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

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

Hammer of the Gods

photo courtesy Lori Mullins

Back in high school, my sister used to blast KISW FM radio, a station that at the time played a lot of Led Zeppelin, before it was known as “heavy metal.” The radio itself featured no bass and substituted static for high notes, but on and on it rasped. From my serene blue-and-white bedroom next to my sister’s, I thought Robert Plant’s voice was very strange and I was sure it came out of some martian synthesizer. Although some of the tunes were catchy, I was never really motivated to go to a Led Zeppelin concert.

Fast forward to now: Maybe it’s that recently one of our local musicians had the pleasure of playing with Jason Bonham (yes, John’s son), Led Zeppelin is in the air. Tuesday I went to jam night at the Barrel in Burien, and members from Seattle’s premiere Led Zeppelin tribute band “Kashmir” were playing. Whole different experience. Whole Lotta Love!!

Terry Mriglot is Robert Plant incarnate; his voice hits those hard to reach spikes and wails, and he even looks like Robert, with that leonine curly blonde hair and oh-so-tight jeans. Dan Benz plays a beautiful minstrel-like guitar, as if he had time-travelled from the Olde English countryside. Is it a Marshal? I’ll have to ask him, but that boy can paint castles and unicorns in the clouds.

I loved the combination of these Kashmir members playing with members of Howard Comfort’s AC/DC tribute band “Soul Stripper”: tall Howard plays a scorching lead guitar and exudes Rock Star Cool from behind his shades as his accomplished bass player thunders on his 5-string. When they played Collective Soul’s “Shine” it all came together: Magic!

The Barrel Jam, every Tuesday night 8-12 p.m.

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.

Gumbo Factory

Musical Flavors of New Orleans
It is urban myth: you hear about it, you know it’s happening, but you never tangibly see it. Somebody is making an amazing record right next door, and it could be something Big.

Gumbo Factory is such a record. Masterminded and produced by Travis Fullerton, its rich layers of musical flavors thoroughly satisfy. Gumbo Factory began as a musical tribute to Travis’ friend, the late, great blues singer Ronnie Barron. It evolved into a collection of songs in a unique fusion of eras and styles that pay homage to Ronnie’s New Orleans roots. Gumbo Factory features six original songs as well as covers that put a new spin on two classics.

Sid George, legendary sax man, plays a key lead role, weaving you through haunting New Orleans melodies. Star-quality vocals, mystic lyrics, power drumming, creative keyboards, and sublime slide guitar work are orchestrated into something truly special. I would say it as the French say: Gumbo Factory has that certain je nais se quoi.

Travis is no stranger to the world of music: his early history drumming in young bands up and down the eastern seaboard led to international touring with world-famous groups starting in the heyday of Haight Ashbury. Gumbo Factory members have played with Dr. John, Stephen Stills, John Mayall, Tower of Power, Quicksilver, Humble Pie, John Lennon, Roy Buchanan, Martha Reeves, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder, Eric Clapton, George Clinton, Duane Allman, Lou Rawls, and many more.

Recorded in Bellevue, WA and Tucson, AZ with strong southern R&B roots, Gumbo Factory is a tasty, eclectic experience.

You can get the EP on iTunes and at Amazon.com. Visit the Gumbo Factory website to learn more or find them on Facebook.

The Fabulous Johnsons

Michael Johnson on lead guitar, Jeff Kathan on drums, and Lynn Sorensen on electric violin and bass.

It was one of those special nights at The Barrel in Burien: three rock stars having fun and honing their chops, taking requests, and digging into some pretty deep repertoire, like a private rehearsal for a lucky few. If The Fabulous Johnsons' show at J&M in Pioneer Square this coming Friday is anything like the other night, it will be a show well worth seeing.

The revamped J&M Cafe features a bigger stage at the back of the venue, past a huge well-stocked bar, and there is a nice size dance floor. The engineered sound is excellent. Get ready to rock!

Local Talent Eleanor Fye

Original and Unexpected

Business consultant by day, singer-songwriter by night, Eleanor Fye surprises and delights. Her genre-defying performances two-step in and around jazz, pop/rock, and a little country. A little Raitt, a little Tori Amos, a little Carole King, her original compositions and passionate vocal performances take you on a soulful exploration of her own experiences, with playfulness, sorrow, joy, and utter authenticity.

Eleanor is a local Seattle talent who lives on Whidbey Island. A few years ago she followed her heart to Nashville and has surrounded herself with Grammy-winning artists. Back home in the Northwest, she is concentrating on her own songwriting and producing.

While “Drive,” Eleanor’s first album, gives us a glimpse of her unique point of view, her second album, “Love Stays On,” being released this month, dives deeper as she ponders life’s poetic journey.

Eleanor Fye “Love Stays On” CD release party is Wednesday, February 16 at Egan's Ballard Jam House1707 Northwest Market Street, in Ballard, WA.

Children's Music Foundation

Students perform at the CMF Event

Gary Wenet, CMF Founder and Chairman of the Board

Lisa Fitzhugh, CMF Champion

First Note

I don’t usually stump for causes, but last night, Triple Door in Seattle was host to a fundraiser for The Children’s Music Foundation (CMF), a cause worthy of your consideration. The Children’s Music Foundation was created exclusively to promote the study of music as an essential educational tool in our elementary schools throughout the United States.

Years of research confirm the undeniable link between music and increased academic achievement, and I would add, increased enrichment in life overall. In the past several years, there have been devastating cuts in K-12 music curricula and after-school events. CMF aims to bring back music education to K-12 classrooms as an integral piece of the core curriculum with standards-based music for kindergarten and first-grade teachers that build the foundation for learning music early.

The program is called First Note, and will be comprised of three essential parts: curriculum, training, and ongoing support. All teachers will receive a package that contains all they need to start teaching. Nationally, there are 3.6 million kindergartners and 3.8 million first graders who are waiting for the First Note program, and at $27 per student per school year, this is an investment to seriously consider when making decisions about annual giving and donations.

Local Live Music

Time to rock!
The next few weeks are brimming with live music from a constellation of talented local musicians. My picks:

JAM NIGHT at 88 Keys in Seattle hosted by Power Cell
Wednesdays at 8:00pm

Magic Bus at Tulalip Casino-Canoes Cabaret Lounge
Friday, January 14 at 9:00pm

Cory Wilds Band at Williams Ave Sports Bar in Renton
Friday, January 14 9:00pm

JAM NIGHT at The Barrel in Burien hosted by Doug McGrew
Tuesdays at 8:00pm

Magic Bus at Tulalip Casino-Canoes Cabaret Lounge
Wednesday, January 19 at 9:30pm

Cory Wilds Band at Salty’s Redondo in Des Moines, WA
Friday and Saturday, January 21 & 22 at 8:00pm

Guy Johnson at J&M Café in Seattle
Saturday, January 22 at 9:00pm

NSANE at Collectors’ Choice in Snohomish
Friday, January 28 at 9:00pm

Power Cell at Tulalip Casino-Canoes Cabaret Lounge
Saturday, January 29 at 5:00-8:00pm

Randy Hansen with Special Guest Menace at Jazzbones in Tacoma
Saturday, January 29 at 9:00pm

No Quarter (Led Zeppelin tribute) at Tulalip Casino-Canoes Cabaret Lounge
Sunday, January 30 at 8:00pm

Dudley Taft at the Hard Rock in Seattle
Friday, February 4 at 5:00-8:00pm

Echos (Pink Floyd tribute) with Randy Hansen at King Cat Theater in Seattle
Saturday, February 5 at 7:30pm

No Quarter (Led Zeppelin tribute) at The Central Saloon in Seattle
Saturday, February 5 at 9:00pm – 1:00am

Heartless (Heart tribute) at Tulalip Casino-Canoes Cabaret Lounge
Sunday, February 6 at 9:00pm