CAUTION RECOMMENDED
I really hate to have to rewrite this, but what are you going to do? It is now our world where listening to live music (one of the best things a human can do … fully clothed) has become a matter of great planning, caution, and possible danger.
So be careful, but there are a couple of options that I’ll keep listing because the Vaxed should know that there are still some great shows out there. Hell, this is LA, the live music capital of the universe. (Yes, the Star Wars barband swings, but limited repertoire. And they need a better drummer. Steve Mugalian? Possibly the only band he’s never played with.)
OPEN, CLOSE …
Jacaranda, our groundbreaking local new (and old) music program, has canceled their upcoming performance of “Gratitude” on January 22nd, the second in their “Turning Point” series, for which they had already assembled a full ensemble. Ironically, given the furious resurgence of COVID as the performance was supposed to be directed by LA County’s Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer, for her leadership. You’re planning to get the next one up and running in mid-March, but who knows anything today? I have attended many of their concerts in recent years and can warmly recommend them to the musically open-minded people. Jacaranda stops at the acoustically wonderful First Presbyterian Church in DTSM on Fourth Street. Convenient street access from the city parking garage for those of us who don’t ride bikes, scooters, or skateboards and dare to occasionally drive a car in Santa Monica.
The outstanding jazz club near LAX, with the strange name Sam First, recently announced: “Due to the current Covid-19 situation, Sam First is closed for at least a few weeks. In the meantime we’re streaming live from the club. “
The cool and very cozy best kept secret cinema bar still seems closed when you check the website. Great place for live music, used to be seven nights a week, never a cover. We need the Los Angeles Hot Club again Monday night, don’t we Dan?
RECOMMENDED:
THIS EVENING! – THE BONEDADDYS – When I moved to LA in 1980, this innovative, genre-mixing, rocking funkin band was already an institution. (Or possibly published by one recently.) Founding member and percussive force to be reckoned with, aptly named Mike Tempo still drives the beat. Have you never seen her? You are now in your sixth decade. It doesn’t often happen that life gives you such a second chance. You’re just down the street in Lincoln. Don’t pop it. Tonight, Thursday, 8 p.m., Venice West, $ 10.
I don’t know what happened to Venice West’s booking of ORIANTHI for Friday, but it has disappeared from your calendar and I am very disappointed. I’ve been watching them on videos for years and working with some of the best players (and some of the worst – hey, it’s a gig, a paycheck), but I really want to see them live. She shreds an electric guitar like no other in order to finally and absolutely clarify the (for some) age-old question of whether you need “big eggs” to be a rock guitar star or not. AC / DC claimed the territory in their song of the same name, but also allowed female dominance. God bless AC / DC. They are all Aussies – maybe you already knew about her when they wrote the song?
Lenore Raphael Trio with BARBARA MORRISON – all I know about the Lenore Raphael Trio is that Barbara Morrison leads them and that’s enough for me. Another LA musical treasure that has played for 60 years that not everyone knows. She is a jazz and blues, soul and R&B singer of the highest order, and this club, designed and owned by Herb Alpert, is beautiful, spacious, with great sound and sight lines and live music every night, one of the best places to see every action. Sun 7 p.m., Vibrato Grill, Beverly Glen, $ 30.
LA PHIL with Michael Tilson Thomas, EMANUEL AX plays BRAHMS – I know we all fell in love with The Dude (amel), but MTT has skilfully directed our great orchestra for many years. Ax is one of the best classical pianists in the world planet, and Brahms, “Piano Concerto No. 1”, with a little Berg and MAHLER’s “Blumine” – well, what do you want? Next Thursday 8 p.m., Walt Disney Concert Hall, DTLA, $ 71-229.
UPCOMING ATTRACTIONS: LA PHIL with Michael Tilson Thomas, EMANUEL AX plays BRAHMS, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 1/13, 14, 16; RACHAEL & VILRAY, troubadour, 1/16; 15th Annual SoCal SLACK KEY FESTIVAL, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1/16; LA PHIL with Michael Tilson Thomas, GERALD CLAYTON plays Symphonic ELLINGTON, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 1/20, 21; PONCHO SANCHEZ, Venice West, 1/22; COLIN BLUNSTONE, Joe Wong, The Downtown Palace Theater, 1/22; SARAH SILVERMAN & Friends, Largo at Coronet 1/22; ITZAK PERLMAN, Rohan De Silva, Walt Disney Concert Hall, 1/26; BJORK, Shrine Auditorium, 1/26, 29, 2/2; NATHANIEL RATELIFF & The Night Sweats The Novo, 1/28; THE ENGLISH BEAT, The Bourbon Room, 1/28/29; RAUL MALO, Canyon Agoura Hills January 28th, Canyon Santa Clarita January 30th; MUSICARES Honors JONI MITCHELL, LA Convention Center, Jan 29; FEE Bill of Lading, Troubadour, 1/29; JOHN MAYALL, Venice West, 1/30; NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALL STARS, Venice West, 2/2; BARBARA MORRISON, vibrato, 2/13; PETE ESCOVEDO, vibrato, 2/20.
Charles Andrews has heard a lot of music of all kinds, including more than 2,000 live shows. He has lived in Santa Monica for 34 years and would not live anywhere else in the world. Really. Send him love and / or rebuke to [email protected]
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