Romping, Stomping & Swinging!

www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/romping_stomping_swinging/

Shawn Holt & The Teardrops at Sin City Soul & Blues Revival

Pete Anderson

Shawn Holt, Candye & Laura

www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/shawn_holt_candye_laura/
9-25-13

Jamborama Swings & Riverboat Returns

www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/jamborama_swings_riverboat_returns/
9-18-13

Great to see the remarkable Johnny Boyd from Indigo Swing again!
Look him up at www.johnnyboyd.com

Birchwood, OEAA Music Nominations announced and more

http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/birchwood_oeaas_more/

Lil Slim, Hullabaloo, Sin City

www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/lil_slim_hullabaloo_sin_city/

There is a great collection of videos from the Sin City Soul & Blues Revival in the playlist a the youtube link above!

9-4-13

PLAYING WITH FIRE 10th Anniversary!

New column is online here with details on PLAYING WITH FIRE 10th Anniversary!
http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/playing_with_fire/

ZOO BAR 40th Anniversary was an amazing time.

Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks on Wednesday....brilliant, searing, funny & soul-fortifying as always!

Here is a link to photos Omaha photographer Chip Duden shot at ZOO FEST.
Copyright Chip Duden 2013.

http://www.chipduden.com/Music/ZooFest-2013Walter-TroutDave/30414199_S5349v#!i=2620834314&k=k79MGq7

JON DEE GRAHAM TONIGHT, Wed. July 10, 6-9 p.m. Zoo Bar

A don't miss show from 

three-time Austin Music Hall of Fame inductee 

& co-founder of The True Believers 

(with Alejandro Escovedo) 

Jon Dee Graham & his band The Fighting Cocks!

Lincoln's Zoo Bar

Wednesday, July 10, 6-9 p.m.

 

Weekend, Zoo Bar Anniversary, Saturday Night's All Right, Jon Dee Graham.....Dave Alvin, James Harman, THE PALADINS....let's get with this!

....keep reading past last Thursday and Friday's predictions for fun to get to this week's stuff... and check the link to a Zoo Bar history piece I have written previously for THE READER and this blog site. The beat goes on and the story remains pertinent, though this year we celebrate without founder Larry Boehmer or Zoo mainstay Magic Slim.
0riginally written for The Reader on the 35th Anniversary and revised for the 38th Anniversary....so some of the entertainment references may be dated. Last published prior to Larry Boehmer's passing Sept. 4, 2012.
http://www.hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com/2011/07/everybodys-rockin-at-zoo-bar-by-b.html

The 21st Saloon had soul-blues man TERRY EVANS on Thursday, June 27, 5:30-8:30. Terry Evans has had his original songs covered by the likes of Pop Staples and was a vocalist for Ry Cooder in session and on tour for many years, Terry also worked as a session vocalist for artists like John Fogarty, Joan Armatrading, John Lee Hooker, Boz Scaggs, Maria Muldaur, Pops Staples and many other well respected artists... See www.terryevansmusic.com.
This was a wonderful show, Terry really focused on the songs, showcased his great vocal style and he and the band put down a chill, killer groove.
 
Friday, June 28, catch Kilborn Allley Blue Band and Honeyboy Turner Band for the FAC (5-8 p.m.) at Lincoln's Zoo Bar followed by the always fabulous Bel Airs... 

Playing with Fire's collaboration with The Bridge Beats series presents McGowan's Chair from Florida at Bridge Beats this evening, 7pm. No ticket required, just you, your friends, a blanket, lawn chair, cooler, beverage & bucks for the food truck, always a good price on good food. Lots of free parking too! www.bridgebeats.com


And there's a great Saturday night show with Travelling Mercies with the Betties and Moses Prey at The Sydney...
www.reverbnation.com/travellingmercies1

40 Sinners solo deal
at Dave & Busters, 2502 S 133rd Plaza, 8 p.m. Out on the patio, weather permitting.
Get a taste of 40 Sinners solo stuff with his other studio project at Reverbnation
www.reverbnation.com/bingoindians

Also Saturday, June 29, catch
International Blues Challenge Finalists
Ghost Town Blues Band, opening band Crimson Dawn are at Heartland Cafe, 2615 N. Main St., Elkhorn, old Downtown Elkhorn.
Doors open and dinner begins at 5:00pm. Music from 7:30pm - 10:30pm. Just a $5 cover. Heartland cafe has great live music all summer long, mostly blues/roots. See
www.heartlandcafe.net/events.html


...also Saturday night.... Hector Anchondo at Maloney's Irish Pub 1830 N. 72nd....
and Billy Bacon down at the Zoo Bar late with Blues Project early.
And BONNIE WHITMORE playing a special show at Barley Street Tavern Sunday, June 30, 6 p.m. You've seen her on tour and on Austin City Limits with Hayes Carll. Catch her solo show up close and personal at The Barley Street in Benson!

 

Bonnie Whitmore with Hayes Carll. She's plays a duo show with her fiddle player

at The Barley Street Tavern Sunday, June 30, 6 p.m.

 And Zoo Bar 40th Anniversary all next week (James Harman, the Paladins, Dave Alvin and more!)  see www.zoobarfestival.com

 here's a taste of Harman & The 44s with
special guest Kid Ramos (NOT at the Zoo Fest) on guitar
James Harman &  the 44s are 
indoors Wednesday, July 3, and outdoors on the big stage Thursday, July 4, 3 p.m.

  The Paladins -- I can't wait for their reunion set!
The Paladins turn it up on the big stage Friday, July 5, 9 p.m. with Junior Brown (7 p.m.) and Tinsley Ellis (5 p.m.)

Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones 

Dave Alvin & the Guilty Ones 

play Friday, July 6, 7 p.m. Also catch Walter Trout (5 p.m.) and Dirty Dozen Brass Band (9 p.m.)

 see www.zoobarfestival.com for details, 

dos and don'ts and other info. 

$10 Advance daily tickets and $25 advance 3 day pass. Admission will be $13 at the gate. 

Children under 12 in free with an adult.

Keep reading for a link to a historical overview of the Zoo I wrote previously and some shots of the Zoo's old posters, photos by Conrad Good.

Plus Omaha shows by James McMurtry & The Bottlerockets (Waiting Room Tuesday, July 2)  see www.sundayroadhouse.com
and Dick Dale coming too on July 11 (see http://www.waitingroomlounge.com/DickDale)

AND Playing With Fire July 12 and 13... 

Oh and Jon Dee Graham Wednesday, July 10, 6-9 p.m. at the Zoo... Jon Dee has a pre-order going for his upcoming studio disc DO NOT FORGET, see www.jondeegraham.com to help and see some of Jon Dee's bear illustrations.
Marcia Ball Tuesday July 9, 6-9 at the Zoo.... well well well...
if you like roots music, you're in the right place the next couple of weeks!
Dang. Let's get this party started! 
IT REALLY IS A BIG SWEET LIFE!

Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks on the stage

at their home base, Austin's Continental Club.

Onstage at Lincoln's Zoo Bar Wednesday, July 10, 6-9 p.m.

video by Stephen Ames

Read about the great history of Lincoln's Zoo Bar and all the contributions Larry made to the music & the musicians in truly keeping the Blues Alive!....Below is the link to a revamped History of The Zoo I originally wrote for The Reader on the 35th Anniversary and revised for the 38th Anniversary. Last published prior to Larry Boehmer's passing Sept. 4, 2012.
http://www.hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com/2011/07/everybodys-rockin-at-zoo-bar-by-b.html

 ***

Below are some shots of the old
Zoo Bar posters plastered on the bar walls
40 years of live roots music.
Thank you to the late Larry Boehmer for building Lincoln's original home of the blues. 

Photos by Conrad Good. 

  Zoo interior photos by Conrad Good. 

 Copyright 2008-2013. No reuse without permission.

"Thank ya, Babies!"

May Day, Zoo Bar, JD McPherson

Well, I am sorry for the sporadic way that I update this blog space, or don't -- however I did think that the Gurf Morlix review was a cool thing to leave up as the latest post for a while. Gurf will be in Omaha for a Sunday Roadhouse show on Tuesday (yes, yes, I know) May 14 show at the Side Door Lounge, doors at 6:30, show at 7:30. Gurf's latest disc FINDS THE PRESENT TENSE is haunting, good stuff. Come see his live show. See sundayroadhouse.com.

Meanwhile, the Zoo Bar has announced their 40th Anniversary schedule for the outdoor stage July 4, 5 and 6. Four words. Dave Alvin. The Paladins.
Yes!
Here's the whole schedule for the outdoor stage.
Thursday July 4th
1:00 PM: Lloyd McCarter and The Honky Tonk Revival
3:00 PM: Tijuana Gigolos
5:00 PM: John Primer
7:00 PM: Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience
9:00 PM: Josh Hoyer & The Shadowboxers
11:00 PM: Universe Contest

Friday July 5th
3:00 PM: The Mezcal Brothers
5:00 PM: Tinsely Ellis
7:00 PM: Junior Brown
9:00 PM The Paladins
11:00 PM: The Self-Righteous Brothers

Saturday July 6th
3:00 PM: Freakabout!
5:00 PM: Walter Trout
7:00 PM: DaveAlvin & The Guilty Ones
9:00 PM: The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
11:00 PM: Sidewalk Chalk
See zoobarfestival.com for more details. Ruthie Foster was just announced to be playing in the club on Monday, July 1. There will be multiple bands indoors July 1, 2 and 3. 

J.D. McPherson with Jimmy Sutton who produced his most recent disc.

Friends who know highly recommend J.D. McPherson at the Bourbon Theatre on Friday night, May 3. Mezcal Brothers and The Black Lilies open. 
Check bourbontheatre.com/2013/04/03/jd-mcpherson

 more J.D. McPherson

I've had some musical experiences lately that have reminded me of all the great times I've seen great bands in great clubs and danced all night...the happiest of happy....through the years.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to still search out the music that moves me... and to share it with others.
Speaking of music fans, MarQ Manner throws himself a 40th Birthday Party at Waiting Room on Friday, July 3 -- gonna be a great night of music. Find the details on Facebook at  MarQ is finally 40

Here's this week's READER column... 
remember what matters to you and don't ever let go of that.
 www.thereader.com/index.php/comments/zoo_bar_turns_40/ 

Zoo Bar Turns 40

by B.J. Huchtemann

Lincoln’s Zoo Bar celebrates 40 years as a live roots music mecca this year. The official 40th Anniversary events are July 1-6, with three nights of multi-band shows inside the club Monday through Wednesday, July 1-3. Grammy nominee Ruthie Foster plays the club Monday, July 1, to kick things off. Other indoor performances include Bernie Worrell Orchestra (July 2), the Bel Airs and John Nemeth Band (July 3).
The music takes to the streets July 4, 5 and 6. Highlights include John Primer and Terrance Simien (Thursday, July 4), Tinsley Ellis, Junior Brown and The Paladins (Friday, July 5), and Walter Trout, Dave Alvin & The Guilty Ones, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band and Sidewalk Chalk (Saturday, July 6). A number of local bands that are audience favorites will also perform. See zoobarfestival.com for the current schedule and breaking additions.

J.D. McPherson
Rockabilly, roots and R&B fans need to check out J.D. McPherson at Lincoln’s Bourbon Theatre Friday, May 3. Opening are The Black Lilies and Mezcal Brothers. McPherson’s most recent disc, Signs and Signifiers (Rounder), was produced by Chicago’s Jimmy Sutton in his all-analog Hi-Style home studio. The sound is old-school, primal, slammin’  rock. See jdmcpherson.com and bourbontheatre.com.

In press materials McPherson prefers not to be pigeonholed: “What is retro?...With the recurring interest in soul or even R&B, there seems to be a line most artists won’t cross—that line into the world of the swinging, visceral abandon of real rock ‘n’ roll.”

MarQ’s 40th Birthday
Local music scene mainstay MarQ Manner celebrates his 40th birthday with a special show at Waiting Room Friday, May 3, 8 p.m. Proceeds go to Angels Among Us, a cancer charity, in memory of his father who died of cancer last year. Performing are Matt Banta, Pat Gehrman and Michael Campbell in an acoustic song swap followed by Witness Tree, The 9’s, Whipkey Three, The Seen and Bennie & the Gents.

Hot Notes
KIOS 91.5 FM airs a two-hour documentary on Jim Hendrix “The Jimi You Never Knew” Sunday, May 5, 7 p.m. See kios.org for details.
Chicago’s Steepwater Band plays The 21st Saloon Thursday, May 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m. They gig Saturday, May 4, 6-9 p.m. at Lincoln’s Zoo Bar. Lil’ Slim plays the Zoo Wednesday, May 8, 6 p.m.
12-year-old classical-turned-rock female guitarist and songwriter Jaden Carlson sits in with the Zoo Bar House Band Monday, May 6, and gigs at Barley Street Tavern Tuesday, May 7. See jadensound.com.

  
 

Gurf Morlix's New CD & Gurf in Omaha in May

CD Review: 

Gurf Morlix Finds The Present Tense

note: there are some formatting issues going on here that I haven't figured out...and the videos are not showing up in every browser.

by B.J. Huchtemann    

There’s blood in the water and he’s put gasoline on the fire. Gurf Morlix serves up a moody, evocative collection of songs with the March release of Gurf Morlix Finds The Present Tense. 

“I’m tryin’ to find the pattern / Tryin’ to make some sense / Feelin’ heavy vibrations / I find the present tense.”

Austin-based Morlix is introspective and aching, restless and somehow hopeful in these songs. The tone of the disc is often dark and mournful, despairing and confessional, but Morlix makes serious beauty from the mess and finds some glimmers of hope, as he sings on “Small Window:"

“I have thoughts I gotta rise above

but everything I did I did for love

It’s a small window I’m lookin’ through

It ain’t much of view 

I don’t belong here

I believe that’s true

It’s a small window I’m lookin’ through

but sometimes I think I can see you.”

The opening track sets up a story of a man in prison and the dead man walking: “I ain’t got no life / It’s already been taken.” The character might be real, might be a metaphor for the plight of the protagonist in these songs: the man looking through the small window, but the man who might yet find a way out.

Despite the word present in the title, the songs seem to shift between reality and dreams or even nightmares, between yesterday and what might be today. Morlix seems to be exploring the shifting perceptions of reality and what we do and do not know about ourselves and our lovers. Check out “Series of Closin’ Doors.” 

Likewise “Lookin’ for You” has lyrics that leave the listener to decide if the person at the center of the song is looking back, looking for someone he’s lost, or looking forward, looking for someone he hopes exists. The sexy, edgy sound of the track is as darkly seductive as the lyrics and to add to the ambiguity, it’s never quite clear if the lyric is “There’s nothing I CAN do” or “nothing I can’t do...” Either way, the person is driven by forces that seem beyond his control.

“Everything seems normal

Til you scratch away the film

First layer goes

And the blood begins to spill

Red stain spreadin’

Like a wild fire 

My world’s crumblin’

With burnin’ desire

You know I like it

Dark and hot,

Torn and twisted

Tied in a knot

You’ve got the slant

You’ve got the skew

You know I want it

There’s nothing I can’t do

‘Keep looking for you.” 

Gurf Morlix sings "Lookin' for You"

The arrangements are spare and shadowy, some with a late-night vibe like “These Are My Blues.” A personal favorite, this tune shimmers with echoing harmonica moans and wails, edgy percussion riffs, and is laced with deft B3 organ work and occasional fiddle. 

Musical guests on the CD include three different B3 organ players, notably Ian McLagen, and the wonderful Eliza Gilkyson on harmonies.

Morlix’s literate, intelligent and perceptive lyrics, excellent guitar work and rugged, soulful vocals all make his work well worth seeking out. See gurfmorlix.com or iTunes for Gurf Morlix Finds the Present Tense (Rootball Records). 

Morlix is set to apper in Omaha at Dean Dobmeier’s and Gary Grobeck’s Sunday Roadhouse on Tuesday, May 14, 7:30 p.m. See "Upcoming Shows" at sundayroadhouse.com.

The disc closes with “Empty Cup,” a co-write with Grant Peeples. The track is another personal favorite. Though not exactly hopeful, it is a commanding, haunting portrait of being caught inside the throes of unrequited love. Florida songwriter Peeples is one of my own personal discoveries of 2012. His version of the song appears on his 2011 Morlix-produced disc Okra & Ecclesiastes. 

Here's Grant Peeples performing "Empty Cup" 

Morlix also produced Peeples’ 2012 CD Prior Convictions. The two are scheduled to work on their third project for Peeples this fall. A Peeples’ sidebar, Grant has a brand new book of poetry and  companion CD now available, “Grant’s Little Read Book of Poetry.” See grantpeeples.com to get this new release or any of Peeples’ fine work. (grantpeeples.com/shop/)

Morlix and Peeples are both highly recommended!

Gurf’s last personal project was Blaze Foley’s 113th Wet Dream, a recording of his late friend Blaze Foley’s tunes, followed by a tour with filmmaker Kevin Triplett. The tour, which stopped in Omaha as part of Dean Dobmeier’s and Gary Grobeck’s Sunday Roadhouse series, included a screening of an abbreviated version of Triplett’s funny and touching film Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah (2011). See blazefoleymovie.com. 

movie trailer: Blaze Foley: Duct Tape Messiah

Foley’s romantic and inspiring song “If I Could Only Fly” was made famous by Merle Haggard and has been recorded by many artists, and his songs have been recorded by other notable musicians including Lyle Lovett, John Prine and Willie Nelson. You can find a good variety of videos from Morlix on this tour covering Foley’s songs on Youtube. Here are a couple of links:

Gurf Morlix sings Blaze Foley's songs

Bang, Bang, Bang on Present Tense reprises Foley’s tragic story, shot by a neighbor, while commenting on our current “gun carrying fools” culture. 

Gurf sings Bang, Bang, Bang

Morlix’s career includes 11 years as Lucinda Williams’ guitarist and bandleader. Morlix was the producer for her self-titled Lucinda Williams and 1992’s Sweet Old World. He’s since produced a number of other artists including four albums for Ray Wylie Hubbard as well as working with Tom Russell, Butch Hancock and Hot Club of Cowtown. 

Magic Slim Remembered

The Lincoln music community & Zoo Bar family laid to rest another patriarch on Saturday, March 2, with funeral services in Lincoln.

My new column is online here -Remembering Magic Slim http://www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/world_remembers_ magic_slim

Plus Joshua R Hoyer did a lovely remembrance of Magic Slim and his significance to the Zoo Bar family and the world-wide blues family that is this week's READER cover story!
http://www.thereader.com/comments/remembering_magic_slim/
The Reader | Omaha, Nebraska | World Remembers Magic Slim

From the Zoo Bar's Facebook events: Mark your calendars for this celebration event at The Zoo Bar (Lincoln NE) MAGIC SLIM CELEBRATION OF LIFE! Sunday, March 31. 3pm til who knows?! https://m.facebook.com/events/276314772499047/?context=create
MAGIC SLIM CELEBRATION OF LIFE! Sunday, March 31! Details Join Lil' Slim Blues Band, Bel Airs, Tijuana Gigolos, The ZOO Bar House Band and more in celebrating the life of our dear friend, Morris Holt aka MAGIC SLIM! All proceeds will go to the Holt family!

There will also be a Celebration for Magic in Chicago the night of March 28 at The Main Stage. Start time and artists TBA-but there is talk of headliners to include Billy Branch, Eddie Clearwater, Lonnie Brooks and Lil Slim with The Teardrops. These events are coordinated as such so people can attend both!

National Blues Museum in St. Louis critical fundraising campaign

I had a brief conversation with Devon Allman last night at the Royal Southern Brotherhood show about fundraising / donations needed for the proposed National Blues Museum in St Louis (a separate entity from the Blues Hall of Fame that the Blues Foundation is working on)...the National Blues Museum needs to gather significant donations by April 1st in order to qualify for a significant multi-million dollar donation. This is a really critical thing for the future of the museum. Spread the word. Donate if you can. Devon is on the board and trying to help get the word out, asking folks to share & reshare the info & the critical timeline. For details, drawings, photos & plans for the museum see www.nationalbluesmuseum.org/

This week's Reader column is online here with shows including Will Sexton & Shannon McNally at the Side Door Lounge Feb 17, 5 pm (see www.sundayroadhouse.com)...OEA Awards ceremony at the Omaha Hilton Sunday Feb 17 at 7 pm...North Mississippi Allstars at Waiting Room on Wednesday...Runny Nose Pete at Gator O'Malley's Thursday and the great, one-and-only, musical-spiritual force of nature Mavis Staples at Lincoln's Bourbon Theatre Friday Feb 22 with special guest Pieta Brown.

www.thereader.com/index.php/site/comments/love_live_music/

Remembering Gary Flanagan

LEFT: Gary Flanagan and Sarah Benck. Photo by Brian Nelson from Gary's Facebook page.

TOP RIGHT: Hadden Sayers, photographed by Gary Flanagan.

I haven't had time to sort out my thoughts further but wanted to post something here on the blog about the passing of my friend Gary Flanagan.

Gary was an amazing supporter of the Omaha Music Scene. Gary passed away a week ago of an apparent heart attack. In a wonderful gesture that continues Gary's support of the Omaha Music Scene, the family has requested Memorials for Gary are suggested to HEAR Nebraska and Omaha Girls Rock.

I remember first seeing him at Sarah Benck shows, and asking Sarah if he was a relative, as he was always there, always knew all the words, always got up close to the stage. At the reception and musical celebration of his life, easily attended by 25 to 30 of Omaha's finest singer-songwriters, everyone said the same thing. "Gary came to all my shows, knew all the words, sat in the front...Gary came to more shows than my parents did...Gary encouraged me to learn something new, to push myself..."

I used to joke that Gary saw more shows than I did, as he was always out, hitting several shows a week and a huge friend to and supporter of our fine local musicians. I used to often sit with him and Mark Sebring at shows, I regret I will never get to share a show with Gary again. The last time I saw him was at the Hadden Sayers show at The 21st Saloon, where he was taking pics with the camera he had inherited from his sister. He had a hard time with the passing of both his sister and his dad in recent years, but he loved taking his sister's camera to shows and on trips. We talked that night about all the hundreds of pictures he still had to pull off the camera, recent family trips, more music pictures.

Two weeks later he was gone. I'm still stunned. The Omaha music scene and Omaha's musicians have lost a dedicated, discerning & kind music enthusiast & friend.....and I know I have lost a good friend too.

Please keep Gary's wife and family in your prayers. As much as all his music family miss him, I know they are hurting so much more. 

Cass Brostad was one local artist Gary loved who summed his impact up really well "Gary Flanagan. You've seen every one of my bands play. You sat in the front row of shows. You came to shows when no one else would. You remembered the names of songs. And requested them. You let me call you Flash Flanagan. For years You were always smiling. You were always the nicest guy in a room full of hooligans. And we all love you. You are absolutely irreplaceable in every way. And I'm going to miss your face. Very very much. - Fidel Casstro. (Cass Brostad)."

Hear Nebraska has also posted a few remembrances of Gary, including my Facebook post and a note from our mutual friend Mark Sebring, the three of us often sat together at shows by our favorite artists. I know we both will miss him, his company, his enthusiasm for music and his friendship.
http://hearnebraska.org/content/gary-flanagan-1957-to-2013-final-thoughts