Album Review: Donna Deussen & The Paul Weitz Trio

Posted on May 17, 2014 by venturarocks

On the Street Where You Live
by Pam Baumgardner

I was given a copy of Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio’s new CD by our good friends at Squashed Grapes where one of the band’s CD release parties was scheduled. I popped in the CD and “California Dreamin'” came on. The first thing that caught my attention was Donna’s amazing voice; it’s smooth as silk and sexy as hell.

I’ve spent a lot of time with this one cruising around and while working on the computer and though I have no chance at hitting those notes, I find myself singing, trying to imitate Deussen in the privacy of my own home (or with the windows rolled up); well there’s always my next lifetime.

The musicianship is top notch and Weitz’s guitar work is fluid, skilled and unpretentious as the band compliments each other so very well. Bringing into the mix some horn work from Nudell and Wayne was brilliant as well. So very well produced.

That bass line on “Do Wrong Shoes” and the smooth jazz guitar coupled with extraordinary vocals is completely seductive. I’m also loving the Joni Mitchell classic, “Both Sides Now,” “The Very Thought of You,” but if I were pressed for a favorite, I’d have to go with the mash up of “Black Coffee” / “A Night in Tunsia.” The pace is picked up slightly and intensely as the sax work closes the deal for me.

I always know new music strikes a chord with me when I can envision listening to it on a hot summer day cruising the coastline in a convertible as I do with this one; but I can also envision orchestrating the perfect intimate candlelight dinner for two with this as the backdrop. “On the Street Where You Live” from Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio will fit in quite nicely to your music collection.

Photos from Squashed Grapes show on Saturday, May 17, 2014:

Genre:
Jazz Pop

Tracks:
“California Dreamin'” (Michele Gillam, John Phillips)
“Do Wrong Shoes” (Donald Fagen, Hirth Martinez)
“On the Street Where You Live” (Alan Jay Lerner, Frederick Loewe)
“Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell)
“Black Coffee” / “A Night In Tunisia” (J. Francis Burke and Paul Francis Webster / John Gillespie and Frank Paparelli)
“Fly Me to the Moon” (Bart Howard)
“The Very Thought of You” (Ray Noble)
“Sister Sadie” (Horace Silver)
“If I Only Had a Brain” (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg)
“Waltz for Debby” (Gene Lees, Bill Evans)

Musicians:
Donna Deussen, vocals
Paul Weitz, guitar
Matt Vanbenschoten, bass
Gus Duffy, drums
various tracks:
Geoff Nudell, clarinet and flute
Wayne Wayne

On the Street Where You Live was produced by Paul Weitz & Donna Deussen recorded at DBW Studio, Woodland Hills, CA.

www.PaulWeitz.com
www.DonnaDeussen.com

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 5/14 – 5/27

Posted on May 11, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Ventura Rocks!
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

W20 at the top of The Watermark played host Thursday, May 8, for a special invite only Rixton concert. About 30 lucky 105.5 radio contest winners attended the intimate noon time show. The British pop rock R&B band have been getting traction with their first single, “Me and My Broken Heart.” You may have caught them performing it in the past month on both the Voice and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.

How cool is it that Nathan McEuen can be found playing at Amigos for Happy Hour on Tuesdays; and how cool is it that his Nitty Gritty Dirt Band dad, John McEuen, stopped by to sit in for a few songs on Tuesday, May 6? VERY COOL.

The headliner for the Roadshow Revival: a Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash will be Grammy Award Winners, Los Lobos. Other acts on the bill for the all day festival June 14 at the Fairgrounds will be The Paladins, Dale Watson, James Intveld, and much more. See www.RoadshowRevival.com.

It’s out with the old and in with the new as The Chaotic Knights retire their name as they welcome their new lead singer, David Cunningham on board. They’re renaming the band Whiskey Stone.

By the way, Martha Davis of the Motels never sounded better when she headlined the Ventura Beach Festival May 3; the Surfaris kicked some serious butt as well.

Hi-Hat Entertainment welcomes Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) to Yolie’s on Friday, May 16; Reverend Horton Heat will be at the Majestic Ventura Theater on May 23, the Green on the 26th and Against Me! on the 27th. And not only is the restaurant back, but the Hong Kong Inn is offering late night music on most weekends again.

Discovery has been ramping up getting ready to offer music on a more consistent basis. Look for Wailing Souls and Prezident Brown on May 23, and Hollywood U2 (tribute band) on May 25. Ticket information can be found on their website www.DiscoveryVentura.com. They’re also looking for local bands to showcase throughout the summer, just so you know.

Special guest, Doug Webb, will join Tico Trio later this month at Squashed Grapes on Saturday, May 31. Webb has been featured on over 500 recordings for hundreds of artists including Quincy Jones, Freddie Hubbard, and Stanley Clarke; he also has recorded for hundreds of movies and television shows including The Family Guy orchestra.

And finally, work continues for Ventura Music Week; mark it on your calendar now for June 6 – June 15th with the official kickoff party on Thursday, June 5; details coming soon.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Do You Contribute to the Motion?

Posted on May 5, 2014 by venturarocks

Let’s make sure we all understand what it means to contribute to the motion.
First we will define what we mean by contribute. We’ll use the Random House Dictionary definition.

#1. CONTRIBUTE: verb (used with object), con•trib•ut•ed, con•trib•ut•ing.1. To give (money, time, knowledge, assistance, etc.) to a common supply, fund, etc., as for charitable purposes.

And then let’s define what we mean by motion. Merriam-Webster has a great definition.
#1. MOTION: noun 1. an active or functioning state or condition. (set the divorce proceedings in motion)

So now let’s be specific about what kind of motion. With VenturaRocks.com, we focus on Ventura’s music scene; so the motion would be any activity having to do with this subject’s state of existence (our music scene).

THE ARTISTS
1. Create music
2. Play music for others to hear
3. Record music
4. Collaborate with other artists on projects
5. Go out on tour
6. Create videos
7. Promote music

THE VENUES/PROMOTERS
1. Create an environment for people to enjoy music
2. Create music related events
3. Participate in music related events (Ventura Music Week, Fundraisers, etc…)
4. Promote music in their venues (social media, print advertising, radio, etc…)

THE MUSIC APPRECIATOR (or hereafter known as a fan)
1. Goes to venue to hear music
2. Pays entry fee for venue (cover charge or prepaid concert tickets)
3. Buys beverage/food at venue to support their efforts
4. Buys merchandise from artists (CDs, t-shirts, etc…)
5. Tells others about music event
6. Brings others to music events
7. Take photos and share them (websites, social media)
8. Come up with a bright idea to help the music scene like creating a website called VenturaRocks.com

That’s how VenturaRocks.com got started. I know we’re contributing to the motion, but we want you to know that you are too. Can you help more? Do we want a better scene? Every single time someone goes to a venue, or buys a CD, or shares a photo, this all contributes to the motion and keeps our music scene alive. And while we’re at it, every time you LIKE a photo having to do with music on Facebook, or you share it, or comment, that too contributes to the motion. You are furthering the motion. You are doing something to help!

With our talented artists who continue to create new music, and our many venues who appreciate live music and us audience members supporting it, collectively we contribute to the motion and together we make Ventura Rock.

Good Job!

Ventura Music Photos: May 2014

Posted on May 2, 2014 by venturarocks

Music in Ventura
Amigos – May 25, 2014
Cougar Estrada – The Lounge Trio

Squashed Grapes – May 24, 2014
Tom Buckner & the Ventura Connection w/ special guest Theo Saunders

Squashed Grapes – May 24, 2014
TreCoustics

Discovery Ventura – May 23, 2014
Wailing Souls

Squashed Grapes – May 21, 2014
Skip Spiro’s Little BIG Band

Cafe Fiore – May 21, 2014
Big Adventure

Private Home – May 19, 2014
Zack

Squashed Grapes – May 17, 2014
Donna Deussen & the Paul Weitz Trio

Pulse Drumming Drum Clinic – May 17, 2014
Vinny Appice

Yolie’s – May 16, 2014
Kim Wilson

Gone West Cellars – May 16, 2014
National Cat

W20 at the Watermark – May 15, 2014
Ventura Social Club

Surf Brewery – May 13, 2014
Swing Cheese

Salzer’s Records – May 13, 2014
Keb Mo

Squashed Grapes – May 10, 2014
Ventura Jazz Collective: Pablo Plasencia, Trey O’Toole, Patrick Martin, Bill Bannister

Golden China – May 9, 2014
Angie’s Curse

Bombay Bar and Grill – May 9, 2014
sleepercub

Bombay Bar and Grill – May 9, 2014
Taylor Rae

Green Art People – May 6, 2014
Jonathan and Nathan McEuen

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – May 5, 2014
Los Dudes

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Martha Davis and The Motels

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
The Surfaris

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Rey Fresco

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Spencer the Gardener

Ventura Beach Festival – May 3, 2014
Dirty Rice

Squashed Grapes – May 1, 2014
Emmy Award Winner Chieli Minucci and Special EFX

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/30/14 – 5/13/14

Posted on April 28, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
Music is Never a Burdon
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

I cannot wait to check out Eric Burdon when he comes out this way; the last time I ran into him was at a concert KXBS oldies radio station put on at State Beach back around 1992. Burdon (yes, THE Eric Burdon from The Animals and War fame) will be headlining a show at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai on May 17th and I’m hearing it’s Eric’s 73rd birthday so we’re expecting quite the celebration. Opening the show will be the Rubberneck Lions and Dishwalla.
The Ventura Music Festival is in full swing during the month of May, and the powers that be have really outdone themselves this year with a stellar line up: May 2 it’s Igudesman & Joo, a Little Nightmare Music at Community Presbyterian Church; Ventura High plays host for several shows including Lynn Harrell, Dean of American cellists on May 3; an evening with Judy Collins on May 4; and Stanislav Khristenko, 2013 Cleveland International Piano Competition Gold Medalist, on May 9. Check out www.VenturaMusicFestival.org for even more shows, ticket pricing and availability.

Depending on your mood, the Ventura Theater has some cool shows in May. If you’re looking to burn off steam, punk rockers, Against Me! will be in the house on May 27, but if you’re looking to dance off some energy, you won’t want to miss the ever popular Reverend Horton Heat and their brand of psychobilly on the 23rd; and finally if you’re feeling a little more mellow and ready for some reggae, then it’s The Green for you on May 26.

Ventura Music Week is coming up! Don’t even think about scheduling your vacation between June 6 and June 15th. Just some of the events to look forward to include the annual SRO benefit with the Stoneflys, Highway Starr and other bands; there’s the Roadshow Revival’s: a Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash; Louden Guitars will have a special showcase at the W Gallery with some amazing guitarists including our very own Shawn Jones; there will be a special screening of the Oscar winning documentary, “20 Feet from Stardom”; an evening of visual arts up at City Hall’s Atrium, and more music than you can shake a stick at. Do check in at www.VenturaMusicWeek.com for more details as they come in.

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

How to Get Listed on VenturaRocks.com

Posted on April 20, 2014 by venturarocks

Send me your information – in advance.

We are listing music related gigs for free in the county of Ventura.

We do list artists/musicians/bands who do not reside here, but they DO have to play here.

If it is a special event such as a Festival or fundraiser, send artwork too along with links.

Send information and.or questions to: Pam@VenturaRocks.com

We do not charge venues or artists to be listed in Ventura.

Would you like extra coverage? Click here for our ad rates.

The Pam Baumgardner Music Hour (On Hiatus)

I now host a local music show on CAPS Media’s new radio station KPPQ-LP at 104.1 FM. It simulcasts on the internet so we are worldwide. We have to abide by strong rules such as never announcing song titles before we play them; only being able to rebroadcast the same show three times a week and only for two weeks; AND I’m not allowed to say VenturaRocks.com on the air. I can not get any benefit from what I do so I can’t promote my website. The first few rules are to protect the artists so people can’t steal music and try to record a song they want. The last rule is a general Non-profit radio rule.

By the way, if you are covering someone else’s music, you should have permission to do so. I will be asking. For that reason, most music will be original work…which is really the point of doing this anyway, right? Sharing local artist’s talent.

I can live with those rules, I’m sure you can too. If you’d like to be a part of this venture and would like to submit your music for possibility of getting played, then send me a email at Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Please DO NOT try to get me to go to Reverbnation or i-Tunes or Spotify or….

I play artists who live here in Ventura, live nearby, as well as most of Southern California. I also play artists who have come here to play and maybe a song or two of something I just find interesting. Tune in won’t you?

Right now my show airs Tuesdays 5-6 pm at 104.1 FM, KPPQ-LP Ventura with rebroadcasts on Friday at 5 and Sunday at noon.

The VenturaRockSpot

This is fairly new to VenturaRocks.com and is completely spearheaded by GWC Productions. If you want to see about being featured, click here for more information.

UPDATE ON FACEBOOK PAGE (April 2015):

We chose to migrate to a “Business” page as oppose to continue as a “Friend” page for a couple reasons.
#1 It’s against the rules to be a business as a “Friend” page. We knew our days could be numbered and we could get taken down, so we bit the bullet and converted our “Friends” to “Likes”.
#2 The cap on “Friends” is 5,000. There is no cap on “Likes.” We had been keeping Friends at 4,999 so people could request to be friends (otherwise you’d get a notice saying we no longer accept friends). When people shut down their page, un-friended us, we un-friended them, or they got blacked-balled, we would add people who were in the queue. We had dozens in the queue at any given time. They’re all Likes now.

Unfortunately, Facebook only shows our posts for a very small minority of people who have Liked us. To increase your chances of having us show up in your news feed, hunt us down, make sure you had Liked us, then continue to click on posts, Like them and comment on them.

This is our new page: https://www.facebook.com/venturarockswebsite.

Rules for Facebook:

Please do not list your gig on a comment for someone else’s gig. For instance, let’s say we shared an event for the Jazz Punks at Squashed Grapes. We will remove comments that talk about another gig at Cafe Fiore. It’s just bad manners. I delete disparaging remarks. Again, bad manners.

We no longer allow people to post to our timelines. You can either private message me with the information or send it to pam@venturarocks.com. But better yet…create an event and invite us.

While we’re on the subject of invites, be sure to add artwork! I promise, it will get noticed more by viewers, than those which don’t do anything. And be sure to make your invite Public! If you don’t, I won’t be able to share it.

This is not a community soundboard. We don’t post “drummer needed,” or “we’re looking to hire a manager,” etc…

If you have an editorial or some other content that we find interesting on your timeline, we sometimes ask if we can add it to our website. We always ask for permission. If you find we missed something, music-event-wise, PLEASE bring it to our attention!

We don’t blackball events or artists or venues.

It would be really really helpful if you checked here before sending info for your gig. We may already know about it: http://www.venturarocks.com/Listings/index.htm. We update for the week on Sundays.

So in closing, help us help you. We want to boom Ventura’s music scene!!!

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/16/14 – 4/29/14

Posted on April 14, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

With the weather warming up more music is being offered outdoors. One recurring event, Folk Steady, can be found at the Ojai Rancho Inn where Vaughn Montgomery of the band Little Big Here puts together a pretty cool list of bands (including his own) playing for free (donations welcomed). Vaughn told me he’s been holding these concerts since last summer and depending on the weather they fall on the first Sunday of the month with seven or eight acts on the bill.

The first Sunday of April I caught just a couple of the acts including a great set from the owners of Brotheryn Studios, Todd Hannigan and Jesse Siebenberg, along with Micah McCabe and Taylor Quinn which included a guest appearance by Roger Keiaho of Rey Fresco. The afternoon was a blast. It was completely a laid back vibe with a swimming pool, nice lawn area, and a huge tree where the band plays underneath. Scratch Food Truck was on the grounds for those who didn’t pack a picnic lunch. In attendance were Steve and Polly Hoganson, Charles and Christine Law, Amanda Peacock, Dan and Malory Grimm, Becca Fuchs and just tons of other musicians, friends and families.

Vaughn’s completely on board with future gigs telling me, “I’d like to keep doing them indefinitely. It seems like a good alternative from hearing music in a bar. These concerts feel more like a day in the park, with families and dogs and some sky.” Catch the next one scheduled for May 4th, bring blanket, low chairs, sunscreen and refreshments.

Speaking of fun in the sun, Ventura Earth Day Eco Fest has plenty of music lined up for Saturday, April 26, along Ventura’s promenade. Just a couple of acts to watch for are the Barrelhouse Wailers, D.on Darox and the Melody Joy Bakers, Derek Jennings and Soul Infusion. Check out www.VenturaEarthDay.org for more information.

Of course there is Ventura Beach Festival with Martha Davis and the Motels headlining on May 3rd at State Beach. See www.VenturaBeachFestival.com ticket info and further down the road it’s the Roadshow Revival: A Tribute to the Music of Johnny Cash on Saturday, June 14 with the Paladins, Dale Watson, Calico, Hard Six and the Mighty Cash Cats lined up so far.

And finally, Bombay’s will host a fundraising event with Tommy and Paddy Marsh and special guests. A percentage of sales will be donated on April 19, 6-9 pm to the Botanical Gardens, so grab a burger and brewski, enjoy the tunes while supporting another great cause!

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

Ventura Music Photos: April 2014

Posted on April 1, 2014 by venturarocks

Music in Ventura

Sans Souci – April 25, 2014
Radio Threat

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – April 25, 2014
Bigfoot Invasion – Cougar Estrada, Ruben Estrada, John Schnackenberg, Ruben Martinez, Rene Martinez

The Wine Rack – April 25, 2014
Ebony Ann Blaze

The Keynote Lounge – April 24, 2014
Open mic jam night!

Bombay’s Bar and Grill – April 23, 2014
The Session featuring Coco Montoya and Mikey Mo

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – April 23, 2014
Kyle Swan, Benjamin Buttner and Doug Johnson

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 19, 2014
Groove Session

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 19, 2014
The Pullmen

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 19, 2014
Botanical Gardens Fundraiser
Ray Jaurique, Tommy and Paddy Marsh

The Wine Rack – April 19, 2014
Dan Grimm

The 805 Bar – April 19, 2014 – Andy’s Birthday Bash
Steve and Sally Williams

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 18, 2014
Sharks and Cobras

W20 at The Watermark – April 18, 2014
Shawn Jones

Squashed Grapes – April 17, 2014
The Jazz Report: Bevan Mason (keys); Brad Dutz (drums); Danny Young (bass); Jacob Scesney (sax); Dave Tolegian (flute/sax).

The Tavern – April 16, 2014
American Hoss

Yolie’s – April 12, 2014
Morry Sochat with Tommy Harkenrider (guitar), Steve Nelson (bass) and Jerry McWorter (drums)

Squashed Grapes – April 10, 2014
Ventura Jazz Collective – Pam from VenturaRocks.com and Adam from Squashed Grapes representing!

Pablo Plasencia, Crystal Rose Sanchez, Patrick Martin, Pam Baumgardner, Adam Randall, Trey O’Toole from Pulse Drumming and Bill Bannister.

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 9, 2014The Session: Tommy Marsh and Bad Dog with guest Cadillac Zack – Post Jam with Paul Vallis, Franklin Murphy, Jacob Scesney

Squashed Grapes – April 9, 2014
Nee Sackey Trio with special guest Karl Hunter

The Nee Sackey Trio featured Nee on bass, Hans Ottsen on guitar and Adam Clark (not pictured) on drums with special guest Karl Hunter of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy on sax.

The Star Lounge – April 6, 2014|
Dallas Burrow from Austin, TX

Downtown Ventura – April 6, 2014
D.on Darox

The Garage – April 5, 2014
Shelby Figueroa

The Garage – April 5, 2014
Practical Animal

Bombay Bar and Grill – April 4, 2014
Alicia Murphy, Derek Jennings & Max Kasch

The Wine Rack – April 4, 2014
Matthew Zeltzer

Amigo’s Surf Cantina – April 1, 2014
Nathan McEuen

Ventura Rocks in the Ventura Breeze – 4/2 – 4/15

Posted on March 31, 2014 by venturarocks

Ventura Music Scene
by Pam Baumgardner
VenturaRocks.com
Pam@VenturaRocks.com

VenturaRocks.com’s 5th anniversary party was a blast. Many thanks to Those Lousy Drunken Uncles who kicked off the festivities and especially to one of Ventura’s favorites, Rey Fresco, for hitting it out of the park. Diego and the crew at Bombay’s are the best; I can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and for their continued support. The night was a long one to be sure with family, friends and VenturaRocks.com supporters coming and going as they celebrated their St. Patrick’s Day in their own way. Many heartfelt thanks to those who did stop in including Sheldon Brown from the Ventura Breeze, Sally Williams representing the Swillys (thanks for the bubbly dear!), Shawn Jones, Owen Bucey, Dan Grimm, Doug Johnson, Kat Merrick from Totally Local VC, JR from Winchesters, Armand John Lizzy, Tommy Marsh and Tammy Aren, Eve Mimiaga, John Reese of Amigos, Brother Rob from KXBS and all my family and friends who made the time to come by, that meant a lot. Oh! Big thanks to Maggie McKinney for the beautiful flowers and all that delicious cake!

John Reese of Amigos announced something extremely cool. Nathan McEuen will be playing at Amigos every Tuesday night 6-8 pm through the month of April. Yeah baby!

The Ventura Beach Festival announced the line-up for the May 3rd event at San Buenaventura State Beach with Martha and the Motels headlining. Other bands on the bill include The Surfaries, Rey Fresco, Spencer the Gardener, Dirty Rice and Barley Legal. This one helps benefit Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. For ticket information, visit www.VenturaBeachFestival.com.

It looks like more music will be happening down at the Ventura Harbor Village Carousel Stage as the weather continues to warm up. All shows run noon – 3 pm. Just a few lined up: Rusty Rounders on April 6, Beach Bums on April 13, Main Street Jazz Band on April 20 and Jill Martini Soiree on April 27.

Shows to watch out for at the Majestic Ventura Theater include The Pet Shop Boys on April 11, and Latin-ska band, Panteon Rocoxco, which will be in town on April 19. Both Ellie Goulding on April 16 and Cage the Elephant on April 18th are sold out.

Ventura’s music scene is incredible because we have three different elements coming together here in this amazing town. First and foremost, we have amazing talent, secondly we have the venues which support live music (and a great deal of it original), but it wouldn’t come together without the third element which is us music lovers. Together, we make Ventura Rock!!!

Do you have any music related news or upcoming shows you want help publicizing? Send all information short or long to Pam@VenturaRocks.com.

VenturaRocks.com’s 5th Anniversary – St. Patrick’s Day Party

Posted on March 21, 2014 by venturarocks

Thank you Diego and Bombay’s for the great time! Loved Those Lousy Drunken Uncles who kicked off the celebration and of course Rey Fresco took it up several notches into the night.

Here’s a link to our annual “State of the Union” address for our 5th Anniversary online serving the music community here in Ventura.