Concert
Alan James Band
Fri–Sat, Sep 12–13, 9pm
El Viejo Topo 
Stirling Dickinson 28
175 pesos
Reservations: 154-8701

The versatile Alan James: A modern Renaissance man
By José Luis Ceñal

All the way from Arizona, Alan James Hutchinson and friends, collectively knows as the Alan James Band, will soon be visiting San Miguel.

Taking cues from blues, rock, folk, funk and various other influences, at moments reminiscent of the Allman Brothers Band when they get into blues territory and sounding a bit like Todd Rundgren when they enter the realm of pop songs, the Alan James Band is a fresh example of what modern music with solid roots in tradition sounds like.

Along the way, James has expanded and perfected his craft. You name it, and he can do it: rock, blues, jazz, country, bluegrass, classical, flamenco, Celtic, Caribbean, Calypso, Reggae. His passionate way of singing makes the amalgam of musical styles Alan play masterfully all the more seductive.

The musician has shared billings with Jefferson Starship, Joan Jett, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Michael Bolton, Marshall Tucker and Rick Derringer. He has performed with blues legends such as Willie (Big Eyes) Smith and bassist Kenny Kinsey, son of Big Daddy Kinsey. In 1991, the world-famous Blue Bird Cafe in Nashville commissioned James to perform his original compositions for a nationally televised airing of 48 Hours.

Like so many musicians today, James has taken matters into his own hands. He has spent the past two years immersing himself in music-recording computer wizardry and has built his own makeshift recording studio, expanding his prodigious music skills to the technological side of the business.

The end result is a pair of new CDs: Back Alley Blues and Open Road. The former includes rock-fueled blues featuring James and a who's who of Verde Valley musicians: Eddie Baratini on drums, Rich Neville on bass, Michael Reed on saxophone and the late Danny Rhodes on guitar. James provided most of the guitar and bass licks as well as the piano accompaniment. Open Road is a solo acoustic offering of folk and blues.
According to his biography, James' interest in art is manifold: painting, video, photography and, of course, music. A modern Renaissance man? Find out more about Alan James and his project at www.myspace.com/thealanjamesband  or www.ajhcolors.com.
 

Golden weekend for the violin
By Bob Kelly 

Pro Musica Concert
Joseph Gold, Debbie Dare, Miles Graber
Sat–Sun, Sep 6–7, 5pm
St. Paul’s Church
Cardo 6
80/150/200 pesos

Violin virtuoso Joseph Gold presents works by major and lesser-known composers of the 18th and 19th centuries this weekend in his second Pro Musica appearance. His wife, violist Debbie Dare, and pianist Miles Graber will accompany him.

Gold served as concertmaster and director of chamber music at the Spoleto music festival in Italy and was selected by the late Luciano Pavarotti to be his private violin soloist. 

Saturday’s program opens with Mozart’s “Rondo in C Major” and “Symphonia Concertante.” The second half includes “Five Humorous Pieces” by Hubert Leonard and “Ballade and Polonaise” by Henri Vieuxtemps, leading European violinists and composers of the 19th century.

On Sunday, Gold performs Baroque sonata movements by three violinists and composers prominent in the 18th century as arranged and played by Pablo de Sarasate: J. J. de Mondonville’s “La Chasse,” J. P. Guignon’s “Allegro” and J. M. Leclair’s “Sarabande and Tambourin.” Gold is considered the leading interpreter of Sarasate, a 20th-century virtuoso violinist and composer.

Gold also performs Sarasate’s “Fantasy-Caprice” and “Five Pieces for Violin and Piano” and Schubert’s “Fantasy in F minor,” originally written as a piano duet. Pianist Miles Graber accompanies him.

The trio also performs in three area schools in programs arranged by music educator Elsmarie Norby. Gold was a music teacher for 30 years in the San Francisco public schools. 

Tickets are available at La Tienda in the Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25; Casa de Papel, Mesones 57; La Conexión, Aldama 3; St. Paul’s office weekdays 11am–2pm; and at the door one hour before concert time. For details, see www.promusicasma.com. 

The thrill is never gone
By Dick Avery

Concert
Folklore harp and flamenco guitar
Sergio Basurto
Mon, Sep 8, 7:30pm
Sala Quetzal
Biblioteca Pública
Reloj 50 A
150 pesos, limited seating

Sergio Basurto says the thrill of playing never wanes. It’s the same emotional sensation every time he picks up his instrument, no matter what type or style of music he is playing. “It’s like when you’re in love. No matter what feelings I have at the moment—sadness, happiness, anger—they all go away when I start to play. It’s just the music, only the music.” He feels transported during and by the music. When the audience is responding, he feeds on their emotions and he “goes into another place.”

He is an enviable man: appreciative of his music, the opportunity to share his music with people and the joy it brings, surrounded by loved ones and happy in his life. We should all be so fortunate.