Condition Blue
Band covers myriad of music styles
by Bruce (the dude) Gifford
Condition Blue is Robert Carson's latest band and is worthy of a 'go-see' rating.
The group ranges stylistically somewhere in the funk, rock, blues and jazz music categories, but doesn't really fit any of the slots exactly. The categories that describe them best are exciting, local, genuinely entertaining, popular, fun, dance music.
Carson is the primary front man with Carey Rogers (bass) and Tim Doyle (keys) taking up the slack. Portland's well-known drummer John Police fills out the rhythm section on drums.
Carson began playing guitar in 1963 and by 1965, he was playing professionally in California. He has lived and played in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle and finally, Portland since 1995. Carson was signed to Phillips Records in 1969 in San Francisco and Music City Records in Oakland, Calif. in 1973. He also played the bass steadily from 1984 until 2001, when he turned his focus to jazz guitar.
Locally, Carson has played with Drawback Slim, Grooveline, LynnAnn Hyde, Duffy Bishop, Billy Hagen, Actual Size and many more. He currently leads the Robert Carson Jazz Quartet and is the co-host of jams (blues) on Tuesdays at Rosco's, Wednesdays at the Twilight Cafe (blues, jazz and R&B) and Monty's Tavern (blues).
Carson's musical interests run from blues and jazz to rock and R&B, and anything that is done well. His approach in teaching guitar is to re-bridge the gap between the blues and jazz. In other words, he enjoys teaching jazz players to use the blues; he also teaches blues guitarists to use jazz ideas in their blues.
Tim 'The Deacon' Doyle began his music career by signing his first major label record deal at 18 years of age with Quad/MGM records as songwriter and keyboard player for Douglas Fir. With 40-plus years of experience behind him, he has backed such mega-stars as Bruce Willis, Andre Crouch, Blue Oyster Cult and Lee Oscar of War. He's toured the national blues circuit with Robbie Laws and played with local bands Lori Bouck and The Interpreters, Sonny Hess' Power Band and Under Cover, to name a few.
Carey Rogers had played bass for more years than he cares to discuss. Rogers came to Portland in 1979. His style has gravitated to R&B and blues with rock and even jam band side trips. Favorite musicians Rogers has played with include Sheila Wilcoxon with Back Porch Blues, Evan Schlaese with the New Iberians and Stu Kinzel from Kinzel and Hyde. Rogers has performed at the Waterfront Blues Festival and currently is part of the host band for a Thursday night blues jam in the Beaverton area.
John Police is a well-known drummer here in town and needs little introduction to loyal Positively Entertainment and Dining readers. Rogers graciously wrote this colorful biographical sketch for Police: "Discovered in the peat bogs of southeast Portland, John Police began drumming as a way to fight off Wildebeests and Warthogs that nibbled his toes as a young lad. Rising up through the ranks of the finest of drummers to ever hold sticks, John maintains a keen ear and a swift foot, which he uses to kick the bananas out of any bass player in his vicinity. A true warrior, John Police is the king of forward motion and one heck of a drummer."
The band's set list is distinctive and tasteful. Carson brings an eclectic influence to the band that gets songs like Mr PC and Standing on Shaky Ground on the play list. The band takes its name from a song written by Robert Carson. Other songs written by Carson and performed by Condition Blue include: "Lost My Job", "Smoking In Bed" and "50,000 Space Ships".
The band performs regularly at Pyzano's in Aloha and Coyote's in Hillsboro. Check Positively Entertainment's Bandstand section for dates or go to Positivelyis online event calendar at condition blue calendar.