The Heavy Gauge String Band
For
admirers of Paul Chasman’s music, “The Heavy Gauge String
Band 1973” CD represents his earliest released recording, six
years ahead of his first solo album. It gives a rare glimpse
into an early stage of the artist’s development, just at the
moment he would come into his own.
In 1973, the Portland, Oregon music scene was
booming. With a small-town flavor and a healthy dose of post-60’s
mentality, Portland supported a vibrant music community that shunned
commercialism in favor of eclecticism, eccentricity, and experimentation. Groups
like Melodius Funk, The Sleazy Pieces, The Holy Modal Rounders, Dr. Corn’s
Bluegrass Remedy, Moonstone, Puddle City, Sand, Entropy Service, Seafood
Mama, and Total Eclipse thrived with their hybrid hodgepodge of blues,
bluegrass, jug band, country, rock, and free form jazz. Music fans
packed in to hear them play in clubs like Frankenstein’s, Arbuckle
Flat, The Agora Cafe, The White Eagle, The Refectory, The American
Museum, and The Stone Balloon, four hours a night, seven nights a week.
It was in this Northwest frontier atmosphere
that, for one year, the Heavy Gauge String Band thrived. Led by
Gordon Keane’s rich baritone singing and strong instrumental
work, HGSB was enhanced
by Paul Chasman’s sparkling guitar and Tom Miller’s
solid bass. Although steeped in traditions of old time country
music, bluegrass, and blues, HGSB created a sound of its own, based
on rhythmic precision, intricate instrumental interplay, and an emphasis
on guitar. They built a loyal following that loved their music,
knew each personality, and probably knew all their jokes by heart.
After a year, The Heavy Gauge String Band
went the way all the groups and clubs of that era would eventually
go. Gordy
became a digital optics designer (although he would still surface occasionally
as “Gordon Oregon, The Singing Programmer”). Paul
went on to a successful career as a solo guitarist and composer. Tom
was a longtime staple of the Portland music scene, playing with such
notables as Dan Hicks and with the Swingline Cubs.
In
the summer of 2006, Tom
Miller passed away after a battle with cancer. Those who were with him during
that time talked about the grace with which he faced his illness, and
how he kept his sense of humor right up to the end. After Tom’s
death, Gordy was moved to cull through his extensive collection of Heavy
Gauge String Band tapes, recorded at gigs and in the studio. He
compiled some of the best and most representative, and the end result
is the first Heavy Gauge String Band CD, released thirty-four years after
their final gig. The CD is dedicated to Tom, with all proceeds
going to Tom’s daughter, Morgan, toward her college fund.
The Heavy Gauge String Band emerged in
an era that no longer exists, in an intimate Northwest town that, like
most cities now, has grown to the point of bursting. The CD
takes a snapshot of a group that, for a time, delighted its fans with
humor, virtuosity, inspiration, and integrity.
NAME THAT ARTIST! WIN A CD!
When Paul Chasman’s wife looked at the cover picture
of “The Heavy Gauge String Band 1973” CD, she asked Paul
the question: “Which one is you?”
Now you can help her. When you order “The
Heavy Gauge String Band 1973” CD, write on the order form which one you
think is Paul. The
first three contestants to get the right answer will receive, along with their
Heavy Gauge String Band CD, a free Paul Chasman CD of their choice. Be
sure to include which bonus CD you would like. Order
now and NAME THAT
ARTIST! |
Click here for clips of the songs on the Heavy Gauge String Band
Click here to mail in an order
form!
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