Seattle is more balanced than most cities, but you still don’t see that many woman singers at the clubs in town on an average night. Tonight we have two very very good local singers at two different clubs, to say nothing of the return of Wanda Jackson to Seattle to play Neumos.
First, about the three acts. Wanda Jackson is somewhat historic– she’s a founder of rockabilly. I found out about her when I was reading about her label mate, Gene Vincent. In my opinion, hers are the best rockabilly numbers Capitol Records put out in the 50s. Also, she dated Elvis . . . which is funny. Thin Elvis. And then Jack White just released an interesting album with her, The Party Ain’t Over. On it, Wanda does an outstanding version of the Bob Dylan tune “Thunder on a Mountain.” I think it’s one of my favorite songs of the year.
Caitlin Sherman is the singer and songwriter for Slow Skate. Along with her husband Jason Goessl on guitar, etc, she puts out haunting, pitch perfect torch songs. Slow Skate has been covered regularly here, but they are always changing, always nailing it in a different way. I’d say they’re a lot of musicians’ favorites in town. Caitlin especially stands out for her control and for the nuance she brings to every song.
Here’s a tune I recorded them playing when they did last year’s Record Store Day:
Shana Cleveland just released a solo album. She performs in The Curious Mystery as half of the coolest guy/girl vocal duo in town, with Nicolas Gomez. They’re like an alternate universe Sonny and Cher– a universe in which Sonny and Cher actually got it, and in which Batman dresses like an owl and steals stuff.
Anyway, here’s my theory on how to see all three: Wanda Jackson wowed Seattle last year when she played an impromptu set at Easy Street Records. My blind hope is that she might do it again. Slow Skate are playing Comet Tavern. I believe they open the night. Then The Curious Mystery is at the Jewel Box in Belltown. That’s downhill from the Comet. Gotta be doable.
Wanda Jackson performs at Nuemos. (Nothing has been mentioned about an in-store at Easy Street in Queen Anne . . . but I’m hoping.)
Slow Skate performs with Eighteen Individual Eyes and Agent Ribbons (9 PM – 1 AM)
The Curious Mystery performs with Basemint and Abraham at Jewel Box. (10 PM – 1 AM)
1) Really wanted to skip across the street to check out Wanda Jackson, but I got to listen to Eighteen Individual Eyes and Agent Ribbons instead which was actually quite a treat – everyone should check them out.
2) Aw shucks, thanks Bart!
3) “They’re like an alternate universe Sonny and Cher– a universe in which Sonny and Cher actually got it, and in which Batman dresses like an owl and steals stuff.” LOVE it.
Coolness