JANGLE ON! – March 2023

by Eric Sorensen

Musicians of all ages have embraced the jangly sound that has captivated pop music listeners since the 1960s – the Searchers’ “Needles and Pins” was an early chart hit to feature this sound.  There has been no shortage of pesudo-60s and jangly tunes in the past month.  Quite often, I use the expression “so much music, so little time” and February was chock full of excellent chiming and melodic CDs, CD EPs and single tracks.  I recommend that fellow jangly music enthusiasts check out the following:

            Honeycomb Tearoom – Cherry Fez.  Wow!  Ten tracks – nine of which feature the snap, crackle, pop of a compressed 12-string guitar.  Fans of Shake Some Action! and the Merrymakers will really dig this disc.  A terrific follow-up to the self-titled debut album by Cherry Fez … which is actually the very talented multi-track artist Todd Shuster.  Long may you run, Sir Todd!

            Passengers on Trains – Anthony Meynell.  Anthony, the driving force behind power pop band the Squire, is pictured on the cover with a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar.  Nothing more needs to be said!  Kudos to those who resurrected and remastered this album from its 1995 limited release to gain a wider audience today.  The standout track is “Solitude Surrounding.”  Long may you run, Sir Anthony!

            14 – Various Artists (Prefect Records).  This is a great compilation of contemporary artists who craft jangly and chiming pop songs.  “Summer Sun” by the Chime School garners my Song of the Month honors.  This disc is a wonderful introduction to the next generation of jangly artists!

            Byrds Won’t Fly Today: 18 Byrds-a-like U.S. Folk Garage Bands 1965 – 1967.   This compilation was originally released by Misty Lane Records in 2002.  I probably overlooked this disc because 60s pop music archivist Jeffrey Glenn was providing me with similar compilations at that time.  The assortment of tunes is very representative of what the garage bands of that era were recording on many obscure local labels.  It takes me back to high school dances with bands that featured a 12-string lead guitarist.  All great memories!

            Veteran pop musician Rich Arithmetic has just released “Bend The Arc” (Rich’s Rickenbacker 370RM 12-string guitar is prominent in this Byrds-inspired song of social consciousness; you can hear the track on You Tube) in advance of his next full-length CD.  Dropkick has released “Telephone” in advance of its next full-length CD, and Kevin Robertson has released “Autumn Brings” in advance of his next solo album.  Last but not least, Bennett Wilson Poole has released “Help Me See My Way” in advance of their next CD.  Not to be overlooked are any of the digital singles released by Bay area pop recording artist Richard Turgeon – who blends 60s, 70s and 80s influences into his catchy original songs.

             Favorite new singles from the past month include: “A Wildforce” by the Laissez Fairs; “Country Boy” by Peralta (with Sid Griffin); “There She Goes” by the Bings; an excellent cover of the Byrds’ “It Won’t Be Wrong” by Will Psoma and Friends; “Lose” by Lachlan Denton; “Bad Penny” by the Blusterfields; “What A Shame” and “I Can Read Between The Lines” by the Connection; “Technicolor Fantasy” and “Emily” by the 143; “Guess I’ll Never Know” by Salt Lake Alley; “Duped” by the Tubs; “Song 159” by TV Star; and “You Look Right Through Me” by the Plus 4.

            Until next time, jangle on!