By Johanna Vanderspool (Review and Photos)
Blurred Culture Magazine Article

SANTA MONICA, CA- The first time I heard of Valerie June was recently in June 2017 while I was visiting a friend in London. She rotated in his iTunes and I became addicted. The song was Workin’ Woman Blues off the album, “Pushin’ Against a Stone”. Her song is soulful and the lyrics “I been workin’ all my life,” and “Lord you know, I am ready for my sugar, my sugar daddy,” resonated deeply within me; not because I want a sugar daddy but because it feels like the plight of every woman to work as hard as we do. The trumpets soon followed, chanting like a chorus and plugging a steady groove. I played this song incessantly. So when I had the opportunity to see and review Valerie June live at Santa Monica’s Twilight Series on August 3rd, 2017, I volunteered immediately.

Concerts on the Santa Monica Pier are quite lovely. Crowds form on the beach to listen with their blankets, picnic baskets and BYO-everything. The audience on the dock have free range to beer and wine bars and various pier games. On the horizon is usually a breath-taking view of a sunset, as the ferris wheel spins and glows in neon colors. The Pacific Ocean cools everyone down, as fans scramble to the front barricade to grab a very cozy view of the musicians.

As a contributing writer, you’re often supposed to do research before you attend a concert or at least have enough knowledge of the musician(s) to create an appropriate review. However, I didn’t do much research this evening. I wanted to enjoy being a new fan and hoped I would learn a lot about Valerie from her music or on-stage persona. Wow, I certainly did…because going to a Valerie June concert means you’re inundated with personal, funny, spiritual and meaningful stories in between songs. As a southern African American gal from Memphis,Tennessee, who now lives in New York City, Valerie is a mix of genres in personality and in her music. Her melodies remind me of Appalachian bluegrass country (very Dolly Parton-esque), but with a twist of folk Bohemian rock with classical soul infused together. Her singing has a twang. She plays banjo, tambourine and acoustic guitar. Her hair is in dreads and falls all over her shoulders and arms. She wears bohemian chic dresses with silver and gold sequences. She’s girly with a giggle and giant smile, but has a no-nonsense attitude about her. She’s opinionated and has no qualms letting you know where she stands on matters of the heart. She tells you a funny quip about rural farm life then shares a new-agey quote about manifesting your dreams. Her music isn’t that much different.

Songs like Man Done Wrong, Love You Once Made, You Can’t Be Told, Twined and Twisted, Wanna Be On Your Mindand The Hour offer what’s at stake for her in love and loss. Her songs are often wistful, similar to sharing a story from long ago. There’s a twinge of sadness but also hope.

​While Valerie June’s pianist, guitarist, bassist and drummer were top notch, it was Valerie’s voice, lyrics and stories that held everyone’s attention. Vocally, she has a high register and sometimes it feels like her voice is crying. Yet at other times, she howls with dramatic effect to over-exaggerate the drama in a comedic way; especially when it comes to double meaning lyrics like “a memory faded to dust of a love you once made” and “no question why, you just slip slide on, you slip slide on by.” She seems to know the double edge sword of life. With love there is pain and…laughter.

Follow Valerie June on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

By Johanna Vanderspool (Review)
Blurred Culture Magazine Article

HOLLYWOOD, CA- After 25 years on the music scene, most people know of three-time Grammy winner vocalist/guitarist/songwriter Brian Setzer and his Orchestra. They know his big swing revival rock throws people into 50’s dance and his resonating raspy voice is going to get you off your seat. His 19 piece band and jump blues 4×4 rock music is reminiscent of a time when you tied up your oxford shoes, snapped your suspenders, buttoned your vest and pomaded your hair into a greasy slick. His rockabilly music is paying homage to when girls wore poodle skirts, fire engine red lipstick, pony tails and embroidered blouses. If you’ve every seen Jerry Lee Lewis, or the film Great Balls of Fire, it’s an uproarious upbeat tempo…all with the purpose to get you into a frenzy.

Last week’s Hollywood Bowl performance was Brian Setzer’s 25th Anniversary Concert and of starting his orchestra. Setzer began his rise during the early 80’s with giant pompadour hair and long side burns. Songs like Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town exploded onto the Top 40 charts. However, from what I remember it was the movies, La Bamba and Swingers, that brought him to the forefront of the Los Angeles music scene and kept him permanently cemented in pop culture.

Last Wednesday August 2nd, 2017- Brian Setzer was in traditional and explosive form. I imagine a rare moment would be if he sat quietly on the stage, told a story and played acoustic guitar solo, but that isn’t his kind of concert. Instead, his 19 member band jumped and danced while they played. Known as a “musician’s musician,” it is clear Brian has a natural and collaborative language with all the musicians and singers on stage. He also connected intimately with the 17,000 fans in attendance by giving them personal stories and instructions for certain songs. The brass section jiggled and swung their saxophones, trumpets and trambones left to right with great swagger. The pianist, Kevin McKendree, jammed standing up…sliding his hands across all 88 keys like fire was attached to his fingers. During the two-hour set, Brian and his jivin’ rugrats also created comedic and theatrical-like moments. His bassist, Johnny Hatton, dragged his large silver string instrument around like it was his “ball and chain.” Then, he jumped up and stood on top of it, while continuing to slap his bass. Kevin became a guitarist, so that Brian could jump atop of drummer, Noah Levys’, drums…all the while still playing guitar. In fact, many of Brian’s musicians were talented in playing several instruments. Listening to Brian’s Orchestra wasn’t just a pure audible glee but watching was equally an eye candy spectacle.

Coming to a concert like this, you must prepare. Many of the fans were dressed up in rockabilly outfits. First chance they got, they began to swing dance in the aisles and walkways of the Hollywood Bowl. It’s not something you see every day at this venue, especially when ushers are dedicated to keep everyone in check with their correct seat and section. In fact, it would have been wise to create a dance section for those whom wanted to swing!

My favorite songs of the night were: Stray Cat Strut, This Cat’s on a Hot Tin Roof, The Dirty Boogie and Jump, Jive an’ Wail (a Louis Prima cover). Encore was everyone’s favorite, Rock This Town. While he and his orchestra played spectacularly, I couldn’t believe Brian Setzer’s range hasn’t changed in 25 years. He played I Won’t Stand In Your Way and Slow Down Folsom Prison Blues with minor chords, as if his vocals could go up and down any scale with ease. What’s also surprising is how humble Brian is. He shared a story about his first gig with his 17 piece band and the 30 people in the audience. He didn’t know what was to come or if a resurrection of swing and rockabilly would be accepted. He just loved it and did it anyway. This dedication and passion is clearly exhibited by all the musicians and singers on stage.

As one of the “greatest living guitarists” today, Brian Setzer and His Orchestra revived rockabilly and swing by demonstrating exceptional musicianship. They were also rewarded with a standing ovation for ten minutes…deservingly so.