Renovation of the Alhambra and Other Stories

In June I was approached by Bob Boone, publisher of the Reader, a weekly alternative to the Duluth News Tribune, to do a story about the Alhambra, a forgotten theater that he discovered when he purchased the Interior Tomato building adjacent to the West Theater. My working title for the piece was Bob Boone Shares His Vision for the Alhambra. 

It's actually quite a story. The piece was finally published in August and it began like this:

The Vision for the Alhambra

One of the most exciting West Duluth developments in recent years has been the appearance of a number of classy new establishments. The Boreal House is two years old, Zenith Bookstore five this week. Jade Fountain, also new, has been a welcome addition to the neighborhood where Wussow’s Concert Cafe has served as an anchor for the past two decades.

Across the street the historic West Theater has also contributed to the magic of this neighborhood’s re-emergence. And when Reader publisher Bob Boone completes his current reconstruction project there will be yet another lost historic theater next to the West: The Alhambra.

READ MORE

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Re-creating the original sculpted design features.

It's hard to say what I found most interesting about this story. In part it's a story about serendipity. In part, it's a story about Duluth's lost history. What especially interested me was its tie to the Alhambra in Spain. Even if only in name only, there's something exotic about this famous landmark in Andalusia, the region where Cervantes' Don Quixote dreamed his own impossible dreams.

I attempted to suggest a parallel between Bob Boone and the famous knight of old. I didn't want to push it too far, lest someone believe Mr. Boone was similarly "tilting at windmills." Nevertheless, there's something to be said for dreamers. 

* * * 

For what it's worth, the Reader archives many of the stories written by its writers. If interested you can walk back in time and read some of my previous contributions to this local rag. For a little over three years I covered "the arts beat" and became quite immersed in the local art scene.   You can read find some of the interviews I did along with a few other stories here.

Meantime, if you are a writer, write on.

Photo top right courtesy Kathryn A Martin Library, Archives & Special Collections

Jorma Kaukonen Wows Sold Out Crowd at the West Theater in Duluth

Jorma Kaukonen at the West

Duluth Reader publisher Bob Boone had a dream of renovating the historic West Theater. The challenges were many. In 2019, Boone brought the historic Art Deco theater to life through sheer determination. With months the beginning of our two year pandemic cut the legs out from under the rollout plan. Nevertheless persistence prevailed. The West is a wonderful venue for movies and performances. Thursday evening, Boone was delighted to place the words SOLD OUT on the West's marquis. Jorma Kaukonen was in town.

Bob Boone was delighted to introduce Jorma to the crowd. He began by admitting he did not know who Kaukonen was when he his connection in New York recommended him. The crowd had a better handle on that than Boone realized, many folks coming quite a distance to be here.

Jorma, whom Rolling Stone placed 54th on the list of 100 All-Time Greatest Guitar Players, has a long list of achievements under his belt. A member of the 1996 class of inductees into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he has also been awarded a Grammy. 

Kaukonen's father was in the State Department, so he grew up all over the world before ending up at Antioch College in Ohio where he learned the finger-picking style that showcases his mastery of the guitar. From there he went to San Francisco where he met some folks who persuaded him to join their fledgling rock group. Till then he'd favored acoustic guitar, but was soon seduced by the technology of electric guitars and their capabilities. After recruiting his friend Jack Casady to play bass, he gave the band its name: Jefferson Airplane. Jorma and Jack evidently enjoyed jamming so much that they later went on to form their own band, Hot Tuna. 

The West concert was simple elegance, the sound system superb, the setting intimate. Kaukonen began by letting the audience know there would be an intermission and that there would be some CBD products for sale at that time. 

His presentation was something akin to being in his living room as he played some favorite tunes. Even at 82 his fingers moved with remarkable dexterity. It was apparent he enjoyed being able to bring pleasure to an audience through his music and singing.  The play list included songs like Take My Rocking Chair, Been So Long, Nobody Loves You When You're Down And Out, Hesitation Blues, and Candy Man. 

He wore a red ruby-like ring on his right forefinger that glimmered in the spotlight as he played. His casual attire reflected his current down home residence in the Appalachian foothills near where I went to college. He also wore an aura of contentment and ease.

Late in the second half of the show he delivered two classics from his Airplane days: Good Shepherd (from Volunteers) and Embryonic Journey (from Surrealistic Pillow). An enthusiastic response followed each. His virtuosity at various points in the evening brought ovations and for many the evening brought back memories. 

The songs had many memorable lines. I liked, "The arrow of time goes only one way," a concept conveyed by Robert Frost's poem about paths diverging in a yellow wood, and our occasional tendency to wonder about things that might have been. 

It was indeed a very special evening. 

Keep your lamp burning. 

* * * 

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: Class of 1996

David Bowie

Gladys Knight & the Pips 

• William Guest, Gladys Knight, Merald "Bubba" Knight, Edward Patten

Jefferson Airplane 

• Marty Balin, Jack Casady, Spencer Dryden, Paul Kantner, Jorma Kaukonen, Grace Slick

Little Willie John, 

Pink Floyd 

• Syd Barrett, David Gilmour, Nick Mason, Roger Waters, Richard Wright, 

The Shirelles 

• Doris Kenner-Jackson, Addie Harris, Beverly Lee, Shirley Owens, 

The Velvet Underground 

• John Cale, Sterling Morrison, Lou Reed, Maureen Tucker

Tuck & Patti @ The West: Marvelous Virtuosity

Thursday evening I took advantage of an opportunity to see Tuck & Patti at the newly renovated West Theater on Central Avenue across from Zenith Bookstore. A healthy crowd, many of them musicians themselves, came to enjoy the jazz duo’s first performance and visit to the Northland.

From the opening you could tell the pair were consummate entertainers. A lifetime of performing has shown them what works when it comes to pleasing a crowd. Tuck’s virtuosity and Patti’s enchanting vocals and pleasing patter produced its desired effect: an audience in the palm of their hands, in awe.

Guitarist Tuck Andress was born in October 1952 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He met Patti Cathcart at an audition in San Francisco in the late 70's, and evidently there was magic in the air that day. The two began performing together and later married.

As a young performer Andress bought a 1953 Gibson L-5 guitar because jazz sensation Wes Montgomery used that specific make and model. The manner in which Andress plays defies comprehension, combining percussive techniques with finger dexterity that seems inconceivable. After the show I asked another guitar player if “virtuoso” would be the right word. He responded by describing what Tuck does as “impossible.”

So you bring these two together and you have one impressive evening.

After helping get everyone situated Bob Boone, dressed to the nines, welcomed us and introduced the performers, who began the evening with "Learning How To Fly, " It was a song of their own composition, one which I was unfamiliar with. It set the tone for the evening because its theme is love.

Take this moment,
open up your eyes
You're learning how to fly

What was impressive is their straight up willingness to take risks. No props. No backing band. And in the second song, even Tuck accompaniment was silent as Patti told a story about her High Heel Shoes Addiction. It was no ordinary telling, as she sang in great detail about this “problem” and clearly enjoying every minute of it, with Tuck likewise just watching in rapt attention, an appreciative smile on his face. Think “Alice’s Restaurant” with scat.

The show was just getting underway as they entered into Nancy Wilson’s You Don’t Know How Glad I Am, another love song.

My love has no walls side to side
That makes my love wider than wide

At this point it was apparent that Tuck is no ordinary jazz guitarist as he goes flipping through the chord progressions. Even so, we had no ideas how extensive his flashes of brilliance were going to become as the evening unfolded.

This was followed by two more love songs, including Bless You for the Good That’s In You by Mel Torme & Peggy Lee.

They then reached out to the audience and asked if there were requests. The audience selected Little Wing, In My Life, and Time After Time. When Tuck played the opening bars of the Jimi Hendrix classic, it couldn’t have been more perfect.

Before leaving the stage for a short break Patti told a story about advice she received under a magnolia tree from a 93-year-old woman on how to make love last. She also shared how she and Tuck with different from one another in three critical ways. First, Tuck is a vegetarian, whereas Patti truly enjoys a thick, juicy steak now and then. Tuck doesn’t drink, whereas Patti is au contraire. Finally Tuck doesn’t use profanity, and she admits that some language does fly out of her mouth sometimes, whereas the strongest language she ever heard Tuck use, once, was Jeepers.

During her break Tuck played the most astounding version of the 20th century’s #1 hit song, "Somewhere Over the Rainbow." Jaws were dropping all over the place. (Several people had to pick theirs up off the floor.) This was followed by another instrumental equally mesmerizing.

Before Patti returned for the latter portion of their performance Tuck was joined by Sam Fazio, whom Tuck & Patti had been recently producing an album for. Fazio delivered a heartfelt "Eleanor Rigby." Patti then joined and the trio did “Let’s Go” before Sam left the stage.

For their last number they did Take Care of Yourselves, another love song. This was followed by a standing ovation with much shouting and applause, and an encore.

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Related Links
Tuck & Patti
Tuck & Patti and the Mystery of Turning Keys
If you're into jazz, there really are a number of opportunities here locally in the Twin Ports. The Oldenburg House in Carlton is just a hop and a jump to our south with many great acts from Chicago, Detroit and the Twin Cities. Here are a couple blog posts about that scene.
Pippi Ardienne at the Carlton Room
Cookin’ @ the O: Oldenburg House a Jazz Hotspot
Also, Duluth Fine Pianos has been showcasing live jazz here in Duluth on many Friday nights.You can find details here at the Twin Ports Art Blog

Keep your eye on The West for more upcoming shows. Thanks, Bob,.

What Do Jason Wussow, Bob Boone and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Have in Common?

SOMETHING OLD AND SOMETHING NEW DEPT.

Now tell me if this isn’t cool. Congrats, Bob. Vintage car. Vintage theater.

This week I caught a cool photo of a classic car parked in front of the newly renovated and re-opened West Theater, Bob Boone’s latest adventure. It’s right across the street from where Beaner’s Central used to be. I say past tense because this weekend Jason will be celebrating 20 years of serving coffee and other delights here on Central Avenue in West Duluth with a name change. The celebration, which includes ample quantities of music, will also feature a Best Dressed Dog Competition hosted by Paul Lundgren and Christine Dean.

HERE IS FACEBOOK LINK TO THE FULL LINEUPS FOR FRIDAY AND SATURDAY: Click Here.

DO YOU LIKE PUZZLES?

Here is the question: What Do Jason Wussow, Bob Boone and It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Have in Common?

The clue is the same one Jimmy Durante gave all the seekers of his fortune in the film…
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
..but if you figure out the answer I confess that I do not have a treasure for you.

On one level, this 1963 comedy was formulaic. Create a quest, assemble an all star cast and invite the masses to see what happens.

The story begins during a massive traffic jam, caused by reckless driver Smiler Grogan (Jimmy Durante), who ends up driving off a cliff. Before he bites the dust, kicks the bucket, trips the light fantastic and pushes up daisies, he cryptically tells the witnesses that he's buried a fortune in stolen loot. Naturally they’re all smitten with the bug to be first to find the buried treasure.

In addition to Spencer Tracy as a police captain, you’ll find Milton Berle, Sid Caesar, Buddy Hackett, Ethel Merman, Andy Rooney, Phil Silvers and long list of others, beating the bushes, including Jonathan Winters who was at his zany best. The clue again: Where did Jimmy Durante say the treasure was hidden? (The answer to that question is here on this page.)

Answer to the Puzzle

Bob Boone has opened the West Theater.

Beaner’s is now Wussow’s Concert Cafe

The Buried Treasure was under the Big W.

The answer, my friend, is…

W

This was an attempt to create something fun.
If I failed, you can be sure to have real fun

at Wussow’s this weekend, or the West any day at all.

TRIVIA: One of my first Duluth solo art shows was at Beaners
in July 2010. Were you there?

Saturday in the Park

The energetic Vicci Martinez topped the bill.

That famous song by Chicago begins, "Saturday in the park, you'd think it was the Fourth of July." Here in Duluth yesterday there was no confusion as the Reader Weekly capped off a free concert for the city of Duluth called ReaderFest. Publisher Bob Boone was celebrating the paper's 15th anniversary by "giving back" to the city that made his paper possible. After a week of free events that included free Duluth Superior Zoo passes, free tours of the William A. Irvin ore boat, free Beer and Wine Tasting at the Depot, and other such events, he threw a bash at Bayfront Park for the city, with the first ten thousand people to get in Free.

As parties go, the music was great. Sadly the crowd did not come anywhere near emulating the sardine-packed Fourth crowd. Nevertheless, the bands all played their hearts out and the weather Boone dialed in was stellar. What a beautiful setting for concerts, a gift to the city from Lois Paulucci.

Headliner Vicci Martinez flew into town from the west coast and once she took the stage it was easy to see why she's a rising star. A runner up on last year's The Voice, she gave her heart to Duluth and everyone there appreciated the opportunity to hear her again after stealing their hearts last year during Blues Fest.

Those who think she’s an overnight sensation have it wrong. With more than a dozen years in the business, Martinez “is a testament to the power of perseverance, soul, and hard work,” according to the Seattle Music Insider.

Tuesday evening I spoke with her as she was about to catch a plane. Music has always been a part of her life. “Growing up around my house, my parents played all kinds of music. I’m a big fan of Michael Jackson, The Beatles.”

But two performers made a special impact on her when she was a young teen. “For me, someone that really triggered and inspired me was Sarah McLachlan. She was doing Lilith Fair here when I was twelve or thirteen.” Lilith Fair was a travelling music festival consisting of female solo artists and female-led bands. “And I said, ‘Oh wow! Look at these women, these musicians that I never would have heard of.’”

The second performer who made a life-changing impact was Dave Matthews. “I went to his concert when I was fourteen and just the experience I had there made me say, ‘I want to be on stage doing the same thing that that guy is doing.’ It was so much fun sitting there watching it, but there was this pull in me that said, ‘I want to just do that. I want to be on stage with great musicians.’”

How long did it take for the Dave Matthews experience to take root? “I think probably right then, that actual day. I started putting a band together.”

Martinez knew it would be a lot of work, but she was excited about the possibilities. Nine albums later and getting signed with a record label, Universal Republic, has been more than rewarding. But very early on she saw the road ahead and went after her dream. “I think recently getting signed and having my songs played on the radio… made me say, ‘Wow, this really is happening.’”

Knowing her audience is “having an experience,” while she’s performing on stage is important to Martinez. “I’m playing for them, not for me,” she said.

Her current album is called Vicci. Like her other albums the songs and music are all her own. “I’m the writer, it’s my music, but when you play live it’s all of us on stage, so it’s important to have a great relationship with everybody.” As I watched them perform last night you could see they were all very much into it. Vicci is the leader, “but I make it fun for all of us.”

And for the audience as well.

It was a beautiful day to be down at the Bayfront. The playlist included Brothers Burn Mountain, Hannah Rey, Ultraday, The Cutthroats, Bryan Olds Band, Uprising, Centerville All-Stars, Molly & The Danger Band as well as Miss Vicci. You missed something good if you weren't there.