February’s General Membership Meeting, 2010
Wednesday, February 3rd, 7:00 pm
Members always Free; Non-members $3.00
Opening Acoustic Set: The David Brothers Trio
Second Electric Set: Kode Bluuz
Last month we began the new year with a big bang with two outstanding acts performing at our monthly membership meeting. Both David Samuel Project and The Gusto Brothers brought their top game to the Melody and won over numerous new fans. We expect the same reaction this month with two more awesome groups just itching to get in front of our members.We’re going to start the night off with the David Brothers Trio. They will be playing an acoustic set, featuring original folk and blues with a unique sound all its own. Led by guitarist David Brothers, a past recipient of the Cascade Blues Association’s Christopher Mesi Memorial Scholarship, he likes mix in influences from the likes of John Coltrane, Freddie King, Muddy Waters, Django Reinhart and John Fahey. First exposed to the guitar while growing up in the Tennessee Appalachians and then later in Texas. In Oregon, while pursuing his musical education, Brothers began to collaborate with local guitar heroes like Terry Robb and Robbie Laws as well as other top performers, learning his skills as a top-notch artist in his own right. Performing with Brothers at the meeting will be Ron Anastasio on drums and bassist Turtle. You will certainly hear selections from Brothers’ outstanding 2009 CD, Corn Flakes and Gin as well as examples of his fresh approach to timeless classic songs and originals. This will be yet another innovative set of music to help show just how expansive the blues genre really is.
Our second set of the night will present the band Kode Bluuz. Formed in 1999 by a pair of firefighters, drummer Olan “Ray” Nelson and keyboard player Bill Ladd, it was originally a group of co-workers who enjoyed getting together to jam. It’s just that the jam never really stopped. There have been numerous members in the band over the years and currently expect to see vocalist Robin Crittendon, guitarist John “Bluesjohn” Sepulveda, Lance Price on bass, percussionist Doug Cartwright and a tight horn section featuring Amy Thurman on trumpet, Mike Gilliland on sax and Chris Valentine on trombone. A nice-sized band with a huge sound. Kode Bluuz has quite an eclectic mix in their music showcases, with offering in jazz, reggae, funk, classic rock thrown in with a heavy dose of blues and R&B. In other words, they should have a little something that’ll appeal to everybody! Or as stated on-line, “they give a gumbo flavor to the music world.” Kode Bluuz is a favorite for parties and festivals and you can expect to having a dancing good time at the CBA meeting this month, too!!
Remember, this is the first month that we will be charging non-members to attend our membership meetings. It’s only $3 to see two great sets of music and a chance to win prizes just for attending. But you’re really better off becoming a member for a mere $25 for a single membership. Not only will you save $11 if you come to all the meetings throughout the year, but you’ll also be able to vote for the Muddy Awards, attend the private summer picnic and holiday party, receive special discounts to co-sponsored shows, but you’ll also receive the BluesNotes newspaper sent to you every month. Consider it an investment in supporting the great blues musicians in our region!! You know we’d love to have all of you as part of our blues family!!
Greg Johnson
CBA President
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J.C. Rico had a voice that just oozed soulful blues. His album First Offense clearly showcased that. Raised in Mississippi and spending time in Chicago prior to moving to Oregon gave him the exposure on just how this music should sound right. Opening with the funky backbeat behind his deep, serious voice on “Sign Of The Times” tells you right away that Rico meant business, which also offers a killer bluesy guitar solo. That is followed up by “Old Catfish Song” where he tells a nice story about a catfish who wishes he could travel on the train he hears go by every day. Other outstanding tracks include a cover of Solomon Burke’s “Cry To Me,” the deeply soulful “Never Gonna Change,” punchy horns on “Long Time Gone” and the slow blues piece “I Know Her Too.” At the time of this release J.C. Rico was commanding stages in the area with his band Armed & Dangerous. First Offense featured guest guitarists Lloyd Jones and Jim Mesi into the mix and the disc was a nominee for the Cascade Blues Association’s Muddy Awards for Album of the Year. Unfortunately, J.C. Rico passed away this last year, so having First Offense available again will bring back fond memories of such an outstanding vocalist and entertainer.
Also Reissued by Criminal Records Northwest is the compilation disc of the label’s founder Paul Jones playing drums behind a virtual who’s who of the local scene at the time and many of the label’s premier artists. It opens very strongly with a jumping rockabilly “Baby Let’s Play House” performed by guitarist Steve Bradley. There are so many variations of styles profiled on the disc that it creates such a great dimension that shows the diversity of each vocalist. Curtis Salgado’s reading of “My Soul’s Got A Hole In It” is so smooth it’ll send chills down your back. Jon Koonce takes a somewhat reggae approach on “Island, Island,” while Norman Sylvester gives his traditional funky knowledge on “Criminal Groove,” D.K. Stewart takes us to the bayou on his cover of “Congo Square,” and Joe Dobroe’s stellar guitar playing and deep gravelly voice make “Sitting On Top Of The World” a fun-paced quirky offering. The album closes with the soul-stirring vocals of J.C. Rico on “Walk On Water,” so well done it may bring tears to your eyes. Other fantastic numbers are presented by Lloyd Jones, Mark Dufresne and Lily Wilde. Not a bad track on the disc. Worthy of checking out again to relive those good times.
