JANGLE ON – October

Posted on 19 October 2016

JANGLE ON!

OCTOBER

by Eric Sorsensen

Jangle On

 

In addition to the robust club scene in the Washington, D.C area, a growing number of music aficionados are opening their homes to fellow music enthusiasts by hosting house concerts.  I have attended live music events each of the past three weekends, and two of the three shows were house concerts.  While in New England, my wife and I were able to see our favorite Maine singer/songwriter – Don Campbell – perform with his trio and his full band at the Cumberland Farm Fair.  It was quite a treat to hear Don perform his original material (e.g., “Spaghetti Westerns” and “Red, White and Blue Heart”) and many superb covers of soft rock tunes – particularly the songs of Dan Fogelberg (visit Don’s website to learn more about his two-CD Dan Fogelberg tribute, Kites To Fly).  A week later, we found ourselves in the living room of an Arlington, Virginia neighbor, enjoying an acoustic house concert by the Bottle Rockets.  We had seen the Bottle Rockets open for and then back Marshall Crenshaw at the Birchmere earlier this year.  That show was plugged in and loud.  What came across during the acoustic show was the skilled instrumental work by the respective guitarists.  This past weekend, we attended a house concert in Great Falls, Virginia that showcased Kym Warner (mandolinist for the Grammy-nominated contemporary bluegrass band the Greencards) and his father, Trevor Warner.  Again, the intimacy of the venue highlighted the instrumental skills of both musicians.  So much music, so little time!

 

Crisp autumn weather has finally arrived … and there has been no shortage of jangly music since my last column was published.  I encourage fellow jangleholics to check out:

nick-piunti

Trust Your Instincts – Nick Piunti.  Wow!  Nick has delivered yet another power pop gem!   All ten tracks are aching for air play – with well-deserved references to the Knack, the Rubinoos and the Gin Blossoms.  “As Far As I Throw” and “Blame In Vain” could also be mistaken for Tommy Keene tracks.  There are plenty of chiming guitars in songs like “Trust Your Instincts” and “Stay Where You Are.”  Nick Piunti is at the top of his class!

teenage-fanclub

Here – Teenage Fanclub.  This seminal band has spawned many disciples over the years.  Though all of the trademark elements of prior Teenage Fanclub albums are present in this disc, the tone is more muted – think Feelies.  There is more strum than jangle on this album; but “The Darkest Part Of The Night” and “Hold On” will not disappoint jangly music fans.

cheap-star

Songs For The Farrelly Brothers – Cheap Star.  This debut album of catchy pop/rock music gives a nod to Teenage Fanclub, Velvet Crush and the Connells.  The album features ten original songs and closes with an excellent version of the Lemonheads’ “Into Your Arms.”  The standout jangly tracks are “No Time” and “The Other Side.”  Order this disc through Kool Kat Musik to receive a nifty bonus disc of acoustic and alternate takes. I certainly hope to hear more from this talented band.

connells

Stone Cold Yesterday: Best of the Connells – the Connells.  Having just mentioned the Connells, I am pleased to remind power pop fans that a long-overdue retrospective album has just been released.  I saw the Connells perform live on several occasions; those were great shows where I learned to stay out of the way of younger fans with “happy feet.”  This band got lots of airplay in the 80s and 90s; for those who missed out on the Connells then, Stone Cold Yesterday is a good starting point that will lead to further examination of the group’s back-catalog.

minus5

Of Monkees And Men – The Minus 5.  This “blast from the past” pastiche album (16 Magazine, the Monkees, Boyce and Hart) has plenty of clever, catchy tunes – but “Blue Rickenbacker (for Jimmy Silva)” takes the prize.  Jimmy Silva was taken from the power pop community way too soon; however, he earned a spot in my Jangle Pop All-Star Band after I first heard his material.  It is quite fitting that Jimmy Silva’s legacy lives on through a song that features the collective efforts of Scott McCaughey, Peter Buck, Jim Babjak, Dennis Diken and Mike Mills.

tony-low

Rendezvousing – Tony Low.  Former Cheepskate band member Tony Low has released another terrific album – with lots of jangly, chiming guitar riffs.  Half of the songs on this disc made it on to my September Jangle Pop compilation.

fast-camels

Tales Of The Expected – The Fast Camels.  A first glimpse of the album cover gave me a sense of déjà vu (Love’s 1966 debut album), and the musical contents are overflowing with pseudo-60s references to Love, the Byrds, the Who and other pysch-pop bands from that era.  Jangly tracks include “Nothing’s Easy,” “Madam Matron,” “Falling Of The Sands” and “Chicken Bo.”   I sure hope there’s more where this came from!

sloan

If It Feels Good Do It: A Sloan Tribute – various artists.  Like power pop writer/author John Borack, I wasn’t a Sloan fan during the band’s heyday … and like Borack, I am very impressed with the big slab of power pop that is served up in this disc’s 23 tracks.  Many of the tracks feature chiming and ringing guitar riffs.  “The Lines You Amend” by the Well Wishers has a familiar chord progression that reminds me of “Got It Wrong” by the Wild Feathers.  You can’t blame Sloan or the Wild Feathers for choosing a catchy melody.

 

I am excited to announce that Starbyrd (fronted by the prolific German singer/songwriter and Crown Prince of Twelve-String, Horst-Peter Schmidt) will soon release Stardust.  The album takes its name from the lyrics of Joni Mitchell’s anthemic “Woodstock” and features twelve original folk-rock songs with a liberal amount of chiming Rickenbacker 12-string riffs.  My personal favorites are “Rollercoaster” and “Night Moves In,” but every track has a catchy melody and a lyrical message.  I have said this before, but it bears repeating: I marvel at Schmidt’s ability to compose new material with the frequency that he does.  Long may you run, Sir Horst-Peter!

 

Also on my recent playlist: the latest single by Shake Some Action – “The Only Way Is Up;” the excellent pseudo-60s pop tunes on Are You Wooltoned? By Rob Clark and the Wooltones (available from Kool Kat Musik); Circles And Squares by Seth Swirsky; “Time I’m Going Home” and “Out Of My Hands” by Partly Dave; “Coward of the Conscience” by Milton and the Devils Party; “Lowe” and “Every Word” by Andy Bopp; and Ain’t Nothing Left To Say by Michael Carpenter & the Cuban Heels (the title track has a melody very similar to “This One’s For The Girls” by Martina McBride).

 

In the “blast from the past” category, I have been listening to Craig T. Fall’s Blue Pacific 1 Downloads – which feature some primo covers of Byrds, Beatles and folk-rock tunes – all showcasing the great sound of a Rickenbacker 12-string guitar combined with the JangleBox effects pedal.  Many thanks to Craig for sharing these tracks with me.

Until next time, jangle on!

ERIC

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