Party of Four cultivates music
groove designed
for dance, pleases fans at M&M with
4-part harmonies
Party of Four
Photo by Genna Martin
Party of Four is a band of seasoned pros that has a love of playing music and a motivation to share what they have.
This combo, formed just a bit over a year ago, is advanced with a science of style that cultivates the groove of music designed for dance and to make sure that everyone has a good time of it. This writer and PE&D Editor Bonnie Carter recently caught their skillful act at the M&M Lounge, downtown Gresham. The dance floor filled quickly with Party of Four fans out for a good time.
This group’s chemistry generates an energy that is progressive in content, beaming with influences from out of the early ‘60s rock and roll era with groups such as the Ventures, Beatles, Beach Boys, Elvis and the like. Party of Four lends itself to the soul of live music as you like to hear it, combining four-part harmonies in vocals.
Portland native Lyn Borden graces the stage with talent naturally obtained from his early days, coming from a musical family. When he picked up the guitar in the early ‘60s Borden never laid it down for anything else. He plays rhythm, lead and slide and trades off lead vocals with other members throughout the night. Other groups Borden has played with are Kick Start, Sunset Red and Lickity Split. Read More
Jam at Spare Room
Francine West thunders down musical highway
Francine West & the High Speed Wobblers, thundering down the musical highway like a Harley-Davidson at full throttle, deliver the blues right to your door. With a name inspired by an actual unexpected and possibly dangerous motorcycle riding situation, this band’s edgy approach has helped to propel them towards the top of the metro area scene. Their revolving line-up of local all-star talent helps to showcase West’s own incredible vocal stylings. Back after a nearly decade-long hiatus from performing, this woman is definitely still at the top of her game.
Francine West
(Photo by Dan Golden)
The history of this group dates back to the mid-‘90s and includes touring throughout the Northwest and Hawaii as both a featured headline act and opener for a variety of major league bands. They have also graced the stage at Portland’s own Waterfront Blues Festival.
While the backing players have changed over the years, West’s commitment and passion for music has not. The current edition of the Wobblers boasts over 100 years of combined professional experience; their love of music shows through at each gig.
Mainstays of the Wobblers’ staff include drummer Phillip Tucker, guitarist Ray Davis and Bonnie Lee Bluestone on keyboards. As of late, the group has just established a regular Wednesday night residency at the Spare Room, located at 4830 N.E. 42nd near Alberta Street. This is an open jam session, which begs the question, “Who will ‘wobble’ in this week?” The backing band for this interesting evening of musical fun rotates weekly, making each night’s set a truly unique experience. Read More
Kenny Lee & the Sundowners
Trio showcases talents at area clubs
There is a new sheriff in town; his name is Kenny Lee with his posse the Sundowners and is making the rounds of Portland’s best blues clubs. With a strong combination of blues standards, rock favorites and some very well-written original songs, this band can play for hours nonstop and rock the house one song after the other.
Kenny Lee & The Sundowners
Born and raised in Tillamook ,Ore., Kenny Lee learned his craft well, growing up in a home with diverse musical taste. He listened to rock and roll, country and heavy metal back in the ‘80s. All of these influences blend together to make some very tasty original tracks.
The band has released their first original CD titled Outlaw. The title track Outlaw will lead a listener to spend a little time reflecting on their life and the choices one makes traveling through the journey. The song Guitar Man talks about the price paid for this love of music shared and the demands and sacrifices a musician makes. A standout track titled Gypsy is a strong live song and one of nine tracks that gives the listener just a taste of the talents this band possesses. Read More
New Copper Penny
Popular club brings back hot live bands
If you like live classic rock, there is great news for all you eastsiders. The New Copper Penny, 92nd & S.E. Foster, reincarnates itself back into a live music venue.
“I want to bring the people into the club to dance and give them a place to relax and enjoy themselves” says management, who has been doing just that since 1973. Bringing in bands with such homegrown notoriety as No Ties, Sequel, Nu Shooz and even Quarterflash, the New Copper Penny is perfectly suited to be what “The Whiskey” is to the L.A. music scene.
No Ties
Tuesday nights feature classic rock open jam, where you will find some of Portland’s finest musicians cutting loose with their friends. Wednesday night is ladies night with drink specials and games. Watch for information on the “Battle of the Bands” contest, offering cash prizes on Thursday nights. Friday and Saturday is live classic rock nights, wrapping up with Sunday night “Fiesta Night,” when Latin music and salsa dancers pack the dance floor.
With such well-seasoned bands as the danceable music of Random Pressure, The Kooltones, The Hipwaiters and the all-out-fun Junkyard Dogs in the line up for the rest of March and April and more bands added to the schedule every week, you are certain to find some of the best live music in Portland at the the New Copper Penny. Be sure to check them out on Facebook! (See ad and Music on Tap for music schedule.) Read More
Return Flight ‘arrives’ w/big sounds at Another Round lounge
Return Flight has arrived. This is a really great “horn band.” A recent performance at Another Round Restaurant and Bar (Gresham Golf Club) was impressive.
Danielle Mayers
(Photo by Bonnie Carter)
The tune list included all the large horn band favorites, including Pick Up The Pieces, What Is Hip, Dock of the Bay, Roller Coaster, Feelin’ All Right and more. This writer especially appreciates the band name Return Flight because the repertoire is loaded with familiar tunes that are still flying high.
Band lineup includes: Margot Cohen, lead and backing vocal, alto and bari sax, percussion, acoustic guitar; Danielle Mayers, lead and backing vocals, alto and bari sax, percussion; Steve Kelly, bass, lead and backing vocals; John Parman, drums, lead and backing vocals; Randy Grina, tenor sax; David Grant, trumpet, percussion, backing vocal; Eric Beam, trumpet; Dan Ginder, trombone, percussion, backing vocal; Steffan Finke, electric guitar and Brandon Williams, keyboards. To read all about the background and performing credits of these all-star players, visit the web page at www.returnflightband.com.
Bassist Steve Kelly says, “When we first decided to form this band, I think we were pretty naïve in that we thought we would just get a bunch of people together and go from there. The fact is, when you have this many people, with so many different personalities, musical backgrounds, it can be a pretty tough task getting everyone on the same page and going in the same direction…kind of like herding cats. In the long run, though, we’ve been pretty lucky in that we’ve gotten some pretty awesome players in this band and it’s been a blast being a part of the evolution we’ve gone through – going from a band that had a lot of members and sounded like they had a lot of members, to a cohesive horn band.”
If you have any opportunity to hear this band live, don’t miss it. Patrons at this recent performance were not dancing, but it’s because they were sitting back in disbelief, a very pleasant surprise. A band this size is expensive to operate. Musicians should be paid for their work just like any other trade; however it would be a shame if any band bigger than four or five pieces can only be the hobby of those who have disposable income, rather than the best musicians, good musical direction and great tunes. Keep your eye on the sky and watch for Return Flight, again at Another Round. (See ad and Bandstand this issue.) Read More
