Electric Violins

Lynn Sorensen with Michael Johnson and Doug McGrew

Geoffrey Castle at Wilde Rover

"All night have the roses heard the violin

Till a silence fell with the waking bird

And a hush with the setting moon."
     --Lord Tennyson

In the recent past, when someone said “there’s a violin,” I ran in the opposite direction. Maybe it was years living with a professional violinist who practiced endless scales hour after hour. But now, thanks to gifted artists like Lynn Sorensen, violins--especially electric violins—hold new interest for me. The other night, while dark rain pelted the windows behind him, Lynn’s pure white violin mesmerized us with a spellbinding rendition of Led Zeppelin’s ballad “The Rain Song,” and the hair stood up on my arms.

Geoffrey Castle is a local musician who specializes in the electric violin. His regular Monday night gigs at Wilde Rover in Kirkland offer some extraordinary playing. The first time I heard Geoffrey, he was serenading passers-by at the Issaquah Art Walk, and I did a double-take: WHO is THAT? But Searching for Art took precedence and the opportunity was lost.

Two years later, I had the pleasure of hearing him play again, this time at the Wilde Rover in Kirkland (whose sound system is greatly improved). Big and cat-like, Geoffrey commands attention. Grace, Poise, and Power. He draws on a deep repertoire: everything from Irish drinking songs to Bruce Hornsby to a little Hendrix. He's mastered his instrument, and takes it further.

Upcoming shows featuring the violin:

Celtic Music Night with Geoffrey Castle, at Wilde Rover  in Kirkland
Monday nights at 8pm

Sex and Violins, with special guests Aury Moore Band and Jar of Rain, at 88 Keys in Seattle
Thursday, May 19 at 8pm

Powercell and Jam, at 88 Keys (with Lynn Sorensen on bass and violin)
Wednesday nights at 8pm

Jam Night, at Oddfellows Grill in Redmond
Thursday nights at 9pm

Starry, Starry Night

Cory, Doug, and Mark at Red Dog
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I could tell it was going to be one of those nights when the woman sitting across from us said, “Look! I tied it with my tongue!” pointing to a dainty cherry stem tied in a neat little bow. I don’t remember what I said…Nice job! Wow, that’s a real talent! How did you learn to do that?

I never get to see these three guys play together, so it was extra special Thursday night at the Red Dog in Maple Valley when Cory Wilds, Doug McGrew, and Mark Fluegel took the stage. Usually, Ronnie Muir is CWB's regular drummer, and he is seriously one of the best drummers out there. But it is a special treat to see Cory and Mark play with a different drummer, different style, nuances, flavor. Mark was playing one of his, what he calls, “Snooty Basses." Yes, a $3,000 bass that looks like a Fender P-bass, but, when placed in my hands, the weight, the balance, ah, so nice. Low action, sleek controls, slightly smaller in scale, no brick to lug, I could play a bass like that!

And did they play!!! Cory Wilds, as ever, was sensational with his genius and driving, lyrical guitar solos. Mark was riding two horses at once, with Cory galloping ahead and Doug McGrew drumming, faster and faster, reeling them in, then riding the wave. UN-Believable!! Whether it was “Long Gray Mare,” "Manhattan Blues," or “Black Magic Woman” we were IN, all in.

In the past year, there have been several key shifts that gelled into an extraordinary night of music. Cory’s vocals show steady improvement while his guitar playing is more sparkly and improvisational than ever; Mark’s playing is more mature and shows incredible range and natural leadership; and Doug, who really should play with these guys more, upped the ante in his already considerable arsenal. Sticks went flying. Crack!! So on it. So tuned in!!!!!

Catch some of these upcoming gigs:

Cory Wilds Band at The Sidetrack Pub & Eatery in Kent http://seattle.citysearch.com/review/10744973
Friday, May 13 at 9pm

Power Cell with Doug McGrew at Tulalip Casino Canoes Lounge http://www.tulalipcasino.com/directions.aspx
Saturday, May 14 at 5:00pm

Cory Wilds Band at A Terrible Beauty Pub in Renton http://www.aterriblebeauty.com/
Saturday, May 14 at 9pm

Magic Bus with Doug McGrew at Red Wind Casino http://www.redwindcasino.com/index.asp
Sunday, May 29 at 8:30pm

Magic Bus at the Tulalip Casino Canoes Lounge http://www.tulalipcasino.com/directions.aspx
Friday, June 3 at 9:30pm

Live Music Around Town

Starting tonight, you can enjoy great live music every night through the weekend. Local legends and new stars, all living and playing with passion. Check out some of my favorites.

Wed Aug 11:

Jam Night with Powercell/Lynn Sorensen and Doug McGrew, 8:30 Oddfellows Grill, Redmond

Thurs Aug 12:

Cory Wilds Band, 7:30 Red Dog Saloon, Maple Valley

Magic Bus with Lynn Sorensen, 6:30 Lake Wilderness Park, Maple Valley

Bubbles & Fog with Doug McGrew on drums, 8:00 Oddfellows Grill, Redmond

Fri Aug 13:

Aury Moore Band, 9:00 Papa's, White Center

Cory Wilds Band, 9:00 J&M Cafe, Pioneer Square

Magic Bus w Lynn Sorensen and Terry James Young from RAIL, 8:00 Festival at Mt. Si

Sat Aug 14:

Magic Bus with Lynn Sorensen, 6:00 Taste of Edmonds Festival

Cory Wilds Band, 9:00 Red Dog Saloon, Maple Valley

Michael Powers, 7:00 City of Everett Waterfront Concerts

Cory Wilds, Cory Wilds, Cory Wilds

I get out and see a lot of bands. It's rare that I'm literally stunned by a searing, lightning-bright talent. One that makes me stay until the last note is played. Cory Wilds, Cory Wilds, Cory Wilds...

Whether he's stroking an old Fender sunburst, or coaxing a heart-ache out of a cherry-red hollow-body, Cory plays with the expertise of a long-time road warrior and the soul of a true artist, adding a fresh twist to the music. With his long-time kimosabe Mark Fluegel driving the bassline, Cory absolutely sparkles with wit and inventiveness. The venerable Doug McGrew on drums, new to the trio, made it seem effortless, as if he'd been playing with them from the beginning twelve years ago.

Maybe it's the Jazz influence: Cory listens to everything, admitting he voraciously consumes a wide array of music. His first jazz album was Kind of Blue, and I can hear the Miles influence, call it soulfulness, a voice that grips you and takes you along. Rock/Blues influences abound, from Stevie Ray Vaughn to Freddie King to early R&B. Yet there's a certain british-invasion hard rock edge to his playing that's at once arresting and compelling.

Easily a rock star in every way, from his tall, elegant presence, to his impressive talent and repertoire, why isn't Cory famous and riding in limosines? "I prefer to play locally," he says. A Renton boy, he likes it here, and plays plenty.

Check them out at Benders (Renton) and Red Dog Saloon (Maple Valley). Get their calendar here http://www.myspace.com/corywildsband

Jam Night at Oddfellows Redmond

It could be the room: old wooden hall built with big, original timbers in the early 1900s. It could be the place is haunted: stories abound of ghostly images and strange presences, of ladies of the evening done wrong. Or it could be the coziness of a neighborhood hangout where musicians can stretch out and try new things.

Whatever that it is, je ne sais quois, it was another rocking night at Oddfellows on Wednesday. First we had Powercell, with the fantastic Laurie Miller on bass standing in for Lynn Sorensen, and Doug McGrew on drums; then Greg Riley's driving force of a band with all kinds of groove, including a new keyboard player, with Lloyd scorching the steel strings.