Baby gramps12/21/2023 His voice is a cross between Popeye the Sailor and a Didgeridoo and the plinkity plink of his VERY worn National steel guitar, sounds like a wind up jack in the box. His singing styles include throat singing. His busy and unusual guitar style includes flat and finger picking, and "chording" with the back of his hand and his elbow. In addition to July 5th and August 2nd at the Laurelthirst, Baby Gramps will perform at the Oregon Country Fair in Veneta July 12-14.Baby Gramps plays a mixture of styles and eras including traditional blues, children's and labor songs, and his own compositions. The popularity of the record led to world tours, royalty checks, and appearances on Late Night with David Letterman, where he was backed by members of Dylan’s band.īacked at the Laurelthirst by local acolytes and occasional out-of-town guests, Gramps involves audiences in his show, which is leavened with humor, and full of rhythm, virtuosic guitar work, and a wooly authenticity befitting a Northwest legend. Bono, Sting, Johnny Depp, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Bill Frisell, Lucinda Williams,….the list is impressive. ![]() Gramps name-drops not only obvious influences like Mississippi John Hurt and Bob Dylan, but plenty of lesser-known musical artists like the hapless NW drifter Rollin’ Joe, and actor Robert Mitchum, who had a rockabilly hit in the 50’s with lyrics about running moonshine in souped-up cars, Thunder Road.īaby Gramps’ largest commercial success came inadvertently when he was asked to contribute to the hit 2006 compilation Rogue’s Gallery, produced by Hal Wilner and boasting a roster of artists seldom equaled in popular entertainment. Often as not some of the audience will dance, and this can be anything from couples swing dancing to a willowy ingenue’s interpretive gyrations in front of the stage. His lyrics evoke bygone magic and parties of the moonshine era, and he has a vast repertoire of folk materials which are nightly poured into various molds and recast as modern Americana. Utilizing not only fingerpicks, but extended strumming techniques and an exquisitely elastic time feel, Gramps can “rag” anything he chooses to, but he can also call down the spirits, setting ethereal moods and spellbinding trances. ![]() Robert Christgau, of The Village Voice, called Gramps "A deep original with a rooting in blues." which is a complete understatement. It is rare for any club to extend that kind of support to any artist, and there has to be a reason why Gramps has survived several booking managers at the bar. Going back about 25 years, Gramps brings his singular vocal stylings and steel resonator guitar each month to the beloved Portland venue. ![]() Portland's best-kept musical secret is a long-running First Friday residency at the Laurelthirst Public House by Seattle’s Baby Gramps. ![]() Writer Michael "Shoehorn" Conley is one of the performers who regularly back up Baby Gramps. Baby Gramps Time Warp at Laurelthirst Public House Friday, July 5th, 2019 / Previewīy MICHAEL "SHOEHORN" CONLEY // His lyrics evoke bygone magic and parties of the moonshine era, and he has a vast repertoire of folk materials which are nightly poured into various molds and recast as modern Americana.
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