Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Eugene weekly. (Eugene, Oregon) 1993-current | View Entire Issue (June 30, 2005)
Stephen Bruton his father opened a record store specializing in jazz, blues and country, which Bruton’s fam- ily still owns and operates. For more on what this accomplished musi- cian has done, visit www.stephenbruton.com Stephen Bruton plays Saturday, July 2 at Tommy’s Peacock in Corvallis. $10 adv., $13 dos. — Vanessa Salvia Riding Into the Sunset ‘80s Explosion Sabim Brabb and his band M80 are mak- ing the most of the latest obsession with the ‘80s. “I grew up with MTV,” he said, explain- ing his love of the era. “But the weird thing is that all these college kids are so into it. That’s what’s interesting to me, all these people who are way, way younger.” Regardless of your age, if you love danc- ing ‘til the wee hours to synths and funky electronic explorations, or whatever it is exactly that defines ‘80s music, you’ll love this show. Decked out in full ‘80s regalia, the band members employ quite a few props to keep things hopping including the classic Devo hats during their rendition of “Whip It.” “We encourage people to dress appro- priately,” Brabb said. So wear your leg warmers (they’re even back in fashion) and tease your hair. With a focus on new wave, expect to hear covers of the Cure and Devo along with clas- sics like “Jessie’s Girl,” and “My Sharona.” M80 plays John Henry’s July 1. — Melissa Bearns Bruton Bruises the Jazz/Blues Competition If lengthy resumés working with other famous musicians impress you, then Stephen Bruton’s resumé will send you into paroxysms of pleasure. Case in point: Bruton has “worked with” or “appeared on” the albums of Kris Kristofferson, Barbara Streisand, Rita Coolidge, Delbert McClinton, Bonnie Raitt, Booker T. Jones, Don Was, T- Bone Burnett, B.W. Stephenson, Carly Simon, Lowell George and Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Bruton is also an accomplished songwriter with songs for Marcia Ball, Alejandro Escovedo, Patty Loveless, and the Highwaymen (Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash) under his belt. He also wrote “Getting Over You,” a 1993 hit for Bonnie Raitt and Willie Nelson. The Fort Worth, Texas, native goes on to say that he could claim having worked with Bob Dylan had he received proper credit for Dylan’s Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid sound- track. Bruton toured for more than a decade with Kristofferson and spent time in the tour buses of many of the those other artists. Bruton has also released three solo albums, debuting as a solo artist six years ago. The most recent, Nothing But the Truth, is a fitting title for a musician who has built a 30-year career. He finally gets to enjoy the fruits of center stage and bring all of his life and touring experience with him into the spotlight. Nothing But the Truth, however, isn’t just the essence of his blues rock career. He bravely approaches the album through a jazz lens, with the inclusion of two bassists, Yoggie Mussgrove and Chris Maresh, and two drum- mers, Brannen Temple and Tom Fillman. Jazz is not a new theme for Brunton, it’s just not one he’s explored in his pro- fessional career. In 1957, The Fourth of July is on its way, and we all know what that means. It’s time to bust out your American flags, eat freedom fries and blow things up. And while you’re at it, you might as well listen to some country music, because honestly, what could be more American than that? Two-time Grammy winners Riders in the Sky are coming to Springfield to celebrate our independence with us. The group is headlining Springfield’s Light of Liberty cel- ebration, an annual event in Island Park, which also features fireworks — actually, “the best fireworks display in the region,” accord- ing to the press release. Proceeds from the event go towards funding Project Share, a program that provides financial assistance to low-income Springfield Utility Board cus- tomers during the winter. The band won two Best Musical Album for Children Grammys in 1999 and 2001 for accompanying albums to the Toy Story 2 and Monster’s Inc. soundtracks. The old- school cowboy music of Riders in the Sky brings to mind images of a West not yet won. Entertainment for the Light of Liberty celebration begins in Island Park at 5 pm July 4. — Ursula Evans-Heritage Riders in the Sky JUNE 30, 2005 27
