A weekend of Bowie and Buddy benefits

Jill "jillybones" Fisher

Todd Eckart with George Ellsworth performing during Duluth Does Bowie at Sacred Heart Music Center. Photo by Jill Fisher.

The Duluth Does David Bowie concert at Sacred Heart Music Center on Saturday, Jan. 25, was one of the most successful of the “Duluth Does” benefit concerts to date. The house was nearly sold out and there were 738 YouTube views on that date (this and other “From the Heart” concerts can be viewed at YouTube Sacred Heart Music Center). 

The music was evidently inspiring to the participating Minnesota artists. Guitarist Misisipi Mike Wolf was the charming emcee for the evening, announcing each act with some background on them along with facts about Bowie and the chosen song. In addition he performed and backed other acts playing electric guitar. 

The program was noticeably shorter than past DD concerts with 18 acts as two dropped due to illness. This wasn’t necessarily a bad thing (it’s always good to “leave ‘em wanting more”) but unfortunately we missed seeing the Israel Malachi Orchestra perform “Heroes” and Caitlin Roberson’s rendition of “Life on Mars.” Bowie’s songs were not presented in chronological order nor could there be a sample from each of Bowie’s 26 studio albums. Selections were heavily weighted to the earliest and best known Bowie compositions. For instance four tracks from Bowie’s 1972 album Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars were performed. 

The concert started with a fiery hot version of “Rebel Rebel” from Bowie’s 1974 Diamond Dogs album performed by Bruno, Minn., native Nathan Frazer and his “Big Unrehearsed Band.” The BUB’s members include Aaron Murry from Rutledge (bass), Aaron Roy Hagenson from Minneapolis (electric guitar) and Rigel Bloome, from St. Paul (drums). Nathan was dynamic singing lead on this so-called “Glam Rock” song. It launched the evening on a truly rockin’ note. 

The second number made an abrupt transition: “This is Not America” a 1985 single by Bowie for the soundtrack of the movie The Falcon and the Snowman. Todd Eckart prefaced his chosen song with comments referring to the current U. S. political situation and then proceeded to give a particularly poignant rendition of this deep cut. George Ellsworth accompanied Eckart on Sacred Heart’s Baldwin Concert Grand piano (a recent outright purchase from Matinee Musicale after years of renting). 

A number of attendees remarked that Eckart’s cover of this lesser-known song was moving, heartfelt and eerie. It was one of the highlights of the concert. His performance put to rest any questions about Eckart’s musical sensibility as he clearly transcended the Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison covers he is known for.

A solo by Paul H. Pederson of “Space Oddity,” Bowie’s early hit was next. The release of  this song coincided with the moon landing in July 1969 and is a fan favorite with its lyrics about Major Tom floating off into space. (You may have also seen a recording of it by Col. Chris Hadfield of the Canadian Space Agency in the International Space Station!)

Pederson is a Duluth native and luthier who now lives in Grand Marias. His cover was fairly low-key, which fully expressed the sadness and futility of this song. 

It was followed by the gloomy tune “As The World Falls Down” covered by Born Too Late, the brother and sister act of Traxx and Rokkyn Nelson-Kavajecz. This is one of the songs that Bowie wrote for the 1986 musical fantasy film Labyrinth, in which he played the protagonist “Jareth the Goblin King.” It was an interesting selection by these two young people, who you might have expected to choose one of Bowie’s more upbeat and contemporary songs. As usual, they gave a convincing and professional performance. 

Another well-done, if mournful, tune followed: “The Man Who Sold the World,” performed by the duet Corwin Pederson and Kristi Marie. This was the title track of Bowie’s third album, released in 1970. The song has solemn lyrics that are all too relevant to today’s situation, which is why it was chosen. 

Noting that they have chickens, three cats and a harmonium between them, Pederson (acoustic guitar) and Marie (harmonium) were new to me so I didn’t have any expectations. Both sang vocals; Marie’s quavering voice gave special feeling to this apocalyptic song.

One of the best singer-songwriters and guitarists in the Twin Ports, Shane Nelson, took on Bowie’s “Magic Dance” to lift spirits after that last number. Like “As The World Falls Down,” it was written for the movie Labyrinth but has a much more light-hearted feeling which Shane conveyed with his usual buoyant style. 

And in the same vein, Misisipi Mike took a break from emceeing to perform “Ziggy Stardust” on electric guitar from the 1972 album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars. Rick Bruner accompanied him, also on electric guitar.

The last number of the first set was performed by Janie and The Spokes. They continued with another tune from the Ziggy Stardust album, “Starman.” Atypically Janie’s husband Peter Aas (electric guitar) took the lead on vocals. Besides Janie on acoustic guitar, the rest of the Spokes include Jordan Ash (bass) and Garth Anderson (drums) with Mike Bernier (electric guitar), joining them to add some special guitar licks. The cover was a pretty close rendition of the album’s rockin’ number.

After an intermission Ross Thorn opened the second set vocalizing “Fame.” He was joined by the members of Jumpsuit – Marshall Dillon (electric guitar), Manny Eisele (electric guitar) and Ian Hopp (drums), plus Taylor Sykes (bass) who plays with Born Too Late and Paul Metsa’s Tilt Town Titans. Now this was a righteous cover by a totally committed Thorn, complete with falsetto accents and a fabulous guitar solo by Dillon. This group of guys are ones you’ll want to see in any venue, anywhere at any time.

John Sonofmel

Guitarist John Sonofmel was costumed so as to portray the spirit and ghost of the song “Queen Bitch” from the 1971 album Hunky Dory. In 1974 this song was released as side B of “Rebel Rebel” and is classified by critics as “Glam Rock.”  Sonofmel is a poet as well as a musician, so he was particularly effective in conveying the rather morbid, if not sordid, flavor of this song, with its references to drag queens and casual hookups. 

Shelia Wonders, playing acoustic guitar, dedicated her performance to those watching on YouTube. Her take on “Moonage Daydream” was quite different from Bowie’s driving electric sound on the Ziggy Stardust album, slower and sultrier than the recorded version.

“Modern Love” performed by Skarlett Woods and Abby Andrus was a fun, upbeat rendition of the track from Bowie’s 1983 Let’s Dance album. I have mostly seen Skarlett playing solo previously, so it was interesting to see her perform in a duet. These two harmonized wonderfully. Their dance moves were engaging and Skarlett’s outfit was clearly inspired by the man. One comment I heard was that this act was like Bowie meets the Indigo Girls. 

Skarlett Woods and Abby Andrus

The selection of “Nature Boy” by Breanne Marie was a bit outside the theme of this concert since it wasn’t written by Bowie but by Eden Ahbez. However, it was covered by Bowie in the movie Moulin Rouge. Breanne, playing electric guitar, gave it a smoldering sound, having Darin Bergsven backing her on acoustic guitar.  

When Laurie BoeDee took the stage she brought the Bowie catalog up-to-date with her performance of “Lazarus” from Bowie’s last album Black Star, released two days after his death in January 2016. The song was written when he was dying of cancer and knew it so the lyrics are particularly affecting. BoeDee (electric guitar) had a couple of her usual sidemen with her: Sean Zarn (bass) and Todd Garland (drums) plus saxophonist Joe Anderson. They ripped it up on this somewhat morbid but mystical song that spoke of being free like a bluebird. Searing sax interludes and fearless guitar riffs brought home the message loud and clear. I would have thought this would have been the last number of the concert with the sort of finality it conveys.

Nick and Ren Howl, who as husband and wife perform as Between Howls, came on next with a charged cover of “Changes” from the early Hunky Dory album. Selected by them, perhaps as reflection of the changes they themselves have experienced in the past few years, moving to California then back to the Twin Ports. They conveyed wonderfully the challenging but energizing message of the song.

Renn and Nick Howl

One of my favorite bands that has regularly contributed time and talent to SHMC’s Duluth Does benefit concerts is #theindianheadband. This group’s leader is mom Lyz Jaakola who in her own words, grabs anyone in the vicinity to perform when called upon, generally her kids and their friends. The resulting music is always a gas. 

Lyz had Xander and Jagger (Ripley-Jaakola) choose the song which was “The Jean Genie.” It was originally released as a single in late 1972 and then in 1973 on Bowie’s Aladdin Sane album. Lyz explained that the song called for harmonica, which she never played before, but on short notice and with the help of a YouTube video, she mastered the basics in time to contribute to this tune. Jagger took center stage to sing lead, with a self-assured punky persona, supported with frenzied guitar backing by brother Xander. There were others onstage with them, but I didn’t get all their names. Never mind, the composition will have changed by the next time they play. This was an ephemeral and captivating performance to witness.

Rick Bruner and Misisipi Mike performed “Suffragette City,” another of the tracks from the Ziggy Stardust album. Both played electric guitar with Rick singing lead. It was a loud and energetic ending to the regular part of the show. 

The grand finale was “All The Young Dudes” which, though written by Bowie, was first recorded by Mott The Hoople. This injected some irony into the show given that it was performed by the Centerville All Stars, a band that’s been playing around these parts for decades. This evening former member of that band, Mark Howley, joined in to sing lead. Peter Aas on guitar from Jamie and The Spokes, sat in along with most of the previous artists as well as those in the audience who knew the song.

My takeaway: I only wish that we could have heard someone sing “Five Years” from the Ziggy Stardust album, since I think it would have been particularly apt for this moment in our history. I also thought the visage of David Bowie was rather ominous in the background, looming over all the performers like an oversized mummy. That said, this concert in this beautiful venue was quite satisfying and certain to bring back those who experienced it for the first time on this evening.

The annual Tribute to the Music of Buddy Holly and the Late 50s and 66th Anniversary of the Winter Dance Party at the historic Duluth Armory took place this past Sunday, Jan. 26 at the Clyde Iron complex. The concert was a benefit for the Armory Arts and Music Center and its programs, which includes the Music Resource Center. There was a good turnout of a distinctly baby boomer crowd to enjoy the music of a bygone era. 

The so-called Mackie Brothers opened, doing a fine job of warming up the crowd and getting people out on the dance floor, not to mention playing kazoos!  This group  is comprised of Mark Connelly (electric guitar), Bob Coldwell (bass) and Dan Vaught (drums), none of whom are brothers. They played a number of covers not associated with the music of Buddy Holly – The Band’s “The Weight” was particularly good with sweet harmonies. Another was “Wondering Why,” a 2023 release by The Red Clay Strays which was memorable.

Todd Eckart sang his heart out covering the hits of Holly, the Big Bopper, Dion, Ritchie Valens and Roy Orbison. He was aided and abetted by George Ellsworth on bass, Jimi Cooper on electric guitar and Matthew Groom on drums. It was a fun night of dancing (there was a dance contest!) and singing along to those “oldies but goodies.” It was said the next annual concert may even be able to be in the Armory. But don’t hold your breath!

In the meantime, there’s oodles of great music gigs coming up as listed in the Reader’s calendar for you to choose from. See you out there, live music fans!

ADDENDUM: I must mention the passing of William Chester Alexander on Jan. 13 this year. He was the long-time but recently retired leader of Strikepoint, the bell choir based at First United Methodist Church (reviewed in the Aug. 8, 2024 issue of the Reader). Our condolences to all who knew him and enjoyed his musical productions.