The Maxi Childs Trio (actually a quartet) at Sacred Heart. Photos by Jill Fisher.

The music scene here in Duluth appears to be gathering steam as we head into the holiday season with revived activity at some venues where we haven’t had the chance to enjoy live music for a while. 

A case in point is Pizza Lucé, where Boxcar played on Tuesday, Nov. 12. While this eatery is used annually during Homegrown and sporadically at other times, it isn’t a weekly venue for music. Even so it was surprising to see the large room facing the stage set up for dining. Instead, the circular stage was oriented to the bar portion of the restaurant with curtains closed to screen it from the dining room. This provided a wonderfully intimate setting in which to appreciate the musicianship on display.

The last time I saw Boxcar was three months ago when it performed at the Lincoln Pavilion during the Shiprock Community Concert. and though I’ve written about it in the past, I am pleased to report that the band never sounded better, even in the absence of superb guitarist Misisipi Mike Wolf. 

On this evening the band consisted of Blake Shippee (rhythm guitar, lead vocals), Andy Lipke (electric guitar), Gordy Lewis (bass), Brian Wells (keys) and Rick Bruner (drums) with the addition of “Washboard Joey” (Joseph Patrick Flynn) “scratchin’ some board” on several numbers.

Boxcar

These guys were having a great time and they really took it over the top, with Rick wailing on his single bass drum head, Gordy rockin’ out (with a broken finger yet!) and Blake dancing around the stage in his pumpkin- orange stocking cap. 

Brian was pretty much hidden at the back of the stage so one couldn’t easily see him, though we certainly heard his contribution on the keys. 

But it was Andy on electric guitar who blew us all away with his masterful pickin’ and slide work. (Andy also leads the band Theory of Light.) And one can say this about Blake, he sure knows how to sell a song, whether his own or others.

A memorable mix of covers were played, including Led Zeppelin’s “Going To California.” Others were, Hank Williams Sr.’s “Mind Your Own Business,” J.J. Cale’s “Call Me the Breeze” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” The band also played all of Blake’s original tunes from the band’s latest album For Madmen Only, released on October 18. I’ve been listening to it and it’s a fine follow-up to their first, Cheap Motel. 

After a break Boxcar performed a couple worthwhile renditions of Dylan songs: “Simple Twist of Fate” and “Tonight I’ll Be Staying Here With You.” All in all it was a really great gig that cemented my opinion that Boxcar ranks among the top bands in our region. 

Note that you will have a chance to see this righteous group another time at Pizza Lucé next Tuesday, Nov. 26. Get there early as the place is likely to be packed after word of mouth gets around about how fabulous this appearance was.

Cowboy Angel Blue

Another venue that doesn’t get enough use is Mr. D’s in West Duluth, with its ample stage and large dance floor. On Thursday, Nov. 14, however, a private birthday party virtually took over the place. Cowboy Angel Blue is the favorite band of the birthday girl that has played regularly during Duluth Dylan Days. As usual, it played several Dylan covers for the Dylanophiles among us, including one of my favorites, “Things Have Changed.” 

It was a fun night of friends meeting friends with lots of folks dancing. Let’s hope Mr. D’s books more bands in the future.

Sacred Heart Music Center is a place where many musicians are excited to play. People may be most familiar with it as the venue for “Duluth Does” benefit concerts. The most recent of these was “Duluth Does Motown” (next up will be “Duluth Does David Bowie on Friday, Jan. 25.) 

Soloists and rock and roll bands praise this space and many have recorded here with the help of sound man Eric Swanson, despite acoustics more appropriate to its original religious use. So it was of particular interest to hear two jazz ensembles play here on Friday, Nov. 15. 

The opening act was The Maxi Childs Trio. The name is a misnomer since they seem to have permanently morphed into a quartet. Maxi Childs is the main vocalist, while Steve Netzel (her domestic partner) accompanies her on bass guitar. Darin Bergsven (who also plays with Hot Club of Duluth) was on hand this evening, playing electric guitar and singing, while Tom Cawcutt played SHMC’s grand piano. 

They started off with the classic jazz number “Why Not Take All of Me?” Maxi has a silky smooth and nuanced voice that does more than justice to these tunes which included “L-O-V-E” by Nat King Cole, “Dancing Cheek to Cheek” and  “Solitude.” 

The New Standards

Some might say these old standards were an appropriate preamble to “The New Standards” trio that headlined this concert. However, they jazzed up a few newer tunes, perhaps to prepare us for what was to come. These included the Patsy Cline hit “Crazy” written by Willie Nelson; “In Spite of Ourselves” by John Prine; “What A Wonderful World” and “Over the Rainbow.” 

Another noteworthy number, “Cordovado,” was sung in Portuguese by Darin, with Maxi continuing it in the English version, “Quiet Nights.” It was so good to hear her and her compatriots again after their absence from the regular music scene due to the Blackwater Lounge closing this past July, where they performed twice a week for 15 years.

The New Standards, which was formed in 2005, is a trio comprised of Chan Poling (piano), John Munson (standup bass) and Steve Roehm (vibraphone), epitomized its name by bringing their jazz sensibility to much more recent tunes. 

Starting off was their interpretation of the eclectic Dan Hicks and His Hot Licks’ “I Scare Myself.” Others on their playlist were Neil Young’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart,” “One” by Three Dog Night “Sunday Morning Coming Down” by Kris Kristofferson, Queen’s (Freddy Mercury’s) “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and Britney Spears’ “Toxic.” They also covered “Spring Comes” by The Suburbs, of which Poling is a member. Each of these received an enthusiastic audience response. 

It was especially great to hear the vibraphone on these numbers – something we don’t get enough of these days in my opinion. The bowtie-clad Roehm was really into it, clicking his sticks for some additional percussive interest. 

Chan’s piano playing was markedly different than that of Cawcutt’s, with less flourishing glissando, more subtle interludes. 

Munson was animated on the standup bass and added some cool growling bowing on one other number. 

What I noted, and TNS members confirmed, was the altered sound of jazz in this acoustic environment. Indeed, they noted their avoidance of more percussive numbers in their repertoire because of the reverberations and reflected sounds of the venue. 

But never mind, it was a fabulous show that definitely pleased the nearly full house of jazz fans who gave the trio a standing ovation. Their encore was the Peggy Lee hit “Is That All There Is.”

UPCOMING: This Sunday, Nov. 24, there’s a benefit concert at Clyde Iron to pay medical bills for Marvin Pomeroy, who underwent emergency heart surgery in October. Several local bands will be entertaining, so it should be a good musical outing. It starts at noon and goes to 6 pm (over in time to take in Gregorian Chants at the West that evening). And don’t forget the CHUM fundraiser with Charlie Parr and others at SHMC; 7 pm, Tuesday, Nov. 26. See you there!