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

Fool for the City

Charlie Huhn from Foghat, Humble Pie, and Ted Nugent, 
with Doug McGrew on drums

Donny Evola's Pink Floyd tribute "Echoes"

I’m constantly amazed at the wealth of local music talent here in the Puget Sound area. Some nights I just can’t believe what I’m hearing! And many of these musicians are not just locally well-known, but world-renowned!

Last Friday at the King Cat Theater (one of the best venues in town for concert-quality live music) we all experienced some truly fine rock musicianship. World-famous lead guitarist and vocalist Charlie Huhn, who played for years with legendary bands such as Humble Pie and Ted Nugent, and who is currently touring with Foghat, cranked it up a few levels with excellent Donny Evola and his band Echoes (the best Pink Floyd tribute band I’ve ever heard).

The rhythm section pounded a very tightly-wound “rotary perception,” a term Charles Mingus coined to define the center of each beat, and how different musicians zero in on that center in a way unique to their own style. Our own Doug McGrew blasted the Traps with such Keith Moon-like power and artistry that the entire audience, as well as Charlie and the rest of the band, roared with applause.

Some upcoming shows you won’t want to miss:

Jam Night & Blues To Do TV featuring Power Cell (Lynn Sorensen, Doug McGrew, Michael Johnson) and Special Guests, at 88 Keys in Pioneer Square
Wednesdays, TV taping 6-8pm, Jam 8pm – midnight

Jam Night featuring Power Cell and Special Guests at Oddfellows Grill in Redmond
Thursdays 9pm

Geoffrey Castle, fantastic electric violin, at Club Sur in SODO
Friday, April 22 at 9pm

Fabulous Johnsons (Lynn Sorensen on bass, Jeff Kathan on drums, Michael Johnson on lead guitar) at J&M Cafe in Seattle
Friday, April 29 9pm

Riverbend with Klover Jane (featuring the very talented Rane Stone) and 1Wish, at Hard Rock Café in Seattle
Friday, April 29 at 9pm

Chris Cornell at the Moore Theater in Seattle
Sunday, May 1 at 8pm

No Quarter (top-notch Led Zeppelin Tribute) at Big Daddy's in Woodinville
Friday, May 6 at 8:30pm

Soul Stripper (Howard Comfort’s excellent AC/DC Tribute) at R&R Sports Bar in Graham, WA
Saturday, May 14 at 9pm

Poodle Bomb (with Mark Fluegel on bass) at J&M Cafe in Seattle
Thursday, May 19 at 8pm

Magic Bus at Tulalip Casino Canoes Lounge
Friday, June 3 at 9:30pm

Local Live Music Update

Let There Be Songs to Fill the Air
An amazing array of live music events are happening in the next few weeks. My picks:

Blues To-Do TV Taping at 88 Keys in Seattle
Wednesdays 6-8 p.m. Interesting guest musicians and insightful commentary from the talented Marlie Walker, filmed in front of a live audience; public welcome.

Jam hosted by Powercell at 88 Keys in Seattle
Wednesdays 8-12 p.m. Stick around after the Blues To Do TV taping: the ubiquitous and uber-talented Lynn Sorensen on bass and violin, Doug McGrew on drums, and Lloyd DeBar on lead guitar. Rock n' Roll at its finest.

YES! The Oddfellows Jam is back!! New night: Thursdays
Jam hosted by Lynn Sorensen and Doug McGrew at Oddfellows Grill in Redmond
Thursdays at 9 p.m. starting March 10. With Special Guests.

Aury Moore at Dueling Pianos 88 Keys in Seattle
Friday and Saturday nights 8 p.m. The beautiful and talented singer Aury Moore will blow your mind with her sultry vocal prowess and artistry. Come hear her sing rock and blues favorites, accompanied by the famous 88 keys dueling pianos.

KISW/Rock Out ALS featuring Jar of Rain (EP Release Party) at Club Motor in SODO
Saturday March 12 at 7 p.m. Witness extraordinary young raw talent as the Thornberg brothers and their bassist Julio rock out.

Sex and Violins featuring Lynn Sorensen at Hard Rock Café in Seattle
Friday March 18 at 9 p.m. Lynn and his goddesses inspire.

The Fabulous Johnsons at J&M Café in Pioneer Square, Seattle
Saturday March 26 at 9 p.m. If you haven't seen Lynn, Doug, and Michael Johnson live yet, don't miss this show. Superb musicianship, tasty improvs.

This show is going to be H O T—get there early for good seats:
Cory Wilds Band at J&M Café in Pioneer Square, Seattle
Saturday April 2 at 9 p.m. Cory Wilds is a true Artist. You'll think "Where Have I Been?? This band is AMAZING!!" Blues, rock, classics with a twist, infused with Heart and Soul. And a little Funk. With stellar Mark Fluegel on bass. Good size room and accoustics, decent size dance floor.