CBA Member Meetings

What’s on Tap for April 2012's General Membership Meeting . . ..

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Melody Ballroom, 615 SE Alder St., Portland

Wednesday, April 4^th, 7:00 pm

Members always Free – Non-members $3.00

Opening Acoustic Set – Ralph Bassinger

Second Electric Set – Deep Blue Soul Revue

They say that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Well if a lion means that things are jumping, then let’s not lay down with the lamb and keep things hopping with the blues here in town. A great way every month to do just that is by attending the monthly general membership meetings of the Cascade Blues Associaion. As those who attend regularly know, this is no business meeting, rather a gathering a friends to hear great blues music and to have a good time.

webRalph In April we are bringing back an old friend, pianist Ralph Bassinger. Ralph stepped away from performing a couple years back and has decided to end his hiatus, thinking that there is no better way to do so than by playing before those who appreciate him the most. Ralph is a tremendous keyboardist and has performed and recorded with noted blues artists, including Jimmy D. Lane who appeared on Ralph’s CD, Waiting For My Train. He also was the Cascade Blues Association’s solo representative at the International Blues Challenge in 2006. There are not a lot of people playing that authentic boogie and blues style that brings back to mind the likes of Otis Spann or Memphis Slim, but Ralph Bassinger can certainly do that. It’ll be good having him return.

If you attended the Sweetheart Dance in February, you know you’re not going to want to miss the second set of the night as Deep Blue Soul Revue will have you up smiling and dancing guaranteed. This outstanding outfit fronted by bassist Danny O’Brien and guitarist/keyboardist Ken Brewer delivers great renditions of classic soul and blues numbers and originals transforming any venue they perform into a jumping house party. There is a lot of sound out of just five pieces, with Michael G. Kelly on saxophone, Allan Kalik on trumpet and Dave Melyan on drums rounding out the band. Melissa Buchanan also guests as vocalist. Their sound is infectious, you will have a good time with Deep Blue Soul Revue.

Of course, hang around during the intermission between sets as we do our popular monthly ticket drawing where you can win CDs, concert tickets and anything else we may have on hand to give out. We’ll also have the $1 ticket drawing for your chance to win a multiple-CD package, winner takes all. Come out and join us for a great evening of music, and if you’re not a member, you can always join at the meeting. Hope to see you there.

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Additional Information

CD Reviews

"Muddyvishnu"

Terry Robb

PsycheDelta Records

This is an incredible recording by Terry Robb that displays his adeptness behind all things guitar. Muddyvishnu is a mostly instrumental album and explores realms far beyond just the blues. It reaches into the heavens on tracks that sound like they have been lifted directly from the solar system. All played with seemingly ease, which always seems to be the case when Terry straps on his instrument. Highly intricate material that you know must have taken endless hours to piece together, but in his hands and mind it is almost like it’s second nature. It is not a disc that is aimed toward blues, jazz or rock fans, but I can see its appealing to each.

Terry utilizes his main band for all but two tracks on this disc. Adam Scramstad on second guitar, Jeff Minnick on drums and bassist Dave Kahl. They flow together naturally on everything, having worked with each other so often that they seem to have an instinct on just where Terry is going at any moment. This may not always seem to be such an easy feat to those watching or listening to him play.

Terry wrote seven of the eleven numbers himself. Jeff Minnick penned one track, “Worried About It Now,” that features the sole vocals by Terry on the disc and the late cartoonist/musician John Callahan adds his words and voice to “Overdose” while Albert Reda and Dennis Carter provide the rhythm section. There are two cover tracks, “Idle Moments” by jazz master Duke Pearson, and an instrumental take on Tommy Johnson’s “Lonesome Home” which has a new life all its own that the blues man would probably never recognize as it stretches boundaries. Muddyvishnu closes with one of the two solo cuts by Terry, “The Refreshing,” offering a crisp acoustical rag that seems to be like a sorbet meant to leave you with a nice flavor in your mouth after consuming so much delectable courses beforehand. It is like a little lagniappe that fits just right with your appetite.

The variation of the selections is a huge collage that compliments one another and makes for some seriously enjoyable listening. In fact, the guitar playing is beautiful and magnificent. Spot on target with every note on every cut. Terry Robb lights a fire on his frets and delivers with emotion. Is it the efforts of a pure genius or is it maybe just magic? Whatever has sparked such creativity, I like it, give us more!

Total Time: 45:32

Muddyvishnu / But Yeah / Idle Moments / All Night And Morning Too / Lonesome Home / Worried About It Now / Ju Ju / Overdose / Sheriff Brown / Sweet Hip / The Refreshing

Reviewed by Greg Johnson

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