|
We probably could have guessed that once September came, things would get busy in the clubs. Looking at the calendar, that's an understatement. There's even a final few festivals braving the cool breezes. Here's a look at a few of this month's quality choices.
The Bottletones at Capital Brewery, Sept. 8: At times, the Bottletones take the rocked-up retro-country theme to a campy extreme. But why should music be serious ALL the time? The Illinois group pulls off some mighty fine pickin'(rockabilly and surf) and hollerin' on their recent Sheriff of Bottletone County CD. And their pocket comb is still an integral part of my accessories.
Willy Street Festival: Williamson Street in Madison, Sept. 17: The true harbinger of autumn in Madison for those oblivious to Badger football (all dozen or so), Willy Street is viewed by many east siders as an alternate homecoming weekend. While the corridor's residential and commercial mix is getting gentrified, the music still ranges broadly into avant garde. Stroll between the "Rock" Stage for the Four Charms and the Culture Stage for Kweku Ananse two very different (yet equally enjoyable) forms of "jump" music.
The Paladins with the Rust Belt Boys at 29 Steps, Green Bay, Sept. 17: One of the longest-lived rockabilly/blues ensembles, the trio's fire is still fanned by guitarist David Gonzales. His energy-wringing solo on "Goin' Down To Big Mary's" performed in April at the Double Door in Chicago ranks in the top of my 2000 performances. Milwaukee's Rust Belt Boys are doing the fine tuning on their energetic Sun Rhythm Section-style percussion-less trio.
Anson Funderburgh & the Rockets featuring Sam Myers at the Club Tavern, Middleton: Sept. 17: Plano, Texas' gift to blues guitar, clean-cut Funderburgh slips in and out of leads with the grace of a Nureyev but can deliver a Nitschke-like hit in his solos. The chain-smoking Myers is his perfect match a distinguished vocalist and harmonicist with close to 50 years of blues history…which he can remember in amazing detail. Sam's storytelling between sets is almost as great as the definitive jump blues of the ensemble.
The Esquires at Mr. Park's Place, Milwaukee, Sept. 22: In the mid-1960s, cities like Detroit, Philadelphia, and Chicago had numerous high-stepping, soulful vocal groups. The Esquires were Milwaukee's contribution to the genre, charting nationally in '66 with "Get On Up." They stuck together long enough to release "Get On Up '76," then dissipated through the north side neighborhoods of the city. Now, almost 25 years later, they're back perhaps not as suave with the choreography, but still very capable of nailing knockout harmonies at their rare appearances.
Eddy Clearwater at Luther's Blues, Madison, Sept. 29-30: While the Dr. John show on the 15th will get the bulk of the attention (and will be a certain sell-out); the two-day Clearwater stint will be an important harbinger for the future. Will Clearwater's passionate energy (and occasional borrowed Chuck Berry licks) draw both days? As a blues fan, I'm hoping this major new venue will stimulate more interest across the region in blues making a bigger pie, as opposed to slicing the current pie into thinner slices.
Other kickin' shows: Harmony Bar's whole month including Austin harmonicist Gary Primich (9/22) and human rockabilly/country/gospel/blues jukebox Sleepy LaBeef (9/23); Ex-Rolling Stone Mick Taylor at the Up & Under in Milwaukee (9/20); country punk Hank Williams III at the First Avenue in Minneapolis (9/27) and Muldoon's in Green Bay (10/1); venerable blues pianist Aaron Moore & the Crowd Pleasers at the Rock Bottom in Milwaukee (9/30); and Cheese Days in Monroe with the Berghoff & Blues 2000 party at the Fairgrounds (9/15-16). |
