BY B.J. HUCHTEMANN
Stompin’ Blues & Boogie
T
he 21st Saloon brings the “world blues fusion” of Harper & Midwest Kind Thursday, Nov. 21, 6-9 p.m. Australian Harper is a fine harmonica player in the Chicago blues style and a master of the traditional didgeridoo wind instrument. Detroit Live Magazine wrote Harper’s music is “a prime example [of] when sublime inspiration and diverse cultures collide; beautiful things blossom.” See harper.biz. There is no blues show at The 21st Thursday, Nov. 28, Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving eve The 21st Saloon presents the Todd Wolfe Band, 6-9 p.m. Wolfe is a veteran musician who was a songwriting partner in the 1980s with then-unknown singer Sheryl Crow. Wolfe went on to be Crow’s guitarist in the 1990s before pursuing his own music. His latest CD, Miles to Go, is getting great reviews for its blues-rock power-trio sound with southern rock, Texas blues and psychedelic influences. See toddwolfe.com. Have Horn, Will Travel: Friday night there was a great boogie piano blues event in Iowa City hosted by Iowa City native and keyboard talent Chase Garrett and featuring American and European boogie keyboard artists. See chasegarrett.com for more on this annual event. It was great to catch up with Hoodoo favorite Sax Gordon Beadle, who was featured in the three-piece horn
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section. Beadle led the band in a stomping finale with the title track from his 1998 solo debut Have Horn Will Travel (Rounder Bullseye). He is one of the few younger sax players working today who celebrates the raucous, jumpin’ saxophone style made popular before guitars took over roots music. Earlier this year, Beadle released his first solo CD in 13 years, Showtime. The disc is packed with hard-charging originals cast in rich, rockin’ arrangements and includes a couple of guest appearances by Beadle’s friend and former boss Matt “Guitar” Murphy. Check it out at saxgordon.com. Thanksgiving Eve Preview: Blue House plays at Grandmother’s, 84th & L. The Zoo Bar has bluegrass from The Toasted Ponies 6-9 p.m. followed by Josh Hoyer’s Sons of 76 band that has been reuniting periodically. The Zoo is open Thanksgiving night with the Lil’ Slim Blues Band, 9 p.m. Matt Cox hosts his fourth annual benefit for Food Bank of the Heartland at Barley Street Tavern Nov. 27, 9 p.m. Hot Notes: Todd Wolfe Band also plays at Sugar Clay Winery in Thurman, Iowa, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2-5 p.m. Visit sugarclaywinery.com. Sunday Roadhouse presents Nashville singersongwriter Tommy Womack Sunday, Nov. 24, 5 p.m. at Side Door Lounge. See sundayroadhouse.com. ,
HOODOO is a weekly column focusing on blues, roots, Americana and occasional other music styles with an emphasis on live music performances. Hoodoo columnist B.J. Huchtemann is a Reader senior contributing writer and veteran music journalist who has covered the local music scene for nearly 20 years. Follow her blog at hoodoorootsblues.blogspot.com.
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| THE READER |
NOV. 21 - 27, 2013
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