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The Whistler
An exclusive column by Ed Sharlet
March 7, 2005 |
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The Week about
Town
On Friday,
Feb 25, the King Perkoff group was at McMenamins. King plays a mean,
soulful R&B sax, and he and his group were in great form, doing fresh,
alive versions of both well-known and more obscure numbers. King
played a beautiful rendition of Sam Cooke's "A change is Gonna Come"
on his Sopranino Sax, a horn even higher than the Soprano.
I talked to King during a break about the whistling I do, and he
suggested we do Dock of the Bay together. So towards the end of the
next set, he signaled me to come up, and he had me do two verses to
lead into the vocal. They enjoyed it as much as I did.
Last Saturday night at
the Domino Room - Regeneration Celebration - the place was alive with
good vibrations all night from Coyo, Hearing Voices, and Tropicante;
as well as from C3, a trio of drums. Coyo was just radiating energy
from their instruments: drums, percussion, flutes and guitar were so
free in their moving together that you good hear the inner harmony
coming through each of those musical vessels.
Hearing Voices brought a kindred spirit to the room, blending marimba
and percussion in a joyful noise that drew everyone to dance and move.
And without a drop in the energy level, Tropicante came together,
moving from one rhythmic mood to another to the delight of the dancing
crowd. Val Jones' vocals were full her own beautiful energy. Jim
Cajacob, Tropicante's leader, called for a jam with the other
musicians present, and we did a playful take on "The Peanut Vendor."
I think everyone came away from the Domino Room "re-energenerated!"
Another beautiful night with Lindy Gravelle at Barcelona. Lindy was at
the top of her game Tuesday night; so playful and yet so soulful in
her singing and keyboard playing. The crowd was so attentive, too. She
and I did Georgia on my Mind, and Spanish Rain - a beautiful
instrumental written by Lindy.
Wednesday night, the Domino Room was shakin' again with Smokin' Joe
Kubek and his high energy blues band. That was a real treat. But the
night was still young, so we went over to McMenamins to catch some of
Sonny Hess and her brand of blues. It was her on guitar and vocals and
her bass player Lisa, also doing vocals. We were glad we went because
these two put out some great versions of their own on well-known
tunes, and some real good originals, too.
During the break, I was telling them I enjoyed them so much, and I
mentioned that I love to whistle the blues. They kind of looked at me
puzzled, so I whistled a little to them, and they saw what I meant.
They invited me to sit in on a tune, one of their originals, and we
had a great time playing together.
Thursday night was another good show with David Triggs at Cafe
Bellisimo, as well as Saturday with Allan Byer. The more I play with
them, the better it gets.
After Allan and I were through Saturday, I went over to Timbers East
to catch some of Roadhouse playing there. Dan and Gary were in great
form, as was Georgia sitting in on vocals. Dan said I should join in
on Little Wing, a tune I love, and I love the way Dan and the band
play it. That was really great.
Sunday night I went to the acoustic open mic that Dan Chavers runs at
Grovers. It was a good night; David Rivers was there from Bad
Influence, Ben from Num, and all of Back from the Dead: Dave, Ted and
John. Besides some solo improvisations, I sat in with these Dead on
I'll be Your Baby Tonight.
See you next week.
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Ed with Lindy Gravelle at Barcelona
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