Lyle Morse

May 24, 2010 Members

Lyle Morse, also known as “Lonesome” Lyle, is an outstanding acoustic guitarist, harmonica player and stunning singer-songwriter-performer who currently calls Eastern Washington state his home. Lyle has been refining his musical vision and talents over the last four decades, and currently entertains in countless acoustic music friendly coffee houses, bistros, restaurants, street fairs, resorts, theaters, wineries and folk and arts festivals throughout Washington, Idaho and Montana. His music has been highlighted, and performed live on National Public Radio affiliates and college radio programs featuring blues and folk music. He has also performed on network television and cable vision and has recorded 6 compact discs.

Purely because he finds the music so expressive, moving and profound, Lyle concentrates his energies on acoustic blues music, but does venture into other forms of American roots music. Lyle’s primary “soul shadows” and musical influences have been Son House, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, and Muddy Waters. Lyle’s sound is “groove-based” and other influences include the Chicago blues stylists, Detroit soul/rhythm & blues, country blues, folk, jazz and rock-a-billy music. Good blues music can be found in a wide variety of musical contexts, and Lyle has incorporated this music into his performances.
www.lylemorse.com

Geoff Haworth

May 18, 2010 Members

Geoff Haworth has been playing music in Spokane since the mid eighties. From country rock with “Not a Pretty Sight” at the Big Dipper to aggressive folk at Artfest with “The Occasional String Band” and most recently with “Sidetrack” playing rockabilly, blues and country to audiences at Pig Out in the Park, Art on the Green, Valleyfest, and Centerstage, among many other venues and private events.

As a songwriter Geoff has written original music for both “The Occasional String Band” and “Sidetrack” and his songs are available on several local CD’s.

May Brick & Mortar Show

May 7, 2010 News

Brick and Mortar Host Notes
May’s first Thursday

We are fortunate right here in Spokane Falls to have a listening venue devoted to song craft. Not all the writers present their work are “pros,” but each of them takes us on a journey into how they have experienced the world. Alive and in person, they gift us with insight and a full range of emotions rare in a world in which social space is considered virtual and popular music is increasingly vapid.

May’s show covered ground from Texas to New York and took us to Cook Island where we lived on “island time” with featured writer, Geoff Hawroth. He reminded us to “have a little fun along the way,” and that we may all live somewhere between pure genius and foolishness. He took us to the “Flip Side,” a world written by a band mate in which “the streets look different when I drive slow.” Goeff then gave us the “Btu Blues” and introduced us to a school bus driver “Betty” who just “can’t find a man to qualify.”

Our other featured artist, Leif Solem, whose work is both mellow and intense, introduced us to that “tender bar tender,” gave us glimpse of how it feels to be homeless, and of “Lucky Lou” singing, “she’s lost her way in the new depression.” He took us on a bus ride with his baby and notes that “nobody looks you in the face; then, he shows us the village drunk who is lost in that “great big future tense.” Leif then let us into the lives of two veterans. He introduced the song by reminding us just how complicated the saying “support our troops” can be.

There is so much more to say about each of these writers and their work. They took us on unique journeys into the worlds and lives of characters brought to life in song. This happens every First Thursday of every month. Song craft is alive and well in Spokane Falls.

Laddie Ray