Mary McCaslin's Roundup

Jan. 20, 2007

 

WINTER MUSICAL TREATS

 

            On Tuesday, January 23rd two outstanding guitarists will share the evening at Don Quixote’s in Felton.

Dakota Dave Hull is a masterful flat-picker and in recent years he has become an increasingly “out of the closet” finger-picker. His recording Sheridan Square Rag is a tribute to the late Dave Van Ronk and features some of the finest finger-picking I've heard. His three recordings with guitar and mandolin ace Kari Larson, who at one time lived in Santa Cruz, are legendary, and his playing has been praised by Dave Van Ronk, Norman Blake, Geoff Muldaur and the Boston Globe.

            Hull’s recordings with the late Sean Blackburn became staples on radio station KFAT back in the 1970s. Dave worked on stage and in the studio with performers Bruce (“Utah”) Phillips, Robin and Linda Williams and Peter Ostroushko, and appeared numerous times on Prairie Home Companion. Jim Ringer and I shared the stage with him many times. His solo Flying Fish recordings, Hull’s Victory and Reunion Rag, have also received critical acclaim.

            Opening the show is Paul Asbell, who has an impressive list of credits beginning with his early years on Chicago’s South Side and stretching to his present multi-faceted career based in northern Vermont. In Chicago he worked with blues heavyweights Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Howlin’ Wolf, Otis Rush and others.

            In 1971 Asbell moved to Vermont, where he still lives. In the years following he played and recorded with a diverse array of artists including Big Mama Thornton, singer/songwriters Paul Siebel, Rosalie Sorrells, Jim Ringer and myself. In 1978 he formed a jazz group called Kilimanjaro with Chuck Eller on piano and Tony Markellis on bass. Markellis has worked in recent years with Trey Anastasio of Phish, who happens to be a former guitar student of Asbell. Paul’s recording, Steel String Americana, has received rave reviews for its twists on blues and jazz standards, old-timey country-based themes and original pieces from the American Roots tradition.

            The next night at Don Quixote’s, Eliza and Tony Gilkyson will share an evening of music. Eliza’s recordings of her stark and beautiful original songs have won her a place in the Pantheon of Americana music. Her lyrics have an edgy quality, perfectly suited to her passionate vocal style, and she is a strong and inventive guitarist.

            Tony Gilkyson, who is Eliza’s brother, played guitar with the Los Angeles band X for 10 years. He has also worked with Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Dave Alvin and Larry Hosford. Tony will open and then join Eliza during her set.

 Their dad, songwriter Terry Gilkyson, wrote “The Flight of the Wild Goose,” “Fast Freight” and “Cindy, Oh Cindy.”  Who says talent doesn’t run in families? Call Don Quixote’s at (831) 603-2294.

Speaking of extraordinary talent, John McEuen, formerly of the Dirt Band and a great musician in his own right, will play the E3 Playhouse in Santa Cruz on Friday, February 2nd. Call (831) 466-9033.

 

Mary McCaslin plays the Aromas Grange on Thursday, January 25th and the Concert for Amy on Sunday, January 28th. Email her at roundup@marymccaslin.com.