Average White Band

Average White Band members: Onnie MacIntyre; Klyde Jones;

Rocky Bryant; "Freddy V" Vigdor; Alan Gorrie

Alan plays soulful guitar as well as holding down the Bass line

Versatile, talented Klyde Jones--there's no instrument he can't play

Klyde and Alan with the boys at Jazz Alley

Play that funky music, White Boy!

AWB has been around so long. The only original members are Scotland-born Alan Gorrie, vocals and (rockin’) Bass, and Onnie MacIntyre, lead guitar and vocals.

Last week, during their annual run at one of my all-time favorite venues, Jazz Alley in downtown Seattle, AWB tore it up with classics like Cut the Cake and Work to Do. A shout-out to Klyde Jones on, get this: Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, and Vocals. Is there anything the guy can’t play excellently?? And of course, my fave, Alan Gorrie, with James Bond-like savoire faire, who makes playing his 5-string bass look and feel smooth and easy. He soooo reminds me of dinosaur rocker, Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople fame, who crossed over into punk and new wave, and later played bass with Ringo Starr's All-Starr Band.

From AWB's website: “AWB are widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. Though perhaps best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit Pick Up the Pieces the band's strength actually lay in their consistently accomplished song-writing, stretching across several gold selling albums and multi-Grammy nominations for the legendary Atlantic Records. Somewhat incongruously, given their Scottish roots, the six piece took the influences of their R&B heroes - people like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Donny Hathaway and others - and developed their own 'authentic' sound which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere.”

And, I might add, eagerly adopted by white audiences. They continued the cross-over accelerated by Motown, bringing Soul and Funk to some white audiences that might not otherwise have grooved on it. Luv, Luv, Luv these guys!

More Favorite Things

Barbara Bixby, Jewelry for Rock Stars
I can’t help marveling at this fabulous line of jewelry from Barbara Bixby. The silver work is amazing, and I especially like her inventive use of materials: coordinating clear stones with opaque, interesting color combinations, and popping little 18k gold elements here and there, which is her signature.

Barbara is a lifetime groupie, married to a musician who is well known in the rock and recording circles, Frank Carillo. He’s an accomplished guitar player, and has played with many greats including members of Led Zeppelin, Bad Company, J. Geils Band, Cheap Trick, Van Halen, and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. As a songwriter, his list of collaborations is equally impressive.

You wonder if Barbara needed something to do while Frank was on the road—well, she got busy and the world discovered a superb jewelry designing talent. Her aesthetic is very Rock n' Roll, with whimsy and castles and gypsies thrown in. I’m not as fond of her Indian-inspired bodhisattva pieces as much as the stunning silver chains and gorgeous, architectural pendants and rings. I can see groupies and rockers of all ages wearing her designs! Check out her couture line, too.

Rock Star Architecture in Seattle

Steel Stair, DeForest Architects, john@deforestarchitects.com

Port Townsend Residence, Bohlin Cywinski Jackson Architects, hnelson@bcj.com

Coleman Triplex, Workshop AD Architects, steveb@workshopad.com

Suncrest Residence, Heliotrope Architects, jherrin@heliotropearchitects.com

Bodega Residence, Cutler Anderson Architects, vanderson@cutler-anderson.com

The AIA (American Institute of Architects) Honor awards can sometimes be a yawn, especially when they beat the deader-than-dead horse of Sustainability. But at this year's ceremony on November 8, the S-word wasn’t even mentioned; instead, the focus was on beautiful, useful design that honors the soul of its inhabitants.

Maybe it had something to do with the soulfulness of the multiple-award winning judges, all formidable architects in their own right:

• Jim Jennings, from San Francisco, “quintessential bay area modernist”
• Sheila O’Donnell, Hon. FAIA, from Dublin, whose watercolor studies, which explore and develop architecture concepts from landscape to material, have been widely published and exhibited
• Gilles Saucier, from Montreal, whose work as a photographer has fine-tuned his approach to architecture

The honored projects ranged from single-family homes to large commercial buildings. My favorites are the homes that embed themselves into the fabric of the landscape upon which they are sited. There is no real distinction between “inside” and “outside” in the experience of being there. I imagine myself living in these airy, clean spaces, enjoying rich woods, and modern concrete, steel, and glass. The silent peacefulness of being one with a place in time and space.

The real stand-out of the evening was the see-through staircase. It turned the typical aesthetic upside down: usually the stairs themselves are solid, while the railing is see-through. In this delicious design, it’s the reverse: the stairs are made of steel mesh that you can look right through, and the railing is a solid sheet of steel defining and constraining the core. The owners wanted to be able to see their art through the stairs. Mission accomplished!

The AIA can help you find a Seattle architect to build your dream home.

My Favorite Things

Heidi Daus designs this dramatic necklace, with faceted jasper beads

and carved onyx scarab.

Rachel Zoe's fun faux is "Major for Fall"

Kathy Van Zeeland's Rock n' Roll handbags.

Judith Ripka's spectacular sterling curb bracelet.

With the holidays coming, maybe you'll forgive me for featuring some of my favorite finds and gift ideas. In my travels I’ve come across some real treasures that give me joy whenever I wear them, and I’m constantly asked “Where did you get that?” My good friend R.A.B. and I laugh, but we’re serious when we say we’re no longer buying anything that isn’t Rock n’ Roll.

A few years ago, I discovered some beyond-great crystal jewelry designed by Heidi Daus. It’s exquisitely crafted, in a heavy bronze finished metal, and conjures Art Deco and flora and fauna in all their sparkling majesty. Amazingly, she features a line on HSN that’s priced at a fraction of what it would be out in the retail market. Heidi is passionate about her work, and it shows in every beautifully-crafted jewel. These pieces have whimsy and “POW!” all at once. Serious star power and Rock n’ Roll glam.

Ok, when did Fur become cool again? I’m sorry, I know they’re already dead, but I wouldn’t even wear a vintage genuine fur. Why would you carry that bad Karma when you can own fabulous faux creations that look better than the real thing, for pennies on the dollar? Rachel Zoe, famous celebrity stylist, has a great line of “fur” vests on QVC that are so cute and fun to wear. I like the shorter “Fox” ones with the luxurious collar and hidden pockets. I also like Kathy Van Zeeland's handbags; if you live in Dubai or Paris you're in luck, or you can shop online and save thousands of dollars.

I’m going to need to hide my credit card from myself, because QVC strikes again with the famous and ridiculously successful Judith Ripka sterling jewelry. As if her two stores on Madison Avenue weren’t enough. I really think her exclusive line of sterling jewelry for QVC is some of the best, most versatile jewelry available today. It’s very “Uptown” while still Rock n’ Roll.

So, Girlfriends (and Guys—hint, hint!), go easy on the plastic, and have some fun getting glamorous things for the holidays. Enjoy!

Bob Rivers, Seattle Radio Icon

Friends and fans show their appreciation

Bob Rivers sits in on keyboards; Dudley Taft on lead; Terry James Young on bass

Spike says a few words of thanks

When the news started leaking out that Bob Rivers’ contract was not being renewed by CBS, it turned Seattle radio upside down. For more than a decade Bob Rivers' morning show on KZOK 102.5FM has been as much a part of our mornings as my double espresso hazelnut latte. He's practically an institution, and has been an important supporter of our local musicians' careers. Blatherwatch says, "This is big. He's big. The word Iconic comes to mind...this starts all manner of speculation: will he go to KIRO?"

Cory Dietz’ Radio Blog notes how Bob began to gain notoriety with song parodies he called "Twisted Tunes" for WAAF in Boston. They were so clever, ABC Radio offered to syndicate them in 1987. And he's been rocking entire cities ever since.

For me and the rest of his fan base, it’s been a few weeks of parties and farewells and celebrations of new beginnings. Spike and the Impalers, Magic Bus, Dudley Taft, Terry James Young from Rail, Roger Fisher from Heart, and many other local musicians have been paying tribute with appearances around town, including gigs at Snoqualmie Casino and other cool venues. One of my favorites was the bash at King Cat Theater last Thursday, a groovy '60s former movie theater, with swank lobby and interesting angles, and a big raked movie theater-cum dance floor.

Another event, the Bob Rivers Listeners Appreciation Night, happens 7pm Thursday Nov. 4 at Tulalip Casino, with Magic Bus featuring Lynn Sorenson on bass, Lloyd DeBar on lead guitar, and special guests.

Love at First Bite

The Glamorous Hotel DeLuxe in Portland

Rustic-Chic at Irving Street Kitchen

Pearl District Deco

Fall Colors in the Pearl

When Tom Douglas, Seattle Chef extraordinaire and one of the greatest chefs in the world, gives you three recommendations for dinner in Portland, you go. To at least one of them.

Taking the Amtrak “Coast Starlight” to Portland is the way to fly. A quick cab ride, a 10 minute wait, and whoooosh, you are gliding south along the river. Tom Douglas was sitting right next to us, so of course I had to pick his brains about Food. I was not surprised to see how technologically savvy he is, as he wrangled iPhone, iPad, and blueberry muffins along the way. When asked for his recommendations for Portland restaurants, he said, “You’ve come to the right city for great restaurants: Pok Pok [Thai], Genoa [Italian], and Le Pigeon [French].”

I got busy and Googled all three of them, and was excited by the reviews, my mouth watering. The Hotel Deluxe was on the Portland Cocktail Week circuit, so the place was hopping. Barely time to take in the glamorous Hollywood decor, swank lemon-colored upholstery, mirrored Moderne style, and huge black and white photos of stars like Greta Garbo and James Stewart. A few hours of shopping in the oh-so-chic Pearl District, and it was time for the Big Decision.

We decided to dine at the Irving Street Kitchen (sorry, Tom!). It came highly recommended by several other people along the way, and the location, online reviews and website finally swayed us. It was the right choice. I’ve never seen a more beguiling menu! Apparently the James Beard restaurant critics ranked Irving Street Kitchen right up there with Pok Pok, so we were in the right league. The full menu is incredible. Some of our picks for a festive Fall dinner:

Sweet Potato & Fennel Soup, Butternut Squash, Aged Blue Cheese
Seared Shrimp & Dungeness Crab Ragout, Bienville-Bread Pudding, Pickled Okra
Grilled Bone-In Pork Chop, Southern Dirty Rice, Persimmon-Sage Compote
Butterscotch Brulee topped with Crème Fraiche, Fiddle Faddle, and Roasted Peanuts

The service was impeccable and fun; Patrick made the experience joyful as he shared his in-depth knowledge of the source, preparation, and potential wine pairing of each dish. The restaurant sits up a half floor above busy Irving Street, in a concrete floored warehouse, with impossibly but successfully paired rustic country and urban chic décor, steel beams, lovely linens, and an omni-present mason-jars fetish. All the better to savor a “Low Country” with Ransom Old Tom Gin, Fernet Branca, Sage Peppercorn Syrup, and Reed’s Ginger Beer.

Chrissie Hynde, Not Pretending

59 and Fabulous Chrissie Hynde

JP Jones

The band signed the set list

Chrissie Hynde and the Fairground Boys

Chrissie Hynde and the Fairground Boys played the Showbox at the Market in Seattle on Wednesday night. A good review appeared in the Seattle Times today.

Chrissie looked absolutely great. She's always been slim and cat-like, but to think she is 59 years old is pretty mind-blowing. Her voice was as good as ever, and I was struck yet again by her rock star charisma, her easy and total command of her guitar and of the band.

Apparently she is in love with her lead guitar player, JP Jones, and they had a December-May relationship that they ended and chronicled on their album together, Fidelity. Steamy is right. The setlist was primarily from the album. Only 70 minutes long, the set was tight, powerful, and bittersweet. You could feel the love.

Hats off to the Showbox, too; the sound was excellent, and we had no problem getting right up to the stage. Chrissie's "no cameras" rule was violated by cellphones, but it didn't detract from the lovely ride she took us on. I got the feeling from the crowd that no one wanted to come back from their "Fidelity" world, most especially the lead singer.

Set List photo courtesy Diane Brooks.

Proliferate, Poetic, Picasso

Entry to the SAM exhibit

The Musee National Picasso in Paris

Picasso's "Jester" Bronze

You guessed it, this is a cubist "Guitare"

Man Playing Guitare

Picasso Exhibit, Seattle Art Museum, October 8 – January 17

Amsterdam, May 1988. A friend says, “If you’re taking the train to Paris tomorrow, you MUST see the Picasso Retrospective at the Center Pompidou before it closes tomorrow night.” So I did. A genius curator had arranged the massive proliferation of Picasso drawings, etchings, paintings, sculpture, and ceramics in chronological order, through a vast maze of halls and galleries. You could actually step through the years of Picasso’s development as an artist. It wasn’t until that day in Paris that I fully registered his true genius and his impact on Art. (The Seattle Art Museum show is a smaller but no less interesting version of that.)

So, the day after that, I had to visit the Musee National Picasso which is a museum in a grand old mansion in the heart of Paris dedicated entirely to works by Picasso. The mansion is surrounded by a grove of old trees, and it’s not until you enter the driveway that it opens onto a large gravel parking de la region where they used to bring up the horse-drawn carriages. Many of the thousands of works in the museum were bequeathed by the artist from his own personal collection. It is from these works that the Seattle Art Museum’s exhibit is drawn. The SAM exhibit also includes some wonderfully obscure found-object sculpture, and a nice sampling from the other various mediums. And, we're spared the endless shelves of ceramics endured at the Musee National.

Did you know Picasso created on average three works of art per day? And that he lived to be 92? You do the math! Whether it was a drawing, a vase, sculpture, or painting, the guy was busy! And it’s not widely recognized what a superb draftsman he was. Many skeptics believed he defaulted to "primitive" cubism because he couldn't really draw. But, his early studies of nudes and hands easily rival those of the best renaissance artists. He was also a great mimic: you can see nods to the impressionists Cezanne, Degas, and Manet, as well as sculptural references to DuChamps, and African primitive art, and psychedelic morphings a la Dali.

Of course, the innovation that indelibly stamped Picasso on the art map was his kaleidoscopic cubism; he was a litmus of his times--the machine age--and he was the first to capture instantaneous views of the same object on one canvas, forcing us to see in a new way.

Some of his later works are very political, or even strongly psychedelic. A bit like an IQ test, it’s fun to stare at some of the paintings and wonder, Hmm, how did he get a guitar out of that?

Photos, except Musee National Picasso, courtesy of John Best.

Rock and Roll Fantasy

Paul Rodgers, October 9, Shelton, WA

No wonder he's called “The Voice.” At 60, Paul Rodgers shows no signs that his haunting, powerful voice is in any way diminished.

Interesting that he started out as a bass player (wouldn’t you know it). With that sensitivity, he co-wrote All Right Now with Free bassist Andy Fraser in 1970. Twenty years later ASCAP recognized it for receiving over one million radio plays in the U.S. alone.

Mr. Rodgers has a powerful stage presence, and unlike some of the performers I’ve seen recently, he really connected with the audience. He talked to us (in his deep British accent), responded to us, and invited us all to come up front to the stage. It was a great experience being right up in the first two rows within reach of the band. Shooting Star was wonderful, as was Rock and Roll Fantasy. I loved hearing some of the more obscure stuff from one of his early bands, The Firm, like Satisfaction Guaranteed.

Paul has ties to many of our Seattle musicians. One of my favorite local bassists, Lynn Sorenson, again demonstrated his rock star playing prowess as well as his formidable charisma. And it was great fun seeing Jeff Kathan, who just a week ago had played at Salmon Days, pounding the drums on stage with these other superstars.

[A brief mention here about a phenomenon happening in Washington State: the Casinos. Because of Native American rights, there is now a proliferation of huge, new—and beautiful—casino/hotels popping up all over the state. Little Creek Casino in Shelton, about an hour from Seattle, is a great example. It's a strange thing, like stepping back in time, when smoking and drinking was allowed (if not encouraged) everywhere. But, lucky for us, there is a whole new circuit where our favorite rock musicians can gig.]

It was a fantastic night. To top it all off, Paul Rodgers is a nice guy. As he wished us good night, he said, “Take care, and be kind to each other.”

The Social Network

The Social Network, The Movie

Go see this movie. Forget the hype, just go. Forget that there are no “stars” in the film, that there is no typical Hollywood action. That’s a good thing. This movie rocks.

Even if you’re tired of hearing about Twitter and Facebook, and you generally steer clear of privacy-compromising internet inventions or ideas, you’ll want to have seen this movie. From the first few moments, as the story opens in a dorm room at Harvard in 2004, you will be gripped by the story. The story of a 20-year-old kid who had an "online sharing" idea that within 6 years over 500 MILLION people use around the globe.

Mark Zuckerberg is simultaneously our hero and our antagonist. If the character in the film even somewhat faithfully portrays the real man, this guy is much more than smart and interesting. He is downright scary how brilliant and quick his mind is. The screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, of West Wing and A Few Good Men fame, does a fantastic job of keeping the dialogue crackling and sharp, and I had to laugh out loud as Zuckerberg surgically taunts the attorneys in the arbitration scene.

The film is witty and sharp throughout, from the dialogue to the camera direction, to the sets, to the editing. The director, David Fincher, shows us his prowess as director of stylish thrillers, translated into an even more mesmerizing reality. And, as important, you will learn a lot about what is going on in our world right now, that is changing everything, forever.

Read the review.