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Traditions trump trends this month, as good ol' blues and rockabilly form the bedrock for great shows. Artists such as drummers Willie "Big Eyes" Smith (Ike's Pub, April 24) and Sam Lay (UW Memorial Union, April 30); guitarist Eddie C. Campbell (Harmony Bar, May 1); harmonicist Gary Primich (three April shows in Wisconsin) and Howard & the White Boys (Crystal Corner, April 16) represent the range of blues on the table. Here's my big picks for the next few weeks.
Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang at the Silver Moon, Darien, April 17: Saxophonist Shaw is part of the father-son blues linkages from Chicago. His son, Vaan, plays with a distorted techno-power tone far more alternative than blues. But Vaan's technique is blues, and there's really no other musician to compare him with. Bassist Shorty Gilbert (like Eddie, a veteran of Howlin' Wolf's last bands) and drummer Tim Taylor (son of Chicago guitar legend Eddie Taylor) add even more links to the tradition.
Bryan Lee w/ the Zoot Suit Boogie Band at the Up & Under Pub, Milwaukee, April 23: Both performers are having noteworthy appearances at this show. For Two Rivers native Lee, he's heading back from a Canadian tour to New Orleans, where his reputation is cemented as a powerful, steady guitarist who doesn't get carried away with his talent; Lee even tutored a young Kenny Wayne Shepherd. Meanwhile, venerable Milwaukee bassist Rick Holmes will debut the first CD for a project he's leading - the rockabilly/R&B/blues blend of Zoot Suit. With both of these landmarks - in a club that's a landmark itself - this one's a sure bet.
Kim Lenz & Her Jaguars with Billy Bacon & the Forbidden Pigs and Hot Rod Lincoln at The First Avenue, Minneapolis, May 1: Best of the new - and not-so-new - rockabilly artists. Lenz is a versatile performer, walking the turf between Rose Maddox and Wanda Jackson. Hot Rod Lincoln proved themselves a few months back at a rough-and-tumble show backing Robert Gordon at Neenah's Automatic Slim's Bassist Bacon is the old-timer of this triad; he's led an evolving group of performers for more than a decade. If you can't make this date, though, catch HRL at Slim's on 4/30; and Bacon et al at Slim's 5/2, or at the Harmony in Madison 5/8.
"Ladies Sing The Blues": Bonnie Lee, Shirley Johnson, and Pat Scott with Willie Kent & the Gents at the Up & Under, May 8: Chicago Blues doesn't get better than this. Lee, Johnson, and Scott are all top vocalists; Lee's spellbinding vocals are standards by which others are judges. Backing these three divas is Willie Kent, himself a legendary bassist; with guitarist James Wheeler also stuffing the bill.
Coming Up: Here's early word on two dates to put in your schedule - NOW. A big three day blowout at Automatic Slim's May 6-8 includes Los Straightjackets, rockabilly legend Mac Stevens and The Derailers. Eat your heart out, Continental Club. Grammy Award-winning guitarist Otis Rush returns to the Up & Under on May 15, while Milwaukee's Sherman Park will host the return of Shermanfest June 13 and 14. Saturday will feature Eric Noden, Jim Liban with Stokes, Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials, Howard Scott & the World Band, with Little Milton headlining. Sunday's show includes Devil In A Woodpile, Terry Frank & Bone Deluxe, Aaron Moore & his Chicago band, Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang, and Willie Kent & the Gents with Bonnie Lee, Pat Scott, and a 3-piece horn section. I'll have a complete look at festivals in the region in our next issue. |
