After forays into pop and country, John Jorgenson returns to Lexington for gypsy jazz

by walter tunis — Contributing Music Writer

Posted: 9:17am on Jul 2, 2009; Modified: 5:46am on Apr 18, 2011

  • THE WEEK THAT WAS

    Dr. John at The Kentucky Theatre: The evening's carnival spirit was relaxed as Mac Rebennack — known to the pop world as Dr. John — kicked into the Professor Longhair party anthem Tipitina, with its rich, rumbling piano whimsy. The Meters-style funk of the 1973 Dr. John original I Been Hoodooed followed. But Rebennack, dressed in a purple suit, hat and shades, also had a flair for pop standards including Candy and Makin' Whoopee. He additionally discovered a fun intersection for past pop and jazz generations with his 1992 version of Do You Call That a Buddy? — a Louis Jordan hit long ago, reimagined by Louis Armstrong. From there, the Leadbelly staple Goodnight Irene became a showcase for swing, and My People Need a Second Line was a bittersweet requiem for those lost in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. There was also a funky nod to Dr. John's "night-tripping" gris-gris music of the late '60s with Mama Roux. Through it all, the Mardi Gras spirit in the audience was limited to a few dancers in the aisles waving handkerchiefs. Then the spiritual jubilation of Lay My Burden Down bled into the signature 1973 hit Right Place Wrong Time and, after that, the celebratory drive of Big Chief. That's when, in the midst of the crowd, a black umbrella popped open and began to twirl. Sure, the umbrella was a necessity of the evening, given the summer thunderstorms raging outside. But inside, it was a catalyst — the firing pin of a subtle, seasoned Mardi Gras parade.

    Steve Earle at Memorial Hall in Cincinnati: Early into the evening, Steve Earle admitted that the motivations behind his recent Townes tribute album honoring Lone Star songsmith Townes Van Zandt was to illuminate the lighter side of Van Zandt's music. Of course, he used that little chat as a lead-in to one of his idol's most ghastly works, Lungs. "If this song doesn't scare the (expletive) out of you," Earle said, "then you're probably overmedicated." The nearly two-hour solo acoustic concert in Memorial Hall's un-air-conditioned swelter summoned up eight Townes tunes, ranging from obvious (Poncho and Lefty) to obscure (Mr. Gold and Mr. Mudd) to richly spiritual (To Live Is to Fly). A ninth Van Zandt song not featured on the recording, Rex's Blues, was paired with the Earle original Fort Worth Blues. There were a few early Earle favorites, too, including a still stark and devastating Goodbye, and more recently topical fare: The Mountain, Rich Man's War and City of Immigrants. Signature hits Guitar Town and Copperhead Road were served as dutiful encores. But Earle clearly outlined the performance as a celebration — vindication, even — of Van Zandt's music. In the evening's finest tribute, Earle stirred a fire under the bluesy Brand New Composition — a tune of hopeful redemption despite a lyric about the singer's new love having "arms just like two rattlesnakes." The devil was never far at bay in Van Zandt's music. Leave it to Earle to make that gap seem both cheerfully and squeamishly thin.

John Jorgenson Quintet

7 p.m. July 5 at The Dame, 367 East Main St. $15.(859) 231-7263. www.dameky.com.

Near as we can tell, the last time John Jorgenson played in Lexington was 1993. He was on a big stage with an even bigger star at the time — in Rupp Arena as co-guitarist for Elton John.

Before that, you would have to go back to late-'80s shows around town as one-third of the triumvirate that fronted the vintage country music troupe known as The Desert Rose Band (Herb Pederson and onetime Byrd/Flying Burrito Brother Chris Hillman were the other co-pilots).

On Sunday, we get Jorgenson playing music that has little to do with the big-league pop and country that previously brought him to Lexington. The quintet that bears his name specializes in the gypsy jazz pioneered nearly 70 years ago by guitar giant Django Reinhardt and violinist Stephane Grappelli.

Well, at least that's the starting point for the music of the John Jorgenson Quintet. During a rapturous outdoor performance at last summer's WorldFest in Louisville, Jorgenson's music also incorporated elements of Eastern European jazz and classical music, Nordic and Latin inspirations (especially Argentine) and even contemporary jazz fusion. The late-'70s music of guitarist Al DiMeola was recalled more that once during the speedier passages of Jorgenson's acoustic playing.

Conversely, Jorgenson also devotes at least one tune each evening to traditional New Orleans music by doubling on vocals and clarinet. At the Louisville performance, it was Dr. Jazz.

Curious? Then track down a copy of Jorgenson's recent album Ultraspontane, the title tune of which was served up as a generous gypsy jazz dance suite at the end of the Louisville show.

On Sunday, as the holiday weekend comes to a close, Jorgenson shows off his band and his hearty gypsy jazz heart at The Dame.

Indie Independence Day

Few businesses throw open their doors for live music during summer holidays quite the way that our pals at CD Central do. For the Fourth, the festivities head downtown to Phoenix Park for the store's annual Independent Music on Independence Day celebration.

This year, the predominantly local lineup includes the electronic soundscapes of Casino Versus Japan (10:30 a.m.), pop stylist Matt Duncan (noon) and pop-rock fave Chico Fellini (1 p.m.). The music takes a break at 2 p.m. for the parade, then resumes with Nashville jam band Moon Taxi (3:15 p.m.). Independent Music on Independence Day concludes with the neo-minimalist sound sculptures of Lexington's Tiny Fights (4:30 p.m.).

WRFL-88.1 FM and The Morris Book Shop are co-sponsors of the event. For more information, call (859) 233-3472. www.cdcentralmusic.com.

The Jenny and Erika show

It probably would take quite a show to make you hit the road to Louisville on a Monday night. Well, we have one for you. How about Jenny Lewis with Heartless Bastards?

Rilo Kiley singer Lewis is still touring behind last year's wonderful pop- Americana solo album Acid Tongue. Heartless Bastards, still led by Cincinnati-turned- Austin songsmith Erika Wennerstrom, serves up nicely brutish roots-inspired trio rock on one of the year's strongest albums, The Mountain.

Both team for a Monday performance at Headliners Music Hall, 1386 Lexington Road in Louisville. (8 p.m., $18). Call (502) 584-8088. www.headlinerslouisville.com.

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