The Coffee Gallery Backstage - What you missed last night

Shaun Hopper Was Here and is returning - Sunday March 4th

2012-03-02T14:51:00.002-08:00

When the NAMM show was still fresh in everyone's memories, Shaun Hopper - guitar virtuoso came and impressed us so much at The Coffee Gallery Backstage that he will return March 3rd. He also performed this Stevie Wonder number on his new Peerless Taylor Martin guitar, and has had over 160,000 hits on youtube with this video. He had also performed this song for Stevie Wonder on the floor of NAMM, which floored everyone I am sure.

Enjoy

Jonothan, Nathan and John McEuen Came and Went in the Night

2012-01-29T16:40:00.000-08:00

This was a show from a few weeks ago. The Three Mighty McEuens came and performed along with Matt Carsonis, and boy was it fabulous. This song, Ocean is especially hanuting with that beautiful sibling harmonies. Evidently they just finished mixing a new album together, and went off on their way after this gig. We are truly lucky that they stopped in at The Coffee Gallery. Next time, come out and see the show!

Did You Miss the Debut of "For What It's Worth" the new Buffalo Springfield tribute band in March?

2011-04-07T16:49:00.000-07:00

Yep, on the same night that we hosted Daylight Again, the Crosby Stills Nash tribute, they reformulated, re-mixed and transformed themselves into the Buffalo Springfield as a tribute. Here are a couple of clips from that night in March!

Remember that there are surprises back here now from Thursday to Sunday nights, and sometimes more!

John Jorgenson came for a Matinee

2010-09-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Yep he and his band came to little old Altadena to play for us in a matinee. For an encore, he and his band unplugged and performed this wonderful little bit. Yes, at The Coffee Gallery in Altadena. John Jorgenson comes from afar to wow this little corner of the LA basin.

Berkley Hart Came In July

2010-09-21T20:52:00.001-07:00

We are always lucky when Berkley Hart comes to perform for us. Their great songwriting and harmonious singing are always gorgeous. Here they perform the lovely "I Want To Love You To The Bone"

Boy, We have had some Fun!

2010-09-21T20:41:00.001-07:00

Just one example of an act that will also be coming again in October is Teresa Tudury. Here is a clip of one of her songs:

June Brought some great performances to The Coffee Gallery Backstage

2010-07-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

For example, on June 29th, The Swinging Armani Brothers really swang.

Here is a video of some of the fun. Pay attention to the dancing at the end. And you probably missed it.

And then, there was Joe Craven, who performed a historic candle light show, since the power went out just a little before the show began.

And just think - there was a show almost EVERY NIGHT all month long.

May Brought a number of A Capella Acts to The Coffee Gallery Backstage

2010-06-07T18:39:00.000-07:00

Well, as you might expect, The Coffee Gallery Backstage is more than any one kind of music, but this May brought a number of great A Capella Groups to the stage.

On 5/23/10, Down 4 The Count performed the theme from the Pink Panther like the following:

And They shared the bill with Pitch Please, seen here

And of course, later in the month. Grace garced us with their presence as follows:

Now just imagine what other fun things you missed.

The Pirates of the Black Swan were here on 4/30/10 and left behind their hostages

2010-05-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

Yet another great night you might have missed at The Coffee Gallery Backstage. Captain Jack and his deadly crew came and went, but left behind this video record so you can enjoy the foolishness served up in April. There may be additional episodes.

If you can't see the above window, simply click on this LINK OF PIRATES

To Visit Their Website, you can Click THIS

I Am So Behind In Posts, I Otta DO Something, So Here Is Montana Skies

2010-05-14T00:33:00.000-07:00

Recorded in April, Montana Skies is a great duo of guitar and cello, and this is the most animated cello playing I have ever heard. Just a taste here:

LINK
If you can't see the video above, you can click on this LINK

To go to their website, click HERE

Vicky Genfan came and conquered us on 3/5/10

2010-03-25T18:28:00.000-07:00

If you want to see a hint of her artistry - just take a look. She arrived, she played, she left us behind.

March 2nd, Riders of The Purple Sage did Chili dinner show

2010-03-06T19:41:00.000-08:00

This is an early example of The Coffee Gallery's new concept of dinner and a show. Select shows will come with dinner and an opening act. For this Tuesday, the dinner was Julie's fabulous chili, cornbread and salad. Opening act was Thorin, then Relaxin' Jackson did some mandolin magic before the Riders came and we were really swingin' then.

Here are some video clips of The Riders of the Purple Sage:

And here is their WEBSITE

Gordie Tentrees Band did a Yukon set with Thorin Opening 2/25/10

2010-03-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Gordie Tentrees Band came all the way from the frozen North to entertain us with real style. Their video is here:

And their website is http://www.tentrees.ca/

Thorin entertained to open, and his video is here:

Website/myspace will happen soon

Several Weeks of Video Starting with Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon

2010-03-06T19:07:00.000-08:00

I must confess that I have been remiss in posting video of The Coffee Gallery Backstage, because I have just been overloaded with other things, and am posting several shows together right now, not necessarily in the order when they occurred.

First of all, Bev Barnett and Greg Newlon came and opened for Stephanie Bettman, and did some great self-penned, thoughtful tunes. Since I already have some of Stephanie's work posted, I decided to just put up one of Bev and Greg's songs.

Their website is at http://www.truewindmusic.com/

The Swingin' Armani Brothers did Dinner and a Show that Pulled Out All the Stops

2010-02-09T17:27:00.000-08:00

Last Thursday, the 4th of February was the beginning of a new Era as The Coffee Gallery Backstage hosted the beginning of The Swingin' Armani Brothers' 2010 Pasta Tour. They will be coming back every month in 2010 to do wonderful Italian/European inspired music complete with Italian Dinner. We dressed up The Backstage. No longer is it a tropical Coffee Storehouse, it has been transformed into an Italian Bistro, complete with a seductive piano serenading the diners.

To top it off, the show began with Roksana treating us to a few Italian arias, and Evan J. Marshall the celebrated mandolin virtuoso showed us more than a few tricks he knew. Then The Swingin' Armani Brothers did a great set, and they were joined by Duanio Thorini for one song, who I think is a relative of some sort.

Here are some tastes of what happened, but you really had to be there!

And here are some pictures of how we gussied up the place!

Okay, finally an update - Riders of The Purple Sage did a great show

2010-02-07T18:01:00.000-08:00

The Riders of The Purple Sage came by again and wowed us with their great performance on February 1st and 2nd. It is hard to describe how they manage to charm us every time they stop by between roundups, rodeos and all those other western cowboy-type stuff they do here there and everywhere. Great musicianship, great songs, great harmonies, and did I mention great musicianship? Oh yeah, that needs to be underlined. Here are some tastes of the show on the 2nd:

And to find out more about The Riders of the Purple Sage, just click HERE

Almost a week without a post? What is with this?

2010-01-28T17:53:00.000-08:00

Alas, I caught the creeping crud, and therefore have not posted anything for almost a week. I did manage to catch video of Merlin Snider on the 24th and will be posting a few of those soon, but I have not been able to catch any of the other great shows, including tonight's show with Stephanie Bettman with Luke Halpin. Of course, if you look to the left of this blog (you might have to scroll down), you can see my video of one of their recent shows here. I just won't have tonight's available.

Barry McGuire with John York "Trippin' The 60's"

2010-01-22T22:47:00.000-08:00

I am actually seeing everyone leave tonight's show, and there was a lot of singin' and pickin', and singing along with the great songs of the 60's sung by the iconic Barry McGuire. He is a man who was THERE and saw that historical music scene unfold right in front of his own life. And he brought with him the wonderful musician John York who wrote "Green Green" with Barry way back in the day.

Through Barry's eyes, you can see the wonder and excitement of being propelled by the life-changing and historical changes in culture and life that were the 60's. Just to get you excited about seeing them here the next time they come around, I have two videos from last night's show. To know more, you gotta come out and join the audience. And the audience sang lovely - I mean really - they knew the harmonies and everything.

And of course, you need to visit Barry's website, which tells you all about where he will be and where he is going. Plus you can get music there too.

http://www.trippinthesixties.com

Doug Smith and Mark Hanson 01/16/10

2010-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

2005 Grammy winners Doug Smith and Mark Hanson are gifted acoustic guitar soloists - Doug was the 2006 national fingerpicking champion, and Mark played for the President in October - but their duets set them apart. Guitar virtuoso Tommy Emmanuel says "Mark Hanson and Doug Smith set a new standard for duet guitar playing!"

Their engaging stage show covers a wealth of material - much of it self-composed - ranging from the tapping powerhouse "Dyerville Giant" to the beautiful Hawaiian slack key "Waimea Canyon." A drop-dead duet version of Jorma Kaukonen's "Embryonic Journey" may lead to a swinging improv on "Bye Bye Blues" from Les Paul and Mary Ford. Sparkling vocals and good humor accentuate an evening you won't want to miss!

But if you did miss it - here are a couple of video clips to just remind you that you could have seen them live. Video clips are no substitute.

Odds Bodkin Odded us Up on 1/12/10

2010-01-19T17:16:00.000-08:00

The quirkyness of this group is probably a result of all that time playing at the Rennaisance Pleasure Faires, and hanging out with Pagans of all stripes. Everything from "Mary's Not A Catholic Any More" to Klingon Drinking Songs. OY!

GONZALO BERGARA QUARTET Played 1/13/10 How can you miss with this stunning musical group!

2010-01-19T17:10:00.000-08:00

GONZALO BERGARA QUARTET...Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina Gonzalo is considered one of the best guitar players in America. You will hear a mix of Gypsy Jazz and Latin acoustic music with melodies you will not forget. Passionate, virtuoso guitar, incredible clarinet player Rob Hardt, and a pumping rhtyhm section. After having toured the world extensively next to the John Jorgenson Quintet, native argentinian Gonzalo Bergara is presenting his new CD Porteña Soledad with glowing reviews all over the world.

Gonzalo began playing professionally at age 16 in Buenos Aires. By 17 he was already fronting his own blues trio on National Television. He arrived in America in the year 2000 and since then he has performed and recorded with hundreds of artists inlcuding Tim Hausser from Manhattan Transfer, Sylvie Vartan, Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, John Jorgenson, Howard Alden and more.

His new CD Porteña Soledad was editor’s Pick on Guitar Player Magazine, and Vintage Guitar Magazine called it a Masterpiece.

The Gonzalo Bergara Quartet is formed by Gonzalo Bergara on LeadAcoustic Guitar, Jeffrey Radaich on Rhythm Guitar, Rob Hardt on Clarinet and Tenor Saxophone, and David Tranchina on Upright Bass.

See the above video and you will wish you had been there.

Gonzalo Bergara Quartet's Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/gonzalobergara

Their Website is http://www.gonzalobergara.com/

David Jackson, Van Dyke Parks, & Steve Young, all giants in our musical world...

2010-01-19T16:52:00.000-08:00

This sold out show was not videoed by me - for one thing I teach a watercolor class in the Conference Room most Mondays, and while I was in the next room, I didn't get to see the wonders of this show. This assemblage comes around periodically, and I hope they come again. If so - get your reservations in early - they always sell out. Those in the know know what giants these guys really are. Look them up.

Steve Young, David P. Jackson, and Van Dyke Parks have triangulated in music for 46 years and change.

As friends, they've paralleled their universes many times since their collision in So-Cal's coffee houses of '63. That's when they met, in the afterglow of the Beat era. As “The Men behind a curtain,” they wrote songs that went to the top: Steve's Eagles' hit "Seven Bridges Road"; David Jackson’s pernicious "No No" song for Ringo (with a l'il help from pal Hoyt Axton); and Van Dyke Park’s "Heroes & Villains" for the Beach Boys.

Steve Young invented the "outlaw" C&W genre, so ably trumpetted by Waylon Jennings in his cover of "Lonesome, Orn'ry and Mean". His first album (he's done over two handsful) was "Rock Salt and Nails", it's the paradigm of "country crossover". Young splits residence 'tween Nashville and L.A. Both Jackson and Parks take this as a homecoming for Young---a time to share a stage with a man widely viewed, for his poetry and ballads, as a Living American Treasure.

Parks will ply his vocal wares from a piano, of his lengthy song-writing career, and Jackson will flaunt his unbelievable croon with his Anglo- Guitarron in hand.

Their set together will cross the borderlines, with them as portable authors, holders of a rich American musical folk legacy they all know like no other trio in town. For some straight Druid marrow and good clean fun, catch Young /Jackson /Parks in their debut Annual Coffee House Gallery Concert.

The Mark Jackson Band Came from San Diego to play on 1/10/10

2010-01-19T16:49:00.000-08:00

I am trying to get caught up with all the performances I have seen in the last week. The first one on the list is The Mark Jackson Band. They are about as far as you can get from Nashville. "And yet, MJB's newest album is more deeply steeped in country traditions than most anything coming out of Music City these days. " -Jim Trageser, North County Times (San Diego)

Mark Jackson is a singer/songwriter whose music has traveled from the hills of Oklahoma to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Mark nurtures
the heritage of storyteller and poet, creating a straight-talking Western/Americana style of music which has become his own rich, signature sound.

The Mark Jackson Band is a six time San Diego Music Award nominee, receiving "Best Americana Album of the Year" nomination for their CD, "Vigilante Road". Additional nominations in 2004 through 2009 were received for Best Americana Band. MJB has created a universal appealing style of original roots country music that is fresh, yet timeless! Their latest CD, “A Real Charmed Life”, was just released this past July with critical acclaim.

Click on the above video to see a series of videos of this show.

The Mark Jackson Band Myspace is http://www.myspace.com/markjacksonband

Crowfoot Charmed Us on Tuesday, January 5th at The Coffee Gallery Backstage

2010-01-08T21:33:00.000-08:00

This trio wove elegantly beautiful melodies all around The Coffee Backstage last Tuesday. There were so many wonderful numbers, it was hard to select the few that I am posting here.

This charming group is from the Eastern Townships of Québéc, near the Vermont border, and displayed their easy fluid playing of flute, fiddle, accordion, and guitar, including songs in English and French. Having cut their teeth on the contra dance circuit, Crowfoot has gained a reputation for their trancelike grooves, subtle interplay, and their unstoppable energy. For 5 years they have been playing for dances across the US, Canada, and the UK, drawing a youthful following and foot- stomping praise wherever they go.

Crowfoot is now turning more and more to the concert stage, where rich vocal harmonies, haunting ballads, and finely crafted instrumental arrangements compliment their infectious dance energy.

Their website is HERE.

And below is just a little tast of what the audience experienced at The Coffee Gallery Backstage.

Tim Eriksen Cancelled Due to Circumstances Out of Our Control

2010-01-04T21:50:00.000-08:00

We still aren't sure why the airplane didn't fly, but there were a lot of disappointed people here. Hope we will have him another time. Stay tuned to The Coffee Gallery Backstage for developments. If you are on Bob's email list (he sends out great info about what is coming up, you will find out. Or look at the webiste, www.coffeegallery.com to find out what acts are coming up.