Help From His Friends

Texan Jimmy Adams has more friends than a TV season of Thursdays. But rather than a bunch of whiny yuppies, Adams’ friends happen to be the best musicians in Ventura County.

During the epic three-day recording session at Cafe Voltaire last November, more than a dozen local bands recorded an hour’s worth of live music. Adams’ hour-plus set will be the first made available at a CD-release party Saturday night at the cafe.

“Live at Cafe Voltaire” features 16 songs, including three versions of “I Think I’ll Go Down to the Ocean.” The first version features String Wizards John and Jonathan McEuen, and all three feature the angelic vocals of the latter. “It’s just one of those magic songs,” says the elder McEuen at the beginning of the album, and also not a bad ocean song coming from a guy from Houston.

In addition to the two McEuens, the album features most of the Rincon Ramblers--Jim Christie on drums, Stephen Geyer, Dan Wilson and Bud Bierhaus on guitar, plus fiddle music from Phil Salazar and Gilles Apap, and lots more. In short, the players are all first-rate.

Adams writes slice-of-life tunes about such stuff as livin’, lovin’ and wonderin’ why, which he sings with a world-weary but eternally optimistic voice. You’ll see Willie Nelson in a three-piece suit before you hear Adams whining.

Usually a bluegrass-acoustic country music kind of guy, Adams rocks more on this release, which includes eight songs that weren’t on his debut disc of a year ago.

“This one is more electric than the first,” said Adams. “For 10 bucks, you get in (the party) and you get a CD and a piece of cake. I’m doing this on this day just for luck--it’s my birthday.”

Adams, almost 48, ended up in Ventura by chance about five years ago, and drifted into Cafe Voltaire. There was a sign that said “Acoustic Musicians Wanted.” Adams played one song and never left. He’s achieved heroic status, with his own Voltaire coffee mug inscribed with the resume-friendly notation “Home of the legendary Jimmy Adams & Friends.”

Adams isn’t the only musician to hang out at Cafe Voltaire. Most of the bands that do not play at Nicholby’s, plus about all the acoustic musicians in the area, play the former bus barn. More importantly, Cafe Voltaire offers music every night except the last Thursday of the month, which is poetry night.

* Jimmy Adams & Friends CD-release party, 8 p.m. Saturday at Cafe Voltaire, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura; $10. (805) 641-1743.

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Blues breaker: Veteran British blues man John Mayall has been in L.A. since 1968, where he long ago lost his long hair but neither his accent nor his love for the blues. Mayall & the Blues Breakers, his ever-changing backup band, will play the Ventura Theatre on Wednesday night.

Mayall, who has been called “The Godfather of British Blues,” released his first John Mayall & the Blues Breakers album in 1966. His output is approaching 40 albums with last year’s release of “Blues for the Lost Days.”

During the last 30-plus years, there have been more than 100 Blues Breakers--not all will appear at once or obviously this gig would be a symphony. Some of Mayall’s illustrious alumni include Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce, who went on to form Cream, and Andy Fraser who founded Free, not to mention Mick Taylor, former Rolling Stones guitar player.

Other notable ex-members include Peter Green, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, all of whom ended up in Fleetwood Mac, a great blues band long before anyone ever heard of Stevie Nicks.

* John Mayall & the Blues Breakers and Alastair Greene at the Ventura Theatre, 26 Chestnut St., Wednesday, 8 p.m. $20. (805) 653-0721.

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Come to the cabaret: It’s spring, which means the fog will be returning soon. That’s when tourists and sea gulls alike make a maximum effort to find the Ventura Harbor. Spring also means that Lorenzoni’s Cafe is back in the entertainment business, and with an expanded lineup compared to years past.

Wednesday is Showcase Cabaret night and Thursdays will feature storytellers, probably omitting tales of the area’s long industrial tradition (the Harbor used to be the dump) and the deadly riptides at the nearby south jetty. On Friday nights, Lorenzoni’s has live music, usually solo artists or small combos. This week there will be Jazz 911 on Friday and acoustic music from Kim Paul on Saturday.

Lorenzoni’s has a lot to offer when it comes to PG-rated fun. There are 200% fewer hassles than most places, yet they serve beer and wine.

Plus, Lorenzoni’s has great food: It’s worth the drive just to munch a Southwestern Melt sandwich. They also have a big selection of coffees and delicious pastries.

* Lorenzoni’s is at 1575 Spinnaker Drive. Call (805) 658-2228 to find out more about these free 7 p.m. shows.

And finally, in the Anticipated Gig of the Year Department: The legendary Peter Green will appear at the Ventura Theatre in September. If you’ve ever heard Fleetwood Mac’s “Then Play On” album, you’ll be there.