Tales from the Tavern: Press

Peter Case Kicks Off Tales from the Tavern Music Series
Singers in Santa Ynez


Thursday, October 4, 2007
By Brett Leigh Dicks

When legendary songsmith Ramblin’ Jack Elliott took to a makeshift stage behind Mattei’s Tavern in Los Olivos on a wet and windswept February night back in 2003, no one could realize the legacy he was launching. As the eternal troubadour interspersed musical highlights from a 50-year career with enthralling tales of Wyoming cowboys and New Orleans brothels, Elliott laid the foundation for what has since evolved into one of the most unique performance experiences Santa Barbara has to offer.

On successive Wednesday nights each spring and fall, the elite of the nation’s singer/songwriters converge in the Santa Ynez Valley to tout their talents. And, while the Tales from the Tavern series might have evolved from humble beginnings—it’s now held at the Maverick Saloon—it has quickly become one of the most sought-after performance opportunities on the West Coast. But as Elliott so passionately said, Tales from the Tavern is about more than simply presenting music; it is about opening the world to the boundless possibilities that only spending an evening in the company of musical luminaries can afford.

Tales from the Tavern may have only been in our midst for four-and-a-half years, but it has led us on a path both captivating and diverse. From musical icons like David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Elliott, to emerging talents like Anne McCue and Devon Sproule, the only criteria the series employs within its recruitment of artists is a dedication and passion for their craft. Although the audience might not know some of the names when the acts are first introduced, by the end of an evening, they tend not to forget them.

“If you asked the audience on any given night about the artist they will be seeing, 90 percent of them won’t know,” said series coproducer Ron Colone. “Nor will they care, as they come here for the experience of discovery. The artists who come to Tales from the Tavern not only bring their talent, but also come to share their experiences. So even if the audience isn’t familiar with an artist or his or her music, they can still relate to the tales they have to tell.”

Photo: John Fitzpatrick
Steve Poltz
The series’ October 3 kickoff featured Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter Peter Case, whose latest recorded endeavor, Let Us Now Praise Sleepy John, not only grinds away in its unrestrained rawness, but does so with a considered elegance. This week, San Diego’s favorite musical jester, Steve Poltz, drops by to offer insight into Traveling and Unraveling—the two new albums he is about to release. For someone who is difficult to get into the studio, this is certainly no small achievement. And, if we are really lucky, he might even reveal just how one of the songs has found its way into a Jeep commercial.

Despite his recent flurry of studio activity, like all who grace the Tales of the Tavern stage, Poltz carves out his living on the road. Having played everywhere from packed stadiums during his time as a sidekick to Jewel (he cowrote her breakthrough musical monolith, “You Were Meant for Me”) to dusty brewhouses and the occasional yoga studio, Poltz has experienced the gamut of performance possibilities. And, with such experiences upon which to draw, he is only too quick to instill the virtues of something special when he encounters it.

“I would drop shows to go up and play there,” enthused Poltz. “I really like it when people take a lot of pride in the shows they put on, and they’re such good people with an impeccable taste in music. It is so cool because people come to the series and have a leap of faith in the fact that Ron is going to have good music there. And, for a musician, there is no better situation because you’re playing to a completely new audience and they’re all potential fans. What more could a musician ask for? He basically hands you the goose that’s laid the golden egg.”

Tales from the Tavern shows:

• October 10

Walt Richardson and Steve Poltz

• October 17

Paul Curreri and Devon Sproule

• October 24

Jesse DeNatale and Gretchen Peters

• November 7

Dan Gerber and Ray Bonneville

• November 14

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart,

Michael On Fire, and Ced Curtis

All shows start at 7 p.m. at the Maverick Saloon (3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez). Call 686-4785 or visit talesfromthetavern.com

Tales from the Tavern kicks up heels at Maverick Saloon
JOSEF WOODARD, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT



October 6, 2007 12:00 AM

In taking stock of the healthy singer-songwriter culture in Santa Barbara County, the short list of main contenders is, well, short but powerful. The Sings Like Hell concert series makes its monthly visit to Lobero Theatre, and SOhO brings nationally noted artists into its comfy nightclub vibe.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the impressive Tales from the Tavern series, in Santa Ynez Valley, has been going strong for five years. Hosted by Ron and Carole Ann Colone, with ample help and good vibes from the community, the series has become a model operation.

Wednesday night at Maverick Saloon, in Santa Ynez, we got a doozy of a double-header, featuring two of the song trade's underdog heroes, both of whom have played Sings Like Hell. Peter Case, the reformed pop-punker-turned-bluesy-folky-troubadour, made one of his regular visits to the series, and Austin, Texas-based favorite Jimmy LaFave followed with a four-piece band, not long after he appeared at the Lobero earlier this year.

Starting the show on a comic note, Mr. Case's first appearance this night came with a knock on the back door. He had been locked out and was lurking in the parking lot behind the saloon. Or maybe it was planned: Mr. Case, with his floppy hat, specs and post-beatnik appearance, seems to thrive on loose, slightly off-kilter charm.

Playing his guitar fluidly in various open tunings, Mr. Case ran through a songlist that included originals such as "Poor Old Tom" and "In the First Light." For cover material, he veered from a country-blues tune by Blind Willie McTell to Jimi Hendrix's "Waterfall" and then a disarmingly moving version of the Bach-inspired Procol Harum chestnut "Whiter Shade of Pale."

Mr. Case stated this night's musical case by his lonesome and created a big sound. Mr. LaFave established his presence through the robust and introspective qualities of his singing and songwriting, and with the help of ace guitarist John Inman (long a part of Jerry Jeff Walker's band). At times, Mr. Inman summoned a faux pedal steel guitar sound, using a volume pedal and his slinky fingerwork.

Mr. LaFave's versatile keyboardist Radoslav Lorkovic -- who has a local connection through his Santa Barbara-based brother -- dialed up various sounds on his synth, and he also broke out the accordion for an added unplugged reality check.



In his generous set, Mr. LaFave pulled up originals, including "Hideaway Girl" and "This Land," from last year's "Cimarron Manifesto," a tribute to his upbringing in Oklahoma. He also covered Bob Dylan's "Simple Twist of Fate" and "Just Like a Woman."

In a roundabout local angle, the song was reportedly written about Santa Ynez-bred Edie Sedgwick.

Mr. LaFave ended his show with the Woody Guthrie classic "This Land is Your Land," luring the crowd into a singalong. But Mr. LaFave comes to Mr. Guthrie's songbook honestly and with good references, having been invited by the Guthrie family to pay tribute to one of Oklahoma's cultural icons.

It was a long, satisfying evening at the saloon -- the first of several musical Wednesdays in the continuing saga of "Tales from the Tavern." Stay tuned.

From the heart

I'm not going to type a big drawn out review of this collection. Rather, I'm going to tell you that if you love music that comes straight from the heart, from vocalists with only their own guitars as accompanyment, this is the CD you are looking for. Just about every single performance on here will pull at your heart and soul. Honest and open, soul to soul. Sit back, get in the right frame of mind, and give this collection a good listen. You'll be glad that you did.

Il Mattei’s Tavern di Los Olivos (California) è uno dei tanti locali della della Santa Ynez Valley dove si può ascoltare buona dal vivo. Ciò che lo rende davvero particolare è il fatto che sul suo palco, nel corso degl’anni, è passato il meglio della scena roots americana nell’ambito dell’ormai celebre rassegna Tales From Tavern. Mentre la direzione artistica, si appresta a preparare una nuova stagione, al Mattei’s Tavern, hanno deciso di dare una testimonianza di quanto fatto nel corso degl’anni con questa compilation che raccoglie splendide performance live inedite. Prodotto da Ron Colone, Tales From Taver, racchiude nei diversi brani lo spirito che anima questo locale, si passa dal poco noto ma bravissimo Jesse DeNatale con la sua Shangri-La West ai ben più famosi Chriss Hillman, Herb Pedersen e David Crosby che eseguono una versione acustica molto commovente di Turn! Turn! Turn!. Nel mezzo ci stanno magnificamente Jon Dee Graham con la splendida Faithless, Peter Case con On The Way Downtown, Sarah Lee Guthrie & Johnny Iron con In Lieu Of Flowers ma soprattutto un Dave Alvin in gran spolvero che regala insieme a Greg Liesz la magnifica King Of California. Che dire di più se non che è un disco da cercare (è in vendita su www.talesfromtavern.com) per il grande valore delle singole partecipazioni.

Salvatore Esposito

The enthusiasm [Bo] Ramsey projects for the series is echoed by the myriad artists who are now soliciting performances. But such a response is not confined to the artist — audiences too yearn for the musical enrichment offered by the undercurrent of talented performers that adorn the series.
... The intimate and appreciative setting quickly inspires an unwavering connection between performer and appreciator. Tales from the Tavern has matured into one of the county’s hidden gems."

“It’s part conscious raising, part adult education, part U.S. music history … and one of the best small concert venues on the West Coast.”