JANGLE ON!

 DECEMBER

by Eric Sorsensen

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2013 is racing to a close … and I am about to make my second trip to Arizona – to visit family for the holidays – in a four-week period.  The holiday season this year seems compressed; as a result, I have hardly listened to my Christmas CDs this year.  I haven’t overlooked jangly music, though, and I encourage fellow jangleholics to check out the following new discs:

In Our Nature – Blue Rodeo.  Washington, D.C. radio personality “Weasel” introduced me to Blue Rodeo back in the late 80s.  Since then, the band has released over twenty albums and I have been able to see this Canadian band at least once each decade.  While the band hasn’t recreated the Top 40 jangle of “Till I Am Myself Again,” this group has always flirted with jangle’n’twang sound that embraces elements of rock, pop, country and roots-rock.  The band’s latest disc – In Our Nature – is a testament to how talented the lasting duo of Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy is.  Keelor and Cuddy’s songwriting, vocals and musicianship have stood the test of time … and improved with age.  Standout pop tunes, with some jangle, are “Never Too Late,” “New Morning Sun,” “Mattawa” and “In Our Nature.”  Long may you run, Sir Greg, Sir Jim and your bandmates!

            The Maze – David Brookings.  Looking for a slab of pure power pop with some sweet vocals and some chiming guitars?  Look no further than David Brookings’ latest release.  Jangly tracks include “If I Don’t Make It Back,” “No Regrets,” “Heroin Donna,” “The Maze” and “The Greatest Songwriter.”   Brookings now falls into the category of pop songwriter/artists who can be counted on for an excellent album each time he releases new material.  I look forward to hearing more from him!

The Del Shannon Tribute: Songwriter Vol 1– various artists.  Rock Beat Records enlisted the services of sixteen pop artists (Marshall Crenshaw, Marti Jones, Don Dixon among others) to compile this terrific first tribute to the late great Del Shannon.  Standout tracks include “I Go To Pieces” by the Drysdales, “Restless” by Dave Smalley, “Keep Searchin’” by Peter Case and Carla Olson and “Kelly” by Overlord. The title of this compilation leads me to believe that Volume Two may be in the works.  Del Shannon’s music is timeless, and it is heart-warming to know that his music has touched succeeding generations of musicians.

See Saw Seen – the Burning Ferns.  A new band with a new album – that is fun to play from start to finish.  My favorite chiming tracks are: “All Roads Lead To Rome” and “In Chains.”

Under The Covers: Volume Three – Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs (AKA Sid and Susie).  Sweet and Hoffs cover the 80s this time – and the standout tracks are “Girls Talk,” “Free Fallin’” and The Bulrushes” (by the Bongos – Hoboken’s answer to REM).  Here’s hoping that Volume Three inspires this duo to tour again and play cover tunes from all three of their duo albums, as well as their original material.

Desert Skies – the Beachwood Sparks.  This is the latest release from one of the finest bands in the “Canyon Rock” genre of music.  The Rickenbackers are muted on this disc, but the pedal steel guitar, vocal harmonies and breezy country-rock that this band has become known for are front and center throughout the twelve tracks.  The Beachwood Sparks continue the legacy of the latter-day Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers in exceptional manner.

The last of the Pop Geek Heaven special offer CDR compilations and Byrdsian Volume 96 (compiled by Ray Verno) have rounded out my playlist for the past six weeks.  In addition, my musician pal Rich Arithmetic recently discovered Starry Eyed & Laughing – the great Byrds-inspired band of the mid-70s that was fronted by Tony Poole.  Rich’s discovery led me to pull the band’s material off the shelf and listen again to some of the finest post-60s jangle-pop.  The band’s version of “Chimes Of Freedom” is a tour-de-force that would make Roger McGuinn proud.  Track down a copy of the excellent Aurora Records Sampler that includes material by Starry Eyed & Laughing and tracks by other artists that feature Tony Poole on Rickenbacker 12-string.  The Sampler includes Tony’s fabulous version of “Bells Of Rhymney” and his great solo track “Stranger In My Time” (which was a highlight of Pop Geek Heaven’s Jangle On! compilation several years ago).

Until next time, enjoy the holiday season … and jangle on!
ERIC