Cafe Eleven

Rev. Billy Wirtz

Friday December 7th, 2007 - $12

“Love the Sinner. Hate the Haircut.”

Reverend Billy C. Wirtz is a comic genius, gifted pianist and American musicologist who defies easy classification. “I like to think of myself as the Victor Borge of the blues,” states the Reverend, but Billy goes way beyond Borge both in scope of subject matter (from politics to social commentary) and, of course, in taste. In fact, no theme is too extreme, taboo, or undignified for the Reverend, so long as it garners a good laugh.

Rev. Billy Wirtz Live

David Wilcox

Saturday December 8th, 2007 - $18

For David Wilcox, all roads have led him to where he wanted to be. All the songs, all the shows, all the miles, all the struggles and triumphs and breakthroughs, have brought him here, to this particular spot, to this fine Vista. The result is a joyous, musically diverse album that fully combines his deeply observant lyrical touch with music that moves the feet as well as the soul. Co-produced with Ben Wisch, VISTA was recorded at home and mixed in Manhattan. It has the heart of an acoustic singer-songwriter record and the soul of a band of friends that have been playing together for years. “It’s the groove these songs have that sets them apart from my other recordings,” Wilcox says, “this is the soundtrack of how my life feels lately.”

“There’s a reason so many of these songs are about joy and what it means to be really alive,” David says. “There’s been a change in perspective, how I see the world. These songs are fun and they offer a way of seeing this life as a heartfelt adventure. My favorite songs are the ones that have been to the depths of the darkness and shine a light on the way through.” The music is a reflection of a life well-lived.

David Wilcox Live

David Bazan

Tuesday November 6th, 2007 - $8
w/ All Smiles (ex-Granddaddy)

Known mostly for his tenure performing as Pedro the Lion, songwriter David Bazan recently retired the band moniker to continue making music under his own name and his electronc side project, Headphones. His solo debut EP “FEWER MOVING PARTS” finds the beloved Seattle songwriter [who was recently named #85 in Paste Magazine’s Top 100 Living Songwriters] roaring back to his creative roots, performing and recording everything himself in his home studio, while still expanding his sonic canvas. His signature songwriting, voice, and melodies are framed in layered harmonies, multi-tracked guitars, analog keyboards, and intricate production. The 10-song EP includes electric and acoustic versions of five new Bazan songs. Acclaimed graphic novelist, Zak Sally created new original artwork for the EP.

David Bazan Live

David Dondero

Sunday October 7th, 2007 - $7

Few songwriters have experienced and expressed the sinking depths and uplifting optimism of humanity like David Dondero, and his ability to shine a light on the human condition (his own included) is inspiring. Dondero is best known for his narrative tales of America. Having spent most of his life on the roadm Dave uses his staggering lyrical talent to paint tales of life in the US of A through clever word play and sarcastic humor (as represented in the album title) about some of life’s most sensitive subjects. “Simple Love” is a poignant collection of songs woven with sentimentality, contempt, humor, and lust.

“One of the best singer-songwriter’s I’ve ever heard.” - NPR - All Songs Considered Host Bob Boilen

David Dondero Live

Willie Green

Saturday September 1st, 2007 - $10

Willie Green, Delta style bluesman: Born in Montgomery, Alabama in the early 1930s, worked many years with a rural share crop family. learned the blues early on in his teens when he would hithhike or hop a freight train to town to hear the old blues masters in the juke joints. He is self taught on both harmonica and guitar. Has opened shows for John Hammond, Jr (who calls him “the real deal”), Tommy Castro, Charlie Musselwhite, Maria Maldaur, John Lee Hooker, Jr, James Cotten, Eddie Kirkland, Joey Gillmore, JJ Grey (MOFRO) and many others including an outdoor opener at Veterans Coloseum for Eric Clapton. He now resides in Ocala, Fl and plays regularly at the Yearling Restaurant in Cross Creek, Fl.

Willie Green Live performance