 |
  |
|
 |
||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
||||||||||
|
A
Sense of Magic For Marie Daulne, better known as Zap Mama, music was the magic elixer that made time fly, lightened heavy tasks and imbued her world with a sense of ease. As a child, she helped her mother clean other people's houses all day and remembers the songs they used to sing to pass the time.
"A long time ago people used music, certain songs, to heal pain, to give strength," she explained, talking on a cell phone from Seattle on her way to practice with her new drummer for this tour. "When we cleaned the houses, my mother used song to make it easy. And everything was so magic and easy. And when I start being a woman, I miss these rituals that my mother teach. So I go back and I learn more of them, and then I bring them back to the Western world." Born in Zaire (now Congo) to a Belgian father and Zairian mother, Zap Mama's family left the country when she was 3, shortly after war broke out. They made their way to Brussels, where she grew up. At 18 she left and returned. "I went back to Africa to see what kind of woman I will be, to find out who I am," she said. "And I knew the source of that will be where I'm born. So I went there and everything became clear in my head. When I went back to Europe, I decided to create a band without instruments, with just five human beings. We need nothing, just the power from the inside, the power of woman. And I take all these songs I learn and bring them back to the modern world, a bridge, a spirit connection." In her music, French, English and Swahili are used interchangably, creating a sound that is at once worldly and atmospheric. African chants mix with hip hop beats. R&B melodies are layered on top of scratches and samples of babies babbling, chants, calls and response. "When I create music, I'm thinking about sound," she said. The "sh" and "th" of French, the "cah's" and "ah's of Swahili mix together without losing their uniqueness, each imbuing the music with a unique energy. "We are losing the essence of things," she said. "The common point has to be going the positive way, with peace, the global message for us all. I think the rainbow is better than one color."
The
Beethoven of Jazz
Where can you go to find a first-rate, Tony Award-winning jazz performance? New York City? Sure. Take a day trip up to Seattle? Maybe. But why not save the money on travel and stay right here in Eugene? This weekend ArtBeat, a non-profit presenting company based out of New York, will bring its traveling repertoire of first-rate singers and dancers to the Hult Center to perform the multiple award-winning musical performance Sophisticated Ladies. The piece is a compilation of Duke Ellington's jazz gems, and wowed audiences when it first appeared on Broadway in 1981. Accompanying the vocalists and dancers will be a seven-piece jazz band compiled of musicians from along the West Coast. Many adults will be familiar with many of the Ellington tunes you'll hear in this show — selections to be performed include "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing," "Take the 'A' Train" and "Satin Doll." David Shaw, president of ArtBeat, says that when "the Duke" first appeared on the music scene in the 1920s, many critics and fans dubbed him the Beethoven of his time. "These songs were written in an era when songs were like art," Shaw says. "The lyrics are beautiful and the arrangements so subtle, it's hard not to see the songs as works of art." Ellington's lifetime collection of more than a dozen Grammy Awards certainly supports Shaw's point. The eloquence of the selection of songs in Sophisticated Ladies is further highlighted by an all-star cast of singers from around the country. "We have some fantastic singers," Shaw says. "They know the music on a deep level, and when they sing a song they really give it 150 percent." Among the singers is Martina Allard, who won a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway show The Tap Dance Kid when she was only 13 years old. "Her voice is absolutely gorgeous," Shaw says, "and the rest of the cast has similar talent." To simply hear the Beethoven of jazz, who was perhaps one of the most influential black artists of this century, is one thing. But to hear Ellington's music performed by top-notch singers and musicians, accompanied with Broadway-caliber dancers, right here in Eugene is a rare opportunity that shouldn't be missed.
Downtown
Doings The classical season gets going on Sept. 22 when the Eugene Symphony features Mussorgsky's ever popular Pictures at an Exhibition, a colorful tone poem that paints pictures in music. The show opens with Claude Debussy's quietly revolutionary Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun. Debussy used ancient modes and sensuous atmosphere to conjure (in about 10 minutes) a whole world of sound that helped free orchestral music from the overheated rhetoric of Romanticism — such as the third work on the program, Rachmaninov's piano showcase, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, played by 2005 Van Cliburn award winner Alexander Kobrin.
If you just couldn't get it together to see Egypt or other parts of the Middle East (including those parts our armed forces are making safe for petroleum companies) this summer, you have a couple of chances to take a musical journey on Sept. 23: At Luna, Ala Nar features music of Arabic and Turkic countries, played on lutes (oud, saz, and baglama), ney (flute), bass, vocals, and percussion (dumbec, daff and riqq), accompanying the belly dancing of Astryd deMichele, who has studied and taught dance throughout the Middle East, especially Egypt, and teaches at the UO and LCC. And Eugene's other Middle Eastern music masters, Americanistan, play a free show at Iraila restaurant. African sounds also abound this month. On Sept. 21, the WOW Hall brings back recent Bay Area visitors Aphrodesia, one of the rare female-fronted Afrobeat groups. Like Antibalas and Albino! the 11-member Aphrodesia takes inspiration from the great Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, including his danceable grooves and politically aware lyrics. Founder Lara Maykovich studied music and dance in Zimbabwe and Ghana, and the band's lively stage show reflects it. For more African sounds, check out Cozmic Pizza's benefit for Tariro, a nonprofit organization to help young AIDS orphans complete school. The show features the high spirited Zimbabwean music of Vakasara Mbira, Kudana, and master mbira musicians Cosmas Magaya and Ambuya Beauler. Seattle songwriter Marcelo Quinonez followed his roots to Nicaragua in 1999, brought back some of the region's music, and stirred it into a warm broth that also features tastes of Peru, Cuba, Colombia, Argentina and the Andes. His band, Cuchata, plays Cozmic Pizza on Sept. 22. World music influences also find their way into a couple of jazz shows at Luna. On Sept. 16, Klezmocracy brings its "Afro-Hebrew" sound, which also embraces Latin, cabaret and rock influences. The Portland group features accordionist/songwriter/saxman Courtney von Drehle, who invests it with the strong musicianship and good humor of his other band, 3 Leg Torso. On Sept. 24, Luna hosts some of Oregon's most innovative jazz musicians, Whirled Jazz and guest guitar master Don Latarski. The band corrals three of the adventurous Tone Sharks, including the inventive drummer Dave Storrs, trombonist Keller Coker, and sax phenom Tom Bergeron, who apply their considerable improvisatory skills to structured grooves with some Latin influences. This should be one of the best jazz shows of the season. In keeping with the visual arts theme of this fall's offerings, Luna has also announced that it'll present interactive visual art along with various local bands on Thursdays in October. Downtown is turning into an artsy place, and the Eugene Celebration is just around the corner.
Three Parts Distortion, One Part Melody
On the third track of The Thermals' first album, More Parts Per Million, things really got started for the Portland trio. "Hardly art! Hardly starving! Hardly art! Hardly garbage!" singer/guitarist Hutch Harris howled, his voice reminiscent of the taut squawk of the Mountain Goats' John Darnielle in his more intense moments. The Thermals, though, have nothing of Darnielle's folky sensibility. They're on the far end of the broad indie rock spectrum, mixing gravelly, distorted guitars with Harris' barely-melodic rants and rhythms that keep a move on like a barefoot kid on hot sand. Funny, then, that the band was brought to Sub Pop's attention by Ben Gibbard, the gentle-voiced singer and songwriter of Death Cab for Cutie. The Thermals' cheerily titled second album, Fuckin' A, was recorded and mixed by DCFC's Chris Walla, wearing his technical-guy hat at Avast Studios in Seattle. Despite being recorded in four days, Fuckin' A is steps forward from the scrappily lo-fi sound of More Parts Per Million, but it still sounds like three kids having a damn good time and not fussing too much over it. Harris, drummer Jordan Hudson and bassist Kathy Foster have now turned out two short, dense slices of the kind of music that makes you bounce on the balls of your feet; there's something of those earlier Superchunk albums, like the yelping, driven On the Mouth, in The Thermals' sound. This is unadorned, unapologetic rock music, joyful with momentum and strangely, angularly poetic. The Thermals play with fellow Portlanders Viva Voce and Aerodrone at 8:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 17 at the WOW Hall. $10. — Molly Templeton
Bluegrass With Teeth
The charm of bluegrass is in its quaint associations to a bygone era. But it owes its continued popularity to bands like the Hot Buttered Rum String Band, whose "high-altitude acoustic experience" gives a strong nod to the past, while incorporating rock, jazz and blues elements with modern political and social commentary. While many people's understanding of bluegrass consists of that "Dueling Banjos" scene in Deliverance, Hot Buttered Rum joyfully serves up highly sophisticated newgrass to a discerning fan base. They've played with everyone from Ben Harper to Bela Fleck and the band's credibility with jam scene devotees on both sides of the Rockies continues to grow. With songs like "Three Point Two," lamenting the shortcomings of low-alcohol beer, and "Reckless Tex," a tune filled with scathing derision of president Bush, HBRSB plays mainly to the young and educated. And they do it with the requisite instrumental mastery that makes bluegrass what it is. While all five musicians contribute vocally, the unique addition of a flute gives the music a vaguely Celtic feel. Strong, percussive guitar playing offsets fiddle work that often drags just behind the beat, adding classical texture and nuance. The result is traditionally fresh bluegrass. Bill Monroe must be dancing in his grave. Hot Buttered Rum String Band plays at 10 pm Saturday, Sept. 17 at the Fez Ballroom, Portland. $11. adv/$13 dos.— Dave Constantin
The Bear Necessities Wait, let's go ahead and get it out of the way: Why in the hell is another band naming themselves after a bear? If you say to someone, "Hey are you going to see the Squirrel vs. Bear show this weekend?" They'll probably be like, "Squirrel vs. Bear? Yeah right, are they some kind of Bear vs. Shark or Minus the Bear wannabes?" No. Not in the least. This band is one that everyone else will want to be. In fact, they probably deserve the right to have "bear" in their name just as much as or more than the other aforementioned bands. To aid in the process of figuring out why so many new bands are choosing to put "bear" in their name, I have compiled a short list of characteristics that are necessary for wild bears and cool bands, especially Squirrel vs. Bear. Cleverness: Everybody knows that bears are clever. I mean, they have to survive on their own in the wild. That takes smarts. And Squirrel vs. Bear also has smarts. It's hard to categorize the band, but if one was forced they would probably say dance-punk. But new and clever dance punk, the lyrics are actually profound in a quirky way, and the experimental guitar work meshes perfectly with the danceable bass and drums. Playfulness: Bears are playful. But they also have the ability to freak out at any given moment. Same with Squirrel vs. Bear. Some of their songs will have you bobbing your head and grooving along, while others will make you want to thrash around the dance floor, flailing your arms and maybe even moshing a little. OK, not moshing. Maybe just running into people on accident. What? Bears mosh. Lovable: But not in your teddy bear kind of way. Remember: Bears may look sweet and innocent, but they can definitely gouge your eye out if they want to. Squirrel vs. Bear won't gouge your eye out, but they are loveable in that dangerous kind of way. Hopefully this helps. As for the reasoning behind the squirrel part of the name, you'll have to find out for yourself. Squirrel vs. Bear plays at 10pm Friday, Sept. 16 at Luckey's. $3-$5. — Emily Freeman
Tangled Up In Red
The Red Thread hail from the Bay Area, and arose from the ashes of band leader Jason Lakis' former band Half Film. Yeah, doesn't mean anything to me either. But that's a good thing, because his new band is giving him wings to soar. He enlisted friends calling themselves The Inspectors (they were drunk on New Year's Eve when they signed their pact) and started breathing life into songs he had been writing for two and a half years. His efforts are a fantastic combination of low-key moodiness alá Red House Painters and somber but emotive vocalizations, like Mark Eitzel. Lakis' singing keeps me alert but dreaming, a perfect combination. It makes me want to consume a lot of red wine and be almost depressed. Their music rolls on like the endless sea of Meat Puppets; not much different from song to song, but why change a good thing? Yelstin's new release We Will Be A Factory is an impressive sophomore effort. The threesome is nearing perfection of their sophisticated pop. I haven't seen them play in a while, but the record rocks. Go see for yourself. Oh, and Portland's Wow and Flutter is playing too. Cool. The Red Thread, Yeltsin and Wow and Flutter play at 9:30 pm Saturday, Sept. 17 at Sam Bond's Garage. $5. — Vanessa Salvia
Road Dust When you're talking about Jay Collins, the only question worth asking is, how does this fresh-faced sax and flute playing young'un belt out tunes filled with the gravel and grit that usually comes with decades of experience? With time, it's doubtless that Collins' resume will feature a long list of gigs with all the greats — he's already played at the Museum of Modern Art and New York's legendary Blue Note. But more likely, Collins will be the guy everyone else wants to say they've played with. In the jazz and blues scenes, much of what you hear is not so much new as it is influenced. Not Collins. His tunes are funky and fun, memorable and crafted. And they're not exactly like anything you've ever heard. Instead of taking all his influences and spicing up the old, tired formula, he creates a whole new thing all his own. Rough edged vocals work well with a light but tight rhythm section. And while Collins is still in the early stages of what will surely be a long career, his vocals are dusty from the road and dues paid. His sax solos have a simmering raw energy, bending, squeaking and screaming while always treating melodies with care and restraint. Traditional jazz alá Coltrane mixes with dirty, urban blues and bright, shiny pop. Swing is thrown in with funk, roots and even glimpses of Americana. And his simple lyrics have the sweet ebb and flow of true poetry. The Jay Collins Band plays 8:30 pm at Luna, Thursday, Sept. 22. $6. — Melissa Bearns
AX BILLY GRILL & SPORTS
BAR BADA BING'S BLACK FOREST BREWED AWAKENING All
Ages CLUB ROCK CLUB TSUNAMI CORNUCOPIA All Ages COUNTRY SIDE BAR & GRILL COUNTRYSIDE PiZZA & GRILL
COZMIC PIZZA@THE STRAND All
Ages THE CROW'S NEST All
Ages DIABLO'S DOWNTOWN LOUNGE EMBERS SUPPER CLUB GOOD TIMES JAXX THE JAZZ STATION JO FEDERIGO'S JOE'S BAR & GRILLE JOGGER'S BAR & GRILL
JOHN HENRY'S LAVELLE'S WINE BAR & BISTRO LUCKEY'S CLUB CIGAR LUNA MAC'S AT THE VET'S MCDONALD THEATRE MCSHANE'S BAR & GRILL MULLIGAN'S PUB O'DONNELL'S IRISH PUB OVERTIME GRILL PEABODY'S PERUGINO QUACKER'S RICK'S PUB ROCK 'N' RODEO
SAM BOND'S GARAGE SAM'S PLACE SAMURAI DUCK SPIRITS STACY'S COVERED BRIDGE TAP 'N' KEG TAYLOR'S BAR AND GRILL TINY TAVERN WETLANDS
WOW HALL All
Ages YUKON JACK'S
CORVALLIS BIG RIVER RESTAURANT BOMBS AWAY CAFE IOVINO'S RISTORANTE PLATINUM
karaoke TH: The Cooler, Countryside Pizza (River Rd.),
Da Houze, Duck Inn, Sam's Place
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
