Further Observations From A Jangly Music Fan

August was another month for excellent live music in the Washington, D.C. area. We were able to share live music with my sister (visiting from Phoenix) on three successive evenings. We treated her to the second of two Raul Malo shows at the Birchmere (I attended both shows - a week apart), a Last Train Home show at their "home club" IOTA, and then we attended a coffeehouse performance by local singer/songwriter Bill Kaffenberger. The Raul Malo show was terrific; he played over 50 songs during his two performances at the Birchmere - duplicating only seven tunes. Highlights of the two shows included covers of Elvis' "Can't Help Falling In Love With You," J.D. Souther's "It's Only Lonely" and Roy Orbison's "In Dreams" and "Crying." Malo sings Orbison tunes magnificently, and there was hardly a dry eye in the music hall when he concluded his second show with "Crying." Malo's next album, entitled You're Only Lonely, was produced by Peter Asher and will be released early next year. I can't wait to hear the combination of Asher's production and Raul's strong voice. Long may you run, Sir Raul!

Last Train Home, our favorite area "alt-country"/country-rock band, now splits its time between Washington, D.C. and Nashville. The Friday night band lineup included three lead guitarists (with former D.C. axe man John Moreman sharing duties with Bill Williams and Scott McKnight), pedal steel, saxophone and lead vocalist Eric Brace's brother, Alan, on mandolin/harmonica and backing vocals. The band finished the evening with a rousing version of "Walls Of Time." The band is currently touring in support of their fourth full-length disc, Bound Away. I know I've said this before but it bears repeating. Catch them live; their CDs don't do justice to their on-stage energy … and you never know who may be sittin' in with the band. Long may you run, Sir Eric and bandmates!

I mentioned Bill Kaffenberger several months ago when he released his first full-length CD, This World Is Bound To Fall. Bill played both his acoustic guitar and his Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar during his one-hour set at College Perks. My sister, Kristin, accompanied him during a mini-set that included Bill's "She's So Real," three Byrds tunes and the great closing song "Knockin' On Heaven's Door." Bill, Kristin and I share a passion for the Byrds and Roger McGuinn, and when Bill mentioned that he might like to be accompanied on several songs, I volunteered my sister's rhythm guitar and vocal services. It was fun to socialize Bill and to provide Bill and Kristin with a pre-show rehearsal venue. If you are a D.C. area resident who loves jangly music, I highly encourage you to check Bill's coffeehouse performance schedule at http://www.sonicbids.com/BillKaffenberger. Long may you run, Sir Bill!

In addition to the excellent live music that this area has to offer, I also found time to sample the following CDs that should appeal to fellow jangly music enthusiasts:

Mr. Ordinary World - the six-song CD-EP by the Beagle Ranch. The first three songs will knock your socks off! "Leaves Come Down" reminds me of the Byrds, the Las and the Inspiral Carpets - all rolled into one. The title track is just as jangly and chiming, and "She's Going To Stay" is a terrific ballad that features pronounced mandolin riffs. This is another band that filers the 60s very nicely through their contemporary rose-coloured glasses!

Postcards - by Daniel Wylie. The former front man for the Cosmic Rough Riders has released yet another solo gem. The songs showcase elements of Byrds and Beach Boys production, plenty of jangle on tunes like "Your Eyes" and "Bluebirds Flying High" (a reference to the Moody Blues' "Voices In The Sky?") and a strong finale with "A Song For The Lonely" that is eerily reminiscent of America's "Lonely People."
Long may you run, Sir Daniel!

The Summer That Changed - by the Bedsit Poets. This eleven-song disc represents the collaborative efforts of Edward Rogers and Amanda Thorpe (two UK artists who now reside in New York City), a talented studio supporting cast and the production efforts of Pete and Maura Kennedy. In fact, Edward and Amanda combine to create very catchy pseudo-60s "coffeehouse pop" in the same vein as the Kennedys. "Reach For The Sky" features a pronounced and chiming Rickenbacker 12-string guitar … and is my "Song Of The Month" for August 2005. Other standout tunes include "Refusing To Play" and "Far From You." Thank you, Edward, for sharing a copy of this disc (on the Bongo Beat label) with me!

The Barracudas - by the Barracudas. They're back - the band that released so many great 60s-inspired garage rock/pop discs in the 80s and early 90s has returned with more jangly morsels for today's pop audience. "The Price You Pay," "Always On My Mind" and "I Wish There Was A Time" will delight jangleholics … and draw those same favorable comparisons to the Flamin' Groovies that the early Barracudas material did. Welcome back!

Hanna & McKuen - Hanna & McKuen's self-titled solo disc. Jaime Hanna and Jonathan McKuen are both offsprings of members of the timeless Nitty Gritty Dirt Band … so it shouldn't surprise anyone that the debut disc by this talented duo is primo country-tinged pop/rock from start to finish. An all-star Nashville studio cast, excellent original songs and some well-chosen tunes by other songwriters all make this disc a Top Ten contender. "Something Like A Broken Heart" is already working its way up the charts, but my favorite jangle'n'twang track is "Someone Else" - with a lead guitar riff that is very similar to the riff in Gene Clark's "Crazy Ladies." The rest of the tracks will remind seasoned listeners of the Eagles, Chris Isaak, the Mavericks, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Radney Foster and Foster & Lloyd. Hanna & McKuen certainly know how to keep good company. This one is a winner!

The Happy Door - by Tim Anthony. Pop singer/songwriter Tim Anthony takes a break from his many other projects at Jealousy Records and treats pop enthusiasts to an excellent 13-song disc with pseudo-60s and mainstream pop tunes. Tim has crafted a seamless album with plenty of catchy melodies, and he adds chiming guitars to "Baby I'm Back" and "No Words." Thanks, Tim, for sending me a copy of your latest disc.

Whatever Planet - by the Dipsomaniacs. Although the Dipsomaniacs don't blend a whole lot of jangle into their pop/rock songs, they improve their brand of pop/rock with each release. Whatever Planet should vie for Top Ten honors in 2005 - it's that strong. The disc includes 18 studio tracks, and a bonus CD with ten "rarities." This New Jersey band gives a nod or two to the Replacements and the Fountains of Wayne, but they retain their originality throughout. I find myself pushing the repeat button on "Daddy's On A Book Tour" … but the whole album merits repeat plays. Thanks, Mick; long may you and your bandmates run!

See You In The Sunshine - by Dave Dill. Singer/songwriter Dill showcases catchy pop tunes with the right measure of acoustic guitars to offer up intelligent pop for today's listeners. Bruce Brodeen at Not Lame uses references like Michael Penn, John Brion and Nick Heyward … and these references are well-deserved.

Last but not least, here are a couple of standout jangly single tracks:

"Why Can't It Be" by the Names - featured on Home Runs: Volume III.

"Summer Day" - by Captain Mike and the Totems - featured on their Train Of Thought CD.

"Good Thing" - by the Glimmer Stars on their debut self-titled disc. This CD is produced by Walter Clevenger (a very good thing), and this band reminds me of the Shazam, Myracle Brah and the Beat Angels. In other words, this is power pop with an emphasis on power, sizzle and attitude.

Until next month, jangle on!

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