Boys Dave Keefer Bad Science Fiction Sue Palmer Two Earth Hours Peter Hall Paper Moon East West Quintet The Shambles Mike McGill ‘Round About ...... …18 November Music Calendar The Local Seen ……19 Photo Page

NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR welcome mat n i l e d n a S

Hoffer’s Cigar Bar: Where l u a

SAN DIEGO R

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There’s Smoke There’s Fiery t o

Alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, h Tblues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news Jazz and a Whole Lot More P

by Raul Sandelin say six words: Cheech & Chong’s Up in MISSION CONTRIBUTORS Smoke . Actually, that’s five words and a To promote, encourage, and provide an squiggly line. Shoot me. Just don’t leave a FOUNDERS sk anyone with a PhD in musicology alternative voice for the great local music that Ellen and Lyle Duplessie smoking gun. There’s also that charming is generally overlooked by the mass media; (or any stoner, for that matter) what Liz Abbott indie film Smoke Signals, which convinced namely the genres of alternative country, Kent Johnson music is. And, he or she will tell you Americana, roots, folk, blues, gospel, jazz, and A Sherman Alexie to stick to writing short sto - that music is a metaphor for something. PUBLISHERS ries. Look high and low. Smoke is every - bluegrass. To entertain, educate, and bring The vibrations of the universe, the hard - together players, writers, and lovers of these Liz Abbott where. Here one minute, gone the next. Kent Johnson wiring of the human brain, love, hot mon - forms; to explore their foundations; and to And, it deserves a “thank you.” key love, pain turned outward, joy turned expand the audience for these types of music. EDITORIAL/GRAPHICS But, a big tergum quo nos caepi to all my Liz Abbott inward, the libido turned upward, the Hoffer’s, 8282 La Mesa Blvd. brethren in the hills east of El Cajon. Let’s SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR, the local source for Chuck Schiele unstated turmoils of class or gender, God alternative country, Americana, roots, folk, get back to the beginning and my main ADVERTISING with a capital “G,” god with a lower-case blues, gospel, jazz, and bluegrass music news, point: Smoke is the perfect metaphor for Kent Johnson “g,” God-damn-the-guy-who-stole-my- is published monthly and is free of charge. music. Not only does it swirl around a Letters to the editor must be signed and may be BUSINESS CONSULTANT woman, God-bless-the-woman-who-stole- room, so physical yet untouchable, smoke edited for content. It is not, however, guaranteed Joanna Schiele my-man. These are only a handful of the that they will appear. also has a storied role in the making of the DISTRIBUTION signifieds that have danced the semiotic music we love. What would the roadhouse, All opinions expressed in SAN DIEGO Kent Johnson samba alongside music’s signifier. TROUBADOUR are solely the opinion of the honkytonk, and juke joint of yore look like Dave Sawyer To say that music is simply good or writer and do not represent the opinions of the Mark Jackson with smoking ordinances posted on the staff or management. All rights reserved. music is simply fun is not enough. We in Indian Joe Stewart walls? Where would our croaky, old blues the Western world have to place a deeper ADVERTISING INFORMATION Dan Long singers be if it weren’t for cigarettes and Paul Cruz meaning onto the music we listen to. But, if For advertising rates, call 619/298-8488 whisky? How would the Beatles have ever Hoffer’s patio performance space or e-mail [email protected]. You can also find music is always the metaphor, what is the STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER held a press conference? What would Tom information on our website: Steve Covault metaphor for music? We talk about music Waits stuff into the corner of his mouth? www.sandiegotroubadour.com as a symbol for something else. We seldom WEB MASTER Why would Kurt Cobain have sat through SUBSCRIPTIONS are available for $30/yr. Will Edwards turn the tables of logic and inference in the yet another MTV interview? Smoking has Send check payable to S.D. Troubadour to: other direction. WRITERS become an indispensible prop in popular San Diego Troubadour So, I’ll posit an idea here: Smoke. Smoke Michael Alvarez music. And, it seems like the music died P.O. Box 164 Peter Bolland is the perfect metaphor for music. La Jolla, CA 92038 when we tried to legislate away the smoke. Jennifer Carney Unfortunately, we’re trying to purge E-mail: [email protected]. Lou Curtiss Fortunately, the whole world doesn’t smoke from our lives. Witness the clean WHERE TO FIND US Can’t find a copy of the Annie Dru think like those killjoys over at the coal industry and catalytic converters. This San Diego Troubadour? Go to Paul Hormick American Lung Association. Hoffer’s Cigar www.sandiegotroubadour.com and click Heather Janiga is a darn shame considering all the good Bar in downtown La Mesa is doing it old on FIND AN ISSUE for a complete list of Frank Kocher things we owe to smoke’s carcinogenic pres - locations we deliver to. Jim McInnes school. Bruce Cameron at Hoffer’s Erik Pettersen ence. Think of the great episodes of modern SUBMITTING YOUR CD FOR REVIEW Walking into Hoffer’s is like walking Terry Roland history: the Industrial Revolution, the Price Club tire outlets in the early ’80s. If you have a CD you’d like to be considered for into a film noir . Wood paneling and brick Raul Sandelin trenches in France during WWI, Keith Running contrary to common sense, he review, please send two copies to: San Diego Sven-Erik Seaholm gladly replace the all-too-current faux fin - Troubadour, P.O. Box 164, La Jolla, CA 92038. Richard’s morning sit on the loo. All involve decided to start his first business when the José Sinatra ishes and neon one finds elsewhere. The billows and billows of smoke. Smokestacks, SUBMITTING A CALENDAR LISTING Allen Singer room is enveloped in rich shadow and economy got really bad. “We owned the mustard gas, Chesterfield non-filters. The Email your gig date, including location, address, Steve Thorn mood lighting. The sunlight beaming in building,” he explains, “and watched a and time to [email protected] by D. Dwight Worden world was built upon smoke. from the doors reminds the patron that number of tenants come and go.” By sum - the 22rd of the month prior to publication. John Philip Wyllie If we turn to high-culture, let me just there’s a world worth escaping out there. mer of 2008, he said basta Rasta to working ©2009 San Diego Troubadour. Cover photo: Steve Covault for someone else. At that same time, the lat - Cover design: Chuck Schiele However, thankfully, “I’m in here and not a part of it.” Hoffer’s is an escape to another est tenant on La Mesa Boulevard wanted out of her lease. The challenges were many, but The San Diego Troubadour is dedicated to the memory of ERRATA place and time. Ellen and Lyle Duplessie , whose vision inspired the creation of this newspaper. For this bar, smoke means elegance. Hoffman decided it was time. Hoffer’s Cigar Bar opened its doors in August of last year. The people in the photo below were This ain’t no smoky liar’s club for sharecrop - Combining his passions for a good beer, incorrectly identified in last month’s pin’ crackers. It’s where one can come and sports, music, good conversation, and, of Troubadour. They are the Pony Tales, savor the rich tobaccos from far off tropical course, a good cigar, Hoffman installed a trio that performs at Wood ‘n’ Lips ports with names as exotic as the names of everything he would need to entertain Open Mic on Thursday evenings. Angelina Jolie’s children. “A cigar is a vaca - tion,” the bar’s owner Phil Hoffman reminds patrons as he would want to be entertained us. And, all of the seats are first class. himself. “We put in a state-of-the-art sound Given that Hoffer’s is such a buttoned system,” he says. Two wide-screens adorn down operation, it’s amazing to learn that the bar for Sunday and Monday night foot - Hoffman is only a year into his first busi - ball. “We have 24 beers on tap, 20 wines, ness. Groomed in the automobile industry, four ports, and 40 to 50 different cigars.” Hoffman is a trained mechanic who spent Two humidor rooms allow customers to the past 25 years in wholesale tire sales. He journey through the vast selection of sto - even helped the Price family spearhead the gies. Hoffman has even developed his own rating system, ranging from mild to full- bodied to help find the “right cigar for the right person.” Not ready to light yourself afire? Never fear. All of the smoking is done out on the patio. The inside bar is kept smoke-free by a couple of de-smokifier doohickeys (I never was good at mechanical nomenclature) that blow the smoke back out the doors before it enters. But, I know you’ve been waiting to feel some déjà vu all over again. So, another ter - gum quo nos caepi to all who have wondered why there’s a diphthong in the word “Budweiser.” Let’s get back to the main point of this whole thing and see if we can get some smoke and music swirling in uni - son. In May, jazz trumpeter Bruce Cameron walked into Hoffer’s and proposed to pro - vide a professional jazz combo on Saturday nights. Phil Hoffman replied with an imme - diate “yes.” The rest is history. And, Cameron along with local guitar pro Mark Augustin and bassist/drummer Ted Williams have been packing ’em in on the patio, the same patio where all of the smoking is going on. Bruce Cameron, many may remember, is the former musical partner of the late Hollis Gentry. Cameron and Gentry started the group that would go on to become

continued on page 14. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 3 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle California Rangers: The Comeback of Honky Tonk

radio programs. Ryan spoke of opening Beach Club aka McCabe’s, the California honkytonk country music to various other many shows for Merle Haggard, playing at rangers know many. They started playing local spots like Swallow’s Inn in San Juan Willie Nelson’s birthday picnic, and appear - there before many of the employees started Capistrano. They also play the occasional ing on the Grand Ole Opry stage, along working there – and perhaps before some of fair and rodeo, but their loyal followers can with such performers as Loretta Lynn and the employees reached an age when they always rest assured that every Friday night Ricky Skaggs. could work there. Aside from Larry’s Beach they will appear at Larry’s Beach Club. Aside from Boren and Ryan, the other Club, the California Rangers bring their members of the California Rangers hail from elsewhere. Dougherty moved to San The California Rangers Diego from Washington D.C., Rick Schmidt comes from Colorado, and Mike Silver (bass guitar) comes from North Carolina. Each of by Erik Pettersen the members of California Rangers, “It’s like them can tell stories about how they came a good pair of boots. It just fits.” to share the stage with Boren at Larry’s When Boren named his band, he chose Beach Club. Schmidt also played at the n Oceanside, on the corner of Tremont California Rangers because of his family his - Grand Ole Opry, and Dougherty played with St. and Oceanside Blvd., across the tory. Boren can claim Captain Harry Love of performers like Merrill Moore and Wanda street from a small dirt lot, a light blue I the original California Rangers – the law - Jackson, the first lady of rock ‘n’ roll. building framed by shrubs and a small men – among his ancestors. Now, more than Before country singers like Shania Twain asphalt parking lot remains hidden from the a century after a bullet took Captain Love’s and the Dixie Chicks gave country music a view of many travelers and locals. A sign life, Boren’s California Rangers carry rock ‘n roll sound – before Tim McGraw outside the beach tavern says McCabe’s Captain Love’s badge around with them. and Nelly came out with a song that blend - Beach Club; however, the name recently Boren spent his childhood on a ranch in ed country music and rap – country signers changed to Larry’s Beach Club. Only regu - Rainbow, California, a community of about like Johnny Paycheck, Willie Nelson, and lars, like the members of the honky tonk 2,000 northeast of Fallbrook. others sang a type of country music similar country music band California Rangers, Apart from Tom Boren, lead guitarist Bob to what the cowboys played. The California know that little secret. They know the story Ryan also pursued a music in San Diego Rangers want to give people a place where of why Larry’s Beach Club still boasts the with his brother Kevin. For 30 years, Ryan they can listen to that type of music, and sign that reads McCabes, because they start - and his brother entertained various San Larry’s Beach Club provides that venue. ed playing there seven years ago to a crowd Diego crowds in bands like Nashville Now in their seventh year entertaining of fans who come to enjoy a style of coun - Ensemble (1978) and West Coast Flyers audiences at Larry’s Beach Club every try music from another generation. (1997) with Rick Schmidt (pedal Steel and Friday from 4:30 – 9:00 pm, Boren and the In 2001, Tom Boren (rhythm guitar, lead Midi guitar), another member of the rest of the California Rangers feel ready to singer) started the California Rangers California Rangers. Around the time Ryan begin working on a CD. It will consist of because he wanted a band that just wanted played in the West Coast Flyers, drummer music written by Tony McCashin and to have fun playing music. Jim Dougherty Larry Mitchell got him an audition with Heather Myles, along with music originally (drums, vocals) joined Boren a short time Heather Myles. Throughout the next 12 performed by the likes Merle Haggard, after the band’s inception. Over the years years, Ryan, Schmidt, and Myles performed Willie Nelson, Johnny Paycheck, Ray Price, members have come and gone, though now honkytonk country music in 29 countries and Wynn Stewart. they feel they have found a group of guys and appeared on various television and When it comes to secrets about Larry’s that plays well together. Dougherty said of

4 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR full circle t l u a v o C

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Recordially, Lou Curtiss : o t o h MIKE SEEGER SCHOLARSHIP AT working with me to bring the best of the reasons and in the same ways. There are Roots” (Sunday nights at 8pm on KSDS P FOLK ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL best to the old San Diego State Folk two invited recipients of the first Mike 88.3 FM and Jazz88.org). Just go to “Louis Festivals including a wide range of musical Seeger Scholarship: 93-year old Violet F. Curtiss.” My sister Leona set this page up, recently heard from Mary Katherine styles from Kentucky’s great “High Hensley of Yellville, Arkansas, a fiddle play - so it’s my full name. “Louis” (pronounced Aldin, a long time friend and supporter, Lonesome Sound” Roscoe Holcomb, to er and fiddle maker; and Sharde Thomas, Louie), F Stands for Fredric (my Mom liked Iabout the Folk Alliance International’s Virginia’s supreme finger-pick blues guitar the late Otha Turner’s 19-year-old grand - the actor Fredric March) and as my Dad establishment of the Mike Seeger of John Jackson, to Napoleon Stricklands daughter, who carries on the traditions, in always said, “We ain’t one of those half S’d Scholarship Fund. Fife and Drum Band from Como, rural Mississippi, of making and playing Curtiss Folk”. It’s a two S word like my fifth Created in memory of Mike Seeger, who Mississippi, to San Antonio’s Lydia cane fifes. cousin who built airplanes. Now didn’t you as a founding member of the New Lost City Mendoza, to the Golden Eagles, New This project is ongoing and you can want to know all that? Ramblers received a 2004 Folk Alliance Orleans' Indian group and the great cajun become involved, contribute, or whatever. GRANTS FOR THE DIGITIZATION Lifetime Achievement Award, this fund will band the Balfa Brothers. Other people Mike From the early 1960s at the old Sign of the PROJECT pay for transportation and an honorarium brought us included Wade and Julia Mainer, Sun bookstore through a wide number of Well, our money for the Folk Festival to bring a traditional musician or other tra - Leonard Emmanual, Sweet Honey in the San Diego Folk Festivals and up to his last and Concert Digitization Project has run dition bearer to attend the FAI Conference Rock, and the great banjo and fiddle man trip out here just a couple of years ago, out and although we’ve done the first 420 each year to participate in panels and per - Tommy Jarrell. Mike was always a hands-on Mike was always a fountain of information reels (up to about 1975), we still have about formances; the artist’s conference registra - presenter; he taught the music in person and a lot of entertainment. He always Lou Curtiss 2000 reels that need attending to. We’ve tion fee and hotel accommodation will be and collected material wherever he went. encouraged local musicians and played with applied to the Grammy Foundation folk for donated by Folk Alliance International. He was also responsible for a succession of them whenever he could. Just a couple of a second grant, but so far we haven’t heard another 15 years), or in fact any other Mike Seeger spent his entire life track - vinyl records, cassette tapes, VHS, and DVD weeks before his passing, I had sent Mike a anything. We really need people who know major San Diego Supporter of the Arts. It ing down the many strands of old-time recordings. As much as anyone could, Mike track of Sam and Kirk McGee of Knoxville about funding to come forth with some would seem to me that having a major San music tradition, including singers, dancers, got people to learn to play and gave expo - Blues from the 1975 San Diego State Folk financial help. I’m surprised that, besides Diego Folk Life Collection in the Library of and instrumentalists from many corners of sure to the old music and musicians at the Festival, which Sam had also recorded in encouragement from the Library of Congress and at one of the great California the United States and from dozens of cul - same time. 1926. Sam had dedicated it to Mike and I Congress in Washington DC and the UCLA Universities would be a feather in San tural and racial groups. Over the years, right They are proposing to continue that got a nice long email from him, remarking Department of Ethnomusicology (our co Diego’s cap. Some of those folks who give here in San Diego, Mike was responsible for practice within Folk Alliance for the same on the similarity of the two recordings sponsors), there has been no support from big bucks to other artistic endeavors in San although they were nearly 50 years apart. San Diego State (which hosted the event for Diego ought to give a nod to us just once. Mike also said, “You have to share these 20 years) or the Adams Avenue Business tapes with the people. They may not think Recordially Association (which hosted the festival for like we do but they have to hear this stuff.” Lou Curtiss That’s the way Mike was, always supportive of the music and someone who was doing anything worthwhile with it. Find out more about these scholarships at www.folk.org. FACEBOOK: You can sort of see a mini-folk festival on my Facebook page and also find out what I’m playing each week on “Jazz More Memories of Sam

by Allen Singer

am Hinton passed away on September 10 at the age of 92. Time Shas taken Sam down many roads and he has touched us all along the way. I’ve always wondered how people can give so much while staying committed and not having their egos choke off their creativity and kindness. Sam has left a musical imprint on our world and the many people with whom he has crossed paths. He has provided us with a road map and a key to doors of enjoyment and satisfaction that no amount of money or power can buy. Every time we get togeth - er and play we all gain from the common interest we share. We’re a lucky group of people who share a special part of life that allows us to express ourselves cre - Sam with Tanya & Larry Rose, 2006 atively and also brings enjoyment to oth - ers. Thank you again, Sam, for sharing your generous musical spirit with us. Jack Elliott, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and, I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone dis - Sam Hinton wore many hats in his life. yes, Sam Hinton. Sam knew Woody and cuss it and while local performers might He’s an original – a folk singer, song - spent time with him in California. Both have done one or two of Sam’s songs, I writer, scientist, artist, father, and diaton - were born in Oklahoma. I’ve felt their only know one who ever did Sam’s songs ic harmonica player. In December 2006, connection every time Sam’s been around like Sam did them. That was a guy named Sam moved up to Berkeley to be near his us. John Yount who used to play at the daughter Leanne. The San Diego folk We’ve been lucky to have shared Heritage in Mission Beach back in the music community already misses him, music and many things more with Sam. 1960s. He did Sam’s material exclusively. but treasures the time he lived and sang Words can never capture the gifts we I don’t know whatever became of him. among us. received from him. Many of our members I’ve thought a lot about why more people Sam created the San Diego Folk Song are folkies because Sam sang at their didn’t do Sam’s material and I’ve come to Society back in 1957, and we’ll be cele - schools. Sam sang to children, not at the conclusion that people just didn’t brating our 53th year next March. What them. He respected them, brought them want to offend Sam by stealing his mate - can I say about Sam that hasn’t been said the gift of music, and left them with a life rial and performance style. So many of us already and felt by the many he sang to of joy and interest that continues today. could sing along, and did, to Sam’s songs. and educated? I met Sam in 2003. I’ve When I shook hands with Sam at his I think it would be a nice acknowl - treasured his coming to our SDFSS meet - farewell party, I teared up a bit. I felt the edgement of his legacy if people sang his ings over the years. In my earlier years, comfort of Sam’s big, warm hand and songs more often and maybe even played Sam had been just a face on a record caught the smile in his eyes. I knew we’d them more like Sam did on that old cover and a real joy to hear on my meet again and wished him peace. Washburn. Maybe a portion of the Sam turntable. Sometimes you meet people Hinton Festival in Poway, could be set who are famous and sometimes you meet aside for singing and playing Sam’s songs people like Sam, who while being famous from Lou Curtiss each year. Think about it. hadn’t let the stars get in his eyes and kept him from seeing the real world. ou would have thought that during When I think of great American folk the years that Sam was active in musicians, Woody Guthrie comes to Ythe San Diego folk scene that quite mind, joined by Cisco Houston, Pete a number of Sam clones would have Seeger, the Weavers, Ledbelly, Ramblin’ sprung up but that just isn’t the case. Sam had a real unique guitar style but www.sandiegotroubadour.com 5 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch n e s r e d n

Brooklyn Finds her “Blue A

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Skies” in San Diego o h P by John Philip Wyllie and then one day he hit me.” soul into it. Playing music in front of peo - Their marriage ended shortly there - ple is one of my greatest joys in life. I rowing up in conservative and after. Mackintosh stayed in Utah for have come to realize playing is not about largely Mormon Utah, Brooklyn another five years searching for her true the money or making the crowd dance, it GMackintosh often felt like a fish identity. Eventually, she came to the real - is about making them feel what you are out of water. ization that the Mormon faith was not for singing. Learning to play other people’s “I didn’t feel free at home and I never her. Sensing her pain, her father bought songs has made me a better songwriter.” really fit into the Mormon community her a guitar following her divorce in the With a unique voice that can sound that well. My family put us into the hope that music could work its healing alternately sultry, bluesy, or just down - Mormon community so that we would fit magic. right beautiful, Brooklyn particularly in with the culture there and with the “I found my peace and therapy in shines on the songs from her aptly named kids around our neighborhood. The that guitar and began writing songs eight-selection debut CD Blue Skies Await. moms there wouldn’t have let us play immediately. I didn’t start getting really These songs reflect the freedom and joy with their kids if we weren’t Mormon. good on guitar until after I moved to San that she now feels in spreading her wings After a while, my sister and I decided that Diego [five years ago]. I watched people after being stifled and smothered for so we should delve into the religion and we like Matt Silvia, Barbara Nesbitt, long. got sucked in pretty good.” Christopher Dale, and a lot of other peo - Another soon-to-be-released CD is a While she was struggling with her ple play. They were all a huge influence. collaboration that she is working on with faith and her identity she discovered that “She’s got a beautiful, sultry voice, studio wizard Sven-Erik Seaholm. she found incredible joy through music. adventurous musical appetite, and a love Seaholm produced Blue Skies Await and Her mother used to tell people that her for collaborating with other artists. Her countless other projects for a long list of little Brooke could sing before she could tireless work ethic and constant network - artists. Brooklyn anticipates continuing talk. Born with considerable and varied ing creates countless opportunities to on as both a solo artist and as half of artistic talent she found that things like share the spotlight with other talented their recently formed duo, Seaholm- drawing, dancing, and gymnastics came singer/songwriters. She showcases many Mackintosh. easily to her, but music was her first and of them at her weekly shows,” Dale said “I feel like I am growing in both deepest love. recently. directions at the same time. So, I think Brooklyn Mackintosh At 15, her father taught her to play Cathryn Beeks gave Brooklyn her first that there is an equal chance and oppor - his Fender acoustic guitar. Born with that opportunity to play in a club. She also tunity for me to progress as an artist in natural gift, it wasn’t too long before she turned her on to game songs and through both ways,” she said. probably the most popular song on the She organized and performed a show began composing her own songs. Piano Dale, she expanded her musical even Last month Seaholm joined Brooklyn album.” for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer came just as easily. For a while the music horizons further. The last five years have on stage at the La Jolla Art and Wine It is not, however, her favorite. That Awareness Project a while back, which kept her content despite the underlying been years of tremendous growth for Festival when she opened the musical honor goes to “Scared of Love.” included a group of other artists. feelings of unease. Mackintosh musically and in many ways. portion of the festival with a splendid six- “That one takes me back to a place “It was really cool raising a lot of Not wanting to rock the boat, That growth is on display each song set. The harmonies they produced where I knew who I was, but I just didn’t money for that. I have also enjoyed sup - Brooklyn tried to go with the flow as Thursday evening beginning at 9pm at that day will no doubt be one of the know how to get to where I wanted to be. porting animal rights initiatives, but I much as possible, but at 20 she married a Hennessey’s in Pacific Beach. She will many highlights of their upcoming joint It is really about anybody being afraid to haven’t mixed that with my music. But guy against her parent’s wishes. often invite two friends to join her on release. love somebody else because they are given the opportunity, I will. Sven and I “He was older than me and he want - stage; sometimes they will focus primarily Blue Skies Await is a solid first effort afraid of getting hurt. In reality, if you were also involved in Envirofest. We are ed to mold me like a piece of clay. I on originals. Other nights they might for Brooklyn. “Carnival Ride” is the song give love then you will receive love. I did - both interested in raising people’s aware - stopped writing music because he didn’t cover everything from originals to arena from it that has been getting the most air - n’t realize that when I was a teenager.” ness for the things that need to change.” like it. He didn’t like the fact that I was rock, to ’80s pop. It is always different play. A third album cut that has drawn a “I would like to thank everybody playing the guitar and felt I that should and always interesting. “It is probably the most earthy and positive response is entitled “Believe.” from San Diego that is a part of local be spending more time with him. Mostly, “We often end up playing a lot of uplifting song on the album,” Mackintosh “A number of people have told me music and who support local music and he didn’t like the fact that I was doing covers. The artists that I am inviting tend said. “It is true to the fact that relation - that they want me to record “Believe” in let them know that they really matter. I something for myself. I didn’t realize that to focus on music that will get people ships are like a carnival ride. Sometimes an acoustic style. I may or may not do owe my art to the many people that have at the time. I thought he just hated my moving. It is very exciting to see them they end prematurely and sometimes you that because I have kind of moved on reached out their hands to me and sup - music. I began to feel worthless. I put my create different repertoires and I love it want to just continue riding them even from all of those songs. They are a part of ported me. If I had to name names it guitar down for what seemed like forever that they are putting so much effort and though they make you crazy. That one is my history. At this point, I am working would be a pretty long list, but I think on newer, better songs and I am hoping most of them know who they are. To real - that the next album will show significant ly know who I am, I think, it is important proof that I have come a long way since I to stop and listen to the music that is have found my blue skies.” coming out of me.” Talented musicians sometimes come Once you do, I think you will agree equipped with giant egos, but that doesn’t that Brooklyn Mackintosh is the best seem the case with Brooklyn. She comes thing to come out of Utah in quite some off as humble and grateful for the success time. she has enjoyed. She has often been For additional information: known as someone who gives back to the www.reverbnation/brooklynmack local community.

6 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

Dave Humphries: From Northern U.K. to SOCAL

by Steve Thorn Humphries is from Durham City, a three chords I performed at the grammar major university center near Newcastle. school and I played one of my originals. I or Dave Humphries’ youth, timing Judging by the photographs displayed in formed a little group and started playing was everything. True, Englishmen the Mission Valley condo he shares with youth clubs and working men’s clubs Fof earlier generations were swept his wife, Robbie Taylor, Durham’s rolling around the North East of England. We up by the “trad” jazz and skiffle move - hills and classic architecture resembles a told them we were much older than we ments. But Humphries came of age dur - smaller Edinburgh. Humphries’ descrip - were!” ing the ’60s British Beat era, better known tion of his home town compels the globe - Humphries and his band mates eventu - over here in the “colonies” as the British trotter with any sense of wanderlust to ally set their sights on London and the Invasion. More than four decades after get the dusty passport up to date. What South. Their pilgrimage in search of a the Beatles appeared on the Ed Sullivan would be on the itinerary for the first- recording contract resembled the male Show , the musical impact of those heady timer? “That would be the Durham counterpart to the fictionalized Smashing days continues to resonate. The recently Cathedral and Durham Castle (a world Time , a forgotten swinging London come - remastered Beatles catalog flew off the heritage site). There’s also little winding dy about two “birds” from Northern shelves last month – not shabby for a streets, some with cobblestones, and an England (brilliantly portrayed by Lynn band that broke up in 1970. old market place with statues. Lots of Redgrave and Rita Tushingham) who Humphries, a musician who has lived pubs but not as many as there used to be travel to London and endure culture in San Diego since 1996, shared his – the smoking ban and price increases on shock and mishaps. The film gently thoughts on why a small island in the beer have killed a few already,” said poked fun at Carnaby Street fashion and North Atlantic became the seismic center Humphries. the recording industry politics of the day. for the rock ‘n’ roll earthquake. “I think a Prior to journalist and Beatles confi - The real life adventures of Humphries lot was down to the effect people like dant Bill Harry covering the early days of and his musical cohorts resulted in four Buddy Holly and Elvis had on us after British rock in his publication Mersey valiant attempts (and, subsequently, four (skiffle artist) Lonnie Donegan had made Beat , Humphries recalled his father “lis - rejection letters) to land a recording con - it easy to be in a band – only three chords tening on an old radiogram to Bing tract with the Beatles’ fledgling record Dave Humphries – so the move to rock ‘n’ roll was pretty Crosby, Frankie Laine, and a chap called label, Apple. Undoubtedly, many other fast,” Humphries explained. “Buddy Michael Holiday who was an English Bing bands were chasing the same dream, but would be the one responsible for the Crosby. As he puttered around the house one of Humphries’ rejection letters gained enced a musical milestone when he estab - British Beat groups writing their own he would sing his Bing songs or “the immortality. In 2006, a compilation titled lished a rapport with British rocker Tony songs.I imagine it became successful Horse Operas” [cowboy songs]. We only An Apple a Day was released on the RPM Sheridan, the entertainer who provided because everybody was bored and fed up had the BBC Light Program and Radio label. A collection of rarities from Apple, the Beatles with early recording work and with the “pretty boy” pop music; you had Luxembourg in England at that time. My the accompanying booklet used one of suggestions for survival during their wild Fabian et al. in the U.S. and we had the dad got a cheap guitar because he wanted Humphries’ rejection letters as an illustra - years in Hamburg, Germany. “Since I same type of thing – nothing threaten - to learn to play cowboy songs, but all he tion. No one was more surprised than came to San Diego, Robbie and I had ing…just boring. Then BANG!! The managed was “Little Brown Jug.” The guy Humphries when he unwrapped the CD been involved in the San Diego Come Beatles/Stones/Kinks/Animals and more, it next door tried to teach him but it all and spotted the letter, a “thanks but no Together Club,” said Humphries. “The was like somebody just turned the light faded away. I would mess around with thanks” note from Dee Meehan, Apple’s club started a grassroots Beatles fair and on and, of course, after a few months guitar but didn’t want to play until I lead secretary. grew to an international club by 1999. they were taking it back to heard the Shadows. Things got serious In 1991, Humphries met the woman We would have ‘headliners’ from around America…pretty amazing really.” when the Beatles arrived. Once I learned who would be his future American wife. the world that had connections with the Humphries (far left) at 16, with his band At the time, he was unaware that the door Beatles. Tony Sheridan was our ‘headliner’ to California was opening for him. Robbie for July, 1999. I personally had loved his Taylor reminisced on their first meeting. music since I was a boy in England and “I was in Liverpool in 1991 and a friend got hold of the Tony Sheridan and the said, ‘Let’s visit my friend in the Beatles LP. Tony was famous in the UK Northeast. So we arrived and met Dave in for being the first person to play an elec - the pub next door to his house. He was tric guitar live on the telly. He was also in wearing his slippers because the pub was the backing band for Gene Vincent and virtually a few feet from his house and he Eddie Cochran when they toured the UK. was comfortable. The minute I sat down He was always rated as a top class gui - he sat next to me and for two hours he tarist and referred to many, along with the [rambled] on about the American music Beatles as the Teacher. “Robbie and her dear friend Janie met Humphries with wife Robbie Durham City, Humphries’ home town scene and all his inspirations like Brian Wilson, John Sebastian, J.J. Cale, Ry the plane when it landed in San Diego. Cooder, etc. The ‘American’ music chat The next thing I knew when I came in on that elevated “stage” last November was so intense I finally told him to come from work was Tony Sheridan in my where the Dave Humphries Band shared a for a holiday and I would make him a house, sitting in my chair, drinking my bill with the Baja Bugs and recreated the ‘Star.’ .Four years later he arrived with his beer. Wolfgang Grasekamp, the German Beatles famous rooftop concert of 1969, cousins for that visit. The rest is history.” keyboard player, went home with Janie captured on film for the Let It Be movie. Speaking of history, Humphries experi - but Tony stayed with us. He made us tea. Police eventually arrived to to tell the Although Tony had lived in Hamburg all bands to call it quits in Normal Heights, those years our English roots bonded us but there was considerably less tension and we have been close friends ever than what the Beatles faced when con - more. He has played on various CDs of fronted by London’s finest on that cold mine of the last years. I stayed with him day 40 years ago. in his Hamburg home and he showed us Humphries is excited about his current the Reeperbahn…who better? Luckily, studio project. On first hearing, the new Wolfgang continued to stay with Janie songs show Humphries branching out in and we became a band.” new directions, with the music going (Sadly, Jane Anne Duggan-Grasekamp beyond the “Beatles-like” categorization died from a severe intracranial hemor - that many people have heard in his prior rhage last January. Humphries said she releases. “The CD I’m currently working was an early member of the Come on at Mike Kamoo Studios will have a Together Club and an avid supporter of totally different sound from previous the Dave Humphries Band.) releases. I’m looking for an early It is a band that has blended well Christmas release so folks can include it together in the studio and on the stage. in their Christmas boxes. I’m fortunate to Humphries’ latest CD, And So It Goes , has be working with great artists like Mike, earned critical accolades (see San Diego Regina Leonard, Hector Penalosa, Annie Troubadour , June 09), with stellar compo - Rettic, and Bart Mendoza. Of course all of sitions like “Heartbroken Angel,” “Run my bandmates, Toby Hinkle, Todd Away for the Day,” and the haunting bal - Hidden, Wolfgang Grasekamp, Fin Park, lad on the problem of the homeless popu - and Dana Garrett, who played a great sax lation, “38 Days.” Concert appearances on “Rollin' Up to Heaven.” There will have included a set at the International hopefully be more guest appearances Pop Overthrow-San Diego music festival from others who will pop in.” and the popular nightclub haunts around www.myspace.com/davehumphriesmusic the country. One of the most unusual concert ven - ues was the rooftop of the Mariposa Ice Cream parlor in Normal Heights. It was www.sandiegotroubadour.com 7 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch Irish Folk Music: Culture and History Through Story Songs

aint Patrick’s Day aside, have will lead, through songs, a class Irish thought from writers, histori - you ever wanted to tout your called for Irish Folk Music: Culture ans, contemporary artists, and, natu - Sconnection to the Irish? What and History through Story Songs, rally, the pub. The songs will be fol - do enduring images of the troubles, beginning this month. The nine- lowed by discussion and lively craic , the Blarney Stone, the potato week course will highlight Hinton’s the Gaelic word for banter and good Jim and Cheryl Hinton in County Kerry, Ireland famine, the pretty maid, the wild rich repertoire of folk songs, reveal - times.In addition, Hinton’s wife, rover, and Danny Boy tell Americans ing many pertinent Irish topics. anthropologist Cheryl Hinton about our love for the Irish? There is Hinton’s experience includes more (University of San Diego lecturer and • Danny boy and Celtic woman go The next class, November 10 a compelling story to be told in than 30 years of performing in this Director of Barona Cultural Center to the River Dance through January 26, will be held at folk music genre. Accompanied on and Museum) will lead a discussion many Irish folk traditions, especially • the wearing of the green: a St. the La Mesa Adult Enrichment the rousing and sentimental folk traditional instruments, his perform - about native Irish cuture. Paddy’s Day tradition Center, 8450 La Mesa Blvd. in La songs. Folk singer, Jim Hinton, in the ance of these classic songs will Although the class is still a work Mesa, Tuesday nights at 7pm. • Tura lura lura: Irish cops, Irish great tradition of the village bard, explore their meaning in his study of in progress, topics include: priests, and me old Irish grandma Every class is a concert! • the enduring Irish image: come to • returning to the roots: the home - the Bower land and the potato famine • the fairy folk and other • Archetypal Irish folk characters pre-Christian mythology • the lovable rogue • the Irish rebel: the Troubles • the passionate patriot • the Blarney Stone: tourism and hospitality • Irish women: flirty maidens, spurned women, victimized good • the stories, humor, and wit: the girls great tradition of the bard • the wry and wise town forum • word play: the twists and turns of the Irish context • Irish world view through song • the water of life, craic, and the • history public house • legend • the Irish Diaspora • modern culture • the Irish experience of Americans

8 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR front porch

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 9 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

a conversPation weith ggy Watson

by Annie Dru Peggy shares that after caring for her mother important to me. When I came back from there I photos by Steve Covault at home for some time, she recently placed her was really into writing songs that had a mes - in a full-time eldercare facility at the age of 93. sage.” She continues, “I was learning Spanish at I sat with Peggy this much time on my music, when I wish I would “I have regretted not recording her. There were the time. I was taking classes, I went with my week in the College have given more of my time to my girls. You many times, even when she was getting old, family to Mexico for three months, and we were area home she know, music is inherently self-centered if you’re that I could have recorded her, even just with a taking in refugees from El Salvador and shares with husband a professional. You’re trying to promote your - tape recorder, and I didn’t. I don’t know why. I’ve Guatemala who didn’t speak any English. I was Alan and dog Chloe, self; you’re trying to be noticed. Most of us who really regretted that; I’d really like to hear that really obsessed with learning Spanish. what struck me was make music thrive on the recognition and the voice.” Language and music were my two first loves; tAhe combination sof youthful energy and quiet acceptance and love we get from our audience, She continues, “She sang with me constantly. they kind of go together. “ wisdom this mother of two grown daughters but you have to be willing to work for that. She taught me to sing harmony at six or seven I asked her if politics was still influencing her projected as we spoke of her long history in the When you have a family and a full-time job, years old, and we sang Christmas carols and music. “I still enjoy singing those kinds of San Diego music community. At times she that’s very difficult to do. You’re always wonder - songs from musicals.” I asked Peggy if her moth - songs; my album In the Company of Birds has a almost bounced off her chair like a teenaged girl ing, am I going to damage my relationship, am I er tutored her budding vocal style. “She was the song called ‘Who’s Going to Save Us?’ that I as she expressed her passion for music and per - going to take something away from my kids? So ultimate supporter. She never corrected or criti - wrote after the invasion of Iraq. I certainly have formance, speaking quickly and with animated you’re making these decisions all along the cized me in any way. She didn’t believe in saying a different take on it than I did way back. One of hand gestures. At other times, she embodied a way.” anything negative about one’s children. I don’t the things that changed my approach to writing calm resolve and mature acceptance of life’s I asked Peggy if she’d ever had a brush with know if I would have done what I did if she had - political music was the music of Chilean song - many compromises, especially as they relate to “the big time.” “Yeah, there was this guy who n’t been there telling me what a great voice I writer Victor Jara of the Nueva Canción. Many of the music business. had managed some big acts back in the sixties; had.” his songs were incredibly political, but he wrote Says Peggy, “There were times in my early he said ‘You’ve got a great voice, and I’d like to It wasn’t until Peggy was 15 that anyone gave them with a lot of romantic poetry. They’re not thirties when I toyed with the idea of going on take you on, but we’ve got to do it now because her the impression that she might have a way to preaching at you; they’re telling a love story. the road and try to do this full time. I was send - you’re getting old, and we’ve got to change your go vocally. “I met this older guy when I was in Those beautiful songs from South America ing out demos and attempting to get a record whole style; you can’t do those kind of songs.’ Big Sur camping on the beach, and by older I taught me that you don’t have to preach at peo - deal, but, ultimately, I guess I didn’t have the “Well, that was that. I told him, ‘Thank you, but mean maybe 35 or something, who sang sea ple; you can write in a way that implies a politi - drive to ‘make it’ the way most people do when no thank you. This is what I do!’” shanties and toured professionally; when he cal situation without having to hit someone they hit that certain level of local celebrity. I When I ask her what ignites her passion heard me sing he said, ‘You’re okay, for a 15- over the head with it. I was curious have no regrets.” She did tour once. “It was Peggy lights up like a firecracker. “I am fascinat - year-old.’” She laughs, “It hurt my feelings!” about Peggy’s non-music work chronology. “My mostly just a great camping trip!” she says with ed by sound!” she said. “I can’t listen to music Around that same time, budding activist first real job was as a printer; I just went around a laugh. and concentrate on anything else; it completely Peggy wrote her very first song. “It was an envi - asking until someone gave me a job.” Next she Touring or not, Peggy performed locally often captures my attention. If I hear a beautiful ronmental song – about the sea.” Political worked as a hospital admitting clerk, then throughout her early mothering years. “I had a melody, I start seeing it in my imagination.” Not activism informed Peggy’s music in a big way as decided she wanted a better paying job that husband who was so loving and caring and tak - surprising, as Peggy says, her mother was she grew into young adulthood. “I was really might also allow her to work with a union, so ing care of so much for me that I felt justified singing all the time when she was a girl. involved in politics at that time; I got involved she became a pipe fitter in a shipyard as well as sometimes going off to gigs.” But with the “I always knew my mother had an absolutely in anti-war activities in El Salvador and a union organizer. That was followed by a job as maturity of a woman who’s spent many years amazing voice. In my mind there was no doubt Guatemala. I was doing a lot of work with an a typesetter and offset camera operator. “Then I contemplating the human condition, she that she could have rivaled Jeanette McDonald organization that was trying to bring peace to decided that I really wanted a career; I wanted reflects back on the age-old enmity between art or any of the great singers of her time, although that part of the world. I went to South America to become a teacher. I really didn’t start college and normalcy. I don’t think singing professionally ever even with a women’s theatre project; that was a time seriously full time until I was about 29. I just “There are times I wish I hadn’t spent so occurred to her as a possibility.” when my political songwriting really became dug in and did it and got my B.A. when I was 34 10 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR parlor showcase

She continues, “You know what the ingredi - beautiful voice, and I asked him literally, ‘Where definitely lit a fire under people; we thought, ents are; let’s set aside melody, because melody did you get that incredible voice?’ and his ‘Wow, San Diego is a happening place; let’s go is the inspiration for probably 90 percent of answer was Linda Vickerman.’” for it, get noticed, get a record deal.’ And there what I write, but when I look at songs that I She continues, “I studied with her every week were some little record companies in town. think are great, at least for my own taste, I think for years. The more I studied with Linda, the Cargo was one that Lisa was on, and Joy was on of songs that paint a big picture with few brush bigger my voice got because I became less another, and Cindy Lee Berryhill, I always strokes; one line in the song will be a comment inhibited. I don’t have a naturally huge voice; thought she was super talented too. I remember on the whole human condition. I think of that it’s rather small. I think I’m lucky to have a pret - hearing her sing a song about the trolley, and I song that John Prine wrote with the line ‘There’s ty tone to my voice, but the bigness came thought ‘Oh man, she is really clever, she is just a hole in daddy’s arm where all the money through work. I worked for years, lessons and a great wordsmith.’ Yeah, Cindy Lee is a very, goes.’ I hear lines like that and I think, you have practice on a weekly basis to develop it.” very talented woman.” to have this global view, and at the same time, Develop it she has; her singing radiates a confi - I asked her what all the “buzz” in town at that take something personal and small, and make it dence that one rarely hears outside of the long- time meant for her personally. “You know, I was a statement about all of us. Because of the way time professional touring musician ranks. I tell older than everybody; I was getting close to 40 you’ve framed it, the imagery in that line, the her I can’t imagine her straining to reach a note. and feeling very old compared to everybody listener is able to relate to it, and to make it In typical Peggy fashion, she graciously diverts else.” She directs me to a photo on the wall, their own.” my compliment, and goes on to compliment “That’s a picture of us taken during that time Her example reminds me of a line in one of someone else. period – Lisa, Mary, Elizabeth, and me – taken at my favorite Lisa Sander’s songs, “Angels,” which “At the time I met Lisa Sanders, there was one of our shows.” I thought it really fun to see starts “I drink beer in the morning to start my this whole movement of female singers with the gals wearing the nineties’ hair-dos and fash - day.” Peggy audibly sucks in her breath and these very small, breathy little girl voices. Then ions. nods; a close and long time friend of Lisa’s, she there was Lisa with this huge woman’s voice “But yeah, I think I felt like I was fighting the concurs, “It speaks volumes; it’s so powerful. that just knocked my socks off, just swept me off time factor, you know, I was in a competition At a recent concert with Peggy’s trio Tryptich. Above: Peggy When the song is true, and maybe it’s not true my feet; she sings with her heart and soul.” with time. I went through some painful periods with Joe Rathburn Below: David Beldock for the person who wrote the song, but it’s just I asked Peggy more about her gal posse. She because I knew I was probably too old to get true, I think that’s what moves people.” starts by mentioning Deborah Liv Johnson, recognized in any kind of mainstream way. It or 35. I got my teaching credential when I was “I always laugh when I think of myself and “Deborah and I have been the best of friends for hurt. There were times when I felt like I was a 36, taught for several years, then decided I other songwriter friends who are so concerned 28 years. I’ve sung on some of her albums, she’s day late and a dollar short, you know? There wanted to become a counselor, so I got my mas - with the production of an album, how perfect sung on some of mine. Our voices were a match were times when it was very painful actually, ter’s degree in 2003.” the sound is. When I think of one of my favorite made in heaven; we became really close friends, because I’d see these younger people around At this point I’m feeling seriously inadequate albums, I think of this little six song cassette and we inspired and supported each other in me, and there were many, I mean John [Katchur] as a woman. “Yeah, one thing... you can’t say I’m Gregory Page made years and years ago when the early years at the Old Time Café and Drowsy and Jeff [Berkley] , and Gregory and Steve…” lazy. I’m a hard-working person. I’ve never been he was first kind of going out on his own; it was Maggie’s. We were really tight; still are. As a She contemplates a moment, then continues, lazy. I went through a long period in my life so simple. I must have listened to that cassette matter of fact, we just did a show together a few “But also, I did not feel like I was hip… well, I when I was a little over the top; trying to do a million times. It was just weeks ago.” don’t think I was… I’m just not; I’m not hip, not everything I wanted to do. I don’t have that kind Gregory and his guitar, and She continues, in that sense. I didn’t have that, whatever it was of energy anymore!” I reply honestly, “I’m quite that moved me. When “Then in the early or that people had, or needed to have, to be con - sure I never have.” “Well,” says Peggy “I’ve things get really big and mid-nineties – Lisa sidered hip; I didn’t have that. I think I was just always had a lot of interests. I’m just one of involved and there’s tons I try to write probably remembers a person who’d had a very varied life. I was a those zingy people that finds everything inter - of instrumentation, some - this better than I do – good musician; I am a good musician, but I was - esting; I just go there, and then I go there. I times I feel separated from meaningful songs, there was a group of n’t focused on my career. I just wrote songs, want to do that, and then I want to do that! I the feeling that was there women: Joy Eden loved to perform, loved to entertain people, and think there was a fire inside of me that made me in the beginning, even and it’s really Harrison, Elizabeth still do! But now I’m so old that it doesn’t mat - do whatever I did. My kids grew up surrounded though I’m tempted too, to Hummel, Jewel Kilcher, ter at all! I don’t feel any weirdness about trying by music, politics – a lot of different stuff.” add on things and do this important to me Mary Dolan, and Lisa to make it. I feel incredibly comfortable in my That led into my next question “Are either of and do that, because in Sanders. We met and own skin, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I your daughters musicians?” She replied, “My this day and age it’s so had dinners together love my age. I embrace it. I don’t care who daughter Wendy is a visual artist and a photog - easy to add on things. that my songs and did some shows knows how old I am. Besides, people with rapher, but she has played in bands; she’s When I first started, it was - together where we sang money are getting older; they by the CDs!” played in Nick Castro’s band, she’s toured. She n’t that easy.” serve a good cause on each other’s songs. And CDs are something that Peggy knows considers herself someone who likes dabbling Then, “I’m also thinking Jewel’s career took of quite a bit about having made eight of them as in music, but her passion is clearly in art and of one of Joni Mitchell’s when possible. very quickly, but she well as two early cassette recordings. They are: photography. She’s done the artwork for several early albums, ‘Clouds.’ It got together with us Cholla Blooms (1986) self-produced of my album covers. My daughter Julie is my was so simple, just – Peggy Watson and had dinner a few I Live in This World (1989) self-produced songwriting critic! Both of the girls are invalu - guitar/voice or piano/voice, times.” Knee Deep (1992) self-produced able at helping me with my songwriting.” maybe a couple of instru - I asked Peggy if Orion’s Skies (1995) produced by Peggy and Jeff After chatting for some time, it struck me that ments; that’s what grabs she knew upon first Forrest what I really wanted was to hear Peggy sing one me.” hearing Jewel that she was going to be a star. “I A Thousand Wishes (1998) produced by Peggy and of her songs. I asked, “What’s one of your own I comment on the Joni Mitchell vibe she con - had no doubt. She was phenomenal. She had Dave Blackburn favorites?” Without hesitation she says “‘Manny veys in her own music. “Yeah, she is probably that… well, what John Katchur and I call that ‘it’ Love Songs (2000) produced by Peggy and Dave and Me,’ but I’ll have to re-tune my guitar.” “No one of my main influences; she and John Prine. I quality. That woman just had this thing when Blackburn problem, I’d be happy to wait.” It was worth it. just love them both for completely different rea - she sang that you can’t describe; some kind of Wild Grace (2001) produced by Peggy and David After a couple of false starts in a guitar tuning sons. Well, I guess they’re both great story - charisma.” Beldock she rarely uses (DADF#AD), she dives into what tellers.” She stops herself, “Although, I remember one In the Company of Birds (2005) produced by Peggy turned out to be a really, really good folk/pop She shares an experience she had recently, night when she was over here, and Lisa and Joy and John Katchur song, somehow reminiscent of the Gordon where she put the stripped-down concept to the were here, and my daughter Wendy was about Beldock and Watson, Just Like You and Me (2007) Lightfoot, Bread, Chicago, Doobie Brothers test with longtime friend, co-writer and collabo - 17 at the time. Anyway, Jewel sang her song ‘You produced by Peggy, David, and Jeff Berkley soundtrack of my ’70s childhood. It’s captivating rator Dave Beldock. “David and I made an album Were Meant for Me,’ which I thought was really, A Christmas Album (2008) produced by Dave in a romantic, storytelling sense, but with an not too long ago at Jeff Berkley’s house, where really cool, and then Lisa sang one of her songs, Blackburn unusual backdrop. It tells the story of a man we took the approach that we were just going to and all of the sudden Wendy ran out of the To me, sitting in the late afternoon sunlight, and a woman who carry on a love affair while do this living room thing, but it was scary to be room. Lisa’s singing just blew her away. Later I Peggy reminds me more of a bookish hippie working side by side in the noise, chaos, and so exposed, to just do this thing with no bells went in there and she was crying and she said ‘I teenager than a baby boomer. “Well, I have machismo of (no surprise) a shipyard. I ask if it’s or whistles. You never know how it’s going to go just can’t believe… she just… it just… made youthful genes in my family, I can tell you that… a true story. Peggy giggles “No! I mean there over in the midst of albums that are so pro - me cry listening to her sing… it was just so although, this hair has to be colored on a regu - were romances of course at the shipyard. I just duced, but in the end it was beautiful.’” lar basis!” I tell her how well I sympathize. She like the incongruous, that incompatibility of satisfying.” “So yeah, Jewel was very hard working and continues, “I think it’s good to look good on love and romance in this fire-breathing place I note that Peggy’s guitar playing conveys a fortunate, both, and also very driven; you need stage; to feel good, to feel good about yourself [where] you’re working all day; sparks every - strong groove, and her voice is warm, yet clear to be very driven if you’re going to make it in and your appearance. I think I probably take that where, it’s really loud, it’s really scary.” I tell her and controlled. Sea shanty troubadour not with - this business. She was young at that point, only more seriously now than I did when I was how well written I think the song is. “You proba - standing, I wonder if she’s worked hard to hone two years older than my daughter Wendy, just younger. I remember when I used to play at bly feel this way too, but when I hear a really her vocal technique, or if she was just born with 19. But no, I had no doubt; the first few times I Drowsy Maggie’s, I would frequently just wear a good song, I know it, but damn, it’s hard to pro - it. “I didn’t start singing professionally until I heard her sing I thought, ‘She’s gonna make it.’” tee shirt and jeans, and one time somebody put duce one!” Conversely she notes, “Other times a was about 26. I had gone out and I heard this I wondered if Jewel’s success inspired or a note in the tip jar, no money mind you, just a song just writes itself, you write it in a half an guy named Red Grammer, a really great singer, encouraged the other women in the group. “The hour and it’s done; that’s how this one was.” he had replaced Glen Yarborough in the things that happened to her and Steve Poltz Continued on page 14. Limeliters for a while. Anyway, Red just had this www.sandiegotroubadour.com 11 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Bluegrass CORNER

by Dwight Worden THANKS(FOR)GIVING we simply reveal our own human - ness – there is no shame in that, is s we enter the long-shad - there? THE ANNUAL IBMA AWARDS their Proud to be a Daughter of Bluegrass owed days of autumn, we So forgive yourself, already. Sven-Erik Seaholm recording. And, the red hot Steeldrivers Last month we looked at some of the all- Aare presented with both its Release yourself from the guilt of took the award for Emerging Artist of the dio? To find the answer, I had to time winners that have been taking home beautifully changing leaves and that nanosecond of human imper - Year. first admit that this was the case International Bluegrass Music Association slowly dropping temperatures, fection. You’ll be able to address Finally, here’s the rundown on the indi - and then forgive myself for that. Awards since the IBMA was founded in along with the prospect of being in that issue when you next rehearse. vidual instrument award winners: Banjo, 1985. We reported, among other tidbits, that closer contact with friends and Once that business was dealt with, Kristen Scott Benson; dobro, Rob Ickes, bass; Right now, you have a song to Ronnie McCoury of the Del McCoury Band family over the coming holiday I found it much easier to find a Marshall Wilburn, mandolin; Jesse Brock, sing. In the grand scheme of has the most awards overall with a stagger - season. While this brings with it a solution to my problem. guitar; Josh Williams and fiddle, Michael things, it’s simply a small mustard ing 29, while Rob Ickes, dobro player with bright sense of anticipation for The difference seemed almost Cleveland. burp: momentarily tangy, then Blue Highway, has the most individual immediately apparent: the only dif - many, it can also, in some cases, gone forever. Most folks won’t awards with 10 for Dobro Player of the year ference was headphones. So I set up inspire a modicum of trepidation. even remember. Many won’t even (now 11, with his win this year). In this issue my PA just like a gig, with all of the Family dysfunction is something notice. Just let it go for now. we will take a look at this year’s winners mics set up the same way, etc. but that maybe we all have had to deal As for those in the audience too who were announced at the annual IBMA with the speakers faced toward me with on some level, at some time busy talking to even realize you’re Awards Show held in the Ryman Auditorium at a very low but perceptible vol - or another. In fact from all of the pouring out your heart and soul up in Nashville in early October.. ume. Once I was all sound checked, movie and sitcom scripts that have there, forgive them too. You know I then added a high-quality studio been devoted to it, one could even what you have to share is worth - condenser mic just above each PA say it’s become somewhat of an while. They’re just missing it. It’s vocal mic, tilted slightly down to American cliché. Thankfully, this their loss. Don’t make it yours as compensate for the elevated mic’s often passes, or perhaps we just well. position. The guitar was plugged eventually agree to peacefully dis - Forgiveness plays a very signifi - into a direct box, which was sent agree on whatever outstanding cant role in the recording studio into the studio along with the con - issues remain. too. There is, of course, the obvi - Steve Martin’s IBMA nominated CD, The Crow. denser mic signals. I took a split off We do this through forgiveness. ous parallel, where we know we of the direct box and plugged it While the word may hold a messed up and are upset with our - Jamie Daley & Darren Vincent Dillards To cap the night off the and the somewhat religious or spiritual into the PA, so I could monitor that Lonesome Pine Fiddlers were inducted selves, but the knowledge that connotation for many, I prefer to along with the vocals. I also placed into the IBMA Hall of Fame and Steve we’ll probably get another shot at Winning IBMA’s most prestigious award, look upon it as a concept that an additional condenser mic in the Martin , yes that wild and crazy guy, per - it in a few minutes makes it a bit Entertainer of the Year for 2009, was Daley comes into play every time we pick front of the guitar, so that I was formed on the banjo during the awards show easier to let up on ourselves. Still, and Vincent who repeated their win from up a guitar, open our mouths to getting a more natural sound for as he was a nominee for banjo player of the there have also been many hours last year. Daley and Vincent also took home the recording than was afforded by year and for song and album of the year. sing or hit “record.” spent coaxing better performances top honors for Vocal Group of the Year and just the direct signal. This was not Steve Martin’s album won the award for Think about the last time you from great performers with low for Gospel Recorded Performance of the put through the PA. Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project and played a gig. At some point, even self-esteem than I’d care to recall. Year. A nice haul for this great group that Lo and behold, I was able to cap - for Best Graphic Design for a Recorded for the briefest of moments, you burst onto the scene last year taking home 6 Most often, it’s the knowledge that Project for his album The Crow , but alas he may have faltered. Maybe you sang ture great vocal takes with no pitch top awards including Entertainer of the Year, you’ve done this song a million didn’t win, although he was nominated for a note slightly off pitch, or said correction, live and with the guitar Emerging Artist of the Year, and Male times perfectly, and now that his recording or for his banjo playing. As one “and” instead of “but” or played a thrown in as an added bonus! I Vocalist of the Year (Jamie Daley). you’re under the microscope, you who attended the awards show, however, “C” chord instead of a “G.” What was able to not only record some Taking home the honors for Instrumental can’t seem to get through four and having heard Steve Martin perform live, I quick demos and the bulk of an Group of the Year was Michael Cleveland happened next? measures without some sort of can confirm that he is an outstanding banjo upcoming Seaholm-Mackintosh EP and Flamekeeper . Michael’s band mates For myself, what has usually fol - flaw. I’m certainly not immune to picker and, based on merit, was a true con - in just a few hours, but with far Jesse Brock (mandolin) and Marshall lowed was the nagging voice of the such situations, either. tender for Banjo Player of the Year. less stress and post-production. Wilburn (bass) also took home top awards as little scorekeeper in my head that In the studio in particular, I have All in all it was a great year for blue - I don’t know if I would have individuals on their instruments. This is one can’t shut up about it. Often, I been frustrated by subtle vocal grass and we send our congratulations to all come upon such a workable solu - smokin’ hot band that some of you may have have been able to recover and put pitch issues that have long plagued the winners for their contributions to our tion so quickly had I not owned up seen when SDBS presented them in concert it out of my head. Other times, the me. Even though I felt that I had music. to the problem and forgiven myself in Carlsbad a couple of years back. remainder of my set came off the really improved that aspect in my for it in the first place. Now if only Dan Tyminksi, of Alison Krauss and LOCAL NEWS rails in a train wreck so spectacular game enough to be able to sing in my stomach will forgive me for Union Station , who has stepped out with The San Diego Bluegrass Society presented that little else of it was remem - a variety of harmony groups live, I what I’m going to do with it this his own Dan Tyminksi Band while AKUS is the legendary Eddie Adcock in concert on bered, or even worth remembering. couldn’t feel entirely confident on hiatus, was honored with the Male October 17th with his charming and gifted month! Throughout the last several about my contributions until I Vocalist of the Year Award, even though he wife Martha. They did a great show follow - years, whether performing solo or heard several live recordings, Sven-Erik Seaholm is an award-winning had such bad laryngitis he could only whis - ing a strong opening set by local band in various groups (where your part - which illustrated that I was indeed independent record producer, performer, and per in accepting the award. Dan and his Highway 76 . recording artist. His company Kitsch & Sync ners are relying on your personal singing totally in key. “How could great band (Ron Stewart, Jesse Brock, Barry Coming up on November 22nd is the consistency to find their own solid Production (kaspro.com) provides recording, Bales, Justin Moses and Adam Steffey) also annual SDBS sponsored bluegrass concert at this be?” I wondered. How could mastering, consultations, graphic design, footing), I have learned that this is took home the prize for Album of the Year St. Mark’s United Methodist Church at 3502 someone with as much recording and CD manufacturing services. He hopes an excellent opportunity to exer - with their Wheels album. Clairemont Drive. This year’s show will fea - experience as I have accumulated you’ll forgive him for wearing all those cise forgiveness. When we falter, hats. Female Vocalist of the Year honors were ture the music of three of bluegrass music’s have difficulty singing in the stu - claimed by Dale Ann Bradley for the sec - greatest founders. The show will present the ond year in a row, showing that the profes - SDBS Board of Directors Band perform - sional voting members of IBMA still value ing the music of Bill Monroe, the Bluegrass Radio Daze, continued. and respect the authentic, traditional singing Ramblers presenting the music of Flatt and represented by Dale Ann. Scruggs, and Gone Tomorrow featuring the “You must be telepathic because who the music of the Stanley Brothers. hell ELSE would you be thinking to?” The show “Awesome ,” anyone? It used to refer to starts at 7 an expression of awe, which is “an emo - pm, admis - sion is free tion variously combining dread, venera - (donations tion, and wonder that is inspired by will be authority or by the sacred or sublime,” solicited) according to Merriam-Webster’s and the Collegiate Dictionary. Having lunch with public is God would be awesome. welcome. It I was at a Jack in the Box drive-thru also looks recently. I ordered my usual, a large iced Chris Stuart and BackCountry like Wayne tea with lemon. The teenaged girl’s voice Rice of on the speaker exclaimed, “A large iced In a real thrill for locals, San Diego’s KSON’s tea with lemon? That’s awesome!” own Chris Stuart ( Chris Stuart and KSON’s Wayne Rice Bluegrass A guy called me during my radio show BackCountry ) took home the award for Special years ago and said he was having “nos - authoring the Song of the Year, co-written radio show (broadcast every Sunday night talgic memories of the past,” and wanted with Ivan Rosenberg. Chris’ song “Don’t from 10 pm to midnight on KSON at 97.3 on me to play some Pink Floyd. Throw Momma’s Flowers Away” was record - your FM dial and 92.1 in North County) will I referred him to the Department of ed by Dan Paisley and the Southern be the MC for the evening and he will record Redundancy Department. Grass who, according to Chris, really the program for later broadcast. It should be Later...or as the youngsters say these brought the song to its full potential. a great concert and we hope you all can days, “Late.” Recorded Event of the Year honors were attend. taken by the Daughters of Bluegrass for

12 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ramblin’

Hosing Down Radio Philosophy, Art, Culture, & Music by José Sinatra Daze StAgeS

by Peter Bolland flames of the mystery of existence. They were chasing a ball around and singing silly songs WHAT WINNING MEANS about it. The condescension and arrogance of youth knows no bounds. Perhaps it was just used to think poetry contests were totally self-defense for the way they looked at us or, I bogus. Then I won one. I took third place should say, didn’t look at us. To them, we were for one poem and honorable mention for I invisible while the entire apparatus of the another. Two poems in one contest? What school orbited around the heralded glory of about all the other worthy entries? I felt their athletic achievements. We barely greedy. Then I felt guilty. Then I felt stupid for noticed, sticking our noses back into our feeling greedy and guilty. Then I felt confused. books. What does it mean to win an art contest? I remember one morning in elementary As a songwriter and musician I’d won a few school the teacher asked for volunteers to awards through the years, and now this. It read their one-page story to the class. Before I was unnerving. The trophy shelf in my music Jim McInnes realized what had happened, my hand shot up studio was getting crowded. I had to figure The piercingly incisive José Sinatra in the air. I’ll never forget that feeling, that out what was happening. Why was the least by Jim McInnes feeling of reading my story out loud in front competitive guy I knew winning prizes? of the class and the way they leaned into it in NUMBERZ The Bee Gees 1st and the group’s occa - Schopenhauer talks about how life, as it is November rapt attention. They laughed at the funny sional derision as “Beatles sound-alikes” being lived, seems random and chaotic, I wrestled with 1968 in April’s parts and drew hushed breaths at the sus - during the next two years disappeared shaped by one accident after another. It is Troubadour and in my heart, I won. t’s November. Happy birthday to me penseful parts. All I remember about the story under mountainous appreciation of their only in retrospect, looking back, that one sees Still flush with victory, this time my tar - (11/3) and Happy Thanksgiving to is that it had something to do with a cow who outstanding songwriting talent. They were, a pattern, an undeniable order, choreographed get is 1969, but just an eenie weenie bit Iyou. rode a motorcycle to the top of the Matterhorn and remain, the Teen Band for the Ages not by the individual will but by a metaphysi - of it, a hibernating relic, now 40 years old. in Disneyland. But I do remember as if it were (my apologies to the Bantams; Dino, Desi, cal force beyond anyone’s control. All the It’s difficult for me to make that amount Chicago Blues this morning exactly how it felt to wield the and Billy; and four of the Partridges). chance encounters and unsought influences of time realistic, understandable, or conjuring power of language and what it was That earlier era Bee Gees, even as they y wife and I recently went to the sculpt the course of our lives like a river remotely sexy. Jesus Christ never even like to possess, if only for a moment, the abili - deserve our honor and eternal thanks for Chicago area to visit family and carves a canyon. I can’t help but wonder along made it to 40 (on paper, at least, although ty to mesmerize people with mere words. the bangs they returned for our bucks friends. The first thing we want - with David Byrne in the Talking Heads classic, he did hold the most unique health insur - M Experiences like that shape you. were, like everyone but myself, not with - well, how did I get here ? ance policy ever conceived, provided by an ed to do was catch some live Chicago In high school and college I wrote some out fault. It took them a stupefying amount Naturally, it began with my family. My agency many of us spend a lifetime blues. We considered going to Kingston poetry, most of it awful. Then I got into song - of time – ’til about 1975, actually, to get brothers and I grew up under the loving guid - attempting to locate). Forty would be the Mines, a club in Lincoln Park we had vis - writing. I loved playing cover songs of course. the message that there were easy alterna - ance of Hilbert and Amy Bolland, Dutch beginning of middle age if it weren’t sud - ited a few years ago but chose instead to Neil Young, Dylan, Gram Parsons, and all the tives to using a live orchestra with them immigrants who brought their European sen - denly the new 14. go to Buddy Guy’s Legends, which was a rest. I had great teachers. But I couldn’t stop on their tours. They were certainly any - sibilities to the California shore. Our home The word itself is either intimidating or shorter cab ride from our hotel. Good myself from trying my own hand. I still write thing but retarded, even though one of was a place of music, conversation, and art. ridiculous, with the excision of the u from choice. The man taking the money at songs – it is one of the singular joys of my them (no names, please) often looked Their wide-eyed wonder and belief in the infi - four , its mother. Someone sometime saw the entrance to the (surprisingly dumpy) life. I’ve written about two albums worth of kinda like a geek. nite creative power of the American dream something “cool” in changing the spelling bar chuckled when I said we’d never decent material since the last album My friend Jason recalls seeing the Bee extended to their three boys. My parents made of the root, just like so many “cool” bands heard of Carlos Johnson, the evening’s California . With five albums behind me, it Gees in L.A. in 1971 and how he was it clear that the only limitations we had were have been doing with their own names for only artist. “Oh, you’ll be a huge fan would be nice to keep it going. But these days nearly literally knocked out by either their the ones we placed on ourselves. entirely too long. Def Manatee, the Byrds, after tonight!” I’m too busy writing poetry. awesomeness or the LSD he’d taken Competitive sports were not a part of the Rocking Mountain Oysterz, etc. WOW. This is one smokin’-hot band. Three years ago I enrolled in Steve Kowit’s Sure, just like rock itself, it’s defiant before the show began. picture, not at home anyway. I can’t remember Johnson, a hefty left-handed guitarist creative writing class at Southwestern College. and meaningful. Yes, and as clichéd and The Gibb brothers had very little formal a football, basketball, or baseball game ever and singer who plays his right-handed I liked it so much I did it again the following education, indeed could barely write their being on TV in my house when I was growing transparent as the latest remake of Fame year. Maybe it was Professor Kowit’s light own names in those fruitful teenage years, guitar upside-down (like Jimi, maaaan), up. Not once. Of course we boys became irre - or Psycho or The Sorrow and the Pity (just touch and deep mind, maybe it was the exer - but were blessed to be the conduits of is a master of both blues and swing. His versibly Americanized, but for me, sports check out the recent Whip It, a thinly dis - cises and deadlines, maybe it was the rich and some of the most divine melodies heaven repertoire included stuff by Duke never quite stuck. The only “sports” I liked guised update of the latter). insightful peer feedback in the weekly work - has been gracious enough to release. Ellington and Stevie Wonder as well as were surfing, long meandering bike rides, and It is that by-now-obvious transparency shops – maybe it was all of it. In the alchemy Their rhymes were simple. There was a lot classic blues and original material. The aimless hikes through the hills, three activities (which the “young set” seem unable to of this humble but electrifying process lead of “my face/your face” in their lyrics, other guys in the Carlos Johnson Blues that do not require, upon completion, that grasp) that causes many of us “oldsters” turned into gold. Under the loving lash of which they tempered with a nearly equal Band were equally amazing. Seven-string there be a loser. to deride and/or pity most of the current Steve’s insistent encouragement, I began to amount of morbid themes. Questionably bass wizard Bill Dickens (the Buddha of If you were a Bolland, you were a musi - top-of-the-charts artists, even as their submit poetry to journals for publication. He laudable ones as well: Odessa ’s “Whisper, Bass) doubled on some guitar leads cian. We all played. Cultivating, voluntarily or malignant wealth and fame renders all was right. They were good enough. It worked. Whisper” is backed by a sort of childish, because of the range afforded by the not, the discipline to master difficult tasks was reason obsolete. Let me repeat that. No, I published three poems this last summer. taunting, my-dad-can-lick-your-dad (mom?) an everyday activity in my house. But on the please don’t. three additional strings. He’s simply In the flush of that success I entered a poetry melody that cradles what may be the most other end of all that hard work was something Recently, I did spy a kind of hope. The amazing. Stevie Wonder had Dickens contest. You know the rest. outrageous lyrics they ever wrote. And unspeakably beautiful and infinitely valuable. young, beautiful scholars and geeks at flown by private jet to accompany him So what does winning a poetry or a music TM none of the Gibbs had yet reached 21. The Not a bad deal. I never forgot that. Winston’s “Think and Drink Trivia” really at an Obama rally in D.C. last year. contest mean? It doesn’t mean you’re the best. song is nothing less than a call for the lib - And I remember the letter writing. On seemed to get into the music I had decid - That’s how good the Buddha of Bass is. It doesn’t mean you’re better than anybody eralization and acceptance of committed weekends, my dad would sit on the patio and ed to play in five-to-seven minute squirts Keyboardist Roosevelt “Hatt” Purifoy was else. It doesn’t mean you’re special or differ - adolescent sex. The atypically spare vocal type long letters to his parents and siblings between rounds during the two-and-a-half outstanding, too. I was a little worried ent. harmonies in the song, indeed the entire back home in the Netherlands. To this day, the hour tourney. I hadn’t actually listened to when he strapped on a keyboard like a It does mean that you’ve worked hard, structure and execution, has convinced me sound of a clacking keyboard makes me feel the album myself in a couple of years, and guitar, a la Billy Preston or Gary Wright, learned some things and honed your craft. It that the gifted lads may have originally connected and alive. In loving hands language I, too, was struck anew by its supreme but when those distinctive Hammond B3 does mean that your work has a living, emo - written this for the Rolling Stones, which becomes a fire that turns to ash the con - beauty. organ tones came out of the speakers, I tional core and is not simply clever or well- (if true) forces one to admire the size of straints of space and time. The album, now 40 frigging years old, was in heaven! The drummer, Pookie made. It does mean that your poems or your the Gibbs’ own stones at the time. And then there were books. When I was is called Odessa . When someone among Styx (sic) is a powerhouse who drove songs have caught the attention not just of the gamesters asked who the artist was, Other Odessa standouts include the very young it was the Hardy Boys. Later it was this band like a locomotive. One of the well-meaning friends and family but also of even Jesse-San (aka Jesse Egan, the cre - gorgeous “Melody Faire,” “I Laugh in Your Ray Bradbury. Dandelion Wine, Something best drummers I’ve ever seen, in fact. At total strangers who have no stake in your suc - Face,” “In the Morning,” and “The Sound Wicked This Way Comes and The Martian ator/host/announcer and a man who has cess and who have devoted their lives to the of Love,” which was covered and possibly one point Johnson, Purifoy, Styx, and Chronicles convinced me to my core that lan - as eclectic a love of music as anyone I’ve pursuit of excellence in their medium and bettered (!) by Angeline Butter in 1970. In Dickens were able to shift gears, on the guage was the most potent force in the uni - never porked) didn’t believe me at first genre. any case, the number of gems is quite spot, from a full-on high-powered blues verse. How could these lines and squiggles on when I provided the answer. But it also means this: now the real work high, the misses miniscule. jam into a Santana-like Latin groove this dry dusty page evoke such heartbreaking The 40 -year-old relic was the fourth begins. Winning awards for your artistic cre - The double-disc LP Odessa was first without missing a beat. It would have majesty, such wretched misery, such endless album by the Bee Gees (not counting the ations is as much a responsibility as a privi - released in 1969 with a red velour/gold- been impossible in lesser hands. When longing, such transcendent bliss? And then I mountains of material they recorded as lege. Getting admitted to the club means that stamped gatefold cover and subsequently that piece of magic ended, the entire read The Lord of the Rings – three times. I kids in Australia). Their first, The Bee Gees your work will forever be judged against a in normal shiny red/gold cardboard. Eight crowd rose to its feet, threw their arms never looked back. I read everything I could 1st , which included “To Love Somebody” higher standard. I’m an “award winning poet years later RSO released a blasphemous into the air and screamed. get my hands on. and “I Can’t See Nobody,” was recorded and singer-songwriter” for gods sakes. Yikes. single-disc truncation. The CD, thankfully, The Carlos Johnson Blues Band blew When I was about 12 I bought my first two before any of them had even reached the No more drivel. No more mediocre, derivative is the complete 65-minute original. poetry books with lawn-mowing money – age of 20 (the new three). our minds. Somebody bring them to treacle. From now on, just the good stuff. I would propose that if any 20-some - Charles Bukowski’s Burning in Water, Drowning I loved that the kids at Winston’s were San Diego, because we can’t wait to see Time to get to work. That’s what winning thing music fan who has never heard in Flame , and Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass . getting into something they were hearing them again. means. Odessa would pick up a copy during the The earthy grit of Bukowski and the celestial for the first time, but was saddened when [Visit http://www.perigee-art.com/ to read next two weeks and listen to it at one sit - power of Whitman made plain the infinite I realized that few were aware that the Talk American Good the winning contest entries Yosemite and The ting, I, in turn, will obtain and fully absorb, range of poetry. Who knew that the English Bee Gees had actually done anything (Part 6) Last Battle of the Civil War .] worthwhile during the decade before their at least once, the latest timeless master - language itself could become a musical instru - Peter Bolland is a professor at Southwestern Saturday Night Fever transfordiscomation piece by Da Poonanage of Pimpy D or Jizzy henever I hear someone pref - ment? DippanDaDopahs or anyone else you sug - College where he teaches eastern and western phi - or, as Jesse-San noted, “Barry Gibb’s cas - ace a sentence with “I was In high school it was Herman Hesse. Me losophy, ethics, world religions, and mythology. tration.” gest. Wthinking to myself...,” I think, and my bookish friends read everything Hesse After work he is a poet, singer-songwriter, and I recall Time magazine being amazed at But I’d be lying. wrote. Was it any wonder we looked upon author. He has a band called the Coyote Problem. Radio Daze, continued on page 12. jocks and cheerleaders with such pity? We He also leads an occasional satsang at the Unity Center and knows his way around a kitchen. You were peering into the abyss and touching the can write to him at [email protected] www.sandiegotroubadour.com 13 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song

the Boston Red Sox (or is that a different Hoffer’s, continued from page 3. article?), is a trombonist extraordinaire. Peggy Watson, continued from page 11. However, he has developed a technique by which he can play both electric bass and Fattburger in the 1980s. Cameron himself drums at the same time! This is no novelty note saying ‘Why don’t you come by has been playing the professional jazz cir - act. Williams frets the bass with his left my salon; I’d like to do something cuit between San Diego and L.A. since hand, shucks the bass drum with his right about your hair.’ and another time 1972. He has also acted as promoter, book - foot, sticks the snare, a tom, and hi-hat with ing shows at Croce’s, Elario’s, and ‘I’d like to talk with you about what his right hand (and, of course, shags fly Humphrey’s. In 1984, he and Gentry were you wear on stage.’ I guess you balls for the Sox with his left big toe…but, invited to play the national anthem before a again, that’s a different article). The result is could say I was kind of style ‘uncon - Padres’ World Series game at, then, Jack a tightly harnessed, one-man rhythm sec - scious.’” Maybe so, but I can’t imag - Murphy Stadium. tion in which bass and drum snap back and ine too many 50-something moms In 1978, Cameron had a national hit forth with intuitive precision. with the album . The who have dedicated 30 years of With All My Love The trio is called Full House. Besides album featured Nathan East, now of their lives to creating and perform - giving the small crowd a tasty sampling of Fourplay and Eric Clapton fame. Today, both smooth jazz and the rough stuff, the ing their own special and unique Cameron’s playing reaches back into the band also steps back each week to allow brand of music, and then going American songbook. With the occasional guest artists to play out in front. Jaime Valle bravely out into the world to per - vertical surprise, Cameron’s trumpet traces made a recent appearance on Hoffer’s patio. the melody in a way reminiscent of Chet form it; pretty “hip” and “stylish” if Torch song dynamos Cynthia Hammond Baker. Understatement allows lush open you ask me. and Janice Edwards have also fronted the spaces to emerge. Timber and tonal intro - stage. Finally, we talk about the changes spection reign over speed. Cameron pulls With the Full House trio of Cameron, she’s seen in the music industry in out the mute a la Miles, even the flugelhorn Augustin, and Williams intact, every the course of the last 30 years. “I à la Chetty for accoutrement. However, the Saturday night guarantees the listener sever - accoutrements only underscore a set already almost feel like making CDs at this al sets of some of the finest jazz this side of woven of smoky lyrical webs. The listener point is, well, pointless; I don’t buy a Spazio or Dante’s in L.A. The guest per - could sit alone for a week straight with formers keep it fresh and different each them. I download – legally mind you nothing but Bruce Cameron and his horn week. – anything I want. I just go on and still hear new sonic crevices opening up So, there you have it: smoke and music. iTunes and get it. I don’t go to the at the end of Day 7. Jazz and fine cigars. Hoffer’s also has an Mark Augustin has been a mainstay in store and buy a CD, or order a CD agreement with several restaurants in the San Diego for years. Befriended and men - from Amazon.com. Once in a while area. If you get hungry, you can order tored early on by his hero – the late Joe Pass snacks or dinner right to your table. It I’ll find an CD on iTunes where I lis - – Mark can either breathe fiery be bop or should be mentioned that there is a $5 ten to three or four of the songs and lay back behind the beat and beneath the cover on Saturday nights to help pay the I love it, so I’ll buy it, but most surface of the music. In addition to playing band. But, this charge is minimal compared with the likes of Gilbert Castellanos and albums for most people have only to the range of talent being showcased. Bob Magnusson, who appear on his 2006 one or two songs that they want to Hoffer’s is open seven days a week. When CD Augustin is owner of Soul Purpose, the band isn’t jamming, there’s still great hear.” Mark’s Guitar Exchange near the Sports beer, wine, conversation, and, lest we forget, What Peggy does believe will Arena. a fine cigar. n never change is the need for and her Ted Williams, in addition to playing for desire to serve social causes through benefit concerts. “Although I don’t write that many political songs, I try to write meaningful songs, and it’s really important to me that my songs serve a good cause when possible. For that rea - son, I always have, and will contin - ue to perform benefit concerts. I don’t have tons of money to give, but I can donate my voice and my songs.” She leaves me on this last note, “I love to entertain people. There are few things in life that give me more pleasure.” Peggy and David Beldock, with their backing band Paul Beech and Gerry Reva, will share their joy of entertaining and giving back at a Thanksgiving concert to benefit the local food pantry at Christ Lutheran Church on Cass St. in Pacific Beach on November 21 at 7pm. For reser - vations call (858) 483-2300.

14 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR highway’s song k a n z e l

Richard Thompson: A Modern S

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Troubadour’s Thoughts on Folk Music, o h Storytelling, and Spirituality P

by Terry Roland cuss everything from his unique story - scene and never say anything about the telling approach to the Sufi-Muslim beginning or the end. You just create Renaissance troubadour with influence on his music. this one scene. blues and roots rock influ - San Diego Troubadour: A great deal has I’ve noticed most of your songs are ences...and a Celtic musical A been said over the years as to what a stories told from the first-person vision with a leaning toward William folk song actually is. How would you perspective. Blake thrown is a unique mix that define the folk song? would define one artist: Richard Yes. I find this more interesting. You Thompson. His successful career dates Richard Thompson: It’s hard to define, know, the most traditional story songs back to his earliest days with the inno - actually. If we’re talking about tradition - have been called ballads. These tell a straight story. But, I’ve tried to change vative, original post-British invasion al, it’s one thing. Some people look at it that a bit by taking unique perspectives folk, jazz, and rock influenced Fairport as roots music and that’s another. Calling the festival “Acoustic Music” is a and making the narrative one from Convention. After leaving the band he good way of putting it so we don’t box it inside the character’s head. went on to produce Shoot Out the Lights , in. Some people feel it’s just that, one of the strongest albums of the How do you get the ideas for your songs? acoustic music. But, that’s not tradition - singer-songwriter movement of the early al. I’ve heard it defined as music of the [Thompson laughs] I wish I knew! It’s ’70s. For the last few decades he has under class, you know, the working peo - like writing fiction. Sometimes you just forged a solo career that has been as ple. have the words and it evolves from prolific as it has been rich in the musical there. Sometimes you can see a scene. In Often from this emerges storytelling. textures of Celtic, blues, rock ‘n’ roll, fact, this happens a lot of times. The Folk singers and songwriters have been jazz, and British and American folk music goes visually and images move some of our best storytellers. Can you Richard Thompson influences. He has been named by from there. comment on this? Rolling Stone as one of the top 200 gui - I heard a story about a time when Absolutely. There’s always been the sto - tarist of all time. For good reason. Fairport Convention played at The ment. I think they need a bit of a revolu - There are some really good writers going ryteller through music in one way of Listening to him play live defies logic: it Troubadour during the club’s golden peri - tion to bring back stability now. You know, every generation has another. Some songs actually have struc - is hard to tell if this is one man or an od in the late ’60s? their great ones. Its easier to see in the ture, a beginning, middle, and end. The What is the song “The King of the entire band. He draws on such influ - acoustic world because the music is telling of it can be very economical Yes, yes. When you’d play the Bohemians” about? ences as Django Reinhardt and Les Paul Troubadour you were booked for a clear. With bands it’s harder to get a while it says a lot. The idea is to get into It’s about my daughter. It’s a scene in on his instrument, while his songwriting week. There would be two shows a hold of the actual songwriting. They a person’s head, to see the through their London unfolding. Some people try to and vocal approach seem to come from night for six days. It was perfectly crimi - have so much to do with style first. eyes. When I write, I don’t necessarily find something in it. no blueprint but his own. go with this form. You know, you can nal, really. It was our first shows in LA. Can you give me some names? In the following interview, we dis - There was one period where we’d made It’s like that storytelling approach we dis - just drop right into the middle of the I knew you were going to ask me that $2,000 in two weeks and our bar bill cussed, coming into the middle of a (laughs)? I’m horrible with names! was $3,000. scene. Jackie Greene comes to mind. He’s great. I heard there was a time when Led Absolutely. That’s it. Some people try to He has the Dylan “Blonde on Blonde Zeppelin sat in with you. read things into it. Some people think style.” He’s a very charismatic performer. its about Bob Dylan. But, it’s more Yes. They came up and joined us on Phil Harmonic Sez obscure than that. You just have to listen We’ll have to be sure he reads this inter - stage. We had a really good time. There to the words and picture it. It puts you view. are master tapes of that show that are there into that time and place. Oh no! missing. Can you tell me about some of your Richard Thompson will appear, along with “Wise men speak Tell me about the Sufi/Islam influence in influences? Loudon Wainwright III, at the Belly Up your music? because they have I have two kinds of playing that are very Tavern on Wednesday, November 11. Your belief is going to permeate through different. Acoustic and, of course, elec - everything you do. What you believe tric. For acoustic, Bert Jansch really something to say; may come through a story or something helped me. Doc Watson, also. You know, in the background. It will express itself. I started with acoustic guitar at a young fools because they You know, I’ve read a lot of Arab poetry age. It helped to be able to get the finger and that’s been an influence. have to say technique going then. There’s also a lot This seems like a good representation of of Scottish influence and Appalachian. the Muslim world view. Often Islam as a As far as electric goes, my start was with something.” whole is confused with Islam extremists. jazz. Django and Les Paul were guitar Yes. Well, there are extremists out there, players I heard when I was in my home — Plato but they’re a serious minority. But, in growing up. A good place to start. Arab countries there is no freedom of How about today’s young songwriters? speech. They’re a post-colonial govern - Who do you hear out there with promise?

www.sandiegotroubadour.com 15 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

Baja Blues Dave Keefer Bad Science Sue Palmer & Peter Hall Boys Cinnamon and Fiction her Motel Swing Schwagtown Bourbon Gone Away, Someday Therefore Orchestra by Frank Kocher by Heather Janiga On Air Peter Hall is a San Diego musician by Paul Hormick by Frank Kocher who plays rock, blues, and folk music. “Light a cigarette and fill my cup/I He appears in local coffeehouses and Just as nature abhors a vacuum, can’t think of nothing else…,” David Bad Science Fiction is making waves by Paul Hormick clubs and has self-produced CDs that once a suburban garage is left empty Keefer sings sullenly in the opening as a “new” San Diego band, with a live feature both acoustic and electric for too long, it will fill with guitars, track “Hating Me,” from his self- show that includes go-go dancers with On Air , a recording of a recent KSDS styles, both of his own compositions amplifiers, and somebody playing a released debut CD Cinnamon and snakes and psychedelic lights, as well “Jazz Live” performance broadcast of and covers. His new disc Schwagtown harmonica. What was once a void will Bourbon . Draped in acoustic swagger as a strange sound that can’t easily be Sue Palmer and Her Motel Swing follows the same template. now be filled with a blues band. This and set to the solid tapping of an Alt- labeled. The musicians are hardly new - Orchestra gives us everything that Produced by Hall and Shawn Power, interaction between quantum physics country beat, a deft guitar squeals riffs comers, though. Chuck Schiele, a we’ve grown to expect from Palmer the disc stays with a simple presentation and music theory recently occurred in laden with longing, and a fiddle singer/ songwriter in the acoustic and her ensemble through the years – of Hall singing without background or Lakeside to give us the Baja Blues Boys, sweeps its way across the searing Americana group the Grams, wanted some snapping fingers, tapping toes, harmonies and with a stripped-down an ensemble that plays old style blues soundscape…just seconds in and the to plug in and rock, and Bad Science and maybe a smile or two. band; most of the time guitar, harp, with a slightly new spin. They have audio senses have officially been acti - Fiction became a side project. In 2007 Palmer’s forte is barrelhouse boogie- bass, and drums (which are mixed too committed 16 tunes to a new disk, vated. I had a feeling the rest of this he was joined by friend and guitarist woogie, and for such music you won’t loud throughout). The five originals are Gone Away, Someday , which captures 13-track ride would be one worth tak - Mike Head (of Country Rockin’ Rebels), find a better piano player in town. supplemented by a sort of grab bag of their blues, rock and roll, and boozy ing, and it turned out I was right. who became a partner in the project, Throughout this disk, boogie or other blues and folk covers. The project as a ballads, Keefer’s world of rock-sung which eventually became a band. strong rhythms make up the musical whole relies heavily on Hall’s central Blues musicians tend to fall into one Americana is laden with heartache and Other local musicians joined to record backbone, from the rocking “Mustang vocal presence, and he gives an of two camps: the progressives, such self-loathing, professional musicianship their debut disc, Therefore . Sally” and “Big Boss Man” to the up admirable effort. For many of the 12 as Stevie Ray Vaughn or Eric Clapton, and well-written songs. He carries it all The 11-song disc is produced by tempo “Sue’s Boogie.” Even Duke tunes his amiable voice works with a who take the basics of the music and with a voice that can hold up to the Schiele, with four instrumental tracks Ellington’s “C Jam Blues,” usually given sort of goofy charm. On others, espe - move things ahead harmonically or best of them, at times reminiscent of cowritten and coproduced by Schiele a jazz treatment, is put through the cially the bluesier numbers, he lacks the through the technicality of their play - James Taylor, Steve Earl, and John and Head. Since both guys are experi - boogie-woogie processor. power to make an impact and the result ing, or the traditionalists, who try to Mayer. Keefer sings with emotional enced producers with their own studios While Palmer’s background is the is a sort of “jam session” cover sound. retain the sounds and themes of the intensity and, when appropriate, in Ocean Beach, the production is flaw - barrelhouse, the other musicians of the Things get started with “You’ll Old South, Chicago, or Memphis. depravity. In the title track, “Cinnamon less. The sound is designed to be unusu - MSO have obviously been steeped in Never Break My Heart,” an original Although performing new tunes that and Bourbon,” the hair-raising radar al and is tough to peg; a sort of post other genres, such as swing, blues, and that illustrates some of the strengths the band members have written, the dial tilts toward max as he croons the trip-hop fusion of electronic background jazz. There may even be a few reformed and problems with the disc as a whole. Baja Blues Boys for the most part fall lines “Cinnamon and Bourbon on your noise overlaid with a pounding house rock-n-rollers among the ensemble. You The song is a pleasant mid-tempo into this latter camp. They are not lips/I remember your sweet kiss/We beat, overdriven electric lead guitar riffs, might expect a cacophony from this rocker, but the arrangement is thin strict reconstructionists, trying to recre - were innocent/Lord it’s such a shame spacey keyboards, and clever lyrics. The musical amalgamation, but the effect is and Hall’s voice struggles to pull the ate the wax laid down 80 years ago by we couldn’t stay that way.” dense sound mix is so smooth that the addictive in a good way. During the vocal off. Things improve considerably black men in the American South. Lyrically, Keefer sings words that multiple loops, computer effects, and performance the soloists have a playful with another Hall tune, “Pay Rather, they rely on the strumming matter without any extra clutter. percussion fill the empty spaces perfect - tug-o’-war with the rhythm section to Attention,” a song with good lyrics and wailing of old 78 recordings for Carried by a sense of bar room poeti - ly without crowding the central vocal see which direction the music will take. about the state of the world. This time inspiration for their approach to the cism his drunken angel verbiage is har - and guitar focal points. A little blues, jazz, and maybe a little be the song is more brisk, and Hall adds tunes and their licks and lines. They do moniously wed to the melody lines, “Rise Up” is a strident call to action bop come from April West, Jonny Viau, overdriven guitar licks that move the tip their hat to the old blues musicians, which emit memorable magnetism. with lead singer Schiele taking a politi - and Carol Chaikin, who play the trom - protest-rock song forward. covering a Robert Johnson composi - You can hear Keefer’s influences seep - cal stand, invoking Dr Luther King at bone and saxophones. And guitarist “Rattlesnake” is a blues cover that tion, “Love In Vain,” and singing of ing through: Whiskeytown, Lucinda one point. Hypnotic keyboards weave Steve Wilcox channels some ancient shifts gears from light originals to boo - rambling, fishing, and, of course, Williams, and Son Volt to name a few. in and out of aggressive, distorted gui - Chicago bluesmen on his solos. It gie; Hall growls and blows harp okay trains. Gone Away, Someday is back No doubt that years of listening to his tar by Head. A lighter touch is given would be interesting to find out about but the song is lifted by Power on lead porch, garage, down-home blues, and favorite songsters have sealed into his “92107 (yeah…)”, about OB, as the time machine that he has, too. The guitar. Hall’s “Anesthesia Bound” is the rock and roll, straightforward and brain a knack for writing hooks that Schiele sings about “another beautiful one he uses go back to 1951 to buy best of the originals on the disc. This uncomplicated. can stay on the tip of your lips for day” and Head answers with some those amplifiers that give him the best highlight sounds like an outtake from a Tim Atkins does the lion’s share of days, which is clearly demonstrated quicksilver licks. The next three tracks guitar sound possible. Phish disc from the ‘90s, with the gui - the singing on the disk. He has a here. are “Candyman Suite,” beginning with While we’re concentrating on the tar solo edited out and a catchy hook strong deliberate baritone that comes This album intermingles acoustic the percussion instrumental “Ghetto MSO personnel we should mention and breezy feel. Irish folk singer Bap to the fore on a couple of the disk’s and electric aspects that add an explo - Hash,” and moving into “Work It that bassist Pete Harrison and Sharon Kennedy’s ”Mostly Water” continues a quieter tunes, such as the minor-keyed sive dynamic and aims to keep things Out.” This track plows forward with an Shufelt hold the rhythm section jam-band vibe as the band tries for a and ponderous “Roof of Hell” and the interesting. Keefer fires off catchy riffs almost straight-ahead guitar rock together. Schufelt plays with verve and reggae flavor. Hall does Dylan next sweet and breezy “Simple Time.” With in perfectly placed caches so as not to approach, a highlight with a strong spunk. There is not a livelier drummer with “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere,” done these tunes he keeps his delivery loose, over embellish an already well-rounded vocal by Schiele and more good work in San Diego. Her sense of time is so with acoustic guitar and mandolin often letting his voice trail off to some song. There is a sense of consistency by Head. “Bad Requiem” is another good that you can set your watch by prominent in an arrangement that indeterminate resolution. These are with the music, yet each track claims instrumental, the best on the disc, her. Continuing her long association shows his voice in best form when not some of the best moments of this new its own essence, such as “You’re built around computer effects, percus - with Palmer, Deejha Marie sings on a having to boom past a rock band. The disk. Breaking My Heart, Bitch,” which sion, and a guitar riff; the next tune few of the tunes, including a fairly up next four covers are a blues session, Andre Perreault blows the harp and, abandons earlier hints of guilt with fed adds funny lyrics and some funk tempo rendering of “East of the Sun.” with Hall playing some nice guitar in as I said before, this is down-home up fury. He reminds of me Ryan chords to a similar structure for “Go KSDS radio personality Cynthia spots but making little vocal impres - music. He does not use a bullet micro - Adams from time to time, in where the James Brown.” “Love Factory,” which Hammond joins in on a couple of the sion. “Champaign and Reefer,” “You’ll phone or perform a great deal of note songs convey a sense of originality shares its title with the Grams’ latest vocals as well. With about as much Be Mine,” and “Who Do You Love?” bending or chording. He has no inten - even though it’s all closely related. album, is more funk, with a big dance moxie as anyone should be allowed to all suffer by comparison to superior tion of being Magic Dick in any way Thirteen tracks later, down to the beat and background vocals, while the have, Lady Dottie steals the show on versions by other performers; “You’ll here, preferring to comp simply final swig of Cinnamon and Bourbon , vocals and instruments in “Judas” “Mustang Sally” and “Big Boss Man,” Be Mine” probably should have been behind the singing and occasionally it’s easy to look back without a bump seem to fade in and out of an electron - singing with the rough edge that scrapped from the disc altogether. blowing a back porch solo. in the road. This is one of those rare ic fog. Things get heavy on “Voodoo,” those tunes call out for. “Busted” is the chestnut made pop - It’s hard to think of swampy with a collections of music, especially when another highlight that recalls late ‘60s Never showy, Palmer’s playing and ular by Ray Charles, and Hall tries a dif - name that includes the name Baja in it, obtained at a local level, that you can psychedelia, with an almost straight - compositions are always clever and ferent take using acoustic guitar with but the Baja Blues Boys rhythm sec - listen to all the way through without forward, bluesy guitar riff rock tune fun, and none more so than slide guitar accents for a country flavor tion, bassist Hank Hiskes and Mac pounding the skip button once. Keefer augmented by some nice acid rock “Swango.” As the musicians make to good effect. The disc wraps with MacWilliams retain a swampy feel, has found his niche and he works well guitar touches and plenty of reverb; it their way through a section of said the title cut, an original that mixes in even on the disk’s most up-tempo there. Listener beware: once that final is like a lost cut from a Love or tango, the anticipation that they have some sly observations about what sure tunes. This sometimes creates an effect swig is gone, you’ll want to get your - Quicksilver Messenger Service album. to take the tune into the swing section sounds like OB with some nice slide more reminiscent of early rock and roll self another round of Cinnamon and Therefore has an experimental builds and builds. You can hear how guitar work. than blues. Of particular note are the Bourbon. sound, which samples freely from elec - much fun that they’re having with it. Schwagtown is interesting, with guest musicians Bud Mayhew and tronica dance music and heavy rock to The ninth greatest composition in the some quirky originals featuring incisive Frank Lucio. Mayhew brings some form a hybrid that succeeds on its own history of Western Civilization is Billy lyrics. Several of the covers here electricity to the disk with his guitar, terms. Bad Science Fiction hasn’t rein - Strayhorn’s “Take the A Train.” No amount to throwaway filler, but others and Lucio can really cut loose with the vented the wheel, but has found a other tune mixes pluck and elegance are well-executed and show that Hall is two tunes on which he plays tenor new and very enjoyable way to roll. like this one, and the MSO performs it a well-rounded rocker as well as a song - saxophone. to a fare-thee-well. writer with something to say. 16 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR of note

Two Earth Paper Moon East West The Shambles Mike McGill Hours Little Venices Quintet Forty One Sixty Enjoy the Journey About Anya by Frank Kocher Vast by Frank Kocher by Mike Alvarez In 1977, jazz guitarist Al DiMeola The term “power pop” is attributed The title of Mike McGill’s album, by Jennifer Carney invited flamenco player Paco de Lucia by Frank Kocher to the Who’s Pete Townshend, and his Enjoy the Journey , undoubtedly refers to to sit in on an acoustic number on his 1965 song “I Can’t Explain” remains the path each one of us takes through “Geek” isn’t the pejorative it once Elegant Gypsy album, and the resulting Brooklyn’s East West Quintet is a one of the earliest and best examples life. The lyrics have a ring of autobio - was. These days, there’s geek chic, flashy hybrid of gypsy jazz successfully jazz group with a sound that combines of the form. Other originators were graphical truth, offering up vignettes of geek pride, and even a geek “mafia” combined the souls of both Django fusion elements with hard funk as well the early singles by the Kinks, Byrds, everyday existence in modern-day (don’t ask). Reinhardt and Sabicas. Since then, gui - as keyboard and guitar-driven jazz- and the pre-psychedelic Beatles; the Southern California. The bouncy, happy And then there’s geek rock, which tar enthusiasts have never had a short - rock. This approach requires consider - two and a half-minute, catchy rocker tenor of this album is well-suited to the may not be what you think. If you dig age of acoustic artists who could keep able skill from the performers and with a hard but not heavy beat will subjects McGill writes about, which bands like They Might Be Giants, the flame burning. Many of these composers, and the EWQ has this cov - never go out of style. range from an evening in front of the Barenaked Ladies, and Ben Folds, sound like clones of the original ered. Their new disc is Vast . San Diego musician/journalist Bart TV to the emotions of fatherhood. you’re into geek rock. nylon/steel templates of Acoustic The personnel include sax player Mendoza has been a fixture in the These mostly uptempo tunes are deliv - San Diego’s own Two Earth Hours is Alchemy’s tame precision on the one Dylan Heaney, guitarist Simon Kafka, flourishing local power pop scene as a ered with a very back-to-basics doing geek rock up right. Their first CD, hand and Strunz and Farah’s riff-rid - Mike Cassedy on keyboards, bassist songwriter and performer for nearly approach to songwriting and arranging, About Anya , is the pet project of Scott dled jams on the other. Little Venices , a Benjamin Campbell, and drummer three decades. In the Mod-revival driven primarily by the acoustic guitar Jackson and brought to life by produc - new disc by San Diego’s Paper Moon, Jordan Ferlson. While Heaney and group Manual Scan (1980-1992), and and McGill’s vocals. He is backed by a er/arranger David Randle and a host of uses the same instrumentation but Cassedy get most of the solo spots, more recently the Shambles, he wrote rhythm section that does a great job of skilled musicians, including Tim Foley of with a different approach, to good the backbone of the band is Ferlson. or co-wrote numerous songs. His influ - supporting the songs, never overplaying Skelpin fame. Jackson doesn’t appear on effect. He has the versatility to move from a ence on other pop artists is clearly evi - or eclipsing the artist’s intent. the album; instead, he collaborated Recorded with Scott Taber on nylon bouncing jazz rhythm to a funk groove dent on Forty One Sixty: The Songs of Opening with “Southern with Randle, allowing his work to be string acoustic and Daniel Dever on to a heavy rock boom, at times in the the Shambles , a compilation of 24 tunes California,” a sunny tune with a tropi - interpreted through Randle’s production steel string and electric guitar (Joe middle of a song and seamlessly. On by 24 different artists with one thing in cal feel not unlike Jimmy Buffet’s and Foley’s excellent vocals. Amato recently filled the second spot), some of the heavier fusion tracks there common: they love power pop. “Margaritaville,” McGill expresses his About Anya is a geek concept album Little Venices follows up the duo’s 2006 is a hint of Billy Cobham’s command Released on Mendoza’s Blind Spot joy at moving out West, even over the in the truest sense. It’s a paean to a offering, Miniatures . All but one of the and drive in his playing. Records, the performers are an interna - objections of his East Coast family and science fiction character of Jackson’s 12 songs are originals and draw from Heaney is featured on most cuts tional array that includes no household friends. Occasional references to San creation, the space-hopping Anya Latin, swing jazz, even a bit of blues- and is another big part of the story. He names. No problem, the energy level Diego give this song a certain local Turgenova. Anya has all the hallmarks rock, and plenty of flamenco. The fills the role of horn-playing front man starts high and never lets up, thanks to charm. “Watching ESPN” is a jaunty of what makes geek rock popular – compositions score points for variation without turning this into a project that the strong material and the earnest celebration of temporary bachelorhood songs about perpetually lost love and of approach, showcasing the guitarists sounds like it was built around him. efforts of the bands and singers. (“The wife is out and the kids are an abundance of sci-fi references. Yet in each song flashing a different side of His quick, interesting solo scales dart in The worst thing that can be said for gone. It’s not that often I get time Jackson and Randle have crafted a their musical personality. and out of beats that can be light, some of the groups is that they sound alone.”) as our hero breaks out the work that is very accessible. The lyrics After sharp unison playing on piano-based jazz one tune and hard like well…earlier, great, bands. There is snacks and the remote control. The are thoughtful and cheeky, and the “Anthem,” the title tune has Taber lay - fusion guitar another-he is at home in plenty of music here, lots of variety, real appeal of this song lies in how eas - music is straightforward pop with ing down some Spanish-themed frame - either element. Cassedy’s keyboards and the 73 minutes flies by. ily many listeners can relate to the unusual instrumental flourishes. The work, onto which he and Dever add and Kafka’s guitar are not lightweights, Locals Static Halo blast into “The lyrics. Its message is simple: a guy just overall sound is reminiscent of Third tasteful touches. The uptempo “Cirque either, and the two wrote eight of the American Way,” an opener that sets needs to channel surf to be happy. Eye Blind – if they sang love songs de la Song” has a swing feel, Django ten original tunes on Vast . the tone with some hard-rock attitude McGill continues to share his story on using computer and math analogies. licks, and even speeds up at the end. The album opener sets the tone for while keeping a pop edge. Mendoza “He Just Plays for Love,” detailing his Anya opens with “Walk,” an uncom - “Of Daydreams” is more straight-ahead what is to come. “The Triumph” wrote 21 of the 23 tunes, but love for music and his reasons for mak - plicated pop tune that starts the con - bluesy jazz with Taber evoking Wes sounds just like one, starting with a Donaker-Ring’s “Don’t Know Where to ing it. Although it is written in a minor cept off with a lighthearted bang, flush Montgomery, his inspired playing giv - quiet guitar noodle and building up, as Start,” rendered by Mark Le Gallez and key, he still manages to inject the song with unrequited lust. It’s followed by a ing way to Dever with an electric rig the band (along with guest trumpeter the Eddies, will stay in the listener’s with the kind of ebullient energy that is mid-tempo love song, “Horseback or firing off a rock-inspired solo. On Phil Rodriguez) join gradually to a head with an Oasis groove. The most a hallmark of his style. Plane,” which replaces the initial lyrical “Hammerhead” a brisk brew of har - power crescendo over the top of memorable slow tune here, and Things take a somber turn on yearning with quieter infatuation, monics, intricate finger picking, and power guitar chords. “Catalyst” fol - maybe the best song on the disc, is “Where’s the Love?” as he makes a accentuated by synthesized strings and fretless bass combine for a disc high - lows, and Ferlson is all over this fusion Denmark’s Liebling playing “Survive.” social statement, lamenting the state of acoustic guitar. “Space Blonde” intro - light while “Latitudes” uses a brisk churner, giving Rodriguez and Heaney Jeppe Riddervold teamed up to humanity. Some electric guitar licks duces the more overt sci-fi themes of Brazilian rhythm, the closest the pair some space to take flight in the solo cowrite this with Mendoza, and the and rhythms bubble beneath the sur - the album, complete with wobbling comes to Strunz and Farah here. bridge. The title tune is in two parts track is beautifully produced. San face, giving this song a different tex - synth. “Dreams That Die” is the first The disc was recorded at San (really two movements of one song), Diegan (soon to be New Yorker) Anna ture from those that preceded it. glimpse we have of the doomed nature Diego’s Archival Sound, and the board first a soft, contemplative guitar figure, Troy contributes some Blondie flavor Melancholy is the mood that defines of love; “Action Figure” picks up the work manages to capture both guitars, then with gradual bombast becoming to “31968,” and fans of the Zombies the ballad “You and Me” while a wist - mood a bit with an electro-Latin feel giving each space and enough volume, a pounding piano/bass hook for will hear their sound in the Andersons’ ful joy suffuses “My Sweet Simone,” an that compares competition for a girl to without some of the echo or excessive Heaney to explore. The nearest thing “Rain or Shine.” ode to a daughter. The mood bright - dueling action figures of unequal cool - fret and finger noise sometimes heard to a straight jazz tune here, and one of Mendoza has a gift for capturing ens with “Little Miss Sunshine,” a ness. “Math and Science” takes the in other acoustic guitar recordings. the clear highlights, is “Over the Falls,” and distilling a lick. He also consistent - sprightly number that takes its inspira - geek rock love song concept by the Taber lets his fingers go on using a Latin-flavored beat in an ear- ly avoids trying for a punk attitude or tion from early British Invasion groups megabytes and runs with it; “Alien” “Vignette” to create some impressive catching time signature, a memorable studied grunge heaviness, which is like the Kinks. “Emo Escondido” keeps follows – another love song that flamenco filigree. The playing on the melodic hook, and Cassedy in the spot - refreshing. the energy flowing with its driving beat replaces the math, science, and com - disc is generally subdued, but he light. Things don’t let up; “Comet” is Both “Innocence Becomes You” by and electric riffing. The rest of the puter analogies with straight sci-fi and proves here that he can put together powerful, horn-band rock, like the first the Ringles and “I Believe” by Jeremy album leans more toward his acoustic a mellow rock shuffle. “All About Anya” scales like Ottmar Liebert and Jesse Chicago or Tower of Power album both could have been sneaked onto a folky side. “Friday” has a real Loggins is the genesis of the project, written by Cook when the moment is right. For minus the vocals as Ferlson again 1966 Byrds album and no one would and Messina feel, bringing to mind Jackson in 2001. It’s another “Needles” some fine interplay between shines. Kafka relishes the opportunity have noticed. “Change” is another their hit “Danny’s Song.” “Our acoustic/electric ballad that begs for Taber’s jazz-funk picking and some for some speed-strumming on a heavy- Donaker-Ring song, and no wonder it Remember When” continues very Top 40 play, despite its unusual subject string accents by Dever lead into the guitar break, and when he is done made it onto the disc – this version by much in this vein as does the quiet matter. A two-song suite follows: “Time complex unison scales of “Another Heaney digs in with some more exu - the Hipnotes soars on a Paul album closer “So Long.” for Time Part 1” has a similar plaintive Window,” as the two tunes combine berant playing than elsewhere. Westerberg-feel guitar drone and McGill’s songs are easygoing and pop ballad sound; “Part 2” is more for a satisfying musical statement. “Gangster Rap” seems designed to drives its riff home. The Eddies, sans Le optimistic. His sentiments as well as his upbeat and electric. The album rounds Little Venices offers a mixed bag of get radio airplay. The recurring bass Gallez, play “Jungle Beat”, using surf music are straightforward. The one out with “His Masochist,” an acoustic instrumental guitar music that is very line and hand-clapping percussion shift drums, great guitar buildup and a exception to this is “Once A Rising reality check as the object of infatua - well performed. It changes tempo and in and out of dance and funk rhythmic killer hook for another highlight. San Star,” but it still manages to avoid being tion is finally seen as fallible. The styles a great deal, helping to keep it textures while Heaney gets an opportu - Diego’s Truckee Brothers recall the too much of a downer. The music is “bounce, baby” backing vocals give an interesting and enjoyable listening nity to carve some hot lines, give way Byrds’ psychedelic phase with “The pretty easy on the ears, perhaps leaving the tune a baroque feel. experience. to Cassedy for a mellow segment, and Waiting Game,”, wacky keyboards one hungering for something a little This album is a promising and eventually melt away in a jazzy fade. complementing jangling guitar. more challenging at times, but in the ambitious project for Scott Jackson and The slow jazz closer is “Brooklyn.” There really are no slow spots on end it all works out just fine. At times David Randle. About Anya was long in East West Quintet is sure to make Forty One Sixty . For fans of the he stretches to make the lyrics rhyme, the making, but if this collaboration many fans in fusion jazz circles with Shambles, Manual Scan, and anyone but it’s all done in good fun. And really continues, San Diego might have Vast , which pushes all of the right who enjoys power pop or just plain – who can complain about that? another music scene in the making. buttons. great rock music, this is a must. www.sandiegotroubadour.com 17 NOVEMBER 2009 SAN DIEGO TROUBADOUR ’round about

NOVEMBER CALENDAR WEEKLY

every sunday Christopher Dale & Friends , Handlery Hotel, Shawn Rohlf & Friends , Farmers Market, 950 Hotel Circle N., 5pm. sunday • 1 Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. Songwriters Acoustic Night w/ Gergory DMV parking lot, Hillcrest, 10am. Jerry Gontang , Desi & Friends, 2734 Lytton Sol E Mar & Friends’ Brazilian Night , Belly Up, Page/Veronica May/Peter Hall/Mike McGill/ Ronnie Seno , Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., St., 7pm. Headshine , Stage Saloon, 762 5th Ave., 6pm. 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Brooklyn/Wendy Bailey , Swedenborg Hall, 10am. Scandinavian Dance Class , Folk Dance 1531 Tyler St., 7:30pm. Bluegrass Brunch , Urban Solace, 3823 30th Center, Dancing Unlimited, 4569 30th St., Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! CD Release , Josh Damigo/Ari Heist/Jordan Reimer , 7:30pm. Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 8pm. Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Uncle Indie , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. St., 10:30am. Open Mic , Thornton’s Irish Pub, 1221 Charlie Imes/Eben Brooks Band/Mike McGill , Len Rainey & the Midnight Players , Patrick’s II, Daniel Jackson , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 11am. 428 F St., 9pm. Broadway, El Cajon, 7pm. Claire de Lune, 2906 University Ave., 6pm. Open Blues Jam w/ Chet & the Committee , Eamon Carroll , The Field, 544 5th Ave., 8pm. Bayou Brothers , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. monday • 9 Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main St., El Cajon, 2:30pm. Open Mic , Across the Street @ Mueller Bill Cardinal , Ruby Room, 1271 University Ave., Jaeryoung Lee Jazz Trio , Lyceum Theatre, 79 monday • 16 College, 4605 Park Blvd., 8pm. 9pm. Horton Plaza, noon. Celtic Ensemble , Twiggs, 4590 Park Blvd., 4pm. Poway Folk Circle w/ Harry & Nancy Traditional Irish Session , The Field, 544 5th Open Mic , Skybox Bar & Grill, 4809 Tokeli , Savanna Grill, 3773 Willow Glen Dr., El Clairemont Dr., 8:30pm. Cajon, 7pm. Mestyanek , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, Ave., 7pm. monday • 2 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. Open Mic , E Street Cafe, 125 W. E St., Open Mic , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern Blue Monday Pro Jam , Humphrey’s Backstage St., 9pm. Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Charlie Recksieck/Clay Colton , Larry’s Beach Encinitas, 7:30pm. Jaeryoung Lee Jazz Trio , Athenaeum, 1008 Club, 1145 S. Tremont, Oceanside, 8:30pm. Wall St., La Jolla, noon. Sara PetiteLisa Sanders/Chris Zach , Jazz Roots w/ Lou Curtiss , 8-10pm, KSDS Athenaeum, 1008 Wall St., La Jolla, 7:30pm. Michele Lundeen & Blues Streak , Patrick’s II, (88.3 FM). every thursday Poway Folk Circle w/ Don & Audrey , Templar’s 428 F St., 9pm. Hall, Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Alan Land/Cetas Aspire , Larry’s Beach Club, Open Mic w/ Happy Ron , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Happy Hour Jam , Winston’s, 1921 Bacon St., 6:30pm. 1145 S. Tremont, Oceanside, 8:30pm. Libertalia, 3834 5th Ave., 8pm. 5:30pm. Robin Henkel Band w/ Horns! , Humphrey’s Video/Art/Music/Performance by So Say We tuesday • 17 José Sinatra’s OB-oke , Winston’s, 1921 Chet & the Committee Open Blues Jam , Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., All , Whistle Stop, 2236 Fern St., 9pm. Bacon St., 9:30pm. Downtown Cafe, 182 E. Main, El Cajon, 6pm. 7pm. They Might Be Giants/Guggenheim Grotto , The Bluegrass Special w/ Wayne Rice , Wood ‘n’ Lips Open Mic , Friendly Grounds, Peter Selzer/Bill Hartwell/Austin McDonald , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. 10pm-midnight, KSON (97.3 FM). 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 6:30pm. Larry’s Beach Club, 1145 S. Tremont, tuesday • 10 Peter Erskine/Alan Pasqua/Bob Mintzer/Darek Joe Rathburn’s Folkey Monkey , Milano Oceanside, 8:30pm. Oles , Neurosciences Institute, 10640 Hopkins Lou Curtiss Song Circle , Kadan, 4696 30th St., every monday Coffee Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., 7pm. Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., Dr., La Jolla, 8pm. Open Mic , Turquoise Coffee, 841 Turquoise 9pm. 6pm. The Zapt Dingbats , Turquoise Cafe, 873 Turquoise St., Pacific Beach, 7pm. St., P.B., 7pm. Open Mic , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 7:30pm. Moonlight Serenade Orchestra , Lucky Star wednesday • 18 Restaurant, 3893 54th St., 7pm. tuesday • 3 wednesday • 11 Pro-Invitational Blues Jam , O’Connell’s Pub, Forrester/Daly Quartet , Dizzy’s @ the SD Wine 1310 Morena Blvd., 8pm. Eamon Carroll , The Field, 544 5th Ave., 8pm. Lighthouse , Friendly Grounds Coffee House, & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7:30pm. Martin Luther King Community Choir , Holy 9225 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee, 7pm. Songwriter’s Showcase , Larry’s Beach Club, Traditional Irish Session , Thornton’s Irish Cross Episcopal Church, 6066 Corte Del Cedro, Charles McPherson , Anthology, 1337 India St., 1145 S. Tremont, Oceanside, 8:30pm. Pub, 1221 Broadway, El Cajon, 8pm. Carlsbad, 3pm. Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 7:30pm. 7:30pm. Beauty & the Blokes , O’Sullivan’s, 640 Grand Open Mic/Family Jam , Rebecca’s, 3015 The Brombies , NCBFC Mtg., Round Table Pizza, David Lindley & John Hammond , Belly Up, 143 Ave., Carlsbad, 8:30pm. Juniper St., 8pm. 1161 W. Washington, Escondido, 7pm. Hot Buttered Rum , Acoustic Music SD, 4650 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Jazz Jam , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern Missy Andersen , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. St., 9:30pm. Loudon Wainwright III & Richard Thompson , every tuesday wednesday • 4 Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, 8pm. Traditional Irish Session , The Ould Sod, 3373 A Night of Belly Dancers & Music , Lestat’s, thursday • 19 Adams Ave., 7pm. every friday Nena Anderson , Firehouse American Eatery & 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Lounge, 722 Grand Ave., 7pm. Open Mic , Beach Club Grille, 710 Seacoast California Rangers , Larry’s Beach Club, 1145 Missy Andersen , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Fundraiser for son of Adrian Vusich w/ S. Tremont, Oceanside, 4:30-9pm. Jean Luc Ponty , Anthology, 1337 India St., Dr., Imperial Beach, 7pm. Louisiana Mojo Dogs/Charles Burton Blues Open Mic , Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., 6pm. 7:30pm. Band/Los Sleepers/the Fooks/Chet & the Chet & the Committee All Pro Blues Jam , Joey Ryan/Jay Nash/Shane Alexander , thursday • 12 Comittee/Theo & the Zydeco Patrol/Will St. The Harp, 4935 Newport Ave., 7:30pm. Acoustic Friends w/ Jim Earp (4th Friday of Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Blues Band/the Kabbs , the Wave House, 3125 Jack Tempchin & Friends , Calypso Cafe, 576 the month), Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 7pm. Sue Palmer , Bing Crosby’s, 7007 Friar’s Rd., Ocean Front Walk, Mission Beach, noon. N. Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 7:30pm. Open Mic , Bella Roma Restaurant, 6830 La 6:30pm. Clay Colton & the Blokes , Coyote Bar & Grill, Eamon Carroll , The Field, 544 5th Ave., 8pm. Jolla Blvd. #103, 8pm. thursday • 5 Robin Henkel , Wine Steals, 1953 San Elijo, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., 6pm. Open Mic , The Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Rey Open Mic , L’Amour de Yogurt, 9975 Carmel Cardiff, 7pm. Michael Tiernen , Indulge, 4550 La Jolla Village Rd., Oceanside, 8pm. Mountain Rd., 8pm. Bluegrass Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Dr., 6pm. Open Mic , Egyptian Tea Room & Smoking Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. Joe Rathburn w/ Coco & Lafe , Milano Coffee Patrick Berrogain’s Hot Club Combo , Prado Co., 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., 7pm. Sue Palmer , Bing Crosby’s, 7007 Friar’s Rd., Restaurant, Balboa Park, 8pm. Parlour, 4644 College Ave., 9pm. Tyrone Wells w/ Stephen Kellog & Matt Hines , 6:30pm. KPRI Homegrown Fridays , Anthology, 1337 Anthology, 1337 India St., 7pm. The Gregory Page Show , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Open Mic , Portugalia, 4839 Newport Ave., Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Bluegrass Jam , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway O.B., 9pm. India St., 10pm. Peter Sprague , Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Park, 14134 Midland Rd., 6:30pm. Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 7pm. David Choi/Kenny Eng , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Nena Anderson , Riviera Supper Club, 7777 Ave., 9pm. Jimmy Duke Birthday Celebration w/ James University Ave., La Mesa, 9:30pm. The Gregory Page Show , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Lee Stanley/Joel Rafael/Peggy Watson/David every saturday Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Bill Magee Blues Band , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Beldock/Cici Porter/Joe Rathburn/Mark Ronnie Seno , Lion Coffee, 101 Market St., Bo Wilson/EJP/Rob Deez , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Jackson/Jinnah Williams , Milano Coffee Co., every wednesday 10am. Ave., 9pm. 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., dinner @ 5:30pm/con - Karen Giorgio , Westgate Hotel Plaza Bar, cert @ 7pm.. Chuck Schiele & Friends , Farmers Market, friday • 13 Newport Ave., Ocean Beach, 4-7pm. 1055 2nd Ave., 8pm. Peter Sprague , Roxy Restaurant, 517 S. Coast Blues Jam , South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern friday • 6 Jake’s Mountain , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 7pm. St., 9pm. Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Jake Shimabukuro , Anthology, 1337 India St., Heloise Love & Richard Tibbitts , Wynola Pizza 7:30&9:30pm. Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Robin Henkel , Chateau Orleans, 926 Turquoise St., Pacific Beach, 6:30pm. The Gregory Page Show , Java Joe’s @ Cafe BBQ & Blues Jam , Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Rey Rd., Oceanside, 6pm. Tom Smerk , Friendly Grounds Coffee House, 9225 Carlton HIlls Blvd., Santee, 7pm. Robin Henkel , Wine Steals, 1243 University sunday • 22 saturday • 28 George Duke Quartet , Museum of Making Ave., 8pm. Music, 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. Jon Mayer w/ Rufus Reid & Roy McCurdy , Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30pm. Chris Valen/James Maddock , Lestat’s, 3343 Brasil Jazz Festa w/ Louisa West/Jimmy Dixielnd Jazz Festival , Town & Country Blurring the Edges w/ Peter Sprague , Cal State Adams Ave., 9pm. Patton/Grant Clarkson/Andy Villas-Boas/ Convention Ctr., 500 Hotel Circle N., 9am-11pm. University, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Mary Dolan/Lisa Sanders/Annie Dru , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Enrique Platas/Allison Adams Tucker & more , Steve White Benefit , Natuical Beans, 240 Marcos, 7pm. Bill Magee Blues Band , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., Encinitas Library, 540 Cornish Dr., 2pm. Joseph Angelastro , BookWorks, Flower Hill 9pm. Harbor Dr. South, Oceanside, 11am-4pm. Battlefield Band , Acoustic Music SD, 4650 SDBS Board of Directors Band , St. Mark’s Open Mic Night , Valley Music, 1611 N. Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Mall, Del Mar, 8pm. Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers w/ Citizen Band , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, United Lutheran Church, 3502 Clairemont Dr., Magnolia Ave., El Cajon, 5pm. Bill Magee Blues Band , Harrah’s Rincon, 777 Nena Anderson , Syrah Wine Parlor, 901 5th 7pm. Ave., 8pm. 9pm. Rick Diaz Band , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center, 8pm. Mikan Zlatkovich , Dizzy’s @ the SD Wine & Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. The Hank Show , Hensley’s Flying Elephant Pub BGP/Ernie Halter/Tony Lucca , Lestat’s, 3343 Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7:30pm. Adams Ave., 9pm. Suzanne Reed & Friends , Cosmos Coffee Cafe, & Grill, 850 Tamarack Ave., Carlsbad, 8pm. friday • 20 B.B. King w/ Lukas Nelson & Promise of the 8278 La Mesa Blvd., 7pm. Carlos Olmeda , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Libertalia, Dennis Jones , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. Real , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Beach, Chris Pierce/Amber Rubarth , Anthology, 1337 Kev & Freebo , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. 8pm. Chris Clarke , Old Time Music, 2852 University 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Ave., 7pm. Jim Earp , Bookworks/Pannikin, Flower Hill India St., 9:30pm. 78, Julian, 6pm. Eben Brooks Band , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Big Rig Deluxe w/ Johnny G , Coyote Bar & Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Po Girl , Acoustic Music SD, 4650 Mansfield St., Mall, Del Mar, 8:45pm. 7:30pm. Katie Herzig , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Grill, 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., 6pm. Death on Two Wheels/Silverleaf , Lestat’s, 3343 saturday • 14 Adams Ave., 9pm. Brian Culbertson w/ Michael Lington , Johnny Vernazza , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., 9pm. BBQ & Blues Jam , Royal Dive, 2949 San Luis Rey Rd., Oceanside, 6pm. Anthology, 1337 India St., 7:30&9:30pm. The Blokes , O’Sullivan’s, 640 Grand Ave., Mike Wofford New York Trio , Neurosciences Carlsbad, 2pm. Dance of the Universe w/ Peter Sprague/Kevyn saturday • 7 Lettau/Tripp Sprague/Jon Leftwich , Tango Del monday • 23 Institute, 10640 Hopkins Dr., La Jolla, 8pm. Steve White Benefit w/ Ruby & the Red Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., Pacific Beach, 7:30pm. Gilbert Castellanos Quartet , Dizzy’s @ the SD Hots/West of Memphis/Nathan James/Chet & Ian Tordella Jazz Trio , Lyceum Theatre, 79 Wine & Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 8pm. Clay Colton & the Blokes , Coyote Bar & Grill, the Committee/Bayou Bros./Chill Boy/Baja Joe Sample , Anthology, 1337 India St., Horton Plaza, noon. 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., 2pm. Blues Boys/Slim Crowbar/the IOUs , Tango Del 7:30&9:30pm. Clay Colton Band , Harrah’s Rincon, 777 Rey, 3567 Del Rey St., Pacific Beach, 4pm. Blue Monday Pro Jam , Humphrey’s Backstage Harrah’s Rincon Way, Valley Center, 8pm. Shirthouse Bluegrass Band , Wynola Pizza Billy Watson & Int’l Silver String Submarine Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Dr., 7pm. Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Mark Jackson Band , Wynola Pizza Express, Band , BookWorks, Flower Hill Mall, Del Mar, Tim Flannery , Canyonfolk House Concert, Mike Williams/Al & Sunny Hager/Ron Bell , Chris Clarke , Templar’s Hall, Old Poway Park, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. 8pm. Harbison Canyon, 8pm. [email protected] Larry’s Beach Club, 1145 S. Tremont, So Say We All , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. 14134 Midland Rd., 7pm. Sue Palmer Trio , Bing Crosby’s, 7007 Friar’s Rd., Alex DePue , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Oceanside, 8:30pm. Shdy Side Players , It’s a Grind, 204 N. El 7pm. Clay Colton & the Blokes , Molly Bloom’s, 2391 Camino Real, Encinitas, 7pm. Dawn Mitschele , Museum of Making Music, S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, 9:30pm. Robin Henkel/Michael Tiernan/Cici Porter/David 5790 Armada Dr., Carlsbad, 7pm. tuesday • 24 sunday • 29 Millard/Ruby Presnell/Nathan Welden & more , Hilary Michaels CD Release , Sherwood Dixielnd Jazz Festival , Town & Country An Evening of Harmony Holiday Benefit, San Auditorium, La Jolla Museum of Contemporary saturday • 21 Lou Curtiss Song Circle , Kadan, 4696 30th St., Convention Ctr., 500 Hotel Circle N., 8am-5pm. Dieguito United Methodist Church, 170 Calle Art, 700 Prospect St., 8pm. 6pm. Magdalena, Encinitas, 7:30pm. Chuck Schiele & the Mysterious Ways , San Steve White Benefit , Le Papagayo, 1002 N. Peter Mulvey , Acoustic Music SD, 4650 Digo Bay Food & Wine Festival, Embarcadero Paul Viani & Friends , Dizzy’s @ the SD Wine & Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas 11am-4pm. Celtic Thunder , Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Mansfield St., 7:30pm. Culinary Center, 200 Harbor Dr., 7pm. Ave., 7:30pm. Park North, 2pm. Steve White Benefit , Bar Leucadian, 1542 N. Hiroshima , Anthology, 1337 India St., Sara Petite CD Release w/ Regina Leonard & Justin Nozuka , UCSD Porter’s Pub, 9500 Coast Hwy. 101, Encinitas, 5pm. Pacifica Camerate , St. Andrew’s by the Sea 7:30&9:30pm. Gilman Dr., 7:30pm. Episcopal Church, 1050 Thomas Ave., 7:30pm. Linnzi Zaeorski , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Tim Flannery , Canyonfolk House Concert, Tori Rose , Java Joe’s @ Cafe Libertalia, 2834 Solana Beach, 3pm. Harbison Canyon, 8pm. [email protected] Bill Champlin , Anthology, 1337 India St., 5th Ave., 8pm. 7:30pm. Chris Clarke , Wynola Pizza Express, 4355 Hwy. The Royals of San Diego , Civic Theatre, 3rd & 78, Julian, 6pm. wednesday • 25 Saba/Bill Cardinal , Java Joe’s @ Cafe B Streets, 8pm. Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Gary Puckett , Harrah’s Rincon, 777 Harrah’s Dixielnd Jazz Festival , Town & Country monday • 30 Buddy Guy , Viejas Casino, 5000 Willows Rd., Rincon Way, Valley Center, 6pm. Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle N., 7pm. Gregory Page , Pilgrimage of the Heart Yoga, Alpine, 8pm. Charlie Chaney , San Diego State University, 3301 Adams Ave., 8pm. Joe Rathburn & Freebo , Milano Coffee Co., Sue Palmer Quintet , Croce’s, 802 5th Ave., 5500 Campanile Dr., 5pm. Keller Williams , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, 8685 Rio San Diego Dr., 7pm. 7:30pm. Lisa Sanders & Friends , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Solana Beach, 9pm. Chet & the Committee , Patrick’s II, 428 F St., Ave., 9pm. Peggy Watson & David Beldock , Christ Eve Selis & Tim Flannery , Anthology, 1337 9pm. Brenda Xu/Joanie Mendenhall/Terry Lutheran Church, 4761 Cass St., 7pm. India St., 7:30pm. Matsuoka , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Ave., 9pm. Bob Magnusson Trio , Harry’s Bar & American sunday • 8 Grill, 4370 La Jolla Village Dr., 7:30pm. Men of Worth , San Dieguito United Methodist thursday • 26 S.D. Folk Song Society Meeting , Old Time sunday • 15 Church, 170 Calle Magdalena, Encinitas, Music, 2852 University Ave., 2pm. 7:30pm. Dixielnd Jazz Festival , Town & Country Sweet Joyce Ann/Annie Rettic , Rebecca’s, Convention Center, 500 Hotel Circle N., 7pm. Cathryn Beeks Ordeal CD Release w/ Lisa 3015 Juniper St., 10am. Ambrosia , Acoustic Music SD, 4650 Mansfield Sanders/Pete Thurston/Steph Johnson/Rob St., 7:30pm. Deez/Rachel Beelinski/Folding Mr. Lincoln/ Robin Henkel Blues Trio , Chef Celebration of San Diego Beers, Qualcomm Hall, 5575 Tom Baird w/ David Silva & Friends , friday • 27 Josh Damigo/Nicole Torres/Chris Clarke/Paul Rebecca’s, 3015 Juniper St., 7:30pm. Cannon/Wes Wilkes/Tori Roze/Lindsay White/ Morehouse Dr., Sorrento Valley, 1pm. Charlie Imes/Christopher Dale/Podunk Bobby Gordon Quartet , Lafayette Hotel, 2223 El Joe Sample , Anthology, 1337 India St., Dixielnd Jazz Festival , Town & Country Nowhere/Schooze , Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Cajon Blvd., 1pm. 7:30&9:30pm. Convention Ctr., 500 Hotel Circle N., 10am-11pm. Tyler St., 4pm. New City Sinfonia w/ Chris Acquavella , Peter Bolland/Folding Mr. Lincoln , Java Joe’s Candye Kane , Belly Up, 143 S. Cedros, Solana Chris Klich Jazz Quintet , Coyote Bar & Grill, Church of Mary Magdalene, 1945 Illion St., Bay @ Cafe Libertalia, 2834 5th Ave., 8pm. Beach, 5:30pm. 300 Carlsbad Village Dr., 5pm. Park, 2pm. The Gregory Page Show , Lestat’s, 3343 Adams Mountain Tribal Gypsies , Wynola Pizza San Diego Jazz All-Stars w/ Holly Hoffman/ Dick Weissman , Old Time Music, 2852 Ave., 9pm. Express, 4355 Hwy. 78, Julian, 6pm. Mike Wofford/Peter Sprague/Jim Plank/Bob University Ave., 7pm. Zzymzzy Quartet , Claire de Lune, 2906 Magnusson , La Jolla Presbyterian Church, 7715 University Ave., 8pm. Draper Ave., 7pm. Remy Cox , BookWorks, Flower Hill Mall, Del Mar, 8pm. Paul Seaforth & Mo’Sax , Dizzy’s @ the SD 18 www.myspace.com/sandiegotroubadour 9 1 Photo: Dennis Andersen a i l

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