Favorites @the Palace

Hillstomp is another group I try to see every time they come to town. This hard driving blues duo plays it like no other, like there's no tomorrow. Their repertoire starts with Robert Johnson back from the crossroads with a new sound and continues through delta blues greats like R.L. Burnside.

Hillstomp's loyal followers packed the Palace for their performance on Thursday, September 30, 2010.

Earlier, Timmy Arrowtop led his band, Birds Mile Home, on stage to open the event. I covered this band in a previous post, and mentioned then Timmy is one of my music heroes.

There is a set for each band in this post on flickr. 

Playing Favorites @the Hat

I'm working on a show titled Top Hat Women, which will open in the Top Hat on First Friday in November. Bonnie Paine of Elephant Revival will be in the show, as will the fiddle player. Elephant Revival is one of my all-time favorite bands, and I try to see them every time they visit Zootown. Their last visit was on Saturday, September 18, 2010.

Elephant Revival brought their friends, the Mile Markers,with them to play during the break. Here was another talented violin player teamed with an energetic guitar player/singer. Bright, original material added to the freshness.

Ragbirds will return to the Top Hat on Saturday, October 23. This drum combo joined my favorites list the first time I saw them. All drumming, all the time, free-wheeling, carefree, danceable drumming. Get with it at the Hat.

Whoa! I screwed this up in the original post. Po' Girl returns to the Hat next month on November 26. I apologize for getting the date wrong. This amazing outfit has built a local fan base with previous appearances here and at the Badlander. Don't miss this one. I will have an exhibit of my photography up in the Top Hat for the month of November. The members of Po' Girl will be able to see themselves in that show.  

Do I need to tell you there are sets for all these bands over on the flickr archive?

More Jazz, Please

Jazz, oh jazz, sweet jazz filled the airwaves of Oregon and Washington, coming from college stations everywhere, particularly Seattle and Portland. This wasn't an hour or two of jazz sandwiched with other genres and NPR news and talk; this was hours of uninterrupted jazz. I do believe I have found a deficiency in my Zootown paradise. 

I must mention two jazz programs on KBGA. Four hours begins at noon on Sundays with the Awful Truth about Jerry Lundegaard, followed by the Outside Edge at 2pm. That's the best block of jazz to be found on local radio. 

There are some promising developments on the live scene. Returning to winter hours, Jazz Martini Night at the Badlander now begins at 7:30 on Sundays, allowing us old fogies a chance to hear some jazz before our early bedtimes. The Missoula Winery is also offering performance by jazz combos at comfortable hours. I recently went there to photograph the Indulge Jazz Quintet. 

The Indulge Jazz Quintet at the Missoula Winery

Ed Stalling

Kevin Van Dort joins the Quintet to belt out a blues number.

A full set of Indulge Jazz Quintet can be found on the Flickr archive. 

Margi and the Smoking Jackets are rehearsing for a more active appearance schedule, which will include a performance at the UC, during the First Night Celebration.