today
8:30 a.m. Audubon Society Field Trip See Event Description
read >9 a.m. Arcata Farmers' Market Arcata Plaza
read >9:30 a.m. Discovery Walk: Unknown Waterfront See Event Description
read >9:30 a.m. Manila Dunes Restoration Manila Community Center
read >10 a.m. Manila Dunes Guided Walk Manila Community Center
read >10 a.m. Library Book Sale Humboldt County Library
read >10 a.m. Dia de los Muertos and Mexican Folk Art Sale Private Eureka home
read >10 a.m. Final Arcata Farmer's Market Arcata Farmers' Market (off the plaza)
read >11 a.m. Donlin Foreman Dance Workshop Dell'Arte
read >2 p.m. Humboldt Coastal Nature Center Draft Trails Plan Walk Stamps House
read >5 p.m. Bati Zado and Show Redwood Raks World Dance Studio
read >6 p.m. The Tumbleweeds Chapala Cafe
read >6 p.m. Ali Chaudhary (jazz duo) Libation
read >6:30 p.m. Not Evil, Just Wrong Humboldt Area Foundation
read >7 p.m. Guitar Stan (country) Old Town Coffee & Chocolates
read >8 p.m. Guitar Orchestra of Barcelona Arkley Center for the Performing Arts
read >8 p.m. Stones in His Pockets Arcata Playhouse
read >8 p.m. A Christmas Carol North Coast Repertory Theater
read >8 p.m. Donna Landry Swing Dance Moose Lodge
read >8 p.m. North Coast Wind Ensemble Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU
read >8:30 p.m. The Last Minute Men (international) Cafe Mokka
read >9 p.m. Ian McFeron Band (folk rock) Six Rivers Brewery
read >9 p.m. The Michael Paul Band WAVE @ blue lake casino
read >9 p.m. The Generatorz (classic rock) Central Station Cocktail Lounge
read >9 p.m. Taxi Bear River Casino
read >9 p.m. VJ Itchie Fingaz Pearl Lounge
read >9 p.m. Jack Ruby Presents + Blue Street + Acufunkture (DIY rock) Jambalaya
read >9 p.m. 2nd Annual Scorpio Bash The Red Fox Tavern
read >10 p.m. Music by DJ Sidelines
read >10 p.m. DJ Icy Hot Aunty Mo's Lounge
read >10 p.m. Jemimah Puddleduck (rock) Humboldt Brews
read >10 p.m. White Manna + Midday Veil + The King Salmon Duo (rock) Jambalaya
read >11 p.m. Radio Moscow (psychadelic blues) + Mosquito Bandito (one-man surf/garage) The Alibi Lounge and Restaurant
read >previous columns
July 31, 2008
Feed the Animals
By Girl Talk. Illegal Art. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered ...
read >July 24, 2008
As You Like It
Directed by Kenneth Branagh. HBO Films. With Henry V in ...
read >July 17, 2008
My Favorite Waste of Time
Album by Freedy Johnston Singing Magnet Records Singer/songwriter Freedy Johnston ...
read >Photos
All Over The Map
By The Delta Nationals.
By Maxwell Schnurer
The Delta Nationals are a talented quartet of local blues-rooted musicians whose second album, All Over the Map, emerged earlier this year. As the title suggests, the album is a diverse collection of toe-tapping music authored by the band members. The Delta Nationals have created a wonderful boogie sound on this album which should resonate with most dancers, enliven almost any dinner party, and even elicit nostalgia in the stubborn-minded.
From the slow-dance masterpiece “Everlasting” to the Texas swing of “Lonesome Cowboy,” The Delta Nationals never abandon the dancers. All Over the Map is a showcase of the music they love, with The Delta Nationals crafting their own versions of Bossa Nova, country, surf and blues songs.
Steve Irwin plays guitar for the band and marks his country-tinged recordings with crystal clear riffs and slick notes. He contributes a distinctive twang to the “Last Logger Leaving Town” and provides the heart of the surf aesthetic to “Camel Rock,” their musical tribute to the local surf spot.
Dave Ryan’s keyboard work strolls through “That Bossa Nova Thing,” and he fills in the sound for the band in some critical spots throughout the album. His potent piano anchors the blues song “She’s Good to Me.”
Drummer Paul DeMark, doesn’t seem rushed -- a rare condition in a percussionist. Even the most talented drummers seem to speed up, arriving suddenly, painstakingly, on point, often a little early. DeMark is the rarest of drummers whose sound seems to flow out of his kit with little effort and maximum grace. Listen to “Everlasting,” on All Over the Map. The beat is so fluid it positively oozes across the recording. Similar patience shows itself through the half dozen other styles emerging from his drumsticks.
Matching DeMark is Ross Rowley, the bass player who keeps it all together, style after style. One clear highlight is the enjoyable “Up from New Orleans,” which offers Ross a chance to share some healthy blues lines and swinging vocals. The Ross/DeMark rhythm section charges together and fills every song on the record from rip-roaring two-step to stuttered blues.
All Over the Map is a local incarnation of the flexible dance bands of yore -- the troubadours who could entertain whatever kind of audience came through the door. Humboldt should be honored to host this kind of talent, and when you see The Delta Nationals playing next at a beer hall, Grange or Elks Lodge, lace up your shoes and head for the dance floor -- it is sure to be crowded.



















No comments for this entry
post a comment