|
|
||
|
|
MUSIC IN
REVIEW
By Scott Baker
Eddie From Ohio is in their 14th year as a folk/rock band with a massive dedicated fan base called 'Edheads'. When they passed through Ann Arbor back in January, the group's new CD This Is Me (Virginia Soul Records) was passed our way and is quite flavorful. While I believe they are probably much more dynamic live (this new album - the group's ninth overall, while being well written, is quite over-produced and has that 'radio polish' to it), the group does have massive strengths. Vocal harmonies, use of percussion and acoustic strings keep it moving. Vocalist Julie Murphy Wells and guitarist/vocalist Robbie Shaefer are particularly from a similar mold - keeping the songs shifting with their unique vocal styles and harmony. While bassist Michael Clem and drummer Eddie Hartness (whom the band is named after) also sing, it's the overall dynamic they share together that is present in the music. Granted there's nothing really new per say musically, but they are a band well deserved of their veteran status and bearer of unique multi-colored sounds. By the way, the name comes from a nickname the drummer got from an old girlfriend. Of course they're all from Virginia, not Ohio. A similar sound comes from the new CD by Alison Krauss and Union Station on their first studio album in three years, Lonely Runs Both Ways (Rounder). The Grammy Award Winning artist eclipses herself once again with her amazing group, featuring dobro master Jerry Douglas, guitarist/vocalist Dan Tyminski, guitarist/banjoist Ron Block, and bassist Barry Bales. The two tracks opening the disc, Gravity and Restless are singer/songwriter acoustic gems featuring the curvy playing of the band with the classic sound of Krauss' unique vocals. The record kicks off and starts really moving by track three with Tyminski's vocal (reminiscent of his huge hit I Am A Man of Constant Sorrow from the Oh Brother! Soundtrack) and Block's speedy banjo picking. Krauss blends classic bluegrass with a classic rock vibe and makes it her own like no other. An interesting CD came by the way of a project by Dan Treanor and Frankie Lee called African Wind (Northernblues Music). Blending the talents of Colorado resident Treanor, a guitarist and homemade builder of African instruments and former Ike & Tina Turner Revue vocalist Lee from California, this is nu-soul blues for the ages. It’s like a combination of Delta blues and African artists that have come together to groove around a '60s soul/blues master vocalist. There is nothing like this. The track Missing kicks off a feel that is so unique it pulls you to listen close, keeping you to hear each track. There is a space in their sound so distinctive that it hasn't been touched upon yet by any blues artists. By the time Got No Lifeline comes around (Track 7), you realize there is nothing as cool going on right now for the blues. Black Hanna comes across as the North Mississippi All-Stars with Solomon Burke fronting. Check this one out if you can. Another blues masterpiece comes by the way of Paul Reddick with his latest release Villanelle (Northernblues Music). Following on the heels of his groundbreaking CD Rattlebag, Reddick again focuses on pre-war blues, but this time without the electric sound of The Sidemen and with an all-star backing band with more of an acoustic instrumentation. Reddick's harmonica is still at the top of the dirty harp heap and the recording is raw and with feeling and emotion, thanks to his long partnership with guitarist/producer Colin Linden. On the title track, new roots rock queen Kathleen Edwards lends a hand with her excellent violin - an instrument not usually featured in Reddick's rumbling grooves. There is no doubt a good karma amongst Reddick and Linden as they have that uncanny ability to speak a clear language to the listener and be felt in the soul at the same time. The great ones always do! Speaking of Kathleen Edwards, she finally returns with her sophomore effort Back To Me (Zoe/Rounder) not including her EP from last year, Live From The Bowery Ballroom. Back To Me is well worth the wait, blending her Neil Young influenced-writing along with material much stronger than on her debut Failer. The distinct Canadian songstress took the right amount of time to free herself of doubt about her new music after touring relentlessly for Failer. Her guitarist Colin Cripps nailed the feel and again Edwards will without doubt be up for much recognition. Back To Me is another wonderful release from a singer/songwriter that will be heard for a long time to come. Jokester songwriter/master guitarist Keller Williams has just released a live double-disc set, titled Stage (SCI Fidelity Records). His virtuoso playing and digital looping have made this one man band a huge success in the jam band world. Along with his own stand-out tracks like Tubeular, Dance of the Freek, and Dudelywah, he throws in covers that are as unique and as off the wall as the musician himself. For What It's Worth, Under Pressure, Let's Go Dancing, Rapper's Delight, Bird Song, and Boob Job are just a few of the tangles the solo man delivers. Separated discs titled Stage Left and Stage Right instead of 'disc one’ and 'disc two’ are as unique as the performances the musician has captured. This is a collector's package of great solo musicianship. Finally, in the re-issue department, the long awaited reunion of Dinosaur Jr. is about to set-sail with vocalist/guitarist J Mascis, drummer Murph, and bassist Lou Barlow getting back together for the first time in over 15 years, marking the 20th anniversary. As the concert dates are being put together, Merge Records has reissued the first three albums by the seminal act. Before the term alternative and around the same time Jane's Addiction was starting to find its feet, Dinosaur Jr. was sending feedback laden guitars and the classic laid-back vocals which Mascis has come to be known by, paving the way for groups like Nirvana and the like. Their '85 self-titled debut has been remastered and has an additional live track, while '87’s watershed You're Living All Over Me contains two videos along with remastering. 1989's Bug wraps up the trio, remastered along with two videos; One for Freak Scene and the other for No Bones. No one had the volume or intensity of Dinosaur Jr. and the proof is in the original recordings, finally returning to the CD shelves after being long out of print and pricey Ebay treats. Packaged with all the bells and whistles of extra liner-notes and photos, a new generation of music fans who seek out the roots of the original alt-movement will be hearing it loud and clear.
|
|
|
|
Enable frames | |
|
home | out/about | events | personal | store | classified | real estate | forums | archives | contact |
||
