Further Observations From A Jangly Music Fan

Discs that have been receiving lots of play during the past two months include:

On A Ladder - by Bobby Sutliff. Bobby was kind enough to send me an advance copy of this 12-track disc that will be released later this summer on the Paisley Pop label. Wow! From start to finish, this may be Bobby’s finest solo disc yet. There is a terrific flow between the tracks, and “Never A Time” will compete for “Song of the Month” - if not “Song of the Year” honors. In Bobby’s own words, this song “has my best Jim McGuinn impression ever … Think a bit of Eight Miles High or Why. I think I nailed the exact tone.” My friends, Bobby certainly did nail it! Thanks, Bobby, for contributing further to your All-Star legacy of pop music. I am fortunate to say that I met Bobby and heard him perform at the Gene Clark tribute show that Bill Lloyd hosted in Nashville six years ago. Bobby typifies the kind of truly nice people that I have encountered in the indie pop community. Long may you run, Sir Bobby!

Speaking of tributes and Bobby Sutliff, Bobby and Tim Lee recorded a superb version of “Expecting To Fly” (as the Windbreakers) on the recently released Not Lame label tribute to the Buffalo Springfield, Five Way Street. Now comes the fun: artists who participated in this project are now organizing regional tribute concerts. First to schedule such an event is Jeff Glenn (of the Retros). Jeff lined up a Buffalo Springfield tribute show at the Mint in Los Angeles on Monday, 14 August (the day after the International Pop Overthrow festival concluded). Among the artists who performed at this show were Rich Hopkins and the Luminarios (Tucson), the Retros, the Barry Holdship Four, the Eugene Edwards Band, the Quarter After, Steady Freddie Krc (Austin) and Sal Valentino (YES - the same Sal Valentino who was the lead singer for the Beau Brummels four decades ago!) Next up: Nick Millward and the Riffbrokers will host a Buffalo Springfield tribute show at the Sunset Tavern in Ballard (Seattle) on Friday, September 15th. I have heard rumors that the Minus Five may perform at this show.

The very prolific singer/songwriter/musician, Les Fradkin, has released yet another disc on his RRO Entertainment label - a 10-song tribute to Bob Dylan entitled If Your Memory Serves You Well. Les’ Rickenbacker 12-string guitar jangles, chimes and rings on most of the tracks … and he gives his usual “sonic” treatment to a number of folk-rock favorites. Les’ version of “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door” sets a new standard for this oft-covered tune. What’s next for Les? A tribute to the Byrds, tentatively titled Timeless Flyte, that will feature over 20 songs by Les and other artists. Jangleholics will want to add this disc to their personal gift lists - if all goes as planned, the disc will be released before the end of this year! And, just as the dust settles on the Buffalo Springfield tribute shows, this compilation should inspire a series of Byrds tribute shows. If Les Fradkin doesn’t have his finger on the pulse of the Baby Boomer pop/rock audience, I don’t know who does!

Before leaving the topic of tribute discs, I should mention two other very worthy recent tribute compilations: A Tribute to Tom Petty by Free Pop Records and Easy To Be Free: The Songs of Rick Nelson. Both discs contain their share of “nuggets,” and the former disc has some Petty-inspired jangly tracks. Marshall Crenshaw contributes “Don’t Leave Me This Way” to the Rick Nelson tribute; Marshall loves to feature these “chestnuts” in his live shows. At his most recent solo acoustic gig in this area, Marshall performed back-to-back Gene Pitney tunes. It is always nice to observe today’s generation of pop musicians giving vibrant interpretations to the tunes of previous decades.

In the works is a new “collaboration” album featuring Graham Allman Talbot (AKA GAT) and pals - who call themselves the SkyRyders. Check this new project out at www.skyryders.us and download the terrific jangly track “You’re Everywhere.” A full-length disc is due out next year. In addition, Graham is working on a compilation of material that he has recorded for his solo discs and his last collaborative effort with Horst-Peter Schmidt, Starbyrd. Graham, thanks for the head’s up regarding your latest recording endeavors. Jangleholics will never tire of your material!

Steps To Reach A Human - by Feel. From the ashes of Wanderlust comes Scott Sax’s latest band, Feel. Twelve tracks of excellent pop-rock material; “Simple Hello” features the most chiming guitar riffs … but if you miss Wanderlust, you will enjoy every track on this album. Welcome back, Scott!

In the “you won’t find this anywhere” category is a very cool eight-song compilation of mid-60s tunes by The Dovers that a friend sent to me. Talk about jangly!

These exceptional singles prove that it’s worth keeping a turntable around to play some of the scratchy 45s you may acquire at a flea market. These “nuggets” by The Dovers (Miramar and Reprise label releases) will appeal to fans of the Byrds, the Robbs, the Turtles, etc.

More Songs About Cars and Girls - by Marty Rudnick. Michael Carpenter’s musicianship and production shine through on this wonderful summer-themed disc that should appeal to Beach Boys fans in particular and folks who love melodic, harmony-drenched pop music in general. If this were the 60s, most of these tunes would be competing for pop radio airplay. Chiming guitar riffs abound on tracks like “Some Summer,” “Julie,” “Every Single Day” and “Only Heaven Knows.” There are some very cool hidden tracks: Lennon/McCartney’s “Yes It Is,” Brian Wilson’s “’Til I Die” and a couple of vocal only tracks. A 2006 Top Ten disc … for sure! Long may you run, Sir Marty!

Blues and Boogie Shoes - by the Keene Brothers (Tommy Keene and Robert Pollard). What a great combination! This is a pop/rock merger that should appeal to most indie pop fans. Tommy Keene’s shimmering, chiming guitar blends very nicely with Robert Pollard’s (sounding a lot like Matthew Sweet) voice. While every track is a winner, “Island of Lost Lucys” jangles the most. “Heaven’s Gate” packs a mighty wallop in just under 2:20. The music universe could benefit from more “side projects” of this caliber!

Tape Deck Classics - by Paul Bellows. Can’t argue with Bellows’ (and his studio mates’) approach - record eleven toe-tapping, hum-along straight-ahead pop tunes that all clock in at under 3:30. Bellows offers up plenty of pseudo-60s riffs in the eleven songs, and jangleholics will dig “Love Is Working” and “Big Enough For Two.” This one’s a keeper that will stay close to your tape deck … er, I mean your disc player!

Four Seasons - Doug Powell. I have to admit that I’ve never listened to a Doug Powell album that I didn’t like. This one is no exception! Four Seasons features material that Doug recorded for four earlier, separate projects. Doug cranks up the treble setting on the jangly tracks “Do You Know Mary?” and “Bye Bye Magpie.”

Hearing All That’s Heard - the five-song EP by Russell Crawford. Lots of chiming, strummy guitar riffs on these five songs - ala Ted Holden. After this tease, how about a full-length disc Russell?

Own Up - by Partly Dave. Strummy, jangly innocent pop/rock that reminds me a lot of early REM and many REM-disciple bands (the Oxymorons come to mind). Standout tunes include “Time I’m Going Home,” “Out Of My Hands,” “You Scare Me” and “Taking A Color Photo.”

Calling Distant Stations - the Nines. Still the best Paul McCartney and Emmitt Rhodes-influenced pop band around - even without chiming guitars!

Smash Palace: Best of ’99 - ’06 - by Smash Palace. Indie pop-rock at its finest. Sixteen tracks that showcase the pseudo-60s sound of Stephen Butler, Dyanne DiSalvo, Phil Rizzo and Anthony Bezich. The band breaks out the ringing 12-string guitar on “Juliet To Me.” Fans of the Grip Weeds should snap this compilation (on Zip Records) up … and then consider picking up the earlier releases. I discovered this band on the CDBaby website over a year ago; it’s time for more pop fans to do the same. Acquiring this disc is a great way to start!

Gone Today, Here Tomorrow - the five-song EP by Hangtown. Ted Lukas and his bandmates still flirt with a country-rock sound while migrating toward the pop-rock mainstream. Several tracks will compete for “Song of the Month” honors - “Tell Me Anything” and “Static Reaction.” You can also hear traces of the Headlights in these songs!

Pop Factory - the Innocents. This is a brand new, thirteen-song disc from an Australian pop band that has wowed pop audiences for twenty-five years. The first track, “Your Precious Touch,” sounds like classic Knack/Rubinoos tune … that kick-starts the album. The lads plug in their Rickenbacker 12-string guitar on the aforementioned tune, “Last Night” and “Nothing Succeeds Like Success.” Whether their music is rooted in the 60s, 70s or 80s, Pop Factory proves that the Innocents deserve to be referred to as “timeless!”

Regrets of a Company Man - by Edmund’s Crown. Like Hangtown, Nashville trio Edmund’s Crown straddles the line between country-rock, alt-rock and indie pop. The results are just as favorable as they were on the band’s previous disc. Greg Pope, David Sprouse and John Putnam shine throughout the 13 studio tracks and the five bonus demo tracks. The guitars chime most on “Damsel,” “Company Man,” “Eight Years Ago” and “Not That It Matters.” When an indie band is two-for-two when it comes to their full-length releases, you should check them out!

Viceroy - the self-titled debut disc by the Chicago-area rock band, Viceroy. Guitarist Nick Miller is on the mark when he describes the band’s sound as “more old school hard rock.” While all the tracks are originals, there are classic rock influences from the 70s and 80s incorporated into many of the songs. Don’t strain your ears for a chiming guitar on these songs … but if you’re in the mood, crank up the speakers and put the top down on your convertible!

Jingle Jangle Morning - by Bill Kaffenberger. I mentioned this disc in my last column. Since then, Bill has graciously sent me an advance copy of this disc. Fans of folk-rock/Rickenbacker 12-string jangle will be quite pleased with Bill’s sophomore effort - which will feature 17 tracks. The disc should be available from indie pop sources by early September.

Most Loved Melodies - a Jamie Hoover compilation featuring his work from the past three decades. Jamie is a permanent member of my Pop All-Star Band. I may have all of these songs on his earlier discs, but I bought this CD because I want to have a complete library of Jamie’s releases. You should too!

Last but not least … and not at all jangly, is Raul Malo’s new solo disc, You’re Only Lonely. Raul became well-known in the 90s and earlier this decade as the lead singer for the country-rock/pop band the Mavericks. Now that the Mavericks have disbanded, Raul is pursuing a solo career. This album has been in the works for two years, and it features eleven cover songs, a duet with Martina McBride and Peter Asher’s talented production skills. With his rich tenor voice (Roy Orbison fans will swear that Raul is channeling Roy’s voice), Raul could choose any genre of music and be a star. Raul is both talented and personable; don’t miss him when he books a show in your area. At his most recent Birchmere show, Raul’s set list included a poignant version of J.D. Souther’s “You’re Only Lonely,” Elvis’ “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You” and two Orbison tunes - “Blue Bayou” and “Crying.” The latter song evoked a lot of tears from his admiring audience.

Until next month, jangle on!

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