Notes by Northwest

This is a mix of music featuring artists and songs with a PNW connection.   I chose Alice in Chains twice on this show, as I found something interesting online this week.  The song Ranier Fog was recorded almost 20 years after the death of the group's former lead singer, Layne Staley.  Though the magic or creepiness of AI, someone added his vocals to that song.  You can find the version here.

The Field Arts & Events Hall had its debut performance this week, the Brubeck Brothers Quarter, featuring two of the sons of a jazz pioneer, Dave Brubeck.  This show includes excerpts of my interview with the very engaging Dan, along with a selection of the group's work.  And I played a compare and contrast--the original version of the best selling jazz record of all time, Take Five by Dave Brubeck, followed by the Brubeck  Brothers version.   

Summer is here in Sequim!  This show included some CW songs with artists with a PNW connection, a nod to Canada Day, a shout out to my friends from Maple Valley where I played a song by their neighbor Brandi Carlile, and one of my favorites, Just Breathe, dedicated to my mom. She's breathing fine, by the way. 

This show is dedicated to the artists featured at this summer's Music in the Park, mostly musicians from the Peninsula including favorites like Black Diamond Junction, Bread & Gravy, Buck Ellard and Jean Lemke.   The first 40 minutes or so was not recorded (operator error) but I think you'll enjoy this nonetheless.   Music in the Park features free concerts on Tuesday nights at Carrie Blake Park in Sequim and is brought to you by KSQM radio. 

This was a mix from The Stooges with their cover of the Kingsmen's Louie Louie, to Mark Knopfler, checking the PNW box with a solo effort called Seattle.  Also featured the Postal Service, who is back on tour now, and Death Cab for Cutie for my sweet niece, who is actually a fan (who knew?).  

The first part of the show featured covers of Woody Guthrie songs, including a new release by the Dropkick Murphys from Okemah Rising (Okemah being the hometown of Woody Guthrie).  Also had original and cover of Cryin' Time by Buck Owens and Will Worden, and a Stevie Ray Vaughn cover of Hendrix and Hendrix' cover of All Along the Watchtower, originally by Bob Dylan.

A protégé of Woody Guthrie.

Total coincidence.  Or was it?

I just listened to this show again, and really like the selections, ranging from a few covers of Woody Guthrie songs to Odo Abby, who is credited with bringing world music to the Pacific NW.  

After a few ''operator errors" at the beginning of the show, it was smooth sailing of a mix of PNW music from the 1950s til today. 

This was a true variety show, with Country Joe McDonald kicking it off with his version of Roll On Columbia, to some groups I haven't played a lot, like Asterhouse and Mudhoney.   

We took a tour from early Woody Guthrie to some mellow sounds for the first hour, and then ramped it up a bit, ending with PJ and Nirvana, with selections from their 1993 releases Vs. and In Utero.