Plus Winston Montgomery's "Momma's Tattoo"Bay Area favorite, guitarist Cas Lucas returns from a busy trip up north, to perform at Jupiter in Berkeley, this Wednesday night, in an unplugged duet with long time partner Stephen Inglis. Lucas has been quite busy following the release of his critically acclaimed "Giving It Back" CD, and his work with the East Bay's legendary Palm Wine Boys. In addition to finishing up his, as yet unnamed new CD, Lucas plans a Spring tour of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, the Pacific Northwest and Southern California. Indeed, Lucas also plans for an "African Highlife-Jam Band" group, and featuring some surprising local musicians. From his early work with the renown Yusef Lateef, to his more recent outings with the Palm Wine Boys, Lucas clearly hopes to be breaking some new ground with his new CD, and his newfound African-Highlife influences.
Recorded in 2004 with Inglis, "Giving It Back", Lucas' fifth album, is both a joyful acoustic romp, with songs like "Feelin'" and "Reflection", to the introspective, mature, and worldly writing of "Stop and Think", and the beautiful, yet melancholy "Home", each demonstrating the remarkable ear Lucas that has become known for. There is also a very fine chemistry and interplay that exists between Lucas and Inglis, who by the way is quite an incredible talent in his own right.
It has been said that Lucas' "honest, humble approach to songwriting is free of ego, and that makes each of his songs applicable to the full spectrum of human emotions. From empathy to anger, from heartache to joy, Cas Lucas is a musician who has been truthful to himself in his interpretation of society around him. His style is completely his own, and has a universally appealing flair - not too poppy, not to bluesy, not too folky…just right."
I'm eagerly awaitng his latest efforts, which promises to be even more energetic and brilliantly played. Likened to Dave Matthews, John Mayer, the late Michael Hedges, and other similarly talented guitarist/singers, Lucas truly has his own unmistakebly unique sound. Don't miss a chance to see this amazing rising star.
Cas Lucas unplugged duet with Stephen Inglis
Jupiter, 181 Shattuck, Berkeley (Downtown)
8-11 pm, no cover, all ages
http://www.jupiterbeer.com
(1 minute walk from bart, west bay-ers)
http://caslucas.com
Winston Montgomery
Long time local singer-songwriter Winston Montgomery has finished his long awaited CD, plans a "Podcast" of his latest effort and perhaps, after a long absence, a live rendition of his folky-political musings. Ably backed by some talented young Bay Area musicians, Montgomery's latest effort is reminiscent of some of the works of his contemporaries; the late Phil Ohcs, Pete Seeger, John Prine, Richie Havens and Tom Waits. Mongtgomery offers a new take, with some old school flavor to topics ranging from the war in Iraq, "Fallujah Skies", to his wonderful homage of the Sixties with "Momma's Tattoo". Listening to tunes like "The Ballad of Danville Nanny" and "The Sun is on the Rise," really took me back to the good ol' days of the anti-war demos and the front porch hoedowns of the 1970s. Ah yes, those thrilling days of yesteryear, "Tricky Dick" Nixon, Watergate, Cesar Chavez, the war in Vietnam, "Hippie Hill"... Somehow Bush and Iraq just don't feel the same, however Montgomery's music reminds you with his voice and a guitar, that the fight never really ends, and that the struggle goes on and on. A sampling of Montgomery's music can be heard at http://wmontgomerysongs.com
