|
Of all the small-talk introductions I could start my column off with…
the topics lose relevance quickly. The warm autumn we've had? The election? By the time this is read, both will be old news for many. But music is always relevant…even if some performances wouldn't get many votes. Here's an assortment of shows that I'll nominate for this month…Beltway pundits be damned.
Southern Culture on the Skids with the 45s at the Annex, Madison, November 9: When the trio broke more than a decade ago, the campy trailer trash image of the group earned more than a few chuckles. But what's kept them intact has been a working-class appreciation of gritty rock -- from Hasil Adkins' Appalachian insanity to SoCal-style surf instrumentals to head-swaying R&B. Guitarist Rick Miller pulls off the magical transformations between these sub-genres, but it wouldn't be as easy without the fluid bass lines of Mary Huff and her rhythmic partner, drummer David Hartman.
Sista Monica at Luther's Blues, Madison, November 10: The West Coast has been more of a haven for jump blues combos, but Sista Monica is a vibrant exception. Her strength is in her range within the blues genre - from jazzy R&B tracks to deep Delta flashbacks and resonant gospel. She's also pretty potent on other classics, as evidenced in her punchy send-up of the Jackie Wilson gem "Baby Workout."
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials at the Angelic Brewery, Madison, November 10: The benefit to the earlier shows at Luther's is that it makes two (or three) show nights possible. Here's one to double up on. Behind Ed's crowd-rousing stage (and off-stage) enthusiasm is some of the tightest electric slide guitar work around. Again, bring your camera for shots
Nashville Fats at Jackson Street Station, Janesville, November 11: Blues has its legacy of preaching bluesmen -- like the late Rev. Gary Davis and Wisconsin's own talented Rev. Charlie Edmonds. Fats (Peter Thorpe) adeptly addresses that link with wry songwriting and multi-instrumental prowess. While there's still a gulf between the secular and religious performance camps, I'd expect him showing up at many blues festivals in future years.
Rosie Flores at Gil's Café, Milwaukee, November 12: Flores helped close out Gil Fest a couple months back, dueling guitar solos with legendary Sun artist Sonny Burgess. A solid performer with an excellent group backing her, Flores' brings more than a dose of the Bakersfield sound to stage -- along with the Wanda Jackson/Janice Martin heritage.
Silver Moon 11th Anniversary Party, Darien, November 16-19: Glenn Davis marks yet another year of blues in the cornfields east of Janesville. The corner roadhouse has established itself as more than just an anachronism -- it's been a unifying locus for blues musicians and fans across the state line area. From the great pizza to the house B-3 organ, it's done right without a hint of pretentiousness. Way to show folks it can be done, Glenn.
BR5-49 at Automatic Slim's, Neenah, November 18, and Shank Hall, Milwaukee, November 19: As down-to-earth as these guys are, it's tough to believe they have anything to do with Nashville country. Truth is that it's just where their mailing address is -- their home (and heart) is in the small-town western and hillbilly music from decades ago -- when all country needed was WSM radio, instead of cable TV -- to bring it into the homes of millions east of the Rockies.
Mighty Blue Kings at the Annex, November 22; and the Rave, Milwaukee, November 24: Through the band's many iterations, head Blue King Ross Bon has been able to assimilate new members and different arrangements without detouring far from the group's original jazzy jump blues ensemble sound. At last viewing, the group returned to a multi-horn lineup, keeping the coolness of the B-3 organ as counterbalance. This fall, they wrapped up their latest effort, a CD of holiday music certain to be a stocking stuffer throughout the Midwest this year.
Billy Boy Arnold w/ Mississippi Heat WORT 25th Anniversary Party at Luther's Blues, December 1: Arnold's lighter, lyrical touch on the harmonica is a link to his early mentor, the FIRST Sonny Boy Williamson John Lee Williamson who was killed in 1948. Chicago ensemble Mississippi Heat has an ever-changing lineup, but leader Pierre Lacocque -- also a talented harmonicist -- has an uncanny gift for finding "unknowns" and fostering their careers.
Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers at Luther's Blues, December 2; Witz End, Stevens Point, December 3; and Boyce's Irish Spring House, New Berlin, December 7: The exemplary roadhouse warrior, Thackery's cutting blues-rock guitar work and gruff vocals have blared through clubs for decades. Known for long (and loud) sets, the co-founder of the Nighthawks brought Lonnie Brooks, Joe Louis Walker, and Chubby Carrier to the studio for his most recent release, the variety-filled Switching Gears.
Dale Watson at Automatic Slim's, December 7, and the Club Tavern, Middleton, December 10: Watson is the tattooed icon for real and wanna-be truck drivers, current and former roadside restaurant waitresses, and everybody else who would rather get his coffee from the Dixie Trucker's Home than the Speedway or Amoco mini-mart. In keeping with the season, Watson will be hanging tinsel from the Kenworth grille -- in a "Honky-Tonk Christmas" performance.
Local spotlight: Jay Stulo: With all the talent coming to this state, it's been easy to overlook homegrown talent. Starting this issue, I'll work to correct that oversight featuring (at least) one artist each issue. Stulo has actually been doing a fair share of work out-of state -- from a spot at Mugzee's in Rochester, MN (11/11) to a weekend opening slot at Buddy Guy's Legends for Ronnie Baker Brooks (11/25). He'll be bringing his taut, driving blues guitar work to the Harmony in Madison 11/18. Stulo also co-hosts the Sunday jams at the Apple Pub in Appleton.
Other recommended shows: Beloved blues belter Shemekia Copeland at Luther's (11/15) and Shank Hall (11/21); Slaid Cleaves harmonizing at Gil's (11/16); a pre-Thanksgiving bash with Jonny Z & the Uptown Savages with Tim Cook & the Riverwesterners (Globe, Milwaukee, 11/22); and 30-W rockabilly from the Frantic Flattops (29 Steps, Green Bay, 12/6). |
