Music Scene 11.09
By Bart Mendoza
In addition to its regular Thursday night Jazz jam session, South Park Bar & Grill is now also home to a Saturday night blues jam session. Hosted by bassist Will Jackson and his band, Willstreet Blues, the event gives novice players a chance to gain valuable performance time, seasoned pros opportunities to try out new ideas, and audiences, a wonderfully unpredictable show. Sign-ups are at 8:30 p.m. with the music underway at 9:30 p.m. While original blues tunes do turn up, the majority of the night is devoted to the classics, making this a fun night out for any level of blues fan.
Blues Jam Session: Saturdays, 9:30 p.m. at South Park Bar & Grill, 1946 Fern St. 21 and up. Free. www.southparkbarandgrill.com
The music of Rhythm and the Method, who perform at The Radio Room on Nov. 13, covers a lot of ground. Mixing blues, rock and singer-songwriter genres, the band is socially conscious and groove oriented. This is not a retro combo in any sense, but songs like the excellent “4th Dimension” channel a mix of Jimi & Janis that is undeniable. Elsewhere the band excels on blues songs such as “I’m Gonna Getcha.” The band’s secret weapon is front woman Rhythm Turner, whose soulful vocals and engaging stage presence have been known to win over even jaded crowds. The band plays primarily originals, but sparks really fly on their occasional choice cover tunes, such as Burt Bacharach’s “Little Red Book.”
Rhythm and the Method: Friday, Nov. 13, at the Radio Room, 3519 El Cajon Blvd. 10 p.m. 21 and up. Cover TBD. www.myspace.com/rhythmandthemethod
The words “music legend” get bandied about with too much frequency these days, but in the case of 70-year-old Lou Curtiss, it’s an apt description. A keen historian of roots music, ever since the mid-1960s, Curtiss has mentored an incredible range of artists, including Tom Waits, Gregory Page and AJ Croce, from his Adams Avenue-based Folk Arts Record Store. Even with all that, his greatest talent is as a performer of traditional folk music, preserving a legacy of rare songs that might otherwise be lost. The second and fourth Tuesdays of each month Curtis holds a Singers Circle at Kadan, showcasing this material and inviting other like-minded locals to join in. Whether you participate, or just come to listen, opportunities to interact with music icons like this are becoming increasingly rare as the years roll on. If you like roots or folk music, this one shouldn’t be missed.
Folk Arts Rare Records Singers Circle, Nov. 10. Kadan, 4696 30th St., 6 p.m. 21 and up. Free. www.folkartsrarerecords.com
South Bay-based quartet Team Abraham is a “pop band” in the truest sense of the phrase. Performing at Bar Pink on Nov. 13, the group could also be described as “indie-rock,” and “folk influenced,” but it’s their devotion to song craft and tunes with insidious hooks that earns them the “pop” tag. Best of all is their arrangements, using instruments which are often afterthoughts in other bands, including harmonica and tambourine, as integral parts of the arrangements. Helmed by namesake Abraham Nunez, Team Abraham has weathered several lineup changes, each time emerging stronger. The band recently released its debut EP, “Driven by the Mystery I See,” on vinyl, but it’s live where the band can really be appreciated.
Team Abraham: Friday, Nov. 13. Bar Pink, 3829 30th St., 10 p.m. 21 and up. Free.
www.myspace.com/abrahamnunez
Best known for a slew of soft-rock Top 40 hits between 1975 and 1982, Ambrosia was always a band with two sides. While the pop tunes kept the band in the charts, its progressive rock side attracted a die-hard group of fans devoted to its experimental sides. Both sides will be on display Nov. 21 when the band performs at Acoustic Music San Diego. Among other accomplishments, the band backed Alan Parsons on his first album and performed the song “Poor Rich Boy,” in the film “Arthur,” but it’s the beauty of its four biggest hits, “The Biggest Part of Me,” “How Much I Feel,” “Holdin’ on to Yesterday” and “You’re the Only Woman,” that ensures the band a secure place in pop music history. Ambrosia still includes three founding members/singers Joe Puerta (bass), Christopher North (keyboards) Burleigh Drummond (drums) and one who joined soon after, David C. Lewis (keyboards). The original quartet lineup is now expanded to a six piece, with the addition of singer Rick Cowling and guitarist Doug Jackson.
Ambrosia: Saturday, Nov. 21, at Acoustic Music San Diego, 4650 Mansfield St. 7: 30 p.m. All ages. $20-$50. www.acousticmusicsandiego.com
