14
AUG. 10�17, 2022
SOUND CHECK
WHAT’S PLAYING AROUND
THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST
Side A welcomes Calico Bones
Their Aug. 12 show is
part of the Side A-lley
concert series
By John Vollinger
Go! Magazine
LA GRANDE — On Aug. 12, welcome
Calico Bones to the colorful line up of
musical acts participating in Side A’s
Side A-lley series. The music starts at
7:30 p.m. at Side A, 1219 Washington
Ave.
In town from Walla Walla, Washington,
Madison and Mckenzie — the two mem-
bers comprising the group — will grace
the patio. As the band, the duo play “folky
originals and interesting covers from
many eras.”
Interesting covers indeed — perusing
YouTube, you can fi nd the group covering
SIDE A-LLEY
CONCERT SERIES
Where: Side A Brewing’s back patio,
1219 Washington St., La Grande
When: 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Aug. 12: Calico Bones
Saturday, Aug. 20: Megan Alder
Friday, Aug. 26: Wes Youssi & the
County Champs
Friday, Sept. 2: Staci & Co.
Calico Bones/Contributed Photo
The duo Calico Bones plays Friday,
Aug. 12, for Side A Brewing’s summer
concert series. The music starts at 7:30 p.m.
such songs as Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”
and “House of the Rising Sun” by The
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Street,
Baker
City, Courthouse
OR 97814
1995 3rd
Baker
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541-523-8223
Rick Gloria, Veteran Services Coordinator
The Baker County Veteran
Services Office provides access
to the wide range of benefits
and services offered to
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& much more.
Animals. This latter cover, rather than
being a direct rendition, certainly has the
unique folk feeling that the band strives
for; there is a slower, deliberate pacing to
the singing, and there is more variety in
the backing instrumental volumes in there
version, compared to the driving music
of the original, leading to a bit more of a
dramatic appeal.
Aside from this, the harmonizing of the
pair, which is one of their truly defi ning
characteristics, allows for much more
interesting fl uctuation in sound and tone
of the vocal sections.
The band self-describes as having
“tight knit harmonies with rhythmic
instrumentals and fl owing passionate
melodies” and this is truly an unavoidable
characteristic of their songs and style.
Though there can be any number of
combinations of stringed instruments in
their hands — acoustic guitars, a bass
guitar, a mandolin — one constant will be
the harmonizing vocals of the two. This
harmony shows the hours of practice the
two must have put in, as “tight knit” is tru-
ly the best phrase to describe it. Although
the pitch must obviously diff er for the
two, their timing is truly immaculate.
For a sampling of their original re-
cordings, search for some of their songs
from their album, “Salt of the Earth,” on
YouTube. There, you will fi nd a collection
of songs that really live up to that title.
As a starting place, listen to “Daddy’s
Makin’ Gin.” This song exemplifi es a major
thematic focus of theirs — the love and
awe of nature — and also showcases
some of their harmonic prowess, with
them both singing simultaneously at
times, but also with one singing while the
other adds a soaring harmony devoid
of lyrics. This evokes, perhaps, the wind
blowing through the natural scene, or
maybe the fl owing freedom felt by the
subjects of the song.
Defi nitely give them a listen, and drop
by Side A to hear them live.
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