Rae Gordon

Soul singer hosts Karaoke @ Lee's

by K.T.

Rae Gordon, a soul singer on her way up, is featured host artist at the Lee's Kitchen open mike on Fridays and Saturdays. Backed by well-orchestrated recordings by live musicians, the sound comes through the house-owned Pioneer Laserdisc system. Gordon has a good ear and an engaging manner and sets a great example of how to run a session. This is probably one of the nicest sessions in this area. Friday nights are hoppin' and Saturday nights are best for trying out new songs.

Gordon, born with a natural singing voice, is a prolific songwriter. "I had to stop writing," she says, "because I was writing so many tunes they were backing up." Like many gifted singers, she often composes tunes while driving and the melodies just come to her. When she is seated at the piano, the melodies appear first.

Rae Gordon moved back to Portland about four years ago, from the Los Angeles area. She states that living in the Northwest area has "made me feel more open to be myself." She performed in many showcases and other venues in California, but she notes that "down there it's all about image." Up here, there is more talent around every corner, and besides, here you can just "go out and walk your dog."

Gordon is currently auditioning collaborators for arranging and copyist assistance. This is definitely a work in progress, and her goal is to finish the tunes she has and get them recorded. Many musicians find it necessary to work in other trades in order to get their start in publishing, recording and distributing their music. Gordon says her current daytime position pays her bills but when she gets to the inevitable "jumping-off" point, she "won't miss the paper cuts." In the meantime, her short term goal is to get the tunes in shape and be in a position to make the day job part time and devote more time to finishing the music material.

Original songs are not ordinarily featured at the Lee's Kitchen Karaoke sessions. Gordon knows what songs are popular and sings them wonderfully. The night this writer joined other singers, the tune list included favorites from every genre and era from Sarah Vaughan to Hank Williams Jr., and from The Platters to the Judds. Numbers more familiar to the younger set are the good ones that make people want to come in and sing. Of special note are tunes that a group of partygoers can do together, for the highlight of the evening. Rae Gordon wears her talent gracefully and makes it easy for singers to give their best performance.

One great mini-set was offered by a nice man who actually came in to get a take-out dinner. He had to stay and sing a few. Lee's Kitchen, located in the turnaround at the center of downtown Tualatin, is easy to find. Just get on Nyberg Road and go until you are at the round drive. Enter the parking lot and there you are. Chinese food is served in the family dining area and in the comfortable lounge.

The wine list includes Kikkoman Plum Wine. The full bar offers some house specialty drinks, included one that is made with three rums and fruit juice, said to be smooth but powerful. A choice of various fruit flavors are available as Daiquiris. They all sounded good to this writer, regardless of the weather. The lounge features sports cable TV, (the fastest recorded land speed record for a skateboard is 78 mph) video poker and Oregon lottery games. Table and booth seating is offered, and there is a nice little dance floor.

Parties are welcome at Lee's Kitchen, so call soon to check holiday reservations. Have a great dinner and enjoy a custom mixed drink special. It's well worth the drive, and the music is fun.

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