Francine West delivers full dose of the blues in com-back, plans kids' benefit
by Linda Phillips
The party starts when Francine West arrives at The Trails End Saloon's Wednesday night jam session in Oregon City.
West makes her entrance into the club with her truly scrumptious, contagious smile that is impossible to miss under her blonde locks and matching good looks. You can't help but love this lady singer who's always spontaneous and up beat, while delivering your full dose of the blues.
West is enjoying her come-back after taking nine years off just doing other stuff. Instead of entertaining when it felt like burnout had set in, West waited until it felt good again and she shares that with her audience.
West's husband Arthur West put her back-up band The High Speed Wobblers together to launch her career once again, back in June of 2007. The first gig was booked at Oregon City's own Trails End Saloon with a cheering full house. The welcoming crowd proved Francine could definitely come back to what she loved. It's funny how taking some time away can bring you right back to the very things you were getting away from, only with a clearer vision of what it will be for you.
The High Speed Wobblers are far from wobbly on their instruments. After all, West's biggest fan (her husband) hand-picked these players. This writer just has to say how cool is that; it's like a romance novel. They ride motorcycles together too.
It's totally clear that West is the main feature and the band gives this entertainer her due respect. West never demands it and loves to give plenty of shine time to each of the players. The line-up consists of keys, bass, drums and guitar. This, of course, changes throughout the night with the different participants of the jam.
While The Wobblers were setting up, it was nice to get a little bit of knowledge about what each player brings to the group and to this place and time in their music careers.
Bassist Jeff Ommert has enjoyed his journey in the music business since age 13 and has played in The Liquid Blues Band, a full-time gig with much time on the road. Ommert also spent some time in retirement from playing music in the last nine years to help raise his two daughters and focus on his day gig. You will enjoy his style on bass with his big-guy finesse, while keeping beat with a full sound.
Ray Davis is another name that is known in the music scene and is one of the top guitar players around. Davis has a never-ending element of sounds and clearly knows his way around any song, making it unique with his leads and chord voicing. Davis is clearly a jack-of-all-trades on the guitar, making it a bit intimidating for the other guitar players getting up to jam.
Bonnie Lee is awesome on the keys and thankfully is a woman who can hold her own playing the blues or any type of music. Lee is cute but edgy with a tough-girl sweetness that is endearing to her audience. Lee is an inspiration with both her talent on the keys and her singing voice.
Last, but definitely not least, because he pulls this group all together with just the right groove, is drummer Phillip Tucker. He is the young one of the bunch and has the energy to keep it sharp and tight. You will love watching him when you’re not dancing to the great beat he supplies.
There is a song for everyone on the set list from Start It Up, Start It Up, to make you feel like dancing and I Feel Lucky for those of you who want to get lucky. West gives her confession in Bonnie Raitt's Guilty, putting everyone at ease because you can relate. You will love listening to a little bit of rock-a-billy with a crowd favorite Red Hot and this one gives you a flashback on Elvis' golden oldies. All of the tunes are guaranteed to help forget your troubles or to put a tear in your beer. If you're in the mood to slide back and enjoy the musicianship, you will.
All of the players are fun on-stage, with their priority to please the crowd. This a great show you can't miss. One of the main events that Francine West and The High Speed Wobblers look forward to is the ABATE Benefit they host for the ABATE-Shriners' Hospital. This will be the seventh annual Musicians Toy Run Benefit, which adds extra enthusiasm for all involved.
This event will be at The Trails End Saloon on Nov. 8, with a donation request of a new unwrapped toy or $5. Besides the big beautiful voice and the great familiar tunes of Francine West and The High Speed Wobblers, there will be a non-stop line-up of talented musicians. Back by popular demand will be Jim Mesi, San Francisco-based Wendy Dewitt and Annieville Blues from Seattle.
The festivities will actually start Friday night the 7th with a preview show featuring West with Annie and Wendy, The Boogie Woogie Queens, also at the Trails End. A big enough heart to accomplish helping kids at this level is what Francine West and The High Speed Wobblers is all about. Let's help them beat last year’s $5000 and 140 toys for ABATE/Shriners' Toy Run this year!
If you are interested in helping with this year's effort, call Francine or Art West at 503-351-5054.