Disc Connected

It’s Party Time this weekend at Cafe Voltaire in Ventura. Twice. It would have been three if this were a Thursday column--and we could have talked about Suzanne Paris’ CD recording party, which is already over. In any case, two CD parties in two days should offer sufficient opportunities to hear new music.

The fun starts with tonight’s long-awaited “Live at Cafe Voltaire” party, and is followed by singer/songwriter/guitar player Jonathan McEuen’s wingding on Saturday night.

Once the city of Ventura’s bus garage, Cafe Voltaire is the center of Ventura County’s acoustic music universe. There’s a large outdoor patio where the faithful will be tested to see if they can survive the winter.

Inside, the club is rather small, but it makes for an intimate setting to see live bands. The best talent in the county, including the Rincon Ramblers, Jimmy Adams & Friends and Acadiana, play regularly at the Voltaire.

Also, in increasing numbers, L.A. bands have been heading north to the venue, which offers music every night of the month, except for a single quieter, gentler Poetry Night.

The genesis of tonight’s gig was a November night when owner Todd Winokur decided to record a bunch of his favorite bands, such as Randy Rich & the Ravens, the Kenny Cotter Band, Teresa Russell and lots more. The gig lasted for four days and more than a dozen bands played. The results were overwhelmingly favorable. The only problem was that not everything could fit on a single CD. Thus was born the Special Edition CD.

“Basically, all the cool stuff that wouldn’t fit on the first CD will be on the Special Edition CD, such as ‘Wiggle Wiggle’ by Randy Rich & the Ravens,” said Winokur. “I’m planning another ‘Live at Cafe Voltaire’ session for March with all different bands.”

Tonight’s affair will be of the open mike variety, with all of the musicians sharing the stage in some form of extended rock jam. Expected to attend are, among others, Adams, Danny and Mary Wilson, Roy and Daphne Jones, Hippie Mark, Tommy Quayle, Tom Kwake and Bob Jones.

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The Saturday gig at Cafe Voltaire will be the 22-year-old McEuen’s coming out party for his debut CD, “Sampolin 14.” His famous father, John McEuen of Nitty Gritty Dirt Band fame, will headline the supporting cast, which will also include Phil Salazar, Randy Tico, Jesse Siebenberg, David Holster, the ubiquitous Adams and Danny Wilson.

“The CD contains 14 songs, nine of which are original collaborative efforts between myself and other songwriters, all of whom live in Ventura County,” said McEuen. “It’s sort of like my version of ‘Will the Circle Be Unbroken,’ Ventura County-style.”

“I thought I had to get a project out to present myself. At first, this was just to be a demo CD, but it turned into a record. It’s an American-based smorgasbord of roots music. It’s going to be organic sound, which is the sound of an instrument through a wire to a tape with nothing in between polluting the sound.”

With such a famous father, it’s no surprise that McEuen became a musician. He’s been hanging around with famous rock stars all his life.

“My dad’s pals were always ready to teach you something. I remember sitting around playing with Levon Helm, stuff like that. Plus, there’s been a lot of country people--I’ve known Dolly Parton practically since I was born, I know Vince Gill on a first-name basis.”

McEuen has a wealth of experience, beginning with a tape of him singing (in key, he swears) at the ripe old age of 2. He has gigged countless times with his dad, and even survived several years of working for the bikers at their annual run in Sturgis, S.D.

At one gig, 300 guns were checked at the door, which is considerable pressure not to mess up “Born To Be Wild.”

McEuen, who just recently moved into a new pad in Ojai, comes from Colorado, but has been in Ventura County for a couple of years. He’s been a part of nearly every local project since he’s been here. But this time, it’s his party.

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“Live at Cafe Voltaire” CD release party, Friday, 7:30 p.m. $10 entry fee, which includes a CD, entertainment and munchies. The event is free to those who bought their CDs in advance. Live at “Cafe Voltaire Special Edition” CD is $10 tonight or $15 thereafter, Cafe Voltaire, 43 N. Palm St., Ventura.

Jonathan McEuen & Friends CD release party, $15 includes a CD, or $5 to get in. Saturday, 7:30 p.m. 641-1743.