Oregon Music News

Photo courtesy of Johnny D

When one sees or hears that the progeny of a great musician has grown up and is now performing with their own band, one cannot help but be skeptical. Jakob Dylan and The Wallflowers come immediately to mind. With great musicians comes an inevitable truth: great music comes at the price of earning success through one’s own experiences and a lifelong struggle to be heard. The let-down from one generation to the next can be hard to watch, nonetheless listen to. Yet there are some shining examples that cast this notion to the side as they proceed to make a name for themselves through great talent and tireless motivation. Lukas Nelson, the son of the great Willie Nelson, and his band The Promise of the Real effectively put any such ideas of a let-down to rest.

Growing up on tour, Lukas Nelson became accustomed to a life of music and being on the road. If his performance last Tuesday at Mississippi Studios is any indication, this experience has served him well. Nelson began touring with this group a scarce six months ago, yet there was no indication of this in the music. From the get-go, Nelson and the Promise of the Real played polished yet free flowing songs capped by the impeccable guitar-work of Nelson. The greatest surprise of the night was just this, the fact that on nearly every song Nelson ripped through a solo, a dynamic fill or a spontaneous jam that catapulted him into the high stratosphere of contemporary guitarists. A few times during the set, he even paid homage to one of his greatest influences, Jimi Hendrix, by pumping out solos with his teeth.

Photo courtesy of Johnny D

Indeed, this influence was especially prevalent when the group covered the Hendrix song, “Hey Baby”. It is difficult in it’s own right to cover one of the late guitar god’s songs, but to do it in one’s own style, adding elements to it that actually make it better and performing it with the same flair and musical capability, that’s just downright impressive. And this is just what they did.  Along with songs off of their new EP, Brando’s Paradise Sessions, ranging from instant jam-rock classics “Awakening” and “My Own Wave,’’ to captivating 60’s-esque ballads ‘’Want Me Around’’ and ‘’Sound of Your Memory,’’ this dynamic group has firmly established themselves as one of the up-and-coming greats that you will no doubt be hearing a great deal of in the very near future.

While Lukas’ voice does sound remarkably similar to his father, this is one of the greatest parts of the band. It is like watching one of your favorite musicians’ twin brother, who has a similar mentality, equal skill and a wholly different range of topics to sing about. Not surprisingly, Lukas had a humility and relaxed demeanor similar to his father as well, as he hung around to shake hands and talk to the audience after the show. Asked if he would please return soon to Portland by a new fan (cough cough), he replied:

“We’ll go anywhere we’re wanted, man.”

With this in mind, the sky is the limit for Lukas Nelson and Promise of the Real, and if his father’s continuing drive is any indication, this group will be rocking crowds for the foreseeable future.

Courtesy of Tony Kutter

Bob Shoemaker started off the night with his brand of Delta blues fused with a tenacity and grit that immediately captivated as much as it soothed the soul. In a cowboy-troubadour fashion honed on the streets of Seattle, Portland and his native Boston, Shoemaker alternated between exemplary slide blues and a virtuosic finger-picking technique that rivals the greats. Playing a full set with nothing but his peaked hat, Bob Dylan meets Gary Davis (circa 1991) vocals, expansive fret-work suggestive of Elmore James, and a down-home stage presence, he made a solid case for being one of the best kept secrets in the Northwest. This notion that hasn’t escaped the minds of some legendary figures on the Blues scene. Upon meeting the esteemed Blues giant Willie Dixon, Shoemaker received Willie’s personal endorsement to play his songs.

“The more you do it,” Willie said “The more I like it.”

If that isn’t a phrase for a musician to live by, I don’t know what is.

If you’re into some blues-soul mastery, you can catch Bob Shoemaker at the Rock Creek Tavern on Monday nights.