Tag Archives: Oregon

Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group The Jack London Revue April 4th 2019

Concerts, , , ,

I was talking with a colleague earlier in the week about jazz and mentioned The Jack London Revue. I love this place because this is what I imagine jazz clubs where like back in the early days of the genera. The basement of some dark, dingy, building but also very intimate. The venue has a way of sucking you in and making you a part of the performance because of how things are setup. I just love this place. On Thursday’s Mel Brown B-3 Organ Group has a weekly two set residency.

Heineken

My colleague couldn’t make the show but I had hyped myself up just thinking about it I went Thursday night for their regular gig. I just wanted to listen to some live music. Even though I only stayed for the first set it was a lot of fun. I thought it better to get home at a reasonable hour and sleep then stay out too late.

The walk to and from the venue was nice. The weather was starting to become more comfortable. It rained in both directions. Going home it was pretty heavy. I didn’t even thing to check the weather till I was already outside. It just adds to the memories of the night.

Another good performance by Mel Brown and and the gang. They had a sit-in keyboardists this time. He too played with the same person Mel did. For some reason I want to say Aretha Franklin but I could be wrong on that. Another good night of jazz with Mel Brown at the Jack London Revue.

Budos Band Roseland Theater Friday, April 19th 2019

Concerts, , , ,

I have heard the Budos Band on and off over a long many years. One thing I remember about them is I never see them tour. I don’t even know if I have seen them do the festival circuit even. With the recent announcement of the Soul’d Out Music Festival here in Portland I noticed the Budos Band was stopping by the Roseland Theater for a performance. Never seeing them tour before I took the opportunity to check them out.

It was the last day of the work week heading into Easter. I was excited to see the band and prepped by driving to Washington to get some supplies for the show. I wanted to be good and ready when the Budos Band took the stage. I even took a short nap before the show just to make sure I would be ready.

After a short walk to the venue I arrived at 9pm just in time to see the True Loves open. The venue is pretty huge so I just headed up stairs to secure a good view and simply relax. Yet again I was impressed with the opening act. You just never know what you will find and its often very good. They have this kinda soul/funk feel to them. They would hit the horns often which I really enjoyed too.

First time seeing the Budos and they did a really good job that night. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into but it was great. I have heard the band of course for many years but nothing in depth. Its hard to describe the sound but I would recommend everyone check them out. Lots of people at the Roseland that night grooving to the music.

Budos Band played for nearly two hours which was cool. By the end of the show I was exhausted. I was physically and mentally drained. It was a nice walk getting home that night in the drizzle. I even managed to work up an appetite and ate a second dinner when I got home.

If they manage another west coast tour I will certainly check them out again and I recommend others as well. Just a cool rocking good time.

The Budos Band
Roseland Theater – Portland, OR
Friday, April 19th 2019
Part of the Soul’d Out Music Festival.
The True Loves from Seattle opened.

Show starts at 22:17
1.
2.
3.
…
Set over at 23:34

Encore starts at 23:41
1.
2.
3.
house list at 23:58

With sing along to bring the band out for the encore. Bass amp dies during the encore break and they have to fix it.

Nite over, time to head home.

Deschutes River State Recreation Area March 2019

Hiking, , , ,

Spring is finally here and the weather is only slightly getting better but this weekend it was pretty good and I was going stir crazy. When you get a good weekend weather in March you take advantage of it while you can.

I wanted to get outside and do a hike some place I had never been before. I grabbed my trust hiking guild and found the Deschutes River State Recreation Area. The park follows the Deshutes Rivers for several miles and includes the area where it dumps into the Columbia River. It has your typical outdoor activities like fishing and camping.

I was interested in the hiking and found a decent length trail to Ferry Springs. What my book didn’t show me, nor the map at the park, was the elevation change. First hike of the season and I was not prepared for the hike up the hill. Near the mouth of the Columbia there are several trails that parallel each other. Two are hiking trails and another is an access road so you have options on how difficult a hike you want.

A fire burned through the area and is the dominate feature at the start of the high. It doesn’t matter what trail you take all you see is burnt vegetation and dry dirt. Life is slowly starting to come back with some brushes surviving and trying to grow back. Grass is starting to go in patch and should takeover rather quickly. Another good size was seeing animal tracks in the dirt.

Deschutes River

When it comes to getting to Ferry Springs it is at the top of one of the hills. The climb up was more then I was expecting but worth it once you get to the top. Because of land ownership it appears the start of the actual spring is not in the park but just outside it. The better view is just sitting on the hillside looking out towards the value. All across the valley spring was starting to bloom. Just some low grass in places but no flowers yet. I am sure as the season progresses the valley will become abundant with life.

A nice little park that has a really long trail along the lower section of the Deschutes River. They also offer camping which would be nice. I can imagine that sunrise and sunset in the valley along the river is pretty nice.

  • Deschutes River
  • Most of the park was burned but slowly nature is coming back.
  • Deschutes River
  • Ferry Spring Canyon looking down on the Deschutes River.
  • This is part of the trail leading up Ferry Spring Canyon.
  • Ferry Spring Canyon
  • Deschutes River

Poetic Imagination in Japanese Art

Culture, ,
Poetic Imagination in Japanese Art

I forget where I heard this but I heard the Portland Art Museum has a $5 after 5pm special every Friday! Not that the regular ticket is that expensive but its a good way to get out into downtown and experience some culture on the cheap. It was Christmas too so I really wanted to get downtown among the hustle and bustle to see what was going on plus whatever was on exhibit at the museum.

They change their stuff around pretty frequently which is nice but also makes the $5 ticket price a real bargain when you consider it. It was only a few months ago that I saw the Shape of Speed exhibit here. I didn’t know what was happening when I arrived so I was pleasantly surprised when they had a special showing called Poetic Imagination in Japanese Art.

They have several different areas that highlight different types of art in Japan as it evolved over time. Its a style of art that you know it when you see it. Just like their tattoo style. What this exhibit did highlight were different areas where the art was used for different purposes. One was simply writing in large characters which is still practiced today and takes a special hand to complete. The flow with the brush is pretty cool to watch.

They had another section of landscapes. Lots of imagery and symbolic meaning with the landscapes that where chosen. Mostly in that muted and limited color palate but still no less amazing to see. Another big area was landscapes with poetry. Poetry was very big in Japanese culture back in the day. More so here then in any other culture from around the same time period that I know of. These poets would come up with some beautiful stuff so to go along with the words often it was done on a painting.

You can’t see everything in one visit but at that price, who cares. Its a reason to come back the following Friday to continue checking out what the museum has to offer. That Friday I saw all the special exhibit with time to spare so I headed upstairs to the second level. Here I finished out the left section of the museum but still haven’t made it over to the modern art building. One day….

A giant orchid outside the museum.

On my way out I saw a posted notice that the museum is seeking approval to expand the museum. It’s great to see the Portland Art Museum isn’t suffering from a lack of funding. I think only good can come from having and appreciating more art. Whatever form that takes the world can use more of it.

Knowing that there are cheap tickets every Friday I am going to have to make this a regular stop for myself. I figure at least once a quarter would be worth it. Checkout what’s on special and get downtown for an evening out. Thinks are a little busy right now but maybe come February I can get back for another quick visit on a Friday afternoon.

Whiskey Shivers Bunk Bar Water Saturday, July 14th 2018

Concerts, , , ,

A co-worker of mine had an extra ticket to see Whiskey Shivers at Bunk Bar on a Saturday night. I spent most of the day running errands so it was nice to sit and do a little pregame at Slow Bar with Jeff and a friend of his. They floated down a river on inner tubes to a park to play some disc golf. I know they where tired and so was I. The food looked pretty good and the beer was cold.

We got together real early so after a drink at Slow Bar we headed to the venue. Here we got some more drinks as we waited for the show to start. It was nice out so we grabbed a few drinks and headed outside to enjoy the weather. It was cool seeing the band outside as well enjoying the late afternoon sun before the show.

The venue itself isn’t anything special. Large open concrete dance floor and in the back on a raised tier are some tables. They had a few smaller tables and chairs scattered in the back and to the side but for the most part everyone was going to stand. A large bar with stools directly opposite the door when you walk in. Outside some small tables with ashtrays for smokers but also a good place on a nice evening.

Never heard of the band before I got the ticket so I did a little research on them and liked what I heard. While I don’t listen to bluegrass often I do appreciate it and don’t hate it like I do country music. The band was really energetic and put on a good show I thought. The fans, while not a full house, really got into the music. Just a lot of energy and love swirling around the room that night. For the encore they even came down of the stage and did a few acoustic songs in the crowd which was pretty cool.

A great summer night in Portland with good beer, good friends, and some great live music. I love live music, especially new stuff I haven’t heard before. I love being pleasantly surprised by gems like Whiskey Shivers when I find them.

  • Verhaeghe Duchesse de Bourgogne
  • A really simple stage. At least you can get close and personal with the band if you want.