Pick of the Week – Erric Lindell and Company – B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Erin Lindell. Born in San Francisco and raised in many areas in Sonoma County, Santa Rosa, Penngrove etc, it’s the first time the singer-songwriter has been back in the area since the mid- ‘90s. Like many, Lindell started a band in his teens with some buddies, playing surf and skate tunes, with all the hopes and dreams that come with that. Originally the guitarist, Lindell was shuffled to bass as the act found a better guitar player. The songs they were writing had a variety of styles to them, then he discovered Fishbone. “Man, that band made a big impression on my life and my music” says Lindell.
The first act to garner any record label attention was Eric Lindell and the Reds, which kicked off the first of his dozen releases since then in 1996. “We never really wrote songs to sound like anybody, but we didn’t write to not sound like anybody either. We just wrote songs.” That angle led people to label them a variety of genres, jazz, funk, blues, rock, or all of the above.
“We always considered our influences as funk, along the likes of Tower of Power and other Bay Area funk acts” After a short stay in New York, the artist found himself and his family in New Orleans. “We weren’t sure how we’d be taken, the funk down there is different than here, with acts like the Meters and the Neville Brothers and the “second line” vibe going on.” It didn’t take long for the act to gain acceptance and after four releases on Alligator Records, they became the best selling act on the label, selling almost 70 thousand records.
With the demise of the music industry and record labels in general, the latest album, “The Sun and the Sea” has been self produced and released. “It’s really about loading up the band in the bus and touring the album to sell CD’s and swag these days, a lot like the music model of the ‘50s”
Lindell will be bringing his act to Sonoma Valley for one show only on Saturday, June 6, at 9 p.m. at B & V Whiskey Bar and Grille. He has a assortment of musicians that he tours with, and this show will feature Steve Froberg, from the local act Frobeck on bass, Jordan Feinstein on the B3, Chris DeJohn on drums with Lindell holding down the guitar and vocals.
Tickets will be available at the door. For more info, point your browser to bvsonoma.com
Song List – Summer Songs
It’s not officially here yet, but we can feel it in the air, summertime. The days get longer, the sidewalk stays warm till midnight, trips to the beach and the river, slurpees and sno-cones in the park. We thought we’d take a look at some of our summer favorites and find out a little about them.
- Surfin’ Safari – The Beach Boys – 1962
Although it doesn’t mention summer in the song, to much of America, the Beach Boys defined summer, California and “bushy blonde harido’s.” The single, which was also the title track from the first album release, reached all the way to #14 on the billboard charts.
- Summer Breeze – Seals and Croft – 1972
It’s one of those songs that can take you back to a simpler time in life. Referred to as a “ ‘70s Acoustic Anthem” by Bruce Eder of Allmusic, the song reached all the way to #6 on the charts and has even been covered by the Isley Brothers, Type O Negative and the Three Tenors.
- Boys of Summer – Don Henley – 1984
Written by the former Eagle and Tom Petty guitarist Mike Campbell, the song got all the way to #5 on the Billboard Charts. Released in the peak of the MTV era, the song actually won many more awards for the video than the audio itself. Henley describes the song as a description of the selling out of a generation and questioning the past, a common theme for Henley with songs like “End of the Innocence” and “Taking you Home.”
- Summer in the City – the Lovin’ Spoonful – 1966
Even with the numbers of hits John Sebastian and company had in the mid ‘60s, this was the only one to reach #1 on the Billboard top 100. The song even used the recording of jackhammers and car horns to give it a true “city” sound.
- Summertime – George Gershwin – 1934
Over the years, this song has been recorded by many, and charted a number of times. Originally recorded as an Aria for the opera “Porgy and Bess,” the song quickly became a jazz standard, recorded over 25,000 times and covered by the likes of Billie Holiday who took the song to #12 on the charts. You might likely recall the Janis Joplin version, released on the “Cheap Thrills” album in 1968 that reached #1 on the charts.
- Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran – 1958
Originally released as ‘B-side” for “ Love Again,” the song reached #8 on the Billboard Charts and has since been a hit for the Who, the Beach Boys, Blue Cheer and even country star Alan Jackson.
- In the Summertime – Mungo Jerry – 1970
The debut single from this unknown British act reached #1 on charts worldwide simultaneously. Composed in just 10 minutes by lead singer Ray Dorset, it is considered one of the best selling singles of all time.
- Schools Out – Alice Cooper – 1972
When you began to hear this song on the radio, you knew summer was right around the corner. As controversial then as Marilyn Manson and Slipknot are today, Alice Cooper and his glam-rock act broke into the charts with this song, peaking at #7. The song was actually banned in some cities, as it promoted a “negative image of school.”
Set list – The Rundown
The Sonoma Speakeasy and American Music Hall
452 First St. E. ste. G. Sonoma – 996-1364
Saturday, June 6, The Luke and the Tight Suits – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Diva Singer Night and Community Jam with Dallis Craft and Karla Downey – 7:30 p.m.
Monday. June 8, Graceland Unplugged with Dallis Craft – 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 9, Big Chief with Lou Rodriguez
Annex Wine Bar
865 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 938-7779
Tonight, June 5, Solo Flight Band – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Hard Travelin’ – 7:30 p.m.
Epicurean Connection
122 W Napa St. Sonoma – 935-7960
Tonight, June 5, Sharkmouth – 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Matthew Fay – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Six Mile Station – 1 p.m.
Murphy’s Irish Pub
464 First St. E. Sonoma – 935-0660
Tonight, June 5, Sean Carscadden Trio – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Tsunami – 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Tone Bent – 7:30 p.m.
Sebastiani Winery and Vineyards
389 Fourth St. E. Sonoma – 933-3230
Tonight, June 5, Poyntlyss Sistars – 6 p.m.
Plaza Bistro
420 First St E. Sonoma – 996-4466
Tonight, June 5, Noel Jewkes – 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Dr. Nancy Briggs – 6 p.m.
Rossi’s 1906 Dancehall
401 Grove St. El Verano – 343-0044
Tonight, June 5, DJ Hi-Isak – 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Dan Martin and Noma Rocksteady – 8:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Tri Tip Trio – 3 p.m
HopMonk Tavern
691 Broadway Sonoma – 935-9100
Tonight, June 5, Cancelieri – 5 p.m. – Vintage Grass – 8 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Junior Flores – 1 p.m. Nate Lopez – 8 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Greg Lamboy – 1 p.m.
B&V Whiskey Bar and Grille
400 First St. E. Sonoma – 938-7110
Tonight, June 5, Dylan Chambers and Midnight Transit – 9:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 6, Eric Lindell and Company – 9:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, 3 on a Match – 3 p.m
B. R. Cohn Winery
15000 Sonoma Hwy. Glen Ellen – 800-330-4064
Sunday, June 7, Bray – 2 p.m.
Schug Winery
602 Bonneau Road, Carneros – 939-9363
Saturday, June 6, Charlie Mirviss – 1 p.m.
Sugarloaf Ridge State Park
2605 Adobe Canyon Road, Kenwood- 833-6288
Tonight, June 5, Funky Friday’s with Second Line – 6:30 p.m.
Sonoma Valley Regional Library
755 W. Napa St. Sonoma – 996-5217
Saturday, June 6, Sonoma Mountain Trio – 2 p.m.
Schelville Grill
22900 Broadway, Sonoma – 996-5151
Saturday, June 6, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Butch Engle – 12:45 p.m.
Sonoma Plaza
1 Broadway, Sonoma
Saturday, June 6, Hit the Road Jack – Showcase the Band – 9 a.m.
Moose Lodge
20580 Broadway Sonoma – 996-3877
Saturday, June 6, Luau with Twang Ditty – 4 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Showcase the Band – 4 p.m.
Olde Sonoma Public House
18615 Sonoma Hwy. Boyes Hot Springs – 938-7587
Sunday, June 7, Karaoke – 7:30 p.m.
Blue Moon Saloon
19380 Sonoma Hwy. Sonoma – 996-3055
Saturday, June 6, Karaoke – 9 p.m.
Sunday, June 7, Blues Jam – all welcome – 10 p.m.