Boss Mama & the Jebberhooch. Photos by Jill Fisher unless otherwise noted.

Bent Paddle Brewing Co. in Lincoln Park hosted two great music gigs this past week on its Cosmic Lounge Stage. 

On Saturday, Feb. 8, Boss Mama & the Jebberhooch entertained a large and boisterous crowd, most of whom stuck around through the final song. The last time I saw them was 6 months ago when they were half of a DSSO Bridge Session (Aug. 8, 2024 Reader) which was special enough. Every time I hear this group, it seems to get tighter and better.

Boss Mama (Colleen Myhre) was aided and abetted by the usual suspects, Jacob Mahon (with a special 1960s-era electric guitar, vocals), Jeff Gilbertson (standup bass, vocals), Caleb Anderson (keys, vocals) and Colleen’s son, Saul Myhre (drums).

Boss Mama has one of those inimitable voices that gives emotional resonance to both the songs she pens herself (and together with husband Jimmy) and covers. And what wonderful songs they are. 

Who can forget her passionate vocalization of her original song, “Jeremiah"? Many of the numbers sung this evening were from the recent album, Greetings from The Barnyard Lounge, including “Sleeping With You,” “Love in Alaska,” “Ben and Annie,” “Charlotte’s Café” and “Come To Mama.” 

They skipped one of my favorites, “Lonesome Rooster,” which she wrote with Jacob Mahon, but made up for it with a felicitous rendition of Mahon’s original “Suit” that is regularly played by Saltydog. Then there was Gilbertson’s fine lead vocals on “Somebody’s Watchin’” and an excellent cover of “Deep Elem Blues.”

Folks in the audience sang along on several of the songs, with their memorable lyrics and catchy hooks. I enjoyed “earworms” from this concert much of the next day! 

The other fun gig at Bent Paddle happened on Thursday, Feb. 6, which coincided with and celebrated what would have been Bob Marley’s 80th birthday (he died in 1981).

Although there were several other music offerings this evening, I just couldn’t pass this one up. My passion for Reggae dates back to the late ‘70s and Norway of all places. At the time I was attending the University of Trondheim and virtually every weekend Reggae tunes were spun at the student union, infusing me with that special rhythm. So when I get a chance to hear it, I’m in seventh heaven.

And so it was on this evening as Woodblind teamed with Teague Alexy and TNT WiFi for an “In Dub” session, with DJ Alex spinning  danceable Reggae favorites. It was a blast. 

Woodblind and friends

Ten musicians crowded onto the Cosmic Lounge stage for our listening pleasure: Jason Wussow (acoustic guitar), Veikko Lepisto (bass guitar), Eli Bissonett (fiddle), Jimi Cooper (his own hand-made electric “gatari”), Eric Cyr (trombone), George Ellsworth (keys, vocals), Tyler Dubla (drums), Bryan “Lefty” Johnson (congas), Jen West (vocals), and, of course, Teague (harmonica, vocals). Together they kept the place humming, playing a wide range of songs not only by Marley but some Woodblind and Alexy originals as well. 

The first set included Marley’s 1962 “Judge Not!” and ended up with a medley of “Lively Up Yourself,” “Keep On Moving” and “Soul Shake Down.” 

Interspersed were original compositions by Teague – ”Strawman” and “The Only Man In Love.” 
The second set opened with Woodblind’s own “Zenith City,” a cheerful number about Duluth with whistling by Wussow. Here too were songs by Teague: “5 Foot,” “Lion’s Share” and “Working Man’s Song,” along with Marley tunes such as “Three Little Birds.” 

Jimi Cooper playing his homemade "gatari." Photo by Steve Bockhold.

One of the highlights was the cover of Marley’s 1973 “Baby We’ve Got A Date (Rock It Baby)” that Ellsworth sang lead on. 

Overall, this show, with the electronic loops and added sound effects by TNT WiFi, was a superb one-of-a-kind musical experience.

Wussow asked the crowd whether they had been to the annual Reggae & World Music Festival held at Bayfront Park in July. I raised my hand but not that many in this crowd had experienced it. Wussow encouraged us all to take it in this coming summer (and so do I!) on Saturday, July 19. The less expensive advance tickets are on sale now until April 1 online at bayfrontworldmusic.com. 

Believe me, it is a very special festival that is a must do for anyone who likes this genre of music.
On Tuesday, Feb. 4, I discovered a four-piece band by the name of Peat Boggs, which I did not mention when I listed music residencies in last week’s column. This group has one on Tuesdays from 5-7 pm at Zeitgeist’s co-op bar and restaurant on Superior Street. 

Peat Boggs

The young men who comprise this group are Charlie French (guitar, vocals), Cole Webster (acoustic and resonator guitars), Ben Wagener (electric bass) and Chris Shea (drums, cajon). They are some cool cats who’ve been making music together after connecting through their studies at UMD back in 2011. The group has been performing sporadically for close to two years now, debuting at the Homegrown Music Festival in 2023 during “new band night” at Pizza Lucé under the moniker Elmore Fontaine.

When I heard them this past week, three of them were playing acoustic instruments (except for Ben on bass)  but I understand they also play electric guitars and a regular drum set. 

In this venue, though, the quieter acoustic music was appropriate. The band’s music was original, instrumental, improvisational and very enjoyable. 

A few of the songs, written by French, were rather Leonard Cohen-like, poetic and deep. They released a five-song EP, Good Enough, last year and are set to play at Wussow’s Concert Café in West Duluth on Friday, March 21, from 7-10 pm and at Caddy Shack in Lincoln Park on Friday, April 11, where they will open at 8 pm for the Lake Effect String Band. Check them out!

For those who follow music, note that the 2025 Homegrown Music Festival presale tickets are available now at Globe News in Superior, River City Records & Books in Lincoln Park and Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth. 

Homegrown, which happens this year from Sunday, April 27 through Sunday, May 4, is a tremendous deal to be had with wristband admittance for all days and all acts for only $40. (And don’t forget to tip the musicians which helps sweeten the deal for them.)

UPCOMING: Here’s a reminder about the debut performance of “Serenity Mass: Be Still and Know,” at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Superior this coming Saturday, Feb. 15, at 7 pm. Admission is free though there’s a freewill offering that supports the Sanctus Music Series hosted by the cathedral. This 45-minute piece was composed and will be directed by David Packa, a 2016 graduate of the UWS Music Program. The chamber ensemble performing it features strings, piano, alto saxophone and marimba along with soprano and tenor soloists. This promises to be a very special concert.

For those who missed out on Boxcar’s residency gigs at Pizza Lucé last November, be advised the band will be reprising this gig on Sunday, Feb. 16, and also Sunday, Feb. 23, 8-10 pm. 

Oh boy, what a weekend ahead – see you there!