New Iberians let the good times roll,
release hot new CD 'Bon Temps Rouge'
by Steve Rodin
The New Iberians
(Photo by Kurt "Swingcat" Johnson)
The New Iberians Blues and Zydeco Band takes its name from the town of New Iberia, Louisiana, the self-proclaimed hot pepper sauce capital of the known universe.
As band leader, Evan Shlaes says, The New Iberians play "stumptown zydeco." He explains that they are a Portland band that combines Louisiana zydeco, New Orleans second line and Memphis soul into a zesty gumbo of unique and infectiously danceable good time or "bon temps" music. Mix that with some great Chicago blues, Northwest rock and over 120 years of combined musical experience and you get stumptown zydeco.
One listen to this group and it's easy to see why New Iberians fans love to hear this group play. A crowd favorite at numerous festivals and fairs throughout the Pacific Northwest, they also play a few local clubs from time to time.
Late last month, The New Iberians released their second CD Bon Temps Rouge with two shows. One was Northeast Portland at the Laurelthirst Tavern on Glisan Street and the other in Southwest Portland's Multnomah Village at O'Connor's Vault.
Wikipedia says that zydeco is a form of American roots or folk music that evolved from late 1800's call and response vocal music of the multiracial French-speaking Creoles of south and southwest Louisiana and southeast Texas. Zydeco music is usually fast-tempo and dominated by a squeeze box or accordion and a washboard. Zydeco music was originally created at house dances where people of color in south Louisiana would gather for socializing.
This group really gets a place rockin' featuring Shlaes on accordion and lead vocals and Paul Bassette, a true Cajun, on washboard. Other regular band members include Michael Kearsey on bass; Fred Ingram on drums and Francisco Marmolejo on tenor sax. Claes Almroth sits in at most gigs playing blues harp and doing some lead vocals. At present, lead guitar duties are performed by Mark Spangler, Peter Dammann or Clark Salisbury.
It was a real joy attending the CD release party at O'Connor's Vault. You could see people moving with the great rhythms. Whether shaking the head or leg, tapping their hand or foot, everyone looked like a bobble-head on a bumpy road.
The new CD is titled Bon Temps Rouge. Shlaes explains that they were about to play at a festival here in Portland; an old friend named Hawk, who was recovering from chemo, asked if he could bring the band up on stage. As Hawk went into the introduction, he became a bit excited. What he wanted to end with was bon temps rouler or good times roll, but he messed up and said, 'bon temps rouge.' Shlaes like the faux pas and decided to write a song titled just that. The new CD has that title song, plus four other Shlaes originals. It also includes songs from Fats Domino, Huddie Ledbetter, Johnny Nash, Buck Owens, Bobby Freeman and Clifton Chenier.
O'Connor's is one of Portland's real gems, nestled in the heart of Multnomah Village. They feature a variety of Cajun dishes and southwest cuisine. O'Connor's features an excellent selection of fine wines, a full-service lounge and an epicurean dessert menu that would tickle the appetite of any palate. The staff is very knowledgeable about everything from menu to the history of the restaurant.
The original O'Connor's was opened in downtown Portland in 1934. Ten years later, it was sold to the father of current owner Steve Arel. The restaurant moved from the original S.W. 4th and Alder location to S.W. 4th and Washington. In 1991, the restaurant moved to it's current location at 7850 S.W. Capitol Highway in Multnomah Village.
O'Connor's has three sections, the lounge, the café and the annex, or as it's now called O'Connor's Vault. The Vault features live entertainment four nights a week. A listing of future events is included in Music on Tap.
Be sure to put this restaurant on your list of places to go. Prices are very moderate for the platters they serve and the homemade dishes are truly excellent. Everything from the salad dressings to the desserts is superb. You can also order food in The Vault while watching a great show.
O'Connor's and The New Iberians Blues and Zydeco Band are a great combination and both deserve your consideration for a future evening out. By the way, the new CD was engineered by Terry Robb at Falcon Studios, and will be handled by Burnside Distribution. For more information on The New Iberians Blues and Zydeco Band or the new CD, Bon Temps Rouge, go to www.newiberians.com.
Be sure to catch the New Iberians at The Cider Mill Feb. 27; say hi to new owner Toby, tell him Positively Entertainment sent you!