Skaggs, Hornsby kick off winery’s concerts
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, June 21, 2007
If it’s summer, it’s time for another round of nostalgic and contemporary pop music on the lush grounds of Woodinville’s Chateau Ste. Michelle winery.
Since 1984, the winery’s amphitheater has been a musical oasis – just a beat outside Everett – for enjoying tunes from current hit-makers and old favorites while sipping vino and enjoying a picnic. This year is no exception.
Heavy hitters, such as The Moody Blues, Chicago, The Temptations and The Four Tops, join distinguished voices such as Chris Isaak and Diana Krall to round out a slate that will have heads bobbing and feet tapping through the end of August.
It starts in earnest this weekend, when Ricky Skaggs and Bruce Hornsby bring their unique collaboration of bluegrass music and jazzy piano.
The prolific musicians put their talents together on an album, “Ricky Skaggs &Bruce Hornsby,” that was released in March. They perform at 7 p.m. Saturday.
On Sunday night, jazz singer and guitarist Madeleine Peyroux pays a visit, with special guest James Hunter. Peyroux, known for her sweet vocals, has opened for Sarah McLachlan, among others. Her most recent album, “Half the Perfect World,” includes a duet with k.d. lang, who appears later on the winery’s summer concert schedule.
Chris Isaak, July 1: The blues rock singer returns to Chateau Ste. Michelle, still pushing his “Best of Chris Isaak” album that was released last year and covers nearly 20 of his biggest tracks, including “Wicked Game” and “Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing.”
Moody Blues, July 7: The progressive, symphonic rock band continues to tour regularly and is making Chateau Ste. Michelle a stop on a North American tour that features venues as diverse as a zoo amphitheater in Toledo, Ohio, arenas in Winnipeg and Minneapolis, and Radio City Music Hall in New York. The band includes the trio of singer Justin Hayward, bassist John Lodge and drummer Graeme Edge from its heyday. They recently released “Live at the BBC: 1967-1970,” a double-disc set that includes performances at the legendary British radio studio, including their hits “Nights in White Stain” and “Tuesday Afternoon.”
Doobie Brothers, July 19: The blues-based rock band, said to have gained its initial fan base at local chapters of the Hells Angels, will entertain the wine-and-cheese crowd. Four original members of the massive, multi-instrumental band remain, including guitarists and singers Pat Simmons and Tom Johnston, drummer Michael Hossack and steel guitarist and string musician John McFee.
Lyle Lovett and k.d. lang, July 20 and 21: The two artists who have long hovered at the edges of country music bring their joint tour to the winery for two nights in July. Lovett will perform with his Large Band, while Lang will share the stage with her small quartet.
Seriously.
Smooth jazz weekend, Aug. 5 and 6: Two days chock full of jazz sounds start on a Saturday afternoon with Janita, Brian Bomberg, Euge Groove &Paul Brown, and headliner Dave Koz. The second day features Joyce Cooling, Mindi Abair, Stanley Clarke and the smooth vocals of Al Jarreau.
Diana Krall, Aug. 11 and 12: Grammy-winning jazz singer Diana Krall performs two nights.
