Nick A. Zaino, III: May, 2001

Second Solos and Aqualungs

It is the best of times and worst of times for drummer Ken Coomer. After a decade long relationship with Wilco catalyst Jeff Tweedy, stretching back to his days with Uncle Tupelo, Coomer has been dropped from Wilco’s line-up. According to a Rolling Stone interview with Tweedy, it wasn’t a mutual decision, and Coomer’s tracks have been replaced for the forthcoming album. However, Coomer has had no lack of work recently, playing on popular releases by Jess Klein, Tim Easton, and Shaver, as well as the all-star outing Swag. Swag, which also features Doug Powell, Cheap Trick's Tom Petersson, ex-Maverick and BR5-49er Jerry Dale McFadden, and Maverick Robert Reynolds, has been touring the United States behind Catchall, their critically well-received first album.

Coomer is also one of many guests on Phil Lee’s upcoming follow-up to 1999’s The Mighty King of Love. Coomer joins ex-bandmates Jay Bennett and John Stirratt for two tunes. Also backing Lee will be Billy Joe Royal, Wayne Jackson from the Memphis Horns, session master Jim Hoke, Gillian Welch, Allison Moorer, and Dave Rawlings. Not that Lee needs any help. His debut proved him a solid songwriter with plenty of flair and a sense of humor. But, labels are always happy when you mention guest stars (and it didn’t hurt my segue, either). As Lee puts it, “It's not enough I'm the Mighty King of Love, I gotta have celebrities too.” Lee is in Philadelphia mixing the album now, with a tentative August release date.

Alejandro Escovedo’s A Man Under the Influence is finally out. Yeah, yeah, you’re all sick of hearing me mention it by now. So go get the damned album already. But finish reading the column first. Then let nothing stop you.

Rounder Records has picked up ex-Grant Lee Buffalo singer/songwriter Grant Lee Phillips, and reports a July 24th street date for Mobilize, his new solo album. On his Web site (www.grantleephillips.com), Phillips writes, “It’s fair to say that this particular collection draws together my most genuine musical obsessions. The lyrics tend to capture vignettes and little moments in a way that a film maker might spy through a key hole. The songs are intensely personal but also playful in tone and I believe the production actually works on both of those levels.” Phillips self-released his first solo album, Ladies’ Love Oracle, last year. Also according to his Web site, Phillips will be appearing on the WB network show The Gilmore Girls as a strolling troubadour, walking the streets and singing his own songs, thus proving that Jonathan Richman can start a trend without even trying.

Blue Mountain play dress-up and a new album by Tyler Keith, posing as his back-up band, “The Preacher’s Kids”. Actually, bassist George Sheldon and drummer Frank Coutch will stick with the gig, having left Blue Mountain. Tyler Keith and the Preacher’s Kids Romeo Hood is more fun than a band ought to be allowed.

Johnny Dowd has been touring in support of his latest release, Temporary Shelter. Dowd has a sound that rivals Tom Waits and Nick Cave at their most wicked, conjuring up images like you would expect to see in a Dennis Hopper movie based on a Ray Carver short story (what the hell, let’s say it’s directed by David Lynch, for good measure). Seeing him live is a treat. When I caught up with him at the Middle East in Boston, he was in good humor and had his chops together. His band consisted of a guitarist and a drummer who also played bass pedals. You would think that would make for a sparse sound, but Dowd, like Lou Reed before him, is a great guitarist whose instrumental skills will always take a back seat behind his lyrics and persona. Even his Christmas song was macabre, named “Death Comes Knocking”. But Dowd had to crack a smile, however briefly, when he introduced “Devil’s Music”, a song about why he writes the way he does. (Contrast that with “Golden Rule”, from Shelter, in which a man urges a woman to leave behind her husband, parents, and baby to catch a Greyhound bus with him. It’s the creepiest old guy routine since Aqualung.) As Dowd said, “These are the only songs that seem to want to come out of me.” (Note to Korn: if you can’t beat this, give it up.)

In his latest e-mail message, Bill Janovitz of Buffalo Tom quashed any rumors that might be floating around, saying the band has no plans to record, but also has no plans to break up. Janovitz has played a few recent dates with the band, but is also busy with two other bands – the Bathing Beauties and Crown Victoria. He is also expecting to release his second solo album in July.

Boston favorites the Tarbox Ramblers will be touring the south and midwest this summer, with supporting dates for Buddy and Julie Miller, Alejandro Escovedo, and Dave Alvin. Check local listings to see if they’ll be out your way.

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Nick's Reviews: January, 2001

Nick's Reviews: December, 2000

Nick's Reviews: November, 2000

Nick's Random Thoughts: March, 2001

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: February, 2001

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: January, 2001

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: December, 2000

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: November, 2000

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: October, 2000

Nick Zaino's Random Thoughts: September, 2000

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