Notes by Northwest

A new three hour version of Notes by NW.

From the NY Times review of this book.  Egan has become my favorite PNW author. If you’re looking for something to believe in, you could do worse than Timothy Egan’s particular blend of intelligence and empathy. In his ninth book, “A Pilgrimage to Eternity,” this self-described “lapsed but listening” Irish Catholic makes the 1,200-mile journey from Canterbury to Rome along the Via Francigena “on f...

This is the kind of book where you can smell and hear and see the fictional world the writer has created, so palpably does the atmosphere come through. Set on an island in the straits north of Puget Sound, in Washington, where everyone is either a fisherman or a berry farmer, the story is nominally about a murder trial. But since it's set in the 1950s, lingering memories of World War II, inte...

In current-day Seattle, Gino makes his money writing a phony astrology column and playing fortune teller for party entertainment. Sara, a fraud investigator, has visions of the future that always come true—and she’ll do anything to keep it a secret. Her clairvoyance has destroyed important relationships in her life. When they meet, Gino hopes they can be more than friends. Unfortunately, the most...

 Jaiden Dokken, will serve a two-year term as Clallam County’s first Poet Laureate. Developed through a partnership between Clallam County and NOLS, a major goal of the Clallam County Poet Laureate program is to use poetry to bring a variety of voices and perspectives to culturally diverse audiences throughout the county, and to bring communities together through poetry.

This is a mix of music featuring artists and songs with a PNW connection.   I chose Alice in Chains twice on this show, as I found something interesting online this week.  The song Ranier Fog was recorded almost 20 years after the death of the group's former lead singer, Layne Staley.  Though the magic or creepiness of AI, someone added his vocals to that song.  You can find the version here...

The Field Arts & Events Hall had its debut performance this week, the Brubeck Brothers Quarter, featuring two of the sons of a jazz pioneer, Dave Brubeck.  This show includes excerpts of my interview with the very engaging Dan, along with a selection of the group's work.  And I played a compare and contrast--the original version of the best selling jazz record of all time, Take Five by Da...

Summer is here in Sequim!  This show included some CW songs with artists with a PNW connection, a nod to Canada Day, a shout out to my friends from Maple Valley where I played a song by their neighbor Brandi Carlile, and one of my favorites, Just Breathe, dedicated to my mom. She's breathing fine, by the way. 

This show is dedicated to the artists featured at this summer's Music in the Park, mostly musicians from the Peninsula including favorites like Black Diamond Junction, Bread & Gravy, Buck Ellard and Jean Lemke.   The first 40 minutes or so was not recorded (operator error) but I think you'll enjoy this nonetheless.   Music in the Park features free concerts on Tuesday nights at Carri...

This was a mix from The Stooges with their cover of the Kingsmen's Louie Louie, to Mark Knopfler, checking the PNW box with a solo effort called Seattle.  Also featured the Postal Service, who is back on tour now, and Death Cab for Cutie for my sweet niece, who is actually a fan (who knew?).  

The first part of the show featured covers of Woody Guthrie songs, including a new release by the Dropkick Murphys from Okemah Rising (Okemah being the hometown of Woody Guthrie).  Also had original and cover of Cryin' Time by Buck Owens and Will Worden, and a Stevie Ray Vaughn cover of Hendrix and Hendrix' cover of All Along the Watchtower, originally by Bob Dylan. A protégé of Woody Gu...

I just listened to this show again, and really like the selections, ranging from a few covers of Woody Guthrie songs to Odo Abby, who is credited with bringing world music to the Pacific NW.  

After a few ''operator errors" at the beginning of the show, it was smooth sailing of a mix of PNW music from the 1950s til today.