This marks the second week in a row Bobble Tiki plans to fill this column space with talk of the blues. For those of you out there who don’t fancy the blues, Bobble Tiki reluctantly apologizes, or better yet recommends you keep moving. As far as Bobble Tiki is concerned you can never have enough blues. For those who don’t second that opinion, Bobble Tiki says: “tough titties.”

(In truth, Bobble Tiki just wanted an excuse to write “tough titties.” It was on his list of things to do in ’08.)

While last week Bobble Tiki focused on The Delta Project, a relatively unknown band of bottleneck blues aficionados from Seattle, this week Bobble Tiki’s sights are set on an artist with a much bigger resume. One of Bobble Tiki’s favorite characters of all time, John Belushi’s Jake Blues, was inspired by Portland’s Curtis Salgado — a super talented blues frontman and harmonica legend who met Belushi during the filming of Animal House in Eugene. In fact, the Blues Brother’s first album, Briefcase Full of Blues, is dedicated to Salgado. That alone would have been enough to peak Bobble Tiki’s interest over Salgado’s show at Jazzbones this week, Friday, March 14, but this mouth harp master has far more impressive accomplishments to speak of.

Salgado has cultivated an impressive following based on his years of dedication to the blues. While it’s a following that stretches nationwide, it’s only stronger here in the Northwest thanks to the fact Salgado was born in Everett and emerged as a blues force to be reckoned with in the ’70s in Portland. Salgado reached widespread acclaim playing with Robert Cray, and sang lead on Cray’s first record. Later, he fronted Roomful of Blues from ’84-’86, and in the ’90s Salgado did some time singing for Santana. How’s that for prolific? In between, all he’s been doing is building a name as one of the most entertaining and talented blues performers to ever call the Northwest home.

Curtis Salgado has definitely been around the block.

Anyone who’s taken a stroll or two around the block knows life is full of ups and downs, and peaks and valleys. The last few years of Salgado’s life have been anything but a cakewalk, but these days, as Salgado’s prospects finally look up, he’s doing his best to remind everyone just why he’s accomplished so much.

In 2005, Salgado was diagnosed with liver cancer. Needless to say, his work was affected. To make matters worse (a grand understatement), after undergoing a successful liver transplant in 2005, doctors found a small cancerous spot on his lungs. Doctors were thankfully able to remove the tumor, and luckily the cancer hadn’t spread.

Not that Bobble Tiki suggests it, but sometimes a truly dark hour in someone’s life can bring to light just how loved and appreciated they are. While I’m sure Salgado didn’t need the reassurance, his battles with cancer have been a reason for many big names within the world of blues and popular music to pay homage. In June of ’06 a concert in Portland was held to assist Salgado with medical costs, and the performance included sets from Little Charlie and the Nightcats, Everclear, Taj Mahal, the Robert Cray Band, and Steve Miller. Though Bobble Tiki wasn’t there, according to reports, John Belushi’s widow was also on hand to speak about Salgado’s role in creating The Blues Brothers. In ’07 another Salgado benefit included Little Charlie, Miller, along with Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Vaughan and Kim Wilson.

“Thousands of friends, family and fans came to my aide, raising the needed funds to save my life,” says Salgado on his Web site.

“I owe each and every one of them the best I have to give in an effort to show my gratitude for the love and support that they have given me.”

Those who’ve been worrying about the health of a Northwest blues legend can breathe a sigh of relief. Salgado is back with a clean bill of health, and he’ll be leaving a trail of smoking hot blues in his wake. The legendary harmonica player seems to see it as his duty, and we’re all blessed because of it. Along with the touring, Salgado is currently recording what will be his seventh full-length solo record in Los Angeles. Bobble Tiki can’t wait for either.  

As always, Bobble Tiki doesn’t care what you do this week because he doesn’t even know you. Unless you can help Bobble Tiki get all the naked pictures from his last trip to Las Vegas off the Internet, Bobble Tiki is pretty sure he doesn’t want to meet you. Besides, Bobble Tiki is already available for breakfast six days a week at  Spew. What more do you want?

[Jazzbones, Curtis Salgado, Sam Marshall, Friday, March 14, 9 p.m., $10-$12, 2803 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.396.9169]
 
Bobble Tiki is going out of his head via e-mail @weeklyvolcano.com">here.