Marcia Ball - Wicked Boogie Woogie

Professor Long Hair would be proud. That's just what I told Marcia Ball when she was signing a CD for me last Saturday night after a "Blues Women" concert at the Schnitzer Center in Portland. This woman certainly knows how to boogie. Check out her MySpace profile. Ball doesn't tickle the ivories, she beats them into soulfull submission in an energetic display that is perfect for the stage. Ball's repertoire, from Blues to Boogie Woogie and Honky Tonk, includes a lot of original material and spirited covers of old and new standards. I've been a big fan for years. More on Ball's concert co-stars in a future post. But for now, check out her video below for a dose.

Latin Rhythms Playlist on VodPod

VodPod is a net-based video collection site with some cool widgets. I use one in the sidebar of this blog to enable readers to watch and listen to some of my favorite Flamenco and Fado artists. Today, I'm posting this note so that I can play with a new VodPod configuration in the body of my post. I've selected some tunes and artists from my "Latin Rhythms" playlist, one of several Spanish-language playlists on my personal iPOD. I've posted before about Alt. Mexican music, here. And about Mexican/American Diva Lila Downs, here. This VodPod collection contains a variety of musicians, tunes and styles. Enjoy. And let me know if any of your personal favorites belong on my list.


get your vodpod

Robben Ford Starts it Up

Robben Ford at Portland's Aladdin Theater. What a show last Tuesday night. The Author's current guitar favorite, Ford did not disappoint. He blazed through a long set with bass and drums providing the low-end and rhythms required to support his stratospheric, highly technical licks. This guy can do it all. That's why Muscian's Magazine named him one of the best guitarists of the 20th century.

Ford got his first professional gig at 18, and since then he's backed up Charlie Musclewhite, Jimmy Witherspoon, George Harrison and Joni Mitchell. He was a founding member of the Yellowjackets, marking his side-trip into jazz fusion. He's played with Miles, and more recently toured with Larry Carlton. I saw that paring at the Britt Festival a couple of seasons ago and was seriously impressed. Read an interview with Robben Ford here.

The Rose City's Aladdin Theatre is an old-fashioned small venue. About 600 seats, no reservations. They serve beer, wine and lots of pizza. The audience often gets good and tight. Altogether perfect for the Robben Ford Blues Band, including Larry Carlton's son Travis on bass. Here's a couple of vids from previous concerts. Enjoy.




Playing Blues standard "Worried Life" as well as anybody can...