Dress up, better Bush and Jerry Joseph

This "other" Bush plays the Concert Hall Tuesday

by Chris Aaland

I don’t usually put much thought or effort into my wardrobe. There are wrinkled slacks, mostly khakis and blues; long-sleeved collared shirts of the Polo variety, many of which have frayed collars; scuffed dress shoes; and, for weekends and casual days, any one of hundreds of T-shirts.

I have concert T-shirts dating back to the early ’80s, some classic (Dylan’s tour with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Clapton’s Behind the Sun, Bowie’s Glass Spiders) and some cheesy (Huey Lewis & the News, Night Ranger, and a black & white jail-striped Quiet Riot sleeveless number).

And then there are slogan shirts: “Fly Fishing: The Most Fun You Can Have With Your Clothes On,” “Fort Lewis Shroomfest ’89: You Weren’t There, But I Saw You Anyway” and “Save Uncle Ernie: Protect Your First Amendment Rights.”

Among these is a birthday present from my wife: “1.20.09: Bush’s Last Day.” I can’t tell you the color of the socks I’ll wear next Tuesday. I have no idea which random pair of boxer briefs will get pulled from the drawer. But the T-shirt will be a slightly-too-tight black one that proclaims our collective deliverance from the darkness.

Celebrate George Bush’s last day as emperor with Sam Bush at the Community Concert Hall at 7 p.m. Tuesday, which by my count marks the latter’s sixth appearance on Durango’s big stage. Since the mandolin virtuoso last appeared here in February ’05, he’s released a new studio album (“Laps in Seven”) and a live DVD (“On the Road”). I have no idea how many times I’ve seen Bush live – somewhere between 20 and 30 shows is a safe bet – so there’s no doubt I’m fond of the man’s chops on mandolin and fiddle. But what most intrigues me this time around isn’t the self-proclaimed “King of Newgrass,” but rather the crazy Canadian rockabilly/alt-country guy who will open a handful of Sam’s Colorado dates. Corb Lund & The Hurtin’ Albertans have five albums to their credit and have garnered more than 20 Junos and other major Canadian music awards in the country and folk categories. Lund sings a shitload of songs about trucking, farming, cocaine and whiskey. His most recent effort, “Horse Soldier! Horse Soldier!” traces equine warfare back to the dawn of history while taking a truly Canadian look at current global affairs.

Few musicians have influenced an entire genre like Sam Bush has with newgrass, which he arguably created in the early ’70s with the New Grass Revival. One band that certainly claims him as an influence is the South Austin Jug Band, which returns to the Abbey Theatre for an all-ages show at 9:30 p.m. Saturday. With their blend of bluegrass, Western swing and Texas storytelling, the quintet has become a Durango favorite through the years, first at Storyville and later at the Abbey. Sadly, bandleader James Hyland is putting SAJB out to pasture this winter. Saturday’s Durango date marks their final Colorado show ever.

It’s been a number of years since Jerry Joseph rode into town. The leader of the Jackmormons, former frontman for Little Women and occasional member of the Stockholm Syndrome (which also features Joseph associates from Widespread Panic, P-Funk and Gov’t Mule) brings his latest project, the Denmark Veseys, to the Summit on Sunday. I used to see Little Women regularly at Farquahrts in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s at a time when they were on the verge of jam-band superstardom and touring with the likes of Panic and Blues Traveler. The jam universe was always a bit limiting to Joseph, as his lyrics in the vein of Vic Chestnutt and Elvis Costello were often overshadowed by the groove.

Euforquestra is back at the Summit on Saturday with its danceable Afro/roots. Ever since playing Indiefest in Pagosa Springs a few years back, the Fort Collins worldbeat ensemble has built a huge local following.

The Summit also hosts a three-band local bill this Friday, featuring Jaki & the Joysticks, Oatie Paste and The Boycotts.

Bust out your old neon ‘80s ski attire Friday for “Aspen Extreme,” this month’s theme party at Steamworks and get a free drink ticket while avoiding cover charges. As if the chance to wear day-glow isn’t enough, you can groove to the R&B, hip-hop and Latin of Boulder’s Salem.

Kirk James is busy this weekend, playing the new Purgy’s from 2-5 p.m. Friday and Saturday with his blues band, a solo gig from 9-10 p.m. Friday at the Abbey, and band date at Schankhouse Bar & Grill at Vallecito at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Miserabillies bring their purified country & western thing to the Ska Brewing World Headquarters at 5 p.m. tonight. While you’re there, try this year’s limited edition Snowdown brew, the Royal Embalming Fluid – a honey lager brewed with dates and figs. Be warned: it ain’t for the weak of heart. I had a pint last Saturday, and nine pints later, I was wrecked.

KDUR Cover Night will return sometime in late February or early March. This time around, it’s The Clash. Local musicians are encouraged to learn their favorite Clash tune other than “Clampdown” (sorry kids, the Lawn Chair Kings have already sank their greasy paws into that one) and practice it until their fingers bleed. Questions? Call Bryant Liggett at 247-7268 or drop him a line at kdur_pd@fortlewis.edu. I’m personally praying that the David Smith Bluegrass Band will tackle “Lost in the Supermarket,” but that’s just damned selfish of me.

A giant hip-hop mega-bill that happens in a week (Jan. 22) warrants advance notice. Guru returns to the Abbey, this time backed by a seven-piece live band, Solar and DJ Doo Wop. The lineup also includes Distrakt (from Denver) and DJ Vajra (a top-five national DJ from Boulder).

A stockbroker friend once told me to invest in sins (booze, tobacco, gaming, porn) during hard times. They must’ve gotten that same memo at Lady Falconburgh’s, as their pint night now happens twice a week (Mondays and Thursdays) with most draws going for a couple bucks.

This week’s Top Shelf list recounts lowlights that occurred between Jan. 20, 2001 and Jan. 20, 2009: - WMDs - Hurricane Katrina - Patriot Act - Cheney, Rumsfeld, Ashcroft & Gonzales - The worst financial crisis since the Great Depression - Osama bin Laden still at large

On the hustle with nothing to sell? E-mail me at chrisa@gobrainstorm.net.

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