Click Here! Contents News Views A&E Calendar Movies Music Classifieds Personals Archive Contact EW Restaurants

THIS WEEK AT THE CLUBS:   Acoustic Syndicate Having just complete their third record, Crazy Little LIfe produced by Grammy-winner Bill VornDick, Acoustic Syndicate is touring with a vengence. The North Carolina band combines bluegrass, funk, jazz and reggae to make their music. THURSDAY, TAYLOR'S.   JC Rico A rhythm and blues staple here in Eugene, JC Rico performs this week at the Black Forest. The title of the show is "Maximus" so we figure he's either dressing up in Ancient Roman garb, or he's just going to play his heart out. SATURDAY, BLACK FOREST.   Melissa Ferrick Though currently residing on the East Coast, Ferrick lived in West Hollywood for seven years. The 30 year old acoustic rocker was recently picked up by Ani DiFranco's booking agent, so catch her at small venues while you can. SATURDAY, SAM BOND'S. CLICK HERE FOR CLUBS LISTINGS Tight and Tasteful New CDs for Latarski and Phelps. By Dave Gingold   Don Latarski and Rue de Blues CD release is Saturday at the Wild Duck. .   Don Latarski and his compatriots in Rue de Blues have put out a third CD, the live Eden Hall Sessions and will launch it with a CD release party at the Wild Duck June 30th. Singer Deb Cleveland will join the band for the show. The record takes its name from Eden Hall, the club in Gleneden Beach on the Oregon Coast, where the band laid down the tracks over two nights of performing last November. The music here is the type of tight and tasteful work the band is known for. Vocalist Marilyn Keller appears on a couple of tracks, but otherwise it's straight instrumental work, with Matt Shevitz's sax work shining, Devin Sanders adding a lot of color with his Hammond organ, and Jason Palmer keeping things moving on the drums. They even give Palmer some on "Zha, Zha Gabong." Latarski is not only an accomplished guitarist and composer of many styles -- listen to the feeling he puts into the bittersweet 6/8-er "Nonpareil Blues -- he's also a music educator and has written an impressive number of music theory books, which are sold in stores, including a large Warner Brothers music store I visited in New York City recently, and through Latarski's website. Acoustic bluesman Kelly Joe Phelps will be out at the Dexter Lake Music Festival at 1:30 pm Sunday, July 1st. Due out in July is Phelps's fourth CD, Sky Like a Broken Clock. After doing his first three with just his solo guitar and vocals, this record finds Phelps working with Morphine's drummer Billy Conway and Tom Waits's upright bass player Larry Taylor. Another development is that Phelps puts down the slide he's known for and here fingerpicks his way through the guitar work, with fingers on frets. To call the record atmospheric understates the case. It's more like a frightening ride from horror to transcendence where Phelps' soulful vocals seem to pour out of a steaming boxcar, and his often brilliant lyrics land like handfuls of dirt on a pine casket lid. Phelps and his rhythm section not only had not played together before this recording, they'd never even met. They spent three days recording live together as a group in the studio, using only first or second takes of the tunes, with Phelps doing his guitar and vocals together with no overdubs. And the retro technique pays off, as the recording has a spark and immediacy usually dampened by the modern recording approach. Phelps loses none of his power where he plays without his sidemen ("Tommy"), in fact, he might even gain some. You can catch Phelps at the end of the month as well, playing up at the Portland Zoo. This Week: Freedom Funk Ensemble does its thing at Sam Bond's the 23rd. The Eugene Folklore Society will have a CD release celebration for their Good Stuff collection the 24th at Sam Bond's, with The Leftovers, The Tracys, Los Nuestro, Old Time News and Sweetgrass performing. Acoustic Syndicate is at Taylor's the 28th. This quartet contains the two brothers and one cousin McMurry, who've been harmonizing together since the three were tots back in North Carolina. They describe their take on newgrass as "Explosive Acoustic Americana." Their banjo, mandolin and dobro-laced acoustic music has had them sharing stages with a host of big names, from Willie Nelson to Maceo Parker. And the 29th brings to Taylor's the exploratory groove of Chicago's Umphreys McGee. They sent along a bunch of live CDs, and it's very interesting stuff. The rock and roll of The Idle Rich is at Chez Ray's the 29th, as well. The contagiously funky, horn-driven sounds of Portland's Citizen Lane are at Cafe Paradiso the 30th. Keller Williams makes the Dexter Lake Music Festival the 30th and 1st, as do The Yonder Mountain String Band, Vinyl, The Slip, Umphreys McGee and Darol Anger. And, like you didn't know, Phil Lesh & Friends will be at the Cuthbert the 3rd. The current crop of friends includes Allman Brother and Government Mule-er guitarist Warren Haynes and Bruce Hornsby and The Other Ones drummer John Molo. Dead Man Talking Lesh on liver, living and of course, the music. By Aria Seligmann   Phil Lesh and friends play the Cuthbert July 3. .   Phil Lesh was excited, having just completed a blood drive at the Red Cross in L.A. "A weekday is not a notoriously great time, but we got 100 people to come in," he says. Giving blood is one of Lesh's latest causes, first of all, he says, because there's always a shortage of blood, especially this time of year, but also because he's been a recipient of donated blood twice, before his liver transplant. That liver transplant, necessitated by his contracting hepatitis C, has given momentum to one of his other latest causes, urging people to be organ donors. "Without organ donors I wouldn't be here," says Lesh. He urges everyone to become one and to tell their families that's what they want because it's the families who make the decisions. Phil is feeling great these days. The virus is dormant. "I still have hepatitis C but I'm doing really well," he says. "I just had all my tests done and they're recommending I don't need another biopsy for three years." Getting the word out about organ donors and attending blood drives, he says, is also a chance "to meet people in the community that have been supporting the Grateful Dead and everyone in it for years and years." Speaking of the Dead, the big buzz, of course, is that Lesh and Bobby Weir played together a few weeks ago. Phil and Friends were rehearsing for a show at Sweetwater, a tiny club down in Mill Valley, and he invited Bobby to come to the rehearsal. Rat Dog will be playing at a few shows on the tour. "I thought it'd be weird if we did shows together with both bands and we hadn't played together," says Lesh. "I invited him to come down during a rehearsal to teach us some of his songs. Then we decided to do a stealth gig in front of the public." Phil and Friends performed under the name Crusader Rabbit Stealth Band, with Weir filling in for Warren Haynes, who only came out during the encore. "It felt really good to play with him. I love Bobby and have for 36 years. I love his playing and it felt really natural to be playing with him again," says Lesh. Weir won't be playing with Lesh when he comes to Eugene on July 3, however. The Friends will consist of guitarists Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring, drummer John Molo and keyboardist Rob Barraco. Warren Haynes will open with a solo, acoustic show. Eugene is the only Oregon stop on the upcoming tour. "I really like the Cuthbert," says Lesh. "I had a really, really great time there in '99 with the Summer Sessions tour. I said then I'd like to come back." Beyond the boundaries of the Cuthbert Amphitheatre, Lesh considers Eugene to be a "hotbed of a great Deadhead community and stunningly good vibes. I just want to come and tap into that," he says. "It always elevates the music." Lesh has written some new songs with former Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter and he's a classically trained musician. While he offers the fans his new tunes, he insists he doesn't feel pressure to play Dead tunes, but in fact, wants to continue playing that music. "I will always play Grateful Dead stuff. It's the backbone; the fundamental repertoire that I want to play. The music wants to happen. It wants to live and be performed," he says. At the same time, Lesh says he's encouraging everyone in the band to contribute material. "We use Grateful Dead music as a springboard to travel to new realms," he says. Some of those new realms for Lesh include the desire to write orchestral music and even an opera one day. In the meantime, he wants to keep the current band going. "The music keeps wanting to continue. To manifest it is part of my duty, really. I believe that's one of the reasons I was spared." Adam's Place 30 E. Broadway * 344-6948 Thu: Gus Russell-5:15, Jazz Fri: Mike Denny Trio-8:30, Jazz Sat: Andrea Niemiec Duo--8:30, Jazz Ambrosia 174 E. Broadway. * 342-4141 Barnes & Noble 1163 Valley River Dr. * 687-0356 Bacari Restaurant 1210 Willamette * 343-8404 Beanery 152 W. 5th * 342-3378 Beanery 2465 Hilyard * 344-0221 Black Forest 50 E. 11th * 344-0816 Thu: U-GeneBand, John Barley--9:30 Fri: Roy G. Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Relics Sat: JC Rico's "Maximus"--9:30, R&B Su: Open Mic--9:30 Bliss Steak Ranch 2891 W. 11th * 484-6657 Borders 5 Oakway Center * 345-6072 The Brickhouse 4136 4th St. Spfd. * 988-1612 Thu: Karaoke--8 Fri: DJ Ron--8:30, House, Hip-hop, Techno Sat: DJ Ron--8:30, House, Hip-hop, Techno Mo: Karaoke--8 Tu: Karaoke--8 Buzz Coffeehouse EMU, UO * 346-3725 Cafe Paradiso AA NS 115 W. Broadway * 484-9933 Thu: Ashley Raines--8:30, Solo Acoustic Fri: Roto Squirrel--8:30 Sat: Citizen Lane--8:30, Funk Mo: Ashley Raines--8:30, Solo Acoustic Tu: Open MIc--8:30, Acoustic Chantrelle's 5th & Pearl * 484-4065 Thu: Dave O'Toole--9:30, Jamorama Fri: Free Jazz Menagerie--9:30, Jazz Sat: Free Jazz Menagerie--9:30, Jazz Tu: Blues Jam w/ Byron Case--9:30 Chez Ray 44 W. 10th * 344-1530 Fri: Cynthia Rae--7:30, Jazz; Idle Rich--10, Rock Sat: Stone Cold Jazz--9:30, Jazz Diablo's 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Thu: DJs Jon Smith and D-Rock--9, Hip-hop Fri: DJs Tremor & D-Rock--9, Hip-hop & R&B Sat: DJs Don, Won & Anmar--9, House Doc's Pad 165 W. 11th * 683-8101 Thu: DJ Tekneek--9, Hip-hop Fri: What Your Mama Warned You About--10, Rock & Funk Sat: DJ--9, House & Techno Double Tree Hotel I-5 & Beltline * 726-8181 Downtown Lounge 959 Pearl * 683-3855 Duck Inn 1795 W. 6th * 342-5729 Embers Supper Club 1811 Hwy. 99 N. * 688-6564 Fri: Michael Anderson Trio--9, Country Sat: Michael Anderson Trio--9, Country Fathoms 790 East 14th * 344-4471 Fifth St. Public Mkt. 5th & High * no phone Fool's Paradise 460 Willamette * 338-9733 Foolscap 780 Blair Blvd. * 681-9212 Foxfire 4740 Main, Spfd * 747-7900 Thu: Forrest T. Black--9, Rock Fri: Mr. Wizard--9, Rock Sat: Mr. Wizard--9, Rock Su: Karaoke--7:30 Gilligan's 990 Oak St. * 342-2659 Fri: DJ Syntax--9, House Hip-hop Groucho's 100 E. Broadway * 484-1747 Thu: All-Pro Blues Jam hosted by Nicolette Helm--9 Fri: DJ Mario Mora--10, Salsa & Merengue We: DJ Mario Mora--7, Salsa & Cumbia Hagen's 50 E. 11th * 343-8108 Hilton Lobby 66 E. 6th * 342-2000 Sat: Mike Denny Duo--9, Jazz Hollywood Taxi 535 Main, Spfd * 747-0307 Fri: Ozone Baby--9 Sat: Ozone Baby--9 Hungry Duck 30 Country Club Rd * 484-6963 Sat: Miles Ahead--8, Jazz Jakes Restaurant 605 W. 19th * 431-0513 Sat: The Electric Flies--6, Rock Jim's Landing 303 Main St. Spfd * 726-7570 Jo Federigo's 259 E 5th * 343-8488 Thu: Jo Fed's Jazz Jam--9:30 Fri: Brian Breach Quartet--9:30, Jazz Sat: Gus Russell Quartet--9, Jazz Su: Mark Alan--9, Acoustic Mo: Freedom Funk-open mic--6:30 Tu: Barbara Dzuro--8:30, Jazz We: Paul Paydos Revue--9:30 John Henry's 136 E. 11th * 342-3358 Thu: '80s Vinyl--10, DJ Dance Fri: Courtesy Clerks, Smooch Knob, Fells Acres--10, Indie Rock Sat: Benefit for Amoeba Theater--10 Mo: Buckfast Superbee--10, Indie Rock We: Iron Fist Crew--10, Reggae Kokomo's 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 The Keg Tavern 4711 W. 11th * 345-5563 Lavelle Wine Bar 5th St. Mkt * 338-9875 Fri: Gus Russell--5:30, Jazz The Love Cafe 145 Pioneer Pkwy Spfd * 763-5710 Lucky's Pool Hall 10th & Olive * no phone Max's Tavern 550 E. 13th * 349-8986 Meridian Building 18th & Willamette * no phone Moretti's 730 E. Broadway * 344-6673 Mulligan's Pub 2841 Willamette * no phone Neighbors 1417 Villard * 338-0334 Thu: DJ Rayzor--10 Fri: DJ Damian--10 Sat: DJ Vader--10 Su: DJ Kim--10, '80s Mo: Karaoke--9 We: Diva Live--10, Adult themed female impersonators Nite Owl (Ramada Inn) 225 Coburg * 342-5181 The Old Pad 3355 E. Amazon * 686-5022 Oregon Electric Station 27 E. 5th * 485-4444 Out of the Fog 450 Willamette * 687-0709 Tu: Sunshine Daydream--6:30, Folkadelic Overtime Tavern 770 S. Bertelsen * 342-5028 Piccolo 999 Willamette * 484-4011 Sat: Steve Candee-8, Variety Quacker's 2105 W. 7th * 345-2617 Sat: JC Rico--9, Blues, Sonny's 50th Rascals 211 Washington * 345-2617 Fri: Roy G Biv--9:30, Psychedelic Relics We: Westside Blues Jam--9:30 Rick's Pub 20 Hwy 99 N. * 344-3074 Fri: Murtin Smurl--9, Rock River Rd. Grill & Bar 645 River Rd. * 463-8375 Fri: Jim Patrick--7, Eclectic Acoustic Rock 'n' Rodeo 44 E. 7th * 683-5160 Safari Room 3280 Gateway * 726-8181 Sakura 844 E. 13th * 343-6817 Sam Bond's Garage 407 Blair Blvd * 343-2635 Thu: Spigot, I  Can Lick Any Sonof a Bitch in the House Band--9, Americanna/Rock Fri: Dan Jones, Luke Doucette, Peter Wilde--9, Americanna Sat: Melissa Ferrick, Ashleigh Flynn--9:30, Americanna Su: The Visible Men--9, Electric Mo: Justice--9, Acoustic Tu: Bluegrass Jam--9 Sam's Place 825 Wilson * 484-4455 Senor Frog's 444 E. 3rd * 484-2927 Thu: DJ Karaoke--6:30 Fri: DJ Dancing--10, Ranchero, Banda Cumbia Sat: DJ Jose Cruz--10, Salsa, Merengue Shakers 1195 Main, Spfd. * 736-5177 Starbuck's 205 E.18th * 465-9813 Stepina's 1475 Mohawk, Spfd * 744-0811 Taylor's 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Thu: Acoustic Syndicate--10, Newgrass Fri: Umphrey's McGee--10, Indiana Jams Theo's Jazz Club 126 W. Broadway * 344-6491 Fri: The Jake Svendsen Quartet-8:30, Jazz Sat: The Forest Moulton Quartet--8:30, Jazz Tu: Jazz Jam hosted by Calamity Jazz--8:30 Tiny Tavern 894 E. 13th * 344-6174 Sat: All Guitar--9:30, Various TJ'S Lounge 365 E. Oregon * 895-3109 Toshi's Ramen 1520 Pearl * 683-7833 Tsunami Books 2585 Willamette * 345-8986 Sat: Paul Safar Consort--5, CD Release 23:6 23 West 6th * 484-9669 Valley River Inn 1000 Valley R. Way * 687-0123 Waterfront Bar & Grill 2210 Centennial * 465-4506 Wild Duck Hall NS 169 W. 6th * 485-3825 Sat: Don Latarski & Rue de Blues--9:30, CD Release WOW Hall AA NS 291 W. 8th * 687-2646 Mo: Amazing Crowns, Tiger Army, Fast Eddie & the Screamers--8:30, Punk Rockabilly Back to Top Table of Contents | News | Views | Arts & Entertainment Classifieds | Personals | EW Archive