Jackson Browne showed up at McCabe’s last weekend to take the stage for one song, a duet with his friend Terry Reid, and what have they chosen? Woody Guthrie’s Deportee. So timely. And it is moments like these, happening often at McCabe’s, for which I moved to LA 40 years ago.
Highly Recommended
Highway 1, USA/The Dwarf, LA Opera – Not La Traviata or Turandot so I can’t speak from the experience of having seen them, but while you are waiting for those two, in April and May, this should satisfy your soul for big voices, great acting, big sets and fine music. I can say this: in seven years of seeing almost everything our LA Opera has produced, I have never been disappointed. And this production has racked a few rave reviews. Sat, Thurs 7:30pm, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, LA, $19-259.
Southside Slim – Oh boy, oh boy, Southside is sliding back into town, coming north to us only so often and it is always an event not to be missed. His career history is intertwined with my other favorite local bluesman, Ray Bailey, who years ago mentored young Hank (Side) and directed him towards the rockier side of the blues. Good move Ray, because today Southside is no gentle blues crooner and picker – he rocks it hard on both guitar and vocals. On tour he has brought festival crowds to their feet cheering. When he ran into hard times he prevailed upon his father to let him live in his South LA trucking company yard and he woodshedded at least six hours a day perfecting his understanding and playing of the blues by listening carefully to the masters. Then he would trot off at night to the original Babe’s & Ricky’s on Central Avenue, and the Safari Club and various backyard juke joints in the neighborhood. He knew he was in the right place at the right time and that education has resulted in the hard-rockin’ bluesman you can cheer for yourself, right here in Santa Monica. Fri 9:30pm, Harvelle’s. Santa Monica, $10.
Hot Club of Los Angeles – You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday, 9–11:30pm, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. They should have copies of their new album Nova there for sale. This amazing ensemble is a treasure, just over the border from SM. Mon 9pm, Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.
Recommended
Bob Marley: One Love – I can recommend this based on the story it tells and the trailers I’ve seen, and the fact that none of my hardcore reggae friends has trashed it. But none have raved, either. It does cover only a small period in his short life, when Jamaica was going through an election noted for guns and violence. Attackers broke into Marley’s compound and tried to assassinate him and his family and… well, you’ll have to see for yourself. Marley was one of the most popular performers the world has ever seen, and was considered also a political and religious leader, even a prophet by many. AMC Santa Monica 7, 1310 Third Street Promenade, today through next Thurs, check theaters for showtimes, prices.
Glassskates: A Moving Celebration of Philip Glass – What fun! Strap on your wheels and glide to Glass and his collaborators and “inheritors,” as Moonlight Rollerway in the Valley blocks off two hours for a different kind of musical inspiration. It’s sold out, but maybe someone will twist an ankle and you’ll get on the floor. Glass, 85, will not be rolling, but the Bob Baker Marionettes will. Sun 5 to 7pm, Moonlight Rollerway, Glendale, free.
Philip Glass, Complete Etudes 1-20 – You’re either a big Philip Glass fan, or you look for the exit after five minutes. I’ve been a fan of certain electronic music for decades, from Isao Tomita and Ryuichi Sakamoto to Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk (coming to Disney Hall in May, for nine concerts), Terry Riley and Laurie Anderson. I saw Lothar & the Hand People in a basement dive in Philly in’67, and I have LPs by both Walter and Wendy Carlos. The best of it is hypnotic and complex at the same time, and Glass, celebrating 85, has gone from wunderkind weirdo to lionized legend. It is a rare opportunity to hear all his etudes at one concert, and even more rare to be able to roller skate to them, as you can do on Sunday afternoon (see above). Don’t you just love LA? Tues 8pm, Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA, sold out.
It’s Only A Show — Famous character and comedic actor Charles Nelson Reilly and Paul Linke were decades-long friends and collaborators. Linke crafted Reilly’s acclaimed solo play, Save It for the Stage, a production later immortalized on film as “The Life of Reilly!” Step behind the curtain for It’s Only a Show — a tribute to the legendary Charles Nelson Reilly. Created and performed by Paul Linke, together they took Reilly’s unique life stories around the country, and now it lands at our airport. Linke is known for his roles in CHiPs, Judging Amy, and the solo show Time Flies When You’re Alive, calls this “an evening of heart, humor and the enduring spirit of a true mentor.” The other recent one-man show I saw at Ruskin was simply great, and since this one has been held over several times, I think we all better get on over this Saturday. Sat 5pm, Ruskin Group Theatre, SM airport, $20-30.
Toledo Diamond – Unique, riveting, first class act. There’s nothing like it, it is high performance art and great decadent fun. Degeneracy is rarely so well disciplined. Don’t. Miss. Toledo Diamond. Sun 9:30pm, Harvelle’s, Santa Monica, $12.
Coming Attractions: It’s Only A Show, Ruskin Theatre, 3/23; Toledo Diamond, Harvelle’s, 3/24, 31, 4/7, 14, 21, 28; Hot Club of Los Angeles, Cinema Bar, 3/25; Esa-pekka Salonen, San Francisco Symphony, 3/22; Southside Slim, Harvelle’s, 3/23; Los Straightjackets, Mccabe’s, 3/24; Sleater-kinney, Wiltern, 3/28, Belasco, 3/29; Yo Yo Ma, Kathryn Scott, Disney Hall, 4/3; Springsteen, Kia Forum, 4/4, 7; Ethan Iverson Trio with Peter Erskine, Darek Oles, Sam First, 4/5; La Traviata, La Opera, 4/6, 14, 18, 21, 24, 27; Donald Harrison, Jazz Bakery, 4/7; Saint-Saens, Organ Symphony, LA Phil, Disney Hall, 4/12, 13, 14; Library Girl, Ruskin Theatre, 4/14; Mavis Staples 85th Bd, Youtube Theater, 4/18; Albert Lee, Mccabe’s, 4/19; Herbie Hancock, Disney Hall, 4/20; Academy of St. Martin in The Fields, The Soraya, 4/21; Rhiannon Giddens, Theatre at Ace Hotel, 4/25; Jacky Terrasson Trio, Jazz Bakery, 5/5; Kraftwerk, Disney Hall, 5/21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30; John Mceuen, Mccabe’s, 5/24; Chris Stapleton, Hollywood Bowl, 6/26, 27; Rolling Stones, Sofi Stadium, 7/10, 13.
Charles Andrews has lived in Santa Monica for 38 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else.