Another Record

The second Live at Cafe Voltaire recording session will kick off Monday night when Left of Memphis performs a folk-flavored set. All in all, 15 acts will perform over the course of 12 consecutive nights at the Ventura venue.

Voltaire owner Todd Winokur, who always seems to have something going, explained the nuts and bolts of this second annual wingding.

“Each show will cost 15 bucks to get in, but for that price you get the show and later a CD. If that artist chooses not to make a CD, you will receive a ‘Live at Cafe Voltaire’ compilation disc, which will be released in any case. The emphasis this year is to give everyone the opportunity to do a recording, the only stipulation being that the result be on Voltaire Records. I want to spread the Voltaire name around the planet.”

The musical menu should be as varied as that of the Voltaire itself. Left of Memphis, Wendy Bucklew and Anastasia & John play acoustic music. Blues acts include Doug MacLeod, the Guy Martin Group, Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps, Jones & Jones, the Don Haney Band and the legendary sax player Big Joe Houston.

Freebo will play eclectic rock, including the session’s only tuba solo; Stephen Geyer is an expert guitar player; and Suzanne Paris will probably sing better than everyone. The Bum Steers, along with Spencer Davis of the Spencer Davis Group, will play original rock plus some old favorites. New West and Mark Insley will cover the country-rock portion of the festival.

Insley will be the final act this year. His party-ending gig is slated for March 12. The country rocker, who lives near the Ventura-L.A. county line by way of Kansas and Texas, put out an album last year, “Good Country Junk,” just before the Country Town Music label was sold to a holding company.

Insley may be one of those guys who’s too country for rock radio and too rock for country radio. But at least now there’s a place for the likes of Insley, who’s darn glad.

“If it doesn’t fit anywhere else, they call it Americana,” he said. “There are about 100 stations around the country that chart Americana, which includes artists like Lucinda Williams, the Blasters, Rosie Flores and Steve Earle. Americana is sort of a blessing and a curse because sometimes that includes some retro hillbilly stuff, but at least we do have a format now. I’m thinking of calling my music Cow-Mex, which is a little more politically correct than Tex-Mex.”

Insley and his revolving cast of musical pals have played at the Voltaire about half a dozen times, on each occasion attracting more fans than the previous gig.

“I love the Ventura scene and I’d much rather play up there than in Hollywood,” he said. “I’m going to do my show on the 12th, which is a weekend, because I want to get the audience involved. I’ve got to have the energy of the live show--that’s what this is about for me. .”

Hanging out in L.A. for several years has given Insley the chance to meet lots of rock stars. A pair of guitar gods, Albert Lee and Tony Gilkyson, sometimes show up when Insley plays. This time, one out of two may have to do. “Albert doesn’t usually like to be in a band with another guitar player except Tony, because their styles are so different, yet they complement each other,” said Insley. “Right now, it looks like I’ll have Tony because Albert will be out of town, but that could change.”

Like most struggling musicians, Insley’s favorite day is tomorrow, when good junk, country or otherwise, will surely come to pass.

“I’m trying to get out more and more,” he said. “Next, I’m going to Texas and then play in New Mexico and Arizona on the way back. Then I’ll come back, lick my wounds and try to recoup my losses. I’m gonna do this thing with Todd, then I’m planning on doing another studio record this year. Right now, I’m talking to a couple of labels, but they say something, then nothing happens. I take all that with a grain of salt.”

BE THERE

Left of Memphis plays folk music Monday; Freebo plays original rock Tuesday; New West plays country rock Wednesday; Don Haney Band plays blues Thursday; Stephen Geyer and Jones & Jones play original rock and blues March 5; Doug MacLeod plays blues and the Bum Steers with Spencer Davis play original rock March 6; Wendy Bucklew plays acoustic music and Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps play blues March 7; Guy Martin Group plays blues March 8; Anastasia & John play acoustic music March 9; Joe Houston plays blues March 10; Suzanne Paris plays original rock March 11; Mark Insley with Tony Gilkyson and Friends play country rock March 12, all at Cafe Voltaire, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. COST: $15 per night. CALL: 805-641-1743.

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Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have been around the block; in fact, they were probably there when it was being built. This legendary group, which has sold more than 100 million records, will perform several hits in a date at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks on Saturday night.

These guys have had singles on the charts in every decade since the ‘50s--which in itself qualifies them as the poster boys for longevity. “Sherry” was their first No. 1 single and the first of many hits that included “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Dawn,” “Walk Like a Man,” “Rag Doll” and many, many more. In 1990, the Four Seasons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

BE THERE

The Four Seasons at the Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, Saturday night, 8 p.m. COST: $54, $39 or $29. CALL: 449-2787.

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This is just another average week for singer-songwriter-guitar player Teresa Russell. She’ll be playing five times in the next seven days, which is a whole year’s worth of work for Raging Arb & the Redheads. The only thing bigger than her workload is her hair, and the only thing bigger than her mane is her repertoire.

Russell must know about a million songs. If you can name it, Russell can probably play it. But finally last year, after a couple of decades, Russell released her first album of originals, “Bustin’ Loose.” It’s bluesy rock, ably supported by her band, Cocobilli.

She’s usually off Monday and Tuesday, but generally, you won’t find Russell at home the other nights. Tonight Russell will be at Wine Lovers in Ventura, Saturday at the Beachcomber in Silver Strand and Sunday, she’ll entertain all the weekend bikers at the Deer Lodge in Meiners Oaks. Russell also has a gig at the Lobster Trap Restaurant in Oxnard on Wednesday and Thursday nights, just as she has for the last 17 years.

Russell grew up in a musical family in Westlake Village.

While her peers were out trolling at the mall, Russell--at the ripe old age of 12--was playing in Hollywood, fronting an all-girl band called Spare Change. The 30-something guitar player is still at it, thus far with no day job on the resume.

“I have the option of playing quietly as a one-woman band or I can play loud rock ‘n’ roll with my band. I think I’ve got the music thing figured out,” she said.

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Bill Locey can be e-mailed at blocey@pacbell.net.