Mews Small - Pearl Street Garage # 1
Highland Light Productions - MS4255
Actress/vocalist Mews Small's debut disc is a nostalgic romp through the ragtime and big band jazz era performed with incredible ease. Mews' stunning vocal abilities will enthrall listeners from the geriatrics that grew up with the songs to the more youthful trendy lovers of the deep running roots of music. Her respect for the flair of the era is augmented in her handling of the idiosyncrasies of these classic songs; from her subtly bawdy slant on "Hand Me Down my Walking Cane" to the sweet crooning on "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows" and the fervent version of the traditional hymn "Abide With Me." Great musicians round out the songs but Mews' voice is the true star here. URL: http://www.mewssmall.com E-mail: mews@mewssmall.com
Rise - Posing as Human
Orissor Productions - OP 2010
The second CD from Scotland's Rise gleans influences from American folk and alt to weave with their Celtic and subtle Brit pop roots. The stunningly beautiful lead track "Don't Stop the World" features great vocal interplay from Debbie Dawson and Gerry Geoghegan. Debbie's voice harkens comparisons to Patty Griffin and Harriet Wheeler. The overall vibe is acoustic driven mellow to mid tempo songs with an ambient intensity, superbly crafted and mostly breathtaking music. URL: http://www.riseband.co.uk
Schugar/Schenker - Under Construction
CD1
Guitar deity Michael Schenker shares the spotlight on this CD with fellow axe slinger Amy Schugar. The resulting guitar pyrotechnics are intense but not too flashy or showy, with obvious attention being paid to creating some good, solid rock and roll songs. Amy's vocals, sort of a cross between Sheryl Crow and Ann Wilson add further spice. Michael and Amy's playing styles compliment each other well, creating songs that have boldly unique elements while staying comfortably familiar. URL: http://www.amyschugar.com E-mail: amy@amyschugar.com
Big Al Downing - One of a Kind
Hayden Ferry Records - 23402
With his first release in nearly a decade, Big Al Downing's return is a welcome jolt to the sometimes stale country scene. Perhaps the most noted black country performer since Charley Pride, Big Al's subtle use of R&B and Gospel styles meld well with the traditional country styles. The honest lyrics range from patriotic to typical songs of heartache and rural life, but he adds compelling depth to them, augmenting them with his deep rooted bluesy voice. http://www.haydensferry.com E-mail: errolwalter@hotmail.com
Jon Allmett - Nowhere Is Too Far
Born in England but currently residing in Chicago, singer/songwriter/guitarist Jon Allmett shows incredible versatility on this debut. The heartland rocking "Misplaced Friends" and the crunchier alt fueled "Free?" showcase the range and stylistic variances of Jon's emotive voice. Comparisons as diverse as Matchbox 20 and John Mayer can be felt. Thought provoking lyrics and diverse but targeted songwriting are the crowning touch to this ear opening launch pad. URL: http://www.jonallmett.com E-mail: jon@jonallmett.com
Janeska - The Objective
Tajber Records - TAJ88810
Janeska shakes up the electronica/dance/pop scene with her debut CD. The objective has never been clearer for this San Francisco singer/songwriter, whose Liz Phair meets Tori Amos voice has a seductive quality that entices you to pay attention to the intelligent lyrics. The backing music pulses with electronic embellishments, but is full of life due to solid instrumentation and a decided effort to do something a bit beyond the ordinary with the songs. URL: http://www.janeska.com E-mail: molt1@janeska.com
Alice Donut - Three Sisters
Howler Records
Nearly twenty years after their first album, Alice Donut's hybrid of garage, punk and alt metal remains both bizarre and fresh. When a full throttle punked out song like "Mr Pinkus" kicks in you think you've hear this all before, then you realized you haven't and what you are hearing is very cool. Influences from the Butthole Surfers, Circle Jerks and Marylin Manson twist tantalizingly with their hard driving song structures and frequent penchant for doing something a bit unique. URL: http://www.howlerrecords.com E-mail: dave@howlerrecords.com
Frank Tribes - By All Means
S.E.N. Records - SEN006
Chicago based singer/songwriter Frank Tribes creates an emotionally charged mosaic from influences nodding to the Jayhawks, R.E.M. and the Lemonheads. The fuzz guitar heavy rocker "Afternoon" gives way to the poignant alt ballad "Can't Deny." "Motorcycle Day" has a heartland feel with a subtle edge before "You Won't Tell Me" rips out rock that strikes a nice balance of retro and modern. Frank's Michael Stipe on Neil Young voice catches your ear with its honest intensity. URL: http://www.fraktribes.com E-mail: frank@franktribes.com
Lindsay Smith - Were You Prom Queen?
The sophomore release from Atlanta's Lindsay Smith catches your ears with her subtly powerful voice and the variance of musical vehicles she uses to convey them. There are plenty of balladic songs, with one of the best being the sweet bare bones folk of "New England." "Sebastian" is a gritty rocker with the right touch of twang, and "One Fish Two Fish" has more of an alt pop vibe. Lindsay's lush vocal portraits and candid storytelling holds your attention throughout. E-mail: margot@planetarygroup.com
CONCERT REVIEW - Kelly Keeling & Sun - Breakers Music Hall - Atlanta, Georgia
By Marc Storm
Kelly Keeling has for years been highly regarded as one of rock's most sought after vocalists. Rock fans across the country and overseas have witnessed his abilities as frontman for Michael Schenker, Blue Murder, Baton Rouge and most recently the George Lynch Band. Along with his obvious vocal talents that place him in the league of everyone from Ian Gillan and Glenn Hughes to Chris Cornell and Chris Martin, Keeling's on stage energy has always been infectious. There have to be many out there that were wondering when Keeling would finally helm his own project.
If you are one of those waiting, the wait is over and it has been worth it. In early May, Kelly unveiled his Atlanta based band Sun at several clubs in the Southeast, including a fiery forty-five minute set at Breakers Music Hall, a venue located in the south Atlanta burb of Jonesboro. Although somewhat hindered by an injury sustained in the waning days of the Lynch tour, Keeling exemplified the moniker "the show must go on" as he prowled the stage of the club, exhorting his fans with his interaction and stellar vocal expertise. He treated the crowd to an intense feast, culled from his huge catalogue of music that he had written or collaborated on in the past as well as songs from his forthcoming solo release on Mascot Records. The driving thunder of "Beware the Vampires" launched the performance, showcasing the Emerson/Wakeman inspired keyboard wizardry of Michael McMillan. Guitarist Terry Lord and Keeling traded licks on the six string throughout the show, particularly on the hard edged pop driven "Head Straight," one of Keeling's new songs. His music often has intricate rhythmic progressions, which were handled in stoic and often frenetic fashion by the granite solid tandem of bassist Bruce Works and drummer Mike Shane. Full throttle rockers like Blue Murder's "All Fall Down", MSG's "Tower" were followed by the thunderstorm blues of "Parasite" which will be on the solo album. The Coldplay sounding "Perfect Day" also on the solo album may have stood out like a sore thumb in a heavy rock venue, but the burgeoning instrumentation and haunting passion of the vocals enthralled the audience with an intensity that mirrored that of the higher octane tunes. Wild rockers like "Bitch" and "Dogs of War" brought the roof down as Keeling's vocals reached an incredible further dimension of fervor, and Sun cranked up their radiant heat stamping an exclamation mark on their abilities as his musical foil.
When the last note died out, it was apparent that the crowd realized they were not seeing someone who was a mere sideman, but someone who has the passion, talent and music to make an impact on today's music scene. Keeling faces a tough road as the current state of the music business is unjustly hard on musicians carrying the "formerly with" tag, but his music and showmanship is already drawing comparisons to The Darkness, Jet and Velvet Revolver's timely mantra of producing rock with classic roots, modern branches and a raucous live presentation. Kelly Keeling & Sun's live performance is of the type that will leave people hungry enough to come back again and again. With the focus finally on him, Kelly's complete package of musical talent, on stage theatrics and songwriting prowess can vault him to a deserved and greater level of popularity than the bands he previously worked with experienced.
TM© June 2004
Little Feat - Kickin' It At the Barn