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I wrote about Eskimo & Sons recently after Kiala had turned me on to them. One Jon Ragel of Portland town commented - “well written and recorded songs with a voice for the ages.” After seeing Eskimo perform last night I have to say that’s an understatement. I invited the band to come over and play at Bill Wadhams annual Wadstock music picnic where a variety of musicians get up and play all day long in Bill’s back yard. They closed the show and all I can say is that Danielle Sullivan’s voice is unreal. I’ll go no further than that as you can watch and listen here to 2012 from last nights set and I urge you to go see them at Portland’s MusicFestNW at Towne Lounge on Sept 7th.

The Blizzard - [MP3]

Related post: Eskimo & Sons, MP3 for you

Rock’n Roll Hall of Famer Patti Smith will make an appearance at the Bite of Oregon Sunday, August 12th from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. It seems as though Patti has a soft spot for Portland as she has made special appearances here before. She also claims to be a big fan of hometown favs The Decemberists. Check out the entertainment link for all the music listings.

The Bite of Oregon
August 10-12, Portland Waterfront Park
$7 Admission

“We’re an American music band..” click to play.

A year ago, at Pickathon year 8, The Avett Brothers were relatively unknown. So it’s hard to believe that one year later they returned to Pickathon as bonafide stars, rock stars even. There’s something going on. They are touring with Langhorne Slim in tow - [see what Jenny T thinks of them here], and tonight the crowd went nuts. This is not roots or bluegrass, alt country etc, this is where American music should be going. It’s time to drop the pigeon-holing of bands as this isn’t indie or rock or alternative anything, it is music stripped down to the barest of essentials (not even drummer) and delivered with the ferocity of punk. Remember, the USA invented jazz, now there’s a chance to get beyond the clichés of ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou?’ and realize that bands like the Avetts are repurposing American country music. Johnny Cash would have been proud of ‘em.

The Hacienda Bros, two of ‘em at least - click to play.

The Hacienda Brothers played at Pickathon two years ago and from the stage they said that they were surprised to be asked back. Given how great they are that was a surprise to me. Frontmen, Chris Gaffney and Dave Gonzalez, introduced their wood-smoked blend of stone country and old-school R&B for an hour or so and the crowd could have kept them there all night long. See and hear for yourself.

More from Dale Watson - click to play.