K k JANUARY 2014 KWOW HALL NOTES g VOL. 26 #1 H WOWHALL.ORGk cohesion comes from the brothers wields a powerful voice that can having spent the last two years on both stir and soothe, whether she the road with new full-time mem- is singing traditional gospel, blues ber Jano Rix, a drummer and ace- standards or her own heartfelt in-the-hole multi-instrumentalist, compositions. A gifted musician whereas they relied on session on both mandolin and drums, and musician-friends to fill out previ- a founding member of the roots ous albums. Jano’s additional band Ollabelle (with whom she harmonies give credence to the old has recorded three CDs), Helm has trope that while two family mem- also performed live with scores of bers often harmonize preternatu- notable musicians like Warren rally, it takes a third, non-related Haynes, The Wood Brothers, and singer for the sound to really shine. Donald Fagen, and her distinctive The Muse marks another mile- voice can be heard on recordings stone for The Wood Brothers: it’s by artists ranging from Mercury the first full-length they’ve record- Rev to Marc Cohn. ed at Southern Ground Studios in Amy’s lengthy resume is high- Nashville. The choice of location lighted by many years of singing was practical, given Nashville’s and playing alongside her father, rich history and network of musi- with whom she conceived, cians, but also symbolic: The launched and perfected the Mid- Wood Brothers are now officially a night Rambles -- intimate perfor- Nashville-based band, with Oliver mances held since 2004 at his home having relocated in 2012, and Chris and studio in Woodstock, N.Y. recently following. It’s the first The musical chemistry, affection- Wood Brothers’ A’Muse’ment time the brothers have lived in the ate humor and family pride that On Thursday, February 6, the high-lonesome, harmony-driven er level of collaboration for The same city since they left their par- Amy shares with her father helped Community Center for the refrain of “When I die, I wanna be Wood Brothers, a newfound fra- ents’ nest; both are eager, along the Midnight Rambles evolve into Performing Arts and KLCC proud- sent back to try, try again.” ternal synchronicity that’s captured with Nashville local Jano, to a musical event that attracts fans ly welcome The Wood Brothers “Neon Tombstone” wasn’t the on their latest album, The Muse. plumb the sense of collaboration and musicians from around the back to the WOW Hall with spe- first song that Chris, a founding Within the first few bars of opener they tapped into during the fateful world. She also co-produced cial guest Amy Helm. member of jazz trio Medeski “Wastin’ My Mind”, which could “Neon Tombstone” writing ses- Levon’s 2007 CD Dirt Farmer, Chris Wood had a scrap of a Martin & Wood, and Oliver, for- pass for a lost cut from The Last sion. which won the Grammy for Best song — seemed like a chorus — merly Tinsley Ellis’s guitarist, had Waltz, it’s clear the brothers are Says Oliver, “This is the first Traditional Folk Album, and she is scribbled in a notebook. He played written — since 2006, they’d operating on a different plane than record that really feels like a band prominently featured on the Levon it for his older brother, Oliver, released three studio albums of when we last heard them, on record. It’s taken years for us to Helm Band’s Electric Dirt and who’d had a verse lying around he Americana as The Wood Brothers. 2011’s Smoke Ring Halo. The really feel like we can collaborate, Ramble at the Ryman Grammy- didn’t know what to do with. The But it was the first one they’d writ- components are similar: the dialed- and I think this is the pinnacle of winning albums. two pieces, composed months ten like this. “This is how a song in vocal harmonies, Oliver’s gritty it so far.” Amy is poised to release her apart, one in urban Atlanta and is supposed to come together,” acoustic guitar, Chris’s virtuosic first solo album in the spring. the other deep in the Catskills, Oliver remembers thinking. “There upright bass, the warrior poet lyr- AMY HELM Tickets are $17 in advance, $20 dovetailed musically and lyrically: was some chance, some random- ics. But here there’s a glue — a The daughter of music legend at the door. Doors open at 7:00 the verse about a man regretting ness, to it.” yellowy carpenter’s glue, one imag- Levon Helm and singer/songwriter pm and showtime is 8:00. Partial chasing unattainable women, the The experienceK marked a deep- ines — holding it all together. The Libby Titus Fagen, Amy Helm seating available. H k Another single from the LP, “Walk on the Ocean”, fared similarly well, and the com- INSIDE THIS ISSUE bination pushed Fear to platinum sales. Oliver Mtukudzi H Hot Buttered Rum Three years later, Toad returned with Dulcinea, which generated a third Top 40 The Autumn Defense H California HoneyDrops hit with the single “Fall Down”. Andreilien H Caravan of GLAM The group split in July 1998 while Cody Canada and the departed Glen Phillips launched a solo career. In 2010, officially reunited, Toad’s members Austin jenckes gathered to re-record new versions of Chance To Dance with Bindaas older hits for use in film and television, not owning the rights or making much Hopsin H Zion I H Iration money from the famous recorded versions of older material. Shortly after that, work was begun on brand-new material, result- ing in 2013’s New Constellation, the band’s first new studio album in over 16 years. “The fantastic record picks up where the band’s career left off in the late ’90s,” PAID Toad the wet sprocket states Slate Magazine, “its acoustic-elec- U.S. Postage U.S. Permit No. 303 No. Permit On Monday, February 3, the bandmates entered a nearby studio in 1988 tric guitar blends, lyrical introspection and Eugene, OR 97401 Eugene, Nonprofit Organization Community Center for the Performing and recorded their debut LP, Bread and longing harmonies feel timeless, not nos- Arts and KRVM proudly welcome Toad Circus, in eight days at a cost of $650. talgic.” the Wet Sprocket with special guest The album eventually made its way to the Opening for and playing with Toad the Jonathan Kingham. Los Angeles offices of Columbia Records, Wet Sprocket during their 2014 West Named in honor of a sketch by the which signed Toad only after agreeing to Coast tour is Jonathan Kingham (who Monty Python comedy troupe, Toad the the band’s request to reissue Bread and made his WOW Hall debut opening for Wet Sprocket became one of the most suc- Circus in its original form, without any Glen Phillips in 2008). The Nashville- cessful alternative rock bands of the early alterations or remixes. based musician splits his time between ‘90s, boasting a contemporary folk-pop After years of persistent touring, Toad touring the country and writing, recording sound that wielded enough melody and the Wet Sprocket’s commercial break- and producing. R.E.M.-styled jangle to straddle both the through came with 1991’s Fear, as the Tickets are $15 in advance, $30 at the modern rock and adult contemporary single “All I Want” -- quite nearly left off door. Doors open at 7:00 pm and show- markets. the album -- became a Top 20 hit. time is 8:00. H Singer Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Dinning and drum- “Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket knows fans of the iconic 1990s band are mer Randy Guss formed the group in 1986 ready for a comeback. Numbers don’t lie. When the group announced plans to in their native Santa Barbara, California. record a new album through a Kickstarter fundraising campaign, the band’s followers RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Community Center for the Arts Performing 291 West 8th 97401 OR. Eugene, KAfter honing their sound in local bars, the pledged $260,000 (529% of its goal) to the cause”- Pollstar k WOW HALL NOTES Mtukudzi reflects. “I write what The Community Center for the Performing Arts is located in the Historic Woodmen of the World Hall (W.O.W. Hall), 291 W 8th, Eugene, I see around me. When I see Or 97401, (541)687-2746, [email protected], www.wowhall.org, Box office hours Mon-Fri Noon-6 PM. Printed monthly by Western something, I have something real Oregon Webpress, Circulation 3,800, General Support made possible by a grant from Lane Arts Council with support from City of to talk about. If there is some- Eugene Cultural Services Division, Copyright 2014 All rights reserved Notes Staff: Copy Editor & Advertising Representative - Bob Fennessy, Layout & Design - James Bateman CCPA Staff: Program Coordinator - Calyn Kelly, Membership Coordinator & Publicist thing to talk about, there’s some- - Bob Fennessy, Stage Manager - Selena Frame, Asst Stage Manager - Jason Schroeder, Office Managers - Donna Carbone, Ross thing to sing about, and there’s Shuber, Booking Asst - Katy Vizdal, Bookkeeper - Kimberly Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator & House Manager - Kayte McDonald, always something new to talk Volunteer Coordinator - Laura Farrelly, House Manager - Sam Harmon, Concessions Manager - Jessica Syverson, Angela Lees, Custodians - Richard A., Shawn Lynch Volunteer Staff: Zac Townsend, Dan Wathen, Art Gallery Director - Sam Harmon, CCPA Board about.” of Directors: Chair: Aaron Dietrich, Vice-Chair: Cayle Chisholm, Secretary: Sara Shmigelsky, Treasurer: Craig Lawrence; Members: Tuku’s latest album Sarawoga Sean Cannon, Mayo Finch, Mike Meyer, Michael Schulze (U.S.