The Sunday Six

Happy Sunday, and hard to believe we’ve made it through another week. To all moms out there, Happy Mother’s Day and hope your families also appreciate you on all other days of the year! Welcome to another mini-excursion that once again will take us to music with different flavors from six different decades. The imaginary music time machine is ready to take off, so hop on board to join the fun!

Weather Report/Birdland

Today, our journey starts in March 1977 with Weather Report. While in general jazz fusion continues to be an acquired taste to me, I’ve come to dig this group co-founded in 1970 by Austrian keyboarder Joe Zawinul, one of the creators of jazz fusion, and saxophone great Wayne Shorter. By the time they released their seventh studio album Heavy Weather, the group also featured fretless bass maestro Jaco Pastorius, as well as Alex Acuña (drums) and Manolo Badrena (percussion). Here’s the neat Birdland, composed by Zawinul as a tribute to the Birdland nightclub in New York City.

Screamin’ Jay Hawkins/I Put a Spell On You

Next, we shall jump back two decades to October 1956 and a single that became the signature song of soul, R&B and rock & roll vocalist Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: I Put a Spell On You, which I first heard by Creedence Clearwater Revival who covered it on their July 1968 eponymous debut album. When Hawkins who co-wrote I Put a Spell On You with Herb Slotkin first released it as a single, it didn’t make the Billboard pop or R&B charts. But over time, it became a cult song, not only because of his unusual vocals, but also his wild live performances that included his emergence from a coffin on stage, wearing a long cape and featuring props like rubber snakes and smoking skull pieces – kind of like an early version of Alice Cooper.

Ozzy Osborne/Crazy Train

While it’s difficult to follow an eccentric performer like Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, I figured Ozzy Osborne could pull it off. In September 1980, the heavy metal singer released his solo debut Blizzard of Ozz after he had been fired from Black Sabbath by guitarist Tony Iommi. Crazy Train, co-written by Osborne, guitarist Randy Rhoads and bassist Bob Daisley, became Osborne’s solo debut and the album’s lead single. While it just made the top 50 in the UK (no. 49), Crazy Train also would turn out to be Osborne’s best-selling single over time. In the U.S., it reached 4X Platinum status (4 million certified sold units) as of September 2020. This is probably as much ear candy as you can get with metal. All aboard! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Ay!

Shinyribs/Dark Cloud

Okay, I suppose time for a little breather with Shinyribs. In case that name doesn’t ring a bell, you’re likely not alone. I only came across the Texas band a few months ago. They were initially formed in 2007 as a solo side project of singer and guitarist Kevin Russell who at the time still was a member of alternative country band The Gourds. After that group went on hiatus in 2013, Shinyribs became Russell’s primary focus. Today, the band is an eight-piece who in addition to roots rock incorporates Texas blues, New Orleans R&B funk, horn-driven Memphis soul, big band swing and other genres into what their website calls a sonic melting pot. Dark Cloud is a track from Shinyribs’ most recent album Transit Damage released in July 2023. This is rich stuff I hope you dig it as much as I do!

The Allman Brothers Band/Whipping Post

I trust y’all have heard of The Allman Brothers. The epic Whipping Post, written by co-founder Gregg Allman, takes us back to the group’s eponymous debut album that came out in November 1969. Apart from Gregg (organ, lead vocals), the group still had their short-lived original line-up featuring Gregg’s older brother and bandleader Duane Allman (slide and lead guitar), Dickey Betts (lead guitar), Berry Oakley (bass, backing vocals), as well as Butch Trucks (drums, percussion) and Jai Johanny Johanson (drums, congas). Sadly, the death of Betts last month at age 80 leaves Johanson (79) as the band’s only surviving member.

The La’s/There She Goes

Reaching our sixth stop once again means it’s time to wrap another trip. After jazz fusion, R&B, pop metal, rich roots rock and southern rock-plus, my final proposition is some jangle pop. In October 1990, British band The La’s released what would become their sole and self-titled studio album. It included their best-known song There She Goes, penned by the group’s frontman Lee Mavers. Founded in Liverpool in 1983, they were initially active until 1992, followed by a few reunions, mostly recently in 2011.

Of course, our little music excursion wouldn’t be complete without a Spotify playlist of the above tracks. Hope there’s something you dig and that you’ll be back for more music travel next Sunday. So long!

Sources: Wikipedia; Shinyribs website; YouTube; Spotify

New Music Musings

Happy Saturday and welcome to my latest picks on the new music front. Except for the final track, which is a single that came out on Thursday (May 9), all highlighted songs are included on albums that were released yesterday (May 10).

Pokey LaFarge/So Long Chicago

Pokey LaFarge (born Andrew Heissler) is a singer-songwriter currently based in Maine. AllMusic describes his style as Americana, blending blues, country, and Western swing into his own unique style. LaFarge independently released his debut album Marmalade in 2006. His eighth and latest album Rhumba Country was inspired by his recent experience of working 12-hour days on a local farm. The songs came to him while farming, his Bandcamp page notes, as well as the kaleidoscopic sound informed by his love of music from far-ranging eras and corners of the globe, including mambo, tropicália, rocksteady, and mid-century American rock-and-roll. Here’s So Long Chicago, co-written by Addie Hamilton, Elliott Bergman and LaFarge. Something about this song drew me in right away – not exactly sure why, I just find it cool!

Hot Water Music/Chewing On Broken Glass

Hot Water Music are a post-hardcore group from Florida, formed in 1994. During their initial run until late 2005, they released six albums. For the next six years, they were largely on hiatus before reforming in 2012. Since 2017, Hot Water Music’s line-up has included their four original members Chuck Ragan (guitar, vocals), Chris Wollard (guitar, vocals), Jason Black (bass) and George Rebelo (drums), as well as Chris Creswell (guitar, vocals). Their latest album Vows coincides with the group’s 30th anniversary. Here’s Chewing On Broken Glass, credited to the entire band. Nice melodic rock!

Villagers/I Want What I Don’t Need

Villagers are an Irish indie folk band and music project by Dublin-based singer-songwriter Conor J O’Brien who has been their sole constant member. He formed the group in 2008 after his previous band The Immediate had disbanded. Starting with their May 2010 debut album Becoming a Jackal, Villagers enjoyed immediate chart success in their home country, where their first three albums topped the charts. They also have charted in Belgium, France, Germany and The Netherlands. Off Villagers‘ sixth and latest studio album That Golden Time, here’s the pleasant I Want What I Don’t Need.

Jackie West/End of the World

Jackie West who was born in Boston and grew in St. Louis is a singer-songwriter based in Brooklyn, New York. Her debut single Amelia appeared in January 2022, followed by EP Find Indigo the following month. West is now out with her first full-length album Close to the Mystery, which her Bandcamp page overall characterizes as baroque pop. Here’s the opener End of the World. West’s vocals sound intriguing, which is what caught my attention initially.

The Sonic Dawn/Nothing Can Live Here

The Sonic Dawn are a Danish acid rock band formed in Copenhagen in 2013 by childhood friends Emil Bureau (guitar, vocals), Niels ‘Bird’ Fuglede (bass) and Jonas Waaben (drums, percussion, backing vocals). Since their 2015 debut Perception, they have fused genres from sitar pop to heavy psych. On their fifth and new album Phantom they are joined by long-time collaborator Erik ‘Errka’ Petersson on organ and keyboards. Here’s Nothing Can Live Here, with both lyrics and the music credited to Bureau, Fuglede and Waaben. Alternating between fairly melodic, mellow parts and full-blown psychedelic rock, I think the song makes for an interesting listening experience!

The Cold Stares/Coming Home

Wrapping up this weekly new music review are blues and roots rock-oriented The Cold Stares. Formed as a duo in 2010 by guitarist and vocalist Chris Tapp and drummer Brian Mullins, starting with 2014’s A Cold Wet Night, they released five albums in that configuration. In 2022, they added bassist Bryce Klueh and released their first album as a trio, Voices, in 2023. Here’s their new single Coming Home, which appeared on May 9. It’s the second upfront track released this year from their next album The Southern, slated for September 6.

Sources: Wikipedia; Consequence; AllMusic; Pokey LaFrage Bandcamp page; Jackie West Bandcamp page; The Sonic Dawn website; The Cold Stares website; YouTube; Spotify

Chris & Max Pick …songs from 1998

Happy Friday and welcome to another installment of this series featuring six songs from a specific year. In case you’re new to it, Chris & Max Pick… is the continuation of a recurring feature fellow blogger Max from PowerPop initiated in June 2023, which included the years 1955 through 1995. I’m aiming to cover each of the remaining years until 2024. Max generously agreed to support the effort by supplying one song for each post. Following are our combined picks for 1998.

Dixie Chicks/Wide Open Spaces

Kicking things off are Texas pop-flavored country and bluegrass trio Dixie Chicks, who since June 2020 have been known as The Chicks. They were formed in Dallas in 1989 and since 1995 have included co-founders Emily Strayer (harmony and backing vocals, banjo, dobro, guitar) and Martie Maguire (harmony and backing vocals, fiddle, mandolin), as well as Natalie Maines (lead vocals, guitar, Omnichord). Wide Open Spaces, penned by singer-songwriter Susan Gibson, is the title track of their fourth studio album, which appeared in January 1998. It marked their major label debut, commercial breakthrough and the first release with Maines.

Bonnie Raitt/Lover’s Will

Bonnie Raitt is one of my longtime favorite music artists and slide guitarists who incorporates blues, rock, folk and country. In April 1998, she released her 13th studio album Fundamental. To me, the standout track is Lover’s Will, written by the great John Hiatt. He had first recorded the song for his 1983 album Riding with the King. Hiatt also penned what became Raitt’s biggest U.S. hit on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart in 1989: Thing Called Love, which reached no. 11. Hiatt had previously included it on his May 1987 studio album Bring the Family.

Lenny Kravitz/Fly Away

Lenny Kravitz first entered my radar screen in the early ’90s with his great April 1991 sophomore album Mama Said. I’ve since listened to the American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist on and off. Fly Away, written by Kravitz, is a track from his fifth full-length album 5, released in May 1998. The catchy rocker also became the fourth single and one of Kravitz’s bigger hits, especially in the UK where it topped the charts, his only no. 1 there to date.

Lucinda Williams/Right In Time

This brings me to another artist who I’ve come to love over the past few years, especially after having seen her open for Bonnie Raitt in Philly in June 2022: Lucinda Williams. The roots-oriented singer-songwriter’s 45-year-plus career almost got derailed in November 2020 when she suffered a stroke. Thanks to rehab she recovered and start touring and recording again, though she hasn’t been able to resume playing guitar. Right In Time, written by Williams, is from Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and also became the first single of her acclaimed fifth studio album from June 1998.

Barenaked Ladies/It’s All Been Done

This next pick takes us to Canada and Barenaked Ladies, who combine an eclectic mix of folk and pop rock with humorous lyrics. Founded in Toronto in 1988, they developed a following in their home country in the early ’90s before breaking through in the U.S. with their July 1998 fourth full-length album Stunt. It entered the Billboard 200 at no. 3 and became their bestseller. The album also reached no. 20 in each the UK and New Zealand. Off Stunt, here’s It’s All Been Done, penned by then-band member Steven Page – catchy and quirky!

Fatboy Slim/Right Here, Right Now

Since I mentioned Max in the intro, you may have wondered what happened to his pick. The wait is over: Right Here, Right Now by Fatboy Slim, a song I had not seen coming. Fatboy Slim is a stage name of English musician, DJ and record producer Norman Cook who helped popularize the so-called big beat genre in the ’90s. Big beat (yes, I had to look it up in Wikipedia!) is “an electronic music genre that usually uses heavy breakbeats and synthesizer-generated loops and patterns – common to acid house/techno.” Right Here, Right Now, off Fatboy Slim’s October 1998 sophomore album You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby, became one of his biggest hits. It was particularly successful in the UK where it surged to no. 2.

Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube; Spotify

Catching Up: Short Takes On New Music I Missed

With April now in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take another look at new music that escaped my attention when putting together my weekly posts last month. At the rate new music keeps coming out, I’m under no illusion these additional picks only represent the tip of the iceberg of good stuff I missed but, hey, better some encore and none!

No Man’s Valley/Orange Juice

I’d like to kick things off with No Man’s Valley who based on their Bandcamp page are a psychedelic post punk group from The Netherlands. The five-piece of Jasper Hesselink (vocals), Christian Keijsers (guitar), Ruud van de Munckhof (keyboards), Rob Perree (bass) and Dinand Claessens (drums) calls out The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Gun Club and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds as influences. The group’s latest studio album Chrononaut Cocktailbar/Flight of the Sloths, apparently their third, dropped on April 19 and definitely is a psych rock affair. Here’s Orange Juice, a cool song that grabbed me right away, especially the vocals that sound like a psychedelic Eric Burdon.

Owen Stewart/Nobody Needs to Know

Owen Stewart is a Philadelphia-based artist whose music his Spotify profile characterizes as “groovy, gravelly, soulful and enormous.” It also notes Stewart “was born into rock at a young age,” adding his father Tommy Stewart was the drummer and lead vocalist of a late ’70s band called Cats who apparently opened for Van Halen, Blue Öyster Cult and others. On April 19, Owen Stewart released a great single, which the below YouTube clip imdicates is the first from his debut album Done and Dusted. Unfortunately, this seems to be all publicly available information on Stewart. Perhaps he prefers it that way. His new song is titled Nobody Needs to Know. You can’t make this stuff up!

Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge/Tell Me Why U Do That

Grace Bowers & The Hodge Podge are fronted by Nashville, Tenn.-based 17-year-old guitarist Grace Bowers. A recent feature in Guitar World reveals Bowers started playing guitar as a 9-year-old after she had seen Guns N’ Roses’ Slash on YouTube, playing Welcome to the Jungle. She since discovered the blues and now also listens to lots of soul and funk, calling out Mountain, Buddy Miles, Shuggie Otis and Sly & The Family Stone. Apparently, her talent hasn’t gone unnoticed, and Bowers has been name-checked by the likes of Devon Allman, Margo Price, Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and Susan Tedeschi. Here’s the smoking hot Tell Me Why U Do That, the first single from her yet-to-be-named debut EP, scheduled for sometime this summer. Check this out – damn!

Grumpster/Waste

Grumpster are a pop punk band from Oakland, Calif. According to their profile on the website of their label Noise Records, the group’s origins date back a few years when Donnie Walsh (bass, vocals) met Lalo Gonzalez Deetz (guitar). They subsequently added Noel Agtane (drums). Following the release of their second album Fever Dreams in June 2022, Alex Hernandez (guitar) joined, completing their current line-up. Waste is the neat closer of Grumpster’s third and new self-titled album, which has been out since April 26. It’s evident Walsh had Green Day’s Dookie on heavy rotation while growing up.

GospelbeacH/Nothin’ But a Fool

GospelbeacH are a band from Los Angeles, who were formed in 2014 around vocalist and guitarist Brent Rademakar. He first had gained prominence in the ’90s and 2000s as a member of the groups Beachwood Sparks, Further and The Tyde. GospelbeacH’s record label Curation Records notes their sound harks back to several eras of California music, from folk-rock and sunshine pop to country-rock and the Paisley Underground. Off their fifth and latest album Wiggle Your Your Fingers, which dropped on April 26, here’s the opener Nothin’ But a Fool. I dig the song’s relaxed vibe, which to me has summer and California written all over it.

Deep Purple/Portable Door

I trust Deep Purple need no introduction. To say I’m excited to write about new music by my all-time favorite hard rock band would be an understatement. On April 30, they dropped Portable Door, the lead single of their upcoming album =1, slated for Jul 19. Based on Wikipedia, it should be their 23rd. Having had their March 1972 Machine Head on heavy rotation during my early teenage years, I immediately noticed the song’s guitar riff has a tiny similarity to Pictures of Home. While expecting another Machine Head would be unrealistic, Deep Purple still unmistakably sound like the group I came love, with their dual attack of electric guitar and that mighty Hammond. Co-founder Ian Paice (drums) and longtime members Ian Gillan (lead vocals), Roger Glover (bass) and Don Airey (keyboards) remain part of their current lineup. Simon McBride (guitar) replaced Steve Morse who departed in July 2022 to care for his ill wife. Earlier in April, Deep Purple announced a North American summer tour with Yes.

Sources: Wikipedia; No Man’s Valley Bandcamp page; Grace Bowers website; Guitar World; Noise Records website; Curation Records website; Deep Purple website

The Black Crowes Bring Happiness to New York City

If there ever was any need for a reminder why good ole rock & roll will never go out of style, New York City’s magnificent Radio City Music Hall was the place to be last Saturday (April 27). That’s where The Black Crowes performed before an enthusiastic crowd as part of their ongoing Happiness Bastards Tour. A few weeks ago, I coincidentally had found out about the show when watching a YouTube clip of Larkin Poe, which listed the storied venue among their upcoming gigs. When I saw they would open for the Crowes, I had to check for a way in. Luckily, I found a verified resale ticket at a reasonable price.

Before getting to The Black Crows, I have to address Larkin Poe. Not only was it thanks to the southern sister act of Rebecca Lovell (guitar, vocals) and Megan Lovell (lap steel, backing vocals) I was there in the first place, but these ladies tore up the stage, even though their setup was way more modest than the Crowes’. These amazing musicians and vocalists were backed by their regular touring bassist Tarka Layman and an African American drummer whose name I didn’t catch. He may have been a sub for Kevin McGowan.

Megan Lovell (left) with her sister Rebecca Lovell

While I started paying attention to Larkin Poe about six years ago and have covered them on previous occasions, for example here and here, I’m not very familiar with the titles of their songs. As best as I can tell, their 30-minute set primarily drew on material from Blood Harmony, their most recent studio album released in November 2022. I believe the songs included Summertime Sunset, Kick the Blues, Georgia Off My Mind and Bad Spell. Additionally, I seemed to recognize Wanted Woman/AC/DC, a track from their September 2017 studio album Peach.

Last but not least, there were two excellent covers: Jessica, a sweet instrumental by the late Dickey Betts, off Brothers and Sisters, the fourth studio album by The Allman Brothers Band from August 1973; and Preachin’ Blues by Delta blues guitarist and singer Son House. Before giving you a little flavor of Larkin Poe’s fire power, I have to say I feel sorry for the boneheads who came late and evidently had no interest in seeing Larkin Poe and/or probably had no clue who they are. I also find it extremely disrespectful to walk in while musicians pour out their hearts and souls on stage. I just wish entertainment venues would ban this dreadful practice! Here’s Jessica and Kick the Blues, Larkin Poe style!

After a short intermission it was time for The Black Crows to land and take the stage; or perhaps I should better say soar. Delivering kickass rock & roll is so much better than fighting with each other. Brothers Chris Robinson (lead vocals) and Rich Robinson (guitar, backing vocals), who form the band’s core, certainly know a thing or two about the latter. Luckily, it appears their volatile relationship is a matter of the past – keeping fingers crossed it’ll stay that way!

After the Crowes concluded their Shake Your Moneymaker Tour in March 2023 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their popular February 1990 debut album, they continued to be on the road through much of 2023 and into this year before they announced their current Happiness Bastards Tour in January. That 30-plus-date series is in support of their new album of the same name, which came out on March 15. Perhaps not surprisingly, music from their 10th studio album – their first of original music in 15 years – featured prominently in their set. Let’s check out some of the goodies!

After energetically kicking off with Bedside Manners and Rats and Clowns, the first two tracks off the Happiness Bastards album, Chris Robinson cheerfully announced that in addition to new songs they would also play some old motherfuckers. Of course, no good rock & roll show can be without f-words, the more the merrier! I’ll give you Twice As Hard, the fucking opener of the Crowes’ above-mentioned epic debut Shake Your Money Maker. That motherfucker was co-written by the two brothers.

Okay, I shall behave. No more f-words! Here’s Wanting and Waiting, my early favorite from the Crowes’ new album. That m… – nope, I’m not gonna say it! – was also co-written by the Robinson brothers.

I suppose the next song doesn’t need much of an introduction. Penned by Otis Redding, who Chris Robinson noted hailed from Georgia as well, along with Al Bell and Allen Jones, Hard to Handle was first popularized in 1968 by the Stax recording artist. Robinson also acknowledged that song had done much for the Crowes. Indeed. It became their first single to top Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart. I think it’s fair to say it also still is the group’s signature song. Let’s listen to that motherfucker – opps, I did it again!

Alrighty, one more clip: Remedy, a track from The Black Crowes’ sophomore album The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion, which appeared in May 1992. Another co-write by the Robinson brothers, the song was also released separately as the album’s lead single in April of the same year. It became their third no. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream Rock chart.

After the crowd screamed for more, The Black Crowes obliged with a cover of White Light/White Heat, the title track of the second studio album by The Velvet Underground released in January 1968. The song was written by Lou Reed. Earlier in their set, the Crowes also delivered an energetic rendition of High School Confidential, the title track of the 1958 U.S. crime drama motion picture, co-written by Jerry Lee Lewis and Ron Hargrave, and performed by The Killer. Here’s the full setlist, as documented on Setlist.fm.

Setlist

• Bedside Manners
• Rats and Clowns
• Twice as Hard
• Gone
• Then She Said My Name
• Cross Your Fingers
• Seeing Things
• High School Confidential (Jerry Lee Lewis cover)
• Thorn in My Pride
• Wanting and Waiting
• Hard to Handle (Otis Redding cover)
• She Talks to Angels
• Flesh Wound
• I Ain’t Hiding
• Jealous Again
• Remedy

Encore:
• White Light/White Heat (The Velvet Underground cover)

I thought The Black Crowes delivered a great show. Chris Robinson’s vocals sounded strong, and his brother Rich Robinson was compelling on guitar. At one point, Chris also showcased his impressive harmonica skills. The Robinson brothers were backed by a formidable band featuring Sven Pipien (bass), who previously toured with them from 1997 until 2015; Nico Bereciartua (guitar, backing vocals); Erik Deutsch (keyboards, backing vocals) and Cully Symington (drums, percussion). The line-up also included backing vocalists Mackenzie Adams and Leslie Grant who added a neat soul vibe to the performance.

The Black Crows are flying next to Washington, D.C. (tomorrow, April 30), followed by Charlotte, N.C. (May 1); Bethlehem, Pa. (May 3); Atlantic City, N.J. (May 4); and Philadelphia, Pa. (May 7). The full schedule of the Happiness Bastards Tour is here.

Also, let’s not forget Larkin Poe, who to me were just as compelling as the Crowes. The sister act’s upcoming gigs include Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Manchester, Tenn. (Jun 14); Off North Shore – Skokie Music Festival, Skokie, Ill., Jun 21-22; Rock, Ribs & Ridges, Augusta, N.J., Jun 30; and High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, Calif., Jul 4-7.

I also noticed that in September, Larkin Poe are playing the annual Sea.Hear.Now Festival in Asbury Park, N.J., which is right in my backyard. Unfortunately, tickets are already sold out. Well, it’s a good thing for the organizers. You can check out Larkin Poe’s full schedule here.

Sources: Wikipedia; Setlist.fm; The Black Crowes website; Larkin Poe website; YouTube

New Music Musings

Happy Saturday and welcome to my latest weekly new music review. Today, I’d like to offer songs that come from a mix of studio albums and EPs, which were all released yesterday (April 26).

Liz Brasher/Be in California

Memphis, Tenn.-based Liz Brasher is a singer-songwriter and guitarist whose style AllMusic characterizes as eclectic retro soul with elements of adult pop, rock, blues, and gospel. Here’s more from her AllMusic bio: Brasher sang in her church choir as a child and eventually found influence in The Beatles, the Delta blues, and Southern soul. She delved into American music history, learning the works of songwriters ranging from Stephen Foster to Lead Belly, and later Bob Dylan and The Staple Singers, as a college student in Chicago. She soon taught herself guitar and began writing songs. Her debut album Painted Imagine appeared in January 2019. Be in California is a great-sounding track off her second and latest album Baby Damn.

Billy Tibbals/Dream Away

Billy Tibbals is a Los Angeles-based alternative rock artist I first featured in April 2023. Originally hailing from London, Tibbals has lived in L.A. since 2014. During his childhood he became obsessed with British rock & roll – not a bad obsession, as far as I’m concerned! His debut EP Teenage, which offered a mix of power pop, glam rock and, of course, rock & roll, appeared in April 2023. Tibbals who optically reminds me a bit of Marc Bolan is now out with his second EP Nightlife Stories. Like the predecessor it was produced by Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes. Here’s the closer Dream Away, a neat power ballad with a cool retro vibe.

Pigeons Playing Ping Pong/My Own Way

Maryland psychedelic funk band Pigeons Playing Ping Pong win this week’s prize for best name. They also sound really good! The quartet of Greg Ormont (vocals, guitar), Jeremy Schon (guitar, vocals), Ben (bass, vocals) and Alex Petropulos (drums, vocals) came together in college 15 years ago. Day in Time is the group’s seventh full-length album since July 2014′ Psychology. Here’s My Own Way. This is groovy stuff!

Gramercy Arms/Never Say Anything (Acoustic)

Gramercy Arms are a revolving New York-based collective of musicians and artists led by songwriter and producer Dave Derby, who I first included in a new music review in February. Prior to Gramercy Arms’ eponymous 2008 debut album, Derby co-founded indie rock band The Dambuilders and lo-fi home recording project Brilliantine; released two solo albums; and composed and produced some music for film and TV. Off their latest album The Making of The Making Of, here’s Never Say Anything (Acoustic), an alternate version of a song the group first included on their March 2023 predecessor Deleted Scenes – pleasant indie pop!

Anders Osborne/To Live

I’m pleased to highlight more new music by versatile New Orleans-based singer-songwriter and ace guitarist Anders Osborne, who I featured in a catching up on new music post 10 days ago. Osborne was born in 1966 in Uddevalla, Sweden and has lived in New Orleans since 1990. He blends multiple genres, such as funk, soul, rock, blues and R&B, into a tasty gumbo. Since his 1989 debut Doin’ Fine, Osborne has released more than 20 studio and live albums. His latest album Picasso’s Villa is now out. Here’s the rootsy To Live – love Osborne’s guitar work!

Ringo Starr/Gonna Need Someone

If you read my aforementioned catching up on new music post, you won’t be surprised this week’s picks include Ringo Starr, whose new EP Crooked Boy has now been released as well. His fifth EP since March 2021 comes six months after Rewind Forward, from which I covered the title track at the time. A marble vinyl limited edition of Crooked Boy was first released on Record Store Day on Saturday, April 20, followed by yesterday’s digital release. Here’s the upbeat Gonna Need Someone, which like the three remaining tracks was written specifically for Starr by Linda Perry who also produced the EP – I just love the man!

Sources: Wikipedia; AllMusic; Pigeons Playing Ping Pong website; Ringo Starr website; YouTube; Spotify

The Sunday Six

It’s Sunday and hard to believe another week has flown by. On the upside, this means the time has come again to embark on a little imaginary music time travel excursion. As always, the itinerary includes six stops in six different decades with music in different flavors.

Lester Young/I Can’t Get Started

This first pick, which takes us back to 1956, was inspired by fellow blogger and jazz connoisseur Cincinnati Babyhead, aka. CB, who the other reminded me of Lester Young. Nicknamed The President, the tenor saxophonist and occasional clarinetist was active between 1933 and 1959. Young first gained prominence as a member of Count Basie’s orchestra. I Can’t Get Started, initially a 1936 composition by Vernon Duke with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, was included on Young’s 1956 album The President Plays With the Oscar Peterson Trio. This smooth music is perfect to ease us into the trip!

Ramones/Blitzkrieg Bop

Hey! Ho! Let’s go! To April 1976, which saw the eponymous debut album by New York punk rockers Ramones. They had formed two years earlier in the Queens neighborhood of Forest Hills. The band originally featured lead vocalist Jeffrey Hyman (Joey Ramone), guitarist and backing vocalist John Cummings (Johnny Ramone), bassist and backing vocalist Douglas Colvin (Dee Dee Ramone) and drummer Thomas Erdelyi (Tommy Ramone). Blitzkrieg Bop, co-written by Tommy and Dee Dee, was the band’s debut single. This fun music is my kind of punk rock. One, two, three, four!

Gary Moore/Story of the Blues

Time for some blistering electric blues with a nice soul touch by Gary Moore. Prior to releasing his solo debut Back on the Streets in 1978, the Northern Irish guitarist played with Irish bands Skid Row and Thin Lizzy. By the time he released his ninth solo album After Hours in March 1992, Moore had comfortably settled on blues and blues rock, which remained his main musical focus until his untimely death from a heart attack at age 58 in February 2011. Here’s Story of the Blues, a song he wrote.

Gregg Allman/Black Muddy River

Our next stop takes us down south and to the present century. In March 2016, Gregg Allman recorded what would become his final album Southern Blood. Initially, the Allman Brothers co-founder had planned a sequel to his 2011 solo album Low Country Blues with original songs. But Allman who had been diagnosed with liver cancer in 2012 was running short of time, so he worked with his manager Michael Lehman to pick “meaningful” songs to cover. Southern Blood was recorded over just nine days at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala. The album was released in September 2017, four months after his death. Speaking of the Allmans, on Thursday, Dickey Betts passed away from cancer and COPD, leaving drummer Jaimoe (John Lee Johnson) as the former group’s only surviving co-founding member. Here’s Allman’s incredible rendition of the Grateful Dead’s Black Muddy River, co-written by Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter.

The Hollies/Bus Stop

I always get weirdly emotional when listening to music from Southern Blood, so my next proposition is more upbeat. Enter a catchy ’60s song with sweet harmony vocals: Bus Stop by The Hollies. Initially formed in the late ’50s as duo comprised of Allan Clarke (vocals, guitar) and Graham Nash (vocals, guitar), they became The Hollies in December 1962, together with Vic Steele (lead guitar), Eric Haydock (bass) and Don Rathbone (drums). Bus Stop, released in June 1966 and penned by future 10cc member Graham Gouldman, was one of the group’s biggest hit singles and was also the title track of their fourth U.S. album. The Hollies exist to this day as a touring act and most recently were on the road in the UK last year. Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott, who played guitar and drums, respectively, on Bus Stop, are part of the current line-up.

Scorpions/Bad Boys Running Wild

And just as this trip is in full swing, we need to wrap up again. Let’s push the pedal to the metal with Scorpions and the great opener of March 1984’s Love at First Sting. The German metal band’s ninth studio album cemented their status as an internationally popular act. With approximately 3.5 million sold units worldwide, Love at First Sting became their second-highest seller after Crazy World (November 1990). Initially were formed in 1965, Scorpiona continue to rock on and are currently on the road. Here’s Bad Boys Running Wild, with music composed by guitarist and co-founder Rudolf Schenker and lyrics written by lead vocalist Klaus Meine and then-drummer Herman Rarebell.

Of course, I wouldn’t leave you without a Spotify playlist of the above track. Hope sometimes tickles your fancy and that you’ll be back for more!

Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube; Spotify

Catching Up: Short Takes On New Music I Missed

I realize I’m starting to sound like a broken record. While I’m taking a fresh look each week, there’s way more decent new music coming out than I can track. Once again, Spotify’s Release Radar comes to the rescue. Following is some good stuff that appeared over the past four weeks I missed.

The Reds, Pinks & Purples/What’s Going On With Ordinary People

The Reds, Pinks & Purples is an indie pop project launched in 2015 by San Francisco-based musician, singer-songwriter and producer Glenn Donaldson, who I first featured in March 2023. Their Bandcamp page notes six albums, several EPs and many singles they have released over the past five years, citing The Go-Betweens, The Smiths, Magnetic Fields and Felt as inspirations. Off their latest album Unwishing Well, which dropped on April 12, here’s the great-sounding What’s Going On With Ordinary People.

Ringo Starr/February Sky

Bless Ringo Starr who continues to release new music and keeps touring! February Sky, which came out on April 12, is the first single off his upcoming EP Crooked Boy scheduled for April 26. It comes six months after his previous EP Rewind Forward and is his fifth in a row since March 2021. Like the remaining three tracks on Crooked Boy, February Sky was written and produced by Linda Perry. “February Sky is great – very moody,” Starr said. “But since Linda wrote these specifically for me – it of course has to have a positive peace & love element.” Pretty decent pop rock song!

Lions in the Street/Down in the Hole

Lions in the Street are a cool ’70s style rock & roll band from Vancouver, Canada, who only entered my radar screen a few months ago when I featured them in another Catching Up post. Formed in 2000 as The Years, they changed their name to Lions in the Street in 2006 after a label deal to release an album had gone sour. With their latest single Down in the Hole, released on April 8, they deliver more of that kickass style rock & roll. Check out that neat b-b-b-b-bad to the bone slide guitar action!

James Bone/Left Side Right Side

Speaking of bone, here’s the new single by James Bone, a British singer-songwriter who strangely has a website and an online store but no posted bio! According to this review I found in Louder Than War, Bone released his debut album in April 2023. “I played in bands for years but they all fell by the wayside as is often the case,” he’s quoted in the review. “Then I wrote/directed a short film about a boxer which kept the creativity bubbling, but I knew I had to get my ass in gear and make a record, then Covid happened and it seemed like the time was ripe!” Here’s Bone’s new single Left Side Right Side – neat song! The next step I’d humbly suggest is to throw us a bone and post a bio.

Stewart Forgey/Look For the Truth

Stewart Forgey is a Los Angeles-based multi-instrumentalist and member of Pacific Range, a country-oriented jam band formed in 2013. Look For the Truth appeared on March 26 as an upfront single to Forgey’s solo debut album Nature of the Universe, set to drop on April 24. This is a gorgeous song with a neat West Coast vibe that reminds me a bit of America. It follows Starry Dream, another nice-sounding track from the forthcoming album. Looking forward to hearing the rest of it!

Anders Osborne/Reckless Heart

I’m thrilled to wrap up this post with new music by Anders Osborne, a versatile singer-songwriter and guitarist who my longtime German music buddy Gerd first brought to my attention many years ago. Osborne was born in 1966 in Uddevalla, Sweden and has lived in New Orleans since 1990. He blends multiple genres, such as funk, soul, rock, blues and R&B, into a tasty gumbo. Since his 1989 debut Doin’ Fine, Osborne has released more than 20 studio and live albums. The great roots rock-flavored Reckless Heart is from his upcoming album Picasso’s Villa scheduled for April 26. The song first appeared as an upfront single on March 21.

Sources: Wikipedia; AllMusic; The Reds, Pinks & Purples Bandcamp page; Ringo Starr website; Lions in the Street website; Louder Than War; YouTube; Spotify

The Sunday Six

Happy Sunday and welcome to more music time travel. Picking six tracks from six different decades and different genres in a random fashion feels very liberating and is my favorite activity each week. With that said, let’s do it again!

Nat Adderley/Sister Caroline

Today, our little excursion starts in December 1958 with music from Branching Out, an album by jazz cornetist Nat Adderley. After starting to play the trumpet in 1946 as a 15-year-old, Adderley switched to the cornet in 1950. Together with his older brother, saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley, he co-founded Cannonball Adderley Quintet in 1956 and frequently played with the group until they disbanded in 1975. Adderley also worked with Kenny Clarke, Wes Montgomery, Walter Booker, Ron Carter and Sonny Fortune, among others, and recorded albums as a leader. Branching Out is an example of the latter. Here’s the great Adderley composition Sister Caroline. He was backed by Johnny Griffin (tenor saxophone) and The Three Sounds: Gene Harris (piano), Andy Simpkins (bass) and Bill Dowdy (drums).

Joe Ely/Fingernails

Next we shall kick it up a few notches with some sizzling honky tonk rock & roll by Texas singer-songwriter and guitarist Joe Ely. Fingernails is a neat song fellow blogger Cincinnati Babyhead, aka. CB, recommended to me the other day. Penned by Ely, the track is from his sophomore album Honky Tonk Masquerade, released in February 1978. Ely is generally classified as country, but his music also includes high-energy blues, rockabilly and honky tonk swing. Fingernails sure as heck ain’t no country!

Pretenders/Never Do That

In May 1990, the fifth album by British-American rock group Pretenders came out, and that’s where we’re headed next. Packed! only pictured bandleader Chrissie Hynde on the cover, which was no coincidence. Together with drummer Blair Cunningham, she was the group’s only remaining member. Cunningham had replaced original drummer Martin Chambers in 1986. Chambers returned in 1993 and has played on all subsequent albums except for 2016’s Alone, a Hynde solo effort released under the Pretenders name. From the aforementioned Packed!, here’s the opener Never Do That, written by Hynde. In general, I think it’s great listening to her, and this song is no exception.

Pernice Brothers/Bechamel

Time to pay a visit to the current century with Pernice Brothers. I only learned about this indie rock band last week when I featured a song from their new album Who Will You Believe. The group was formed by Joe Pernice in 1998 after his old group Scud Mountain Boys had broken up. Pernice Brothers who also include Joe’s brother Bob Pernice released their first album Overcome by Happiness in May 1998. Bechamel takes us to the band’s July 2010 album Goodbye, Killer.

Carla Thomas/B-A-B-Y

Now I’m in the mood for some Stax soul and hope so are you. In 1966, the Memphis label released the third album by Carla Thomas. In the summer of 1960, the Queen of Memphis Soul had been the first artist to record a single with her father Rufus Thomas in the new Memphis recording facility of the label, which then was still called Satellite. By the time her third album Carla appeared in 1966, Satellite had changed their name to Stax – the first two letters from the founders’ and siblings’ last names (Jim) Stewart and (Astelle) Axton. The opening track B-A-B-Y, co-written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter, also was released separately as a single in July of that year and became one of Thomas’ hits. My kind of music!

Neil Young/Rockin’ in the Free World

I can’t believe we’re once again at the point where we need to wrap things up. Let’s make it count with a true rock anthem by Neil Young, one of my favorite artists: Rockin’ in the Free World, off his 17th studio album Freedom, which came out in October 1989. Freedom relaunched Young’s career after a largely unsuccessful decade. Undoubtedly, this epic track had something to do with it. I’m talking about the electric version that closes Freedom. An acoustic live version of the same song, which I like as well, opens the album.

Last but not least, here’s a Spotify playlist featuring all of the above tracks, including Neil Young who is back on the platform. As always, I hope there’s something you dig. See ya!

Sources: Wikipedia; YouTube; Spotify

New Music Musings

It’s Saturday, which means time to take another look at the latest developments on the new music front. All picks are on albums that were released yesterday (April 5).

Cuffed Up/Meet the End

Starting us off today are Cuffed Up, a Los Angeles band playing melodic post punk. The were formed in 2018 by Ralph Torrefranca (vocals/guitar) and Joe Liptock (drums), who were joined by Christina Apostolopoulos (vocals, guitar) in 2022. Their website notes they share a love of stirring rock music, from the urgent tension of the U.K. post-punk revival to the tender, ornate compositions of Death Cab for Cutie. The group debuted in February 2020 with an eponymous EP. Off their first full-length album All You Got, here’s Meet the End. I like it!

X Ambassadors/Half-Life

X Ambassadors are a pop rock band from Ithaca, N.Y. They have been around since 2009 and include Sam Harris (lead vocals), Casey Harris (keyboards) and Adam Levin (drums). During tours they are supported by Russ Flynn (bass, guitar). AllMusic characterizes the group’s music as passionate, electronic-tinged pop centered around the throaty, soulful vocals of Sam Harris. Including their June 2015 debut VHS, they have released four albums to date. Their latest is called Townie. Here’s Half-Life, a pleasant ballad.

Dana Gavanski/Song For Rachel

Dana Gavanski is a Canadian indie folk singer-songwriter of Serbian descent who is based in London, England. In 2017, she released her debut EP Spring Demos. Her first full-length album Yesterday Is Gone appeared in March 2020. Gavanski is now out with her third album Late Slap. “This album is my take on the tension between cynicism/despair and openness/trust,” she explains on her Bandcamp. “It’s about tenderness in a world that’s constantly trying to desensitize us.” Here’s Song For Rachel. The song’s neat sound and Gavanski’s ethereal vocals, which remind me a bit of Sarah McLachlan, drew me in.

Pernice Brothers/I Don’t Need That Anymore (feat. Neko Case)

Pernice Brothers are an indie rock band formed by Joe Pernice in 1998 after his old group Scud Mountain Boys had broken up. Pernice Brothers who also include Joe’s brother Bob Pernice released their first album Overcome by Happiness in May 1998. Their eighth and new album is titled Who Will You Believe. Here’s the gorgeous I Don’t Need That Anymore featuring singer-songwriter Neko Case on vocals. She’s also a member of Canadian indie rock group The New Pornographers.

Dustin Kensrue/High Scalers

Singer-songwriter Dustin Kensrue is best known as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of California post-hardcore group Thrice who he co-founded in 1998. After releasing three albums with Thrice, Kensrue began working on solo acoustic material and eventually released Please Come Home in January 2007, the first album under his name. The country-tinged High Scalers is from Desert Dreaming, Kensrue’s new solo album. I really dig the pedal steel on this song, which gives it a beautiful, warm sound.

The Black Keys/This Is Nowhere

Wrapping up this review are The Black Keys. The rock duo formed in Akron, Ohio by high school friends Dan Auerbach (lead vocals, guitar, bass guitar, keyboards) and Patrick Carney (drums, percussion) has been releasing music since 2002. A few years later, Auerbach also started recording, engineering and producing for other artists, which I recently covered here. After a 4-year hiatus, The Black Keys have put out new albums at a steady pace since 2019. Off their 12th and latest, Ohio Players, here’s the opener This Is Nowhere. The pop-flavored song with a garage vibe was co-written by Auerbach, Carney and Beck who also provides backing vocals.

Sources: Wikipedia; AllMusic; Cuffed Up website; Dana Gavanski Bandcamp page; YouTube; Spotify