Wordless Wednesday: Clubbin' It In Milwaukee

Cactus Club -- May 5, 2025

https://www.cactusclubmilwaukee.com/events/odor-eaters-misprints-evinspragg/

Duluth Does Clapton: Sacred Heart Kicks Off 2020 with a Bang

If you want to start an argument amongst music fans, ask this question: Who's the greatest guitar player of all time? Some will swear it's Hendrix. Others Eddie Van Halen. Still others... well to some Clapton was God.

EdNote: We interrupt this blog post to say that if you've ever seen Tuck Andress of Tuck & Patti, there would be no further discussion.

Actually, I personally dislike all such blather about the best Dylan album or best Beatles song or best drummer or whatever. I always say, "By what criteria?" There's just so much talent in this field. Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor, Keith Richards, Pete Townshend, and on and on.

Personally, some of it comes down to the kind of music you like. And part of it comes down to their entertainment value as performers. I think here of Townshend and Hendrix.

I was never into Prince, but he was phenomenally talented. Zappa and Santana are cut from different pieces of cloth, and each an innovator in their own ways. I once worked with a fellow whose allegiance was to Mark Knopfler, and once had a friend who swore by Jeff Beck.

EdNote: One of Jeff Beck's classic cars appeared in an ad I created once for Rodder's Journal. Thank you, Mr. Beck, for permission on that. 

I first began listening to Eric Clapton in high school. I had all three Cream albums with Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. Clapton was really just a kid there, but a phenomenal talent from the getgo. I loved the music, loved the lyrics and loved the psychedelic album covers. I purchased Blind Faith as soon as it came out, with the original "indecent" cover featuring a young girl holding an airplane.  And when George Harrison's All Things Must Pass came out after the Beatles breakup, sides five and six got the most play time, with Clapton accompanying a team of players in an Apple jam. And I've still never tired of Derek & the Dominoes to this day.

DULUTH DOES CLAPTON: 

A TRIBUTE TO THE MUSIC OF ERIC CLAPTON

January 25, 7 - 10 p.m. @ the Sacred Heart Music Center (SHMC)

DETAILS HERE & TICKETS HERE

THE DULUTH MUSIC SCENE has as much talent as any music scene anywhere in the country. This includes Hollywood, Austin, Nashville and the Big Apple. You can check it out each spring during our Homegrown Music Festival the end of April/beginning of May. That's why this Sacred Heart  Tribute Series is so phenomenally rich.

Setting up for another Armory Arts concert to kick off Dylan Fest

According to Mark Nicklawske, SHMC Board of Directors Secretary, "The Duluth Does series really brings the Duluth music community together and showcases what a strong, creative and talented group of musicians we have living in the Twin Ports. It promotes the work of world-renowned masters like Clapton and at the same time gives a stage to hard-working local musicians, exposing their talents to a large audience. The series is organized and run entirely by volunteers and the musicians donate their time and talents. All the money raised through ticket sales goes into maintaining the historic Sacred Heart building and supporting its programming and projects."

In recent years Sacred Heart has hosted Duluth Does Tom Petty (about a year after his death), Led Zeppelin, Joni Mitchell, and Carol King & James Taylor (in one show). One even higlighted Low, with Alan Sparhawk sitting in the audience.

"The mastermind behind all this is Eric Swanson," says Nicklawske. "Eric is the SHMC sound engineer, former SHMC executive director and co-owner of the SHMC recording studio. Eric picks the artist to honor, puts out a call for acts, organizes the set list and produces every facet of the performance. He's amazing. Without Eric's hard work organizing and producing these events they would never happen. Eric puts in hours and hours into organizing the show and works days in advance setting up the stage and sound system and then tearing it all down afterwards. He does it all for Sacred Heart."

I can testify that Sacred Heart is an amazing venue to perform at. I've had the opportunity on a pair of occasions in conjunction with the Armory Arts concerts during Dylan Fest. During the setup, Eric Swanson and team spent a full half hour adjusting the mics to capture the piano I would be playing "What Good Am I?" on for optimal sound quality.

Best sound technicians, best venue, best local talent... performing one of the true greats of our generation. It's time to order tickets because I'm certain this one will sell out.

Related Links
Sunshine of Your Love, Cream at the Revolution Club, 1968.
Clapton Autobiography Has Me Plugged In
Clapton Autobiography Proves to Be A Worthy Read

Jamie Ness Fund-Raiser: That's What Friends Are For

Philosopher Albert Camus once wrote a novel called The Fall. It was not about painting houses and falling off ladders.

My grandfather was painting his house once and the scaffolding fell. He landed on his heels and shattered both. Excruciating pain and six months in recovery.

I painted apartments for four years and did a measure of exterior work. Even though I do not consider myself afraid of heights, I did always respect them when up on ladders.

When I heard details of Jamie Ness' fall it caused my stomach to churn. If you read on you'll see details from his Go Fund Me page.

* * * *
Musician Jamie Ness, a lifelong Duluthian, has generously donated his time to support good causes over the years including performing at the Duluth Dylan Fest. I'm confident there will be a strong showing of support at Saturday's fund-raiser at The Rex at Fitger's. In fact, when I see the lineup of performers I am a little concerned about there being enough room for everyone.

What Happened: The Big Fall

October 3rd, after 20 years of working as a house painter, Jamie had a fall from the top of a twenty-foot ladder. As the feet of the ladder suddenly slid away from the wall, Jamie instinctively grabbed a large air vent suspended from the ceiling. A huge section of the vent came down with Jamie and the ladder.

As the EMTs were taking him to the ambulance, Jamie was worried about the cost of the ambulance ride, the damage to his client’s property and trying to give his helper instructions on how to clean up the paint and blood.

The impact of Jamie's face coming down onto the ladder from that height split his upper lip straight through. He had a broken maxilla (upper jaw bone) and teeth that were loose and shoved out of position. Facial surgeries will need to be done in stages because his bone is too unstable and requires grafts. So far Jamie has had two of his front teeth removed and his other teeth were wired together. In addition to many contusions, Jamie has multiple complex fractures in his foot and is on his second of three or more casts. He is getting around on crutches.

The Appeal

Jamie Ness with the band.

Please join Jamie's friends and family in support of his recovery from a traumatic ladder fall that resulted in nearly $30,000 of medical and dental bills. He has been unable to paint since the accident and he could use our help. A Pizza Buffet, Silent Auction, and Music are planned from 4-8 PM at the Rex at Fitger’s. Suggested donation is $20.

They now have nearly $12,000 of silent auction items up for grabs at the event, donated by local businesses and artists.

Here is the entertainment schedule:
4:30 PM - Kyle Ollah
5:30 PM - Ingeborg Von Agassiz
6:30 PM - Jerree Small
7:30 PM - And a special Duluth performance by Low

A portion of the show will include live painting (art) by fellow house painter and friend Dusty Keliin.

There will also be a pizza buffet from 4-6:30 PM donated by Valentini's Vicino Lago, Pizza Lucé, Vintage Italian Pizza, V.I.P, Pizza Man Duluth, Theotherplace, and Do North Pizzeria & Pub, Hermantown.

If you can't be there January 26th you may Donate Today.

Who – Jamie Ness, longtime local musician and self-employed painter.

What – Medical Relief Party

When – Saturday, January 26 from 4:00-8:00 PM

Where – The Rex Bar at Fitger’s

Why - As a result of the fall he has nearly $30,000 in medical and dental bills. He has been unable to paint since the accident and could use our help.

* * * *
Among the donations from local businesses and artists there are hotel stays, A Loll Adirondack Chair, restaurant gift cards, pottery, books by local authors and poets, an array of gift baskets and certificates, and much more.

One more time: https://www.gofundme.com/7zukhb-jamie-fund

These Kids Have What It Takes:The Last Night of One Week Live

The Langertsons 

I remember my thirteenth birthday like it was yesterday. Or rather, I remember this one incident. I'm sure my family had a birthday cake and presents for me, but I have no recollection of that at all. Rather, as I look back, what stands out are two memories. First, Teddy Fiori asked Robin Christianson to go steady, and she said yes. The second memory, which occurred because I had a huge crush on Robin, was of the tears falling from my eyes and soaking the pillow as I went to be last night, thinking to myself, "So this is what it's like to be a teenager."

I will return to this story shortly.

* * * *

One Week Live at Beaner's Central is one of owner Jason Wussow's favorite times of the year, and based on the manner in which he enthused about it, this last show of the week was one he was especially looking forward to. The lineup featured 10-year-old Edward Ojard opening, followed by The Langertsons, then the Holy Hootenanners closing out the evening and the week.

Edward Ojard was on stage when I arrived, having created a setup that utilized both the in-house piano and his Yamaha keyboard. The young performer stood with one hand on each keyboard, straddling the space between as if he owned it, projecting a sense of being comfortable there. A rhythm and beat was looping as he played the two instruments simultaneously.

Edward Ojard

The young performer was all business as he moved from playing piano to playing the Yamaha and sometimes playing both together. The tunes varied in structure and form. Some utilized a disco-like beat, and others had something of a Western rhythm. Except the encore, in which he performed John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads," all the tunes were original compositions. Ojard doesn't sing while performing but he wins your heart. The Beaner's audience was eating out of his hand.




* * * *

(L to R) Amri, Josie, Eli on drums in back, and Audrey.

The Langertsons are a group comprised of two pair of siblings: Josie (13, lead singer, guitar and uke) and Audrey (15, bass) Langhorst, along with Amri (14, keyboards) and Eli (11, drums) Gilbertson. The four youths from Mahtowa, in Carlton County, seemed pretty relaxed beforehand, playing a game of Othello in the back, awaiting their set. Josie appears to be to be the front man, lead singer and songwriter, though all have mics and contribute to the vocals. I asked what their favorite group was and they unanimously declared The Beatles. And when I asked their favorite album, they all chimed in, The White Album.

Naturally I had to ask about Dylan. Josie's the Dylan fan in the group, a natural fit for the songwriter. Her favorite Dylan songs, at this time, are "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" and "Mr. Tambourine Man."

Drummer Eli Gilbertson looked at home.

Like the young Ojard, their songs last night were all original, most of which will appear on their new CD to be released in December.

The Langertsons opened their set with "Cruel World" followed by "Save the New Day."  Their third tune was titled "Ever Since," which Josie sang with a heartfelt seriousness: "You're not you any more..." It may have been this song that moistened my eyes, or else the next, and I thought of the manner in which a young Bob Dylan was writing songs beyond his years while a very young man.

Josie and Audrey Langhorst

"All the Time in the World" is a newer song, also about relationships. The poignancy of the emotion in the song is surprisingly mature for this thirteen-year-old teen to be writing. And that is when I thought about my 13th birthday. When I last saw her in May at the singer-songwriter contest she was only 12. Between that show and this she also had a 13th birthday. (This young lady seems so much more confident and mature than I was. Even when I was 18 my knees knocked together when I did public speaking.)

All the time in the world is what I would have given to you;
All the time in the world is what I would have spent with you,
All the time in the world is what I wish for you
All the time in the world is gone too soon.... gone too soon.

Amri and Josie

When the sisters sing in unison it's sweet and potent. Amri's harmonies were lost in the sound much of the time, unfortunately, but she's well-represented on the CD they've produced.

Their next song was the original tune Josie performed during Dylan Fest in May for the singer/songwriter contest. "Take it one day at a time my friend...  once again you'll see a different side to life."

Josie sang the next song with force. "I'm a Glass Door... you can see right through me..."

"I'm Your Apocalypse" followed...  "I'll watch your back, but you better get mine..."

Josie

Josie said they were on their way back from a party and she wrote the next song while sitting in the car: "I Can't Take Them On My Own.'
I can't take them on my own
I've got the world on my shoulders

The next song, which Amri and Josie co-wrote, was called "Hard Life," followed by "It's Inevitable," and a song sung by Audrey.
Why won't you let me just take your hand
Why won't you let me just help you stand...

* * * *
I asked the group how they get along and learned that there is some fighting between the siblings.

You can follow them on Twitter: @TheLangertsonsMusic
and on Facebook: The Langertsons

Josie and Audrey's father Zach Langhorst told me, commenting on Josie's songwriting, "It astonishes me as what she comes up with as a young lady." Mr. Langhorst acknowledges their mom as the course of their vocal ability. As for a favorite song, "Every one of them," he said.

* * * *

A full band with layered vocals. The Holy Hootenanners.

The evening finished with the Holy Hootenanners packing the stage. 11-year-old Eli Langhorst remained with his drum kit and provided the beat, along with flourishes, that enabled the Hootenanners to charge forward. The Hootenanners tunes were also original, and energizing.

Hootenanners from behind... Eli Langhorst supporting the rhythm section.

FWIW, Beaner's is a great place to meet friends or schedule meetings from early morning till mid-evening. The food is always good, the coffee is always on, and the staff is always ready to take care of you. When they press this year's CD of One Week Live, you will see it on the counter there where you place your order. And maybe you'll see me there as well.

Have a great week. 

Veikko and Jason: How Bad Coffee Brought Them Together to Form Wood Blind

On this day in history Rene Magritte, another of my favorite artists was born in 1898.

* * * *

The other day, while having another great soup for lunch at Beaners Central, I overheard Veikko Lepisto and Jason Wussow discussing a press release regarding their show next Friday night and their new record, a 7" split vinyl which the cut, both in conjunction with Teague Alexy of the Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank. Those who follow the scene know that Jason is the founder and owner of Beaners, which has established itself as an important music venue here in the heart of Spirit Valley/West Duluth.

Beaners is one of those places that seems like it has always been there. What was Duluth before Beaners? One of Jason's life passions is music, hence it's only natural that music would be central to the venue Beaners has become, including a recording studio downstairs among other things. I think it's his gentle good-hearted cheer that brings people in the door, though.

Veikko is a former L.A. musician with a strong pedigree whose parents home is in Morgan Park. With every visit to his parent’s home in Morgan Park from Los Angeles, Veikko would end up across the counter from Jason at Beaner’s Central. “My mom makes terrible coffee. Just terrible.” This is another reason Beaners' regulars weave there way in to Jason's java joint. Good coffee.

Invariably, the two would start talking about music while Jason steamed his tall latte. Veikko, the stand-up bass player for eight years with The Royal Crown Review, instantly connected with Jason’s tenacity for life and passion for music. But, year after year, Veikko would return to LA, lose track of Beaner’s and Jason would lose track of him.

If you followed what he was doing, it's easy to see why Veikko might forget Duluth for a season now and then. In addition to his years with The Royal Crown Review, he did studio work with the likes of Bette Midler, Mike Ness of Social Distortion, and the producer Ted Templeman.

For those unaware, Jason himself has quite a background in music beyond the home turf, touring the country with his band Flux Skapacitor, and opening for The Skatalites.

After over twenty years in L.A., Veikko finally made his move to the Duluth area in last year. Naturally Jason and Veikko wanted to make music together. Their first practice was thrown together on the spot behind Beaner’s (it must have been summer) and within a week they had written two originals and worked out two covers and soon became Wood Blind, an acoustic Ska duo.

There is balance between them. Veikko is the detail orientated planner and Jason brings the energy and his perpetually positive attitude. “He’s the happy little bird and I’m the hawk,” explains Veikko. Jason describes Wood Blind as “a simmered reduction of all my favorite things, the energy of my young bands and the maturity of the later ones.” They have a shared vision to do as much as they can with the time they’re allowed. “We strive to master the style, but first we strive to have a good time,” says Veikko. Derived from the Ska style is what the two call “Ska Box” – or Toasting, the Jamaican version of beat-boxing, rhythmic sound effects to enhance the already big sound of Veikko’s bass and Jason’s acoustic guitar.

SO HERE'S THE ANNOUNCEMENT PART

The two have recently connected with Teague Alexy of Hobo Nephews of Uncle Frank to collaborate on a 7” split vinyl. Coffee was the catalyst between Jason and Teague as well when they met at Beaner’s 13 years ago. The three recorded and Wood Blind produced two tracks this fall in the Beaner’s studio. The release is set for November 28th at 7:00 p.m. at Beaner’s Central where they will share the stage with local favorite Jack Campbell.

Beaner’s Central
Friday November 28th
7pm   $5
Wood Blind * Teague Alexy * Jack Campbell
Single Release and Vinyl preorder party

Tuesday January 6th Official Vinyl Release Date

Saturday January 24th Minneapolis Release Harriet Brewery

If you want more details than this, stop in a see Jason. In the meantime... listen to the music.