JANGLE ON!
March, 2011
by Eric Sorensen
The past month was rather slow for new material, until Kool Kat Musik guru Ray Gianchetti posted some nice additions to his online catalog. My “play” stack of discs went from famine to feast quickly. In addition, old pal Freddie Steady Krc sent me the three most recent releases on his Steady Boy Records label. Now I find myself in one of my favorite conditions – with “so much music and so little time!” Artists, disc and tracks worthy of fellow jangleholic attention include:
Full Fathom Five – Shake Some Action. This band just keeps getting better! Imagine Dom Mariani and Darryl Mather teamed up as the Someloves, along with Robyn Hitchcock – and you’ve got the latest 14 tracks of primo power pop from Shake Some Action. Rickenbacker 12-string riffs are literally busting out on every track. “Rivers of My Mind” takes top honors as my “Song of the Month,” but it just nosed out several of the other tracks on this disc. Full Fathom Five is an early contender for 2013 Top Ten honors. Long may you run, Sir James Hall!
Union – Cuff the Duke. Here’s another band that gets better with each release. It’s hard to pigeonhole the genre of music that this talented band records – there is some alt-country mixed in with power pop and roots-rock tunes. There are enough chiming guitars in the band’s original material to warrant comparisons with the Jayhawks, Blue Rodeo and the Beachwood Sparks. Jangly tracks include “Live My Life,” “Side By Side,” “Carry On,” “Something Free” and “Rise Above.” When you give “Rise Above” a full listen, it could be mistaken for a Teenage Fanclub song – with an opening riff that is vaguely reminiscent of Asia’s “Heat Of The Moment.” It’s all good … and this disc might also sneak into my Top Ten of 2013.
Star Map – Jared Lekites. Lots of artists carry their Beach Boys/Brian Wilson influences on their sleeves – but few can execute the musicianship in as laudatory a manner as Jared Lekites. Although chiming guitars are mostly muted on Lekites’ songs, the harmony vocals are terrific and the sum of the parts is greater than the whole. I love Jared’s treatment of one of my favorite Beach Boys tunes – “Girl, Don’t Tell Me.” Lekites sings the second verse from both perspectives – adding more poignancy to a theme that resonated with me as a teen many years ago. When you order Star Map from Kool Kat Musik, you will also receive a bonus five-song CD EP. Long may you run, Sir Jared!
The Young Idea: A Pop Tribute to Anthony Meynell and Squire – various artists. This compilation – spearheaded by San Diego’s leading Power Pop musician, Bart Mendoza – features 17 tracks of cover versions of vintage Squire material. Standout jangly tracks include: “You’re The One” by Jeremy; “The Life” and “It’s A Mod Mod World” by the Shambles; “Take A Look” by the Che Men; “Girl On A Train” by the Shingles; “A World Of My Own” by the Spring Collection; and “Over You” by Smodati. The material is as crisp and to the point (most tracks clock in at 2:30) as it was two decades ago. Long may you run, Sir Bart!
Strathmore Presents A Tribute to The British Invasion – various artists. Washington, D.C. area residents are spoiled by several tribute shows each year that feature many of the area’s talented pop musicians under the moniker of Bandhouse Gigs. Tribute themes have included the Byrds, Rod Stewart, Nils Lofgren and Neil Young – among others. The double CD devoted to the British Invasion is full of gems – like Last Train Home’s “Ferry Cross The Mersey,” “It’s Gonna Be Alright” and “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Crying.” Jangleholics will be quite pleased by David Kitchen’s treatments of “Needles And Pins” and “When You Walk In The Room.” Now if we could only convince Bandhouse Gigs to release the recordings from the Byrds tribute shows several years ago!
In the “blast from the past” category are: some vintage Point No Point recordings (originally released on cassette by Rich Horton’s Optional Art label) that have stood the test of time; and the original soundtrack of the movie “The American Dreamer” (which featured two great Gene Clark solo tracks) – finally available on CD.
Last, but not least, Steady Boy Records celebrated its tenth anniversary with the release of three new discs: Canyon Music by Emily Grace Berry; Shakin’ Apostles (re-release of a 1993 album); and Cadillac Cowboys by Al Staeheley (formerly of Spirit) & the Explosives. Label head Freddie Steady Krc grew up on the rock and country music (and everything in between) of the 50s and 60s, and it has remained near and dear to him. You’ll find plenty of retro influences in Berry’s, Staeheley’s and Krc’s group work. Longtime collaborator and guitarist extraordinaire – Cam King – is featured on many of the tracks. Those of you who live in or near Austin, Texas owe it to yourselves to go out and hear any/all of these artists. In addition to hearing original material, you will no doubt hear some great cover songs as well!
Until next time, jangle on!
ERIC
