Shanghai Woolies shine at BBR

There is something about the music of The Shanghai Woolies that makes you want tap your toes, or get up and dance. Both were on full display last Sunday evening at Black Butte Ranch for the Live at the Ranch summer concert series. An appreciative audience of nearly 300 people were on hand to hear the sultry sounds of another era that were just as energetic and viable as they were eighty years ago.

Gavin Bondy and band hit the stage just after 5 p.m. on another hot Central Oregon evening. Many in attendance took refuge in shady areas of the venue bordered by tennis courts and homeowner condos.

"Another perfect Central Oregon evening," said concert coordinator Katie Williams. "Being back on the lawn near the lodge offers a great view, one that we think is the best in this area for these kinds of concerts."

This sentiment was echoed by the bandmembers, several who were making their first trip to the area. Bondy commented, "As I was driving over I got a call from one of the band members saying they had just passed Hoodoo. I had to ask 'what's Hoodoo?'" Lead singer Khilmony Downs, who was looking to get in a round of golf said, "this place is so beautiful, it's just great."

The versatility of the Woollies was evident as Gavin Bondy and guitarist Nick O'Donnell shared the singing load with Downs, who when not singing, was dancing and prancing the stage the entire evening. Downs, who also has spent some time with Pink Martini, came out in a stunning red dress and sang the Peggy Lee standard, "Why Don't You Do Right?"

After an hour-long set, the Woolies took a quick break, and a wardrobe change for Downs, and came back for another hour-long set, which included "All of Me" and "Puttin on the Ritz," before finishing with a two-song encore that featured the Louis Armstrong classic, "Big Butter and Egg Man."

"Throughout the course of the evening I've had a tremendous amount of people come up and tell me how much they enjoyed this band," said Williams. "We always have some people compliment us on the bands, but tonight the response was truly amazing."

Headlining the final concert in the series on Sunday, September 4 will be the young blues phenoms The Ty Curtis Band. Bringing together divergent musical styles from Chicago, Delta Blues, the Texas Blues of The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, Curtis and band put together an incredible show. Along with harpist Hank Shreve, who brings to his playing the sounds of Little Walter and Sonny Boy Williamson, this band will impress. Opening the show will be Seattle's Soul Jelly.

Tickets are available at http://www.BendTicket.com or the Welcome Center at Black Butte Ranch. For information call Williams at 541-595-1510.