Lila Nelson has always been sophisticated, witty and urbane. Since leaving Humboldt for Oakland a couple of years ago (has it been that long?) she’s become a bit more urban. She returns this weekend with The Fret and The Fray, an album full of new songs and a new band, The Job. The album title […]
Bob Doran
Freelance photographer and writer, Arts and Entertainment editor from 1997 to 2013.
Posted inMusic
Songs for Bryan
Monday night’s memorial for gone-too-soon musician Bryan Osper was at once heart-wrenching and life affirming, with hundreds of his bandmates, friends and family gathering to tell tales of his life, make music in his honor and share tears, laughter and hugs. The musical tributes started with a tune strummed and picked on a ukulele by […]
Posted inNews
“The Soul of Eureka”
As you know if you read this week’s paper, Eureka’s monthly arts night, Arts Alive! takes place Saturday night and many of you be out and about. Occasional Journal contributor Jim Hight produced this fine little vid extolling the many virtues of Arts Alive with Benjamin Bettenhausen handling camera duties. Our own art critic R.W. Evans […]
Posted inMusic
Cosmic Mickey
While Mickey Hart is invariably referred to as the drummer from the Grateful Dead, he has long had a life outside of that fabled band. He’s travelled all over the planet collecting rhythms and recording musicians ranging from indigenous jungle bands (“Endangered Music”) to Tibetan monks. In October he turned 25 albums from his “The […]
Posted inMusic
Wonderfully Mysterious
Chicago’s The Sea and Cake is one of those bands that falls somewhere between genres with jazz, folk and post rock playing a role in its alt. something music alongside vibes from Brazil and Africa. Formed in the early-‘90s by Sam Prekop and Eric Claridge (formerly of Shrimp Boat), Archer Prewitt (formerly of The Coctails) […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Tripping on the Tipping Point
At the Arcata Playhouse this weekend, the latest from Petrolia’s top theatre troupe, Human Nature, is another take on what the troupe calls “climate change comedy:” Two Old Birds or Tripping on the Tipping Point. The “old birds” (not that old) are David Simpson and Jane Lapiner, winners of the Danish Institute for Popular Theater’s […]
Posted inMusic
Soul!
There’s some major talent coming to town this week, but in my book no show can top next Wednesday’s visit by neo-soul masters Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, filling The Depot (of all places). Raised on a mix of gospel and James Brown funk, Ms. Jones is a tough cookie who worked for years as […]
Posted inMusic
The Crooked Bee Eater
It might seem surprising if you know the players, but Saturday’s convergence of two Boston-based new acoustic stringbands, The Bee Eaters and Crooked Still, at the Arcata Theatre Lounge will be the first time those groups have played together. The common thread between them is Tristan Clarridge, cellist for Crooked Still and fiddler for The […]
Posted inMusic
For a Friend
Big weekend for reggae with three major concerts scheduled, each quite different. We’ll start with Saturday when the local reggae massive assembles at the Bayside Grange for an afternoon-into-evening benefit to help the family of Joe Magana, owner of the Que Grande taco truck who was recently diagnosed with muscular dystrophy. Not to get political, […]
Posted inMusic
Boom
Boom Tic Boom is a drum riff, a bass drum “boom” followed by a snare rim hit, then another bass boom. It’s also the name of a jazz album by drummer Allison Miller (who’s known for playing more than jazz). And it’s the name of her stellar quartet, coming to Arcata Sunday evening for a […]
Posted inMusic
Before All Hallows
So, this coming Tuesday is All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday also known as All Hallows Day. Most have forgotten All Hallows, but we all know about the night before, All Hallows Eve, or Halloween. While jack-o-lanterns and trick or treating apparently have loose ties to the ancient roots of the now-mostly-secular holiday, you’d be […]
Posted inMusic
Organic Funk
It’s kind of amazing for a band founded 16 years ago: Five out of six players in the current line-up of the Marin-based jamfunk combo Vinyl are founding members. One reason for the longevity is the way it started. “It was just guys getting together in a garage to jam,” said bass player Geoff Vaughan. […]