The .44—In The Red (EP): Ricky Stein was well received as a solo act just over a year ago when he released his 2009 record “Crazy Days.” At the time he was a weekly resident at the legendary Hole in the Wall. During some of those sessions Stein’s high school friends would back the set with bass, keyboard, and drums. Shortly thereafter, the group hit the road for a 17-date East Coast tour for Stein’s promotional release tour. While on the road Stein wrote a few new songs that seemed to point the band in a different direction. Stein’s solo sound was incredibly Americana meets old-school blues, perhaps even with a little Motown twist. He was a blast to watch on stage because he truly embodied his music. He vibrated it just as much as it came straight out of him. On this EP, the twangy down home blues sound is muted to the point where it might be missed altogether (“Trouble All the Same” brings it as much to the forefront as they will put it). The songwriting is strikingly, lyrically strong, but it moves from a darker tone to a mellow vibe just inside the four-song EP. The instrumentation that is the .44 works well with this direction and is noticeable without being distracting. Somehow, even though there is a lot to absorb when listening to the intricacies of the EP it appears incredibly simple. Engineered at Baltimore House Studios, the EP released is apparently just a smattering of what the band is going to lay down on the local scene.
The Literary Greats–Ocean, Meet The Valley: Out of Houston comes this band that managed to climb its way to debut 153 on the CMJ 200 while unsigned. Not too shabby. The band puts together a sound that is Texan at the core with a rock back and a sprinkling of Americana and alt-rock somewhere in between. Differing from their previous release, each song on the album was written as a group. There’s an underlying darkness in the album, but it isn’t so palpable that it makes the listener uncomfortable, it’s perhaps more of a feeling of longing that comes through. Opening with “That Mountain Yonder” the album folds you in quietly and then starts smacking you around a bit with the sharp percussion and moody guitar riffs. That opener is the first of many treats on the album. Wisely blending poetic lyrics to an addictive musical backing that grips you is this band’s strength.
Jeffrey Moon—Conscious Pilot: Moon is a sing-songwriter. But he’s also a bit more than that. He primarily uses a nylon-string guitar and ‘no picks’ approach while interweaving vocal and guitar lines. His sound is soft and his voice generates a bit of the old Cat Stevens with a range to match. His CD plays beautifully, melodically and captures the listener in its sweet simplicity.
Bemba Entertainment introduced me to one of my new favorite things; music on a boat on town lake. How long have I been here that I have not had that experience? Kinda strange. I have been invited to various boat music parties, something has alwaze come up and the idea is forgotten. NOT GONNA MISS ANOTHER ONE. I have been on a canoe on town lake and been on a music boat halloween thing ON LAKE AUSTIN with The Hairy Apes BMX. That was cool, but this is on town lake. I pass over it many times on normal day. To cruise up and back listening to live music, JESUS, that Is just awesome.
HERE IS HOW IT WENT DOWN.We arrived before takeoff, made our way( with the help of some good folks. Gotta love those spiral staircases) up to the full top deck. We chilled, mingled and made small talk. I smiled and took in the sceenery. It was a super hot day, really unbearable, but when we got near the water everything changed, It was cool. There was a breeze. It was nice. The band was warming up. It was the first time I’ve gotten it together to dig HARDPROOF AFROBEAT. They kick ass!
I won’t miss an opportunity again. We began to move. Jason Frey (an old friend and sax man) took the mic, greeted us and said: ” we are on a boat!” And with that the sun began to set and the music began to flow. The deck became an electric dance floor for the next 2+ hours. We floated west under the bridges. with music blaring. Joggers and walkers dannced TO THE BEATS. We turned back east and rocked out the bats. We danced and grooved. Twas much fun.
Bemba Entertainment is doing this every last Thursday’s through September. I will update you on the next one. Oh yeah, all the drinks were complimentary on the boat. SUPPORT THESE EVENTS FOLKS. C U ON THE NEXT ONE!
HERE WE GO AGAIN. This is yet another train that I caught late. Chances are that you have seen them, maybe heard about them. Whatever the case may be, they are smoking right now. The show I caught on tuesdaze was magic. Everything jelled. These folks need to record this. I am all about the live capture. I know some folks disagree. But gathering these talents on a stage and having them play together and off of one another, well, thats just awesome and I think that this experience should be bottled and shared. Oh how I miss DAZE ALIVE RECORDS. Anyway, these folks need to record if they have not done so already. This is a musician band. The talent is just overflowing. I guess or I imagine that everyone came together at a party and hit it off so well that they just decided to make a magic band. However it happened. It did.
I knew of all the players but one and was impressed by her the most. Suzanna Choffel mixed in with great vocals and guitar licks that kept her on stage with the other guys. Her singing is a double edge sword it is smooth and draws you in but it also cuts in deep and you can’t help but to pay attention to her. Mesmerizing. She plays often in town, I will check her out. On fiddle there is Warren Hood, what can I say about this guy? He is a master musician for sure. I have been fortunate to call him a friend and to watch him grow into an unstoppable talent. If you are reading this, chances are you know of him and share the affinity for his craft. If not, you are lucky because he plays often when he is in town (on the road with The Waybacks often) and he will blow you away. Google Warren Hood and The Hoodlems. Jeff Botta on Drums and vocals. Over the years, I have seen the many faces of Jeff Botta in action. He is all over the music scene here in town. I have become friends with him over the years. He adds the back beats & vocals and a sense of humor to the players. Then there is Brad Houser on bass. This guy is everywhere and playing with everyone. From the Dead Kenny G’s to 7 Walkers, I am sure this guy plays multiple gigs almost every night. My friend calls him the “secret weapon” and for good reason. Lastly, there was Ed Jurdi on keys. He normally plays guitar in this outfit but he fills out the spot for Dan Dyer when he is awol (i could be wrong). Awesome. I was recently (very late) turned on to The Band Of Heathens, which he is a part of. I just went back and reread an interview we did with him. The sarcasm is still dripping. This band is chock full of humor. I bet practice is a riot. Ok, Dan Dyer was not there last week. He is regularly on keys. I asked my photographer, Rockslide, to tell me something cool about Dan Dyer in this band. Rockslide texted back that “Dan has a sexy beard.” Take that………… Dan Dyer has much god damn soul.
God damn, there is so much happening on stage. Get out and dig these folks. Trust me.
They are playing every tuesdaze after Toni at the continental club. TCE TUESDAZE at the continental club. Toni Price then The Coveters then Ephraim Owens Experience (gallery). C U THERE…………….. Their site: http://thecoveters.com/
THE MUSIC IS ALIVE THERE. The vibe is good. IT IS A PLACE THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE ALL ABOUT LIVE MUSIC. REAL & LOCAL LIVE MUSIC. On occasion, SOME NATIONAL ACTS PASS THROUGH THE STAGE. TAKE A LOOK AT THE WEEKLY LINE-UP AND YOU’LL SEE THAT THE BLOSSOMING LOCAL TALENT HAS A HOME THERE. GROUPS LIKE BAND OF HEATHENS, BELLEVILLE OUTFIT, WARREN HOOD & THE HOODLEMS, COVERTERS AND TOO MANY TO MENTION, ALL GOT THEIR START THERE. THIS IS A PLACE ABOUT LIVE MUSIC. Didn’t I just say that? It seems THEY ARE WILLING TO BE A TESTING GROUND FOR MUSIC. And in this business that is an admirable thing. Another positive sign is that local promoters flock to the venue with their shows. FunkyBatz and Bemba entertainment as well as others can be found producing stellar gigs there many times a month. I HAVE SOME ACCESS ISSUES WITH THE CLUB (not the club but the building that the club is in) AS I AM IN A WHEELCHAIR. BUT EVERYTIME I AM THERE I AM TREATED VERY WELL AND CARRIED (GRAND PUBAH STYLE) UP THE STEPS AND EVEN ON TOP THE PORCH, (WHICH IS A MUST HANG) TRUST ME. Watching the stars while taking in a show is a pretty cool experience, feels almost festival like. I dig and recommend it. I HOPE THE BUILDING OWNERS PUT A FEW RAMPS. So go to Momo’s. This is a place to support. One of the main reasons I live here is music, and it is good to have a venue that shares that interest.
The Continental Club and Gallery are still my favorite ( almost churchlike, for me) but Momo’s runs a close second ahead of the Saxon and Antones. Check out their site here http://www.momosclub.com/
See you there!
Christine asks Chris Simmons for his opinion on the “state of the blues,” and what it’s like to play and compose with Leon Russell. For more info on Chris’s new CD “Old News To Me”, including the song “Hallelujah Man” he co-wrote with Leon, please go to www.getchrissimmons.com.
Not sure what happened. I wanted to love this film. Everything was set for gold: the director, the producer, the actors, the characters even the damn premise. LOOK AT THE POSTER, SOUNDS AWESOME RIGHT? Something happened with the execution of the storyline. Maybe there was no story. Ug…?>?
This film is the further adventures of characters created in “Forgetting Sarah Marshal.” I love that film and re-watch it often. Everything worked. Sure, it was a romcom (romantic comedy) but they fleshed out the characters so well that the humor was dead on. I really could feel for the main character’s dilemma. And that was the magic. How could they go wrong with this spin off , when the persona’s had already been created?
I’ll tell ya…
There was no real character substance or development to associate and connect with. There were plenty of conflicts, but if the front and center people don’t have substance, then who cares. For the first 45 minutes or so, I kept hoping for the main guys to develop substance beyond the premise, but it just didn’t happen.
I guess I have a problem with lowbrow humor. The jokes wear thin on me. And if the lines or situations involve cutouts that are just poster images, well, you can see why I didn’t dig this flick. A good character was the record exec played by Sean Combs. Puff Daddy stole every scene he was in.
I wanted this film to be great. I must say that the audience that was at the screening ate it up. They loved it. Maybe, I am too critical, but that’s my take.
Bemba Entertainment introduced me to one of my new favorite things; music on a boat on town lake. How long have I been here that I have not had that experience? Kinda strange. I have been invited to various boat music parties, something has alwaze come up and the idea is forgotten. NOT GONNA MISS ANOTHER ONE. I have been on a canoe on town lake and been on a music boat halloween thing ON LAKE AUSTIN with The Hairy Apes BMX. That was cool, but this is on town lake. I pass over it many times on normal day. To cruise up and back listening to live music, JESUS, that Is just awesome.
HERE WE GO AGAIN. This is yet another train that I caught late. Chances are that you have seen them, maybe heard about them. Whatever the case may be, they are smoking right now. The show I caught on tuesdaze was magic. Everything jelled. These folks need to record this. I am all about the live capture. I know some folks disagree. But gathering these talents on a stage and having them play together and off of one another, well, thats just awesome and I think that this experience should be bottled and shared. Oh how I miss DAZE ALIVE RECORDS. Anyway, these folks need to record if they have not done so already. This is a musician band. The talent is just overflowing. I guess or I imagine that everyone came together at a party and hit it off so well that they just decided to make a magic band. However it happened. It did.
and The Hoodlems. Jeff Botta on Drums and vocals. Over the years, I have seen the many faces of Jeff Botta in action. He is all over the music scene here in town. I have become friends with him over the years. He adds the back beats & vocals and a sense of humor to the players. Then there is Brad Houser on bass. This guy is everywhere and playing with everyone. From the Dead Kenny G’s to 7 Walkers, I am sure this guy plays multiple gigs almost every night. My friend calls him the “secret weapon” and for good reason. Lastly, there was Ed Jurdi on keys. He normally plays guitar in this outfit but he fills out the spot for Dan Dyer when he is awol (i could be wrong). Awesome. I was recently (very late) turned on to The Band Of Heathens, which he is a part of. I just went back and reread an interview we did with him. The sarcasm is still dripping. This band is chock full of humor. I bet practice is a riot. Ok, Dan Dyer was not there last week. He is regularly on keys. I asked my photographer, Rockslide, to tell me something cool about Dan Dyer in this band. Rockslide texted back that “Dan has a sexy beard.” Take that………… Dan Dyer has much god damn soul.
Not sure what happened. I wanted to love this film. Everything was set for gold: the director, the producer, the actors, the characters even the damn premise. LOOK AT THE POSTER, SOUNDS AWESOME RIGHT? Something happened with the execution of the storyline. Maybe there was no story. Ug…?>?
Awesome interview!
