Zac Bauman: “Bell Jar” (2017) CD Review

Zac Bauman is a singer and songwriter based in Sacramento. He plays a variety of instruments, and on his 2017 album Bell Jar he plays nearly everything you hear, apart from the trumpet and trombone. As you might guess from the album’s title (assuming you are familiar with the Sylvia Plath novel), the songs here deal with depression and mental health. But no, the album is not a downer. Rather, it offers hope, the music seeming to be coming from the other side of the struggle at times, and reaching a hand to those still mired in it. All the songs on this release were written by Zac Bauman, who also mixed the album.

Bell Jar opens with “Over And Over,” which has a rather pretty and uplifting folk sound as it begins. And so, because of that sound, that vibe, the song’s first line comes as something of a surprise: “Birds call me out, and I lower the muzzle from my snout.” The word muzzle has multiple definitions, but I can’t help but think of the barrel of a gun here. A decision has been made. And, yes, this song has a positive feel. Check out these lines: “Life makes a sound/You can hear it vibrating all around/You don’t know the song/But hey, you’ll hum along/‘Cause it’s over and over before you know.” Yes, it’s all over so quickly, before we really get a hold of things, before we learn what it’s all about. This song leads straight into “Requiem For Joe Death,” an instrumental track featuring some really nice work on guitar. It has a classic vibe to it, fitting in the tradition of some of the great folk and acoustic blues numbers.

There is also something of an old-time folk feel to “(Nothing) Like A Rolling Stone” as it begins, with the work on banjo. But Zac Bauman’s vocal approach is somewhat at odds with that vibe. It is a voice with an ethereal quality, which works particularly well with lines like these:  “Grin and bear it all inside/Though you know that's not a cure/But a means to get by/Just look around you now/If you want to see heaven/This life is a beautiful something/If you take it in stride.” This is the first track to feature horns. That is Joe Espena, and he delivers some wonderful work here. That’s followed by “Soulmate,” which begins with a reading of the first two stanzas of E.E. Cummings’ “Somewhere I Have Never Traveled.” Then percussion dominates the track, but with an interesting spiritual bent to it. It is a compelling sound and vibe. There is something otherworldly about this track, including the vocal performance. “Well, a night is long, but it’s longer in an empty home/Put your face in my hands, it’s nothing but a wonder.” The track takes an interesting turn toward the end, focusing on guitar and banjo.

Zac Bauman’s vocals have something of a progressive rock sound, on the album’s title track and others. “Bell Jar” is such a wonderfully strange song. The sound is part childhood fairy tale or something, which makes it kind of eerie, kind of beautiful. “And so you shrug it off/That ever-nagging heartache/And put a smile on/By moving muscles under your face/But inner voice, it howls/And paints the world a glimmering grey.” Another line that stands out is this: “God is a hoax, is a lie, is a comfort for desperate lives.” True, though I try not to disparage anyone’s source of comfort, so long as that person doesn’t use it to harm others. Aren’t we all a little desperate? Then “This Lonesome Life” is pretty as it begins. “Say what you want, it's a lonesome life/Cast out your demons, but they linger at your side/All the world is waiting for that golden tunnel light/To save us and erase us from this lonesome life.” Approximately a minute in, it takes on something of a Danny Elfman vibe. A darkness arrives, but with a sense of being part of a carnival. I love it. The track then ends as it began. That’s followed by “Exaltation At World’s End,” an instrumental piece with different sections, featuring some excellent guitar work.

As “Beleganjur Blues” begins, it is like the piece is already in progress. Percussion plays a strong part in the song’s vibe. “Soon flesh to ashes will flower/Spirit rising from tower/While my heart is devoured.” This song begins to feel like it is marching toward the heavens, toward oblivion and uncertain glory, and it’s one hell of an interesting journey. Joe Espena plays on this track. That’s followed by “Blasphemer Rag,” which begins with the sound of static, like we’re listening to an old record. I never care for that effect, for it never rings true. That being said, this is a good song. I appreciate these lines: “Pardon me, but I don’t need no threat of burning hell/To lead a life of well-doing and peace/But that’s just me.” It reminds me of something Penn Jillette said: “The question I get asked by religious people all the time is: Without God, what’s to stop me from raping all I want? And my answer is: I do rape all I want. And the amount I want is zero.” It worries me that the only thing keeping some people from doing horrible things is fear of a mythical being and mythical place. Joe Espena plays on this track too.

There is something soothing, comforting in the sound of “Breath Of Life,” with its light vibe at the start. “A little breath of life/That’s what you want/It keeps you up at night/When you remember it’s gone.” I suppose what is comforting about this is that it is true for everyone. It’s all we have, a little breath of life, and then it’s gone. This track is pretty as it fades out. That’s followed by “Snaggletooth Rag,” a fun guitar instrumental track. Whenever I see the word Snaggletooth, I can’t help but think of one of my old Star Wars figures from my childhood (and yes, I had the tall figure with the blue outfit). But no, this music does not sound like that of the cantina band from that scene. It is, however, delightful. Then some wonderful guitar work gets “Stranger To You” off to a great start. It’s nearly two minutes in before the vocals come in. “Always seem to find that your mind is a tangle of troubles/And your heart is a tangle of tunes/When you look around and you’ve found that your life is a stranger to you/How do you even begin?” There is something quite catchy about this track. It’s another of my personal favorites. There is even some nice work on harmonica toward the end.

“While Rome Burns” contains some contemporary pop elements, but also accordion and some cool work on electric guitar, giving it an intriguing and unusual sound. These lines stand out: “Every time I lift my head, I feel the sting of wasted hours/All my dreams are moving on, while I just sit, inhaling flowers/Tell me, tell me what you can to alleviate desire.” The album then concludes with “That Familiar Feeling,” which starts with a compelling instrumental section that takes us through darkness and into a dawn just before the vocals come in. And is that a harp? The vocals have a strange, otherworldly vibe. “Form is a lie/What you are, you ain’t/Death isn’t to die, only a transformation.” And we are ready for any odd turn the music wishes to take. There is a hint of magic to it.

CD Track List

1. Over And Over
2. Requiem For Joe Death
3. (Nothing) Like A Rolling Stone
4. Soulmate
5. Bell Jar
6. This Lonesome Life
7. Exaltation At World’s End
8. Beleganjur Blues
9. Blasphemer Rag
10. Breath Of Life
11. Snaggletooth Rag
12. Stranger To You
13. While Rome Burns
14. That Familiar Feeling

Bell Jar was released on September 17, 2017.

Pushbuttons at The York, 2-24-24: Photos

It had been a while since Pushbuttons had played at a venue outside of the members’ homes, not since the pandemic started. Funny how that’s a common marker of time these days. Pushbuttons is a group of talented and accomplished musicians who get together every once in a while to play some delicious 1980s covers. This is one of those purely-for-fun projects. I learned about this band because Derock Goodwin is the guitarist. He was the guitarist for The Peak Show, one of the best live bands I ever saw. The drummer for Pushbuttons, Kate Schellenbach, is the drummer for Luscious Jackson, a band I got turned onto in the early 1990s when I was a DJ at KWVA. “Citysong” still gets in my head on a somewhat regular basis (though “Deep Shag” was my favorite song from that album). Darren Embry and Laura Embry are, along with Derock Goodwin, the core of Burning Manilow, another band that I wish would play more often.

The York is a cool venue, located almost directly across the street from the old Peak Show Compound. I had spent many great nights in this neighborhood, though most of them were twenty years ago, and the area has changed a bit since then. The bar at The York is right in the center of the room, so half of the place does not have a great view of the stage, which is just to the left as you enter. But I grabbed a chair directly in front of the door, right near the stage, where there was space to dance. Some light bulbs in wire cages hung over the tables on the left side of the bar, a strange bit of décor that I couldn’t help but like. After a somewhat lengthy soundcheck (though it might just have felt that way because I was eager for the music), the band kicked off the show at 9:20 p.m. with a totally fun cover of Gary Numan’s “Cars.” And the night was underway. Other highlights of the first set included Bowie’s “Let’s Dance,” Violent Femmes’ “Gone Daddy Gone,” The B-52s’ “Private Idaho,” and “Head Over Heels” from The Go-Go’s. A half-hour set break gave folks a chance to get to know each other. This place, or this band, attracts a really good group of people. The second set included the fun “Situation” from Yazoo, as well as a cool rendition of The Clash’s “Rock The Casbah,” among other gems. The show ended at 11:32 p.m., and afterward I heard the good news that this gig is likely going to become a regular thing, every month or two at this venue. So you will have more opportunities to check out this wonderful band.

 

The York is located at 5018 York Blvd. in Highland Park.

Frank Sinatra: “Platinum” (2023) CD Review

What can I saw about Frank Sinatra? The man had a tremendous talent, and everyone knows that. Just consider all the songs we still think of as Sinatra songs even though he didn’t write them. His impact on music is immeasurable. Platinum is a two-disc collection of tracks he recorded for Capitol Records between 1953 and 1962, including some of his most beloved recordings. This collection also contains some previously unreleased tracks. Crazy, right? At this point, you’d think everything that could be released has been released. But this fantastic collection treats us to some alternate takes and test tracks, giving us a sense of how Sinatra’s work proceeded in the studio. It also contains a liner notes booklet, with several photos, along with some thoughts by Nelson Riddle, Gordon Jenkins and Sinatra himself. The music is presented in chronological order, apart from that bonus material which is presented at the end of the second disc.

CD 1

The first disc opens with “Lean Baby,” recorded on April 2, 1953 and released on a single with “I’m Walking Behind You.” We hear the take called out at the beginning, so this set makes a point of putting us in the studio with him. This song is a delight, a playful love song. “She’s slender, but she’s tender/She makes my heart surrender/And every night when I hold her tight/The feeling is nice, my arms can go around twice.” That’s followed by “I’ve Got The World On A String,” also recorded in April of 1953, and also released on a single. I love how Frank Sinatra pulls us in with that intimate delivery, and then the horns blast, setting things in motion. One wonderful thing is that there is a sort of conversational feel to his delivery at moments, like he is speaking to us directly, casually, even as he delivers a strong performance. Then “I Get A Kick Out Of You” was recorded in November of 1953, and included on Sinatra’s first album for Capitol, Songs For Young Lovers, which was released in early 1954. I love the way the band begins to cook on this one, and the way Sinatra holds onto the word “terrifically.” It’s such a cool track.

“Young At Heart” was a big hit for him, and this recording still has such a strong effect on anyone who listens. It’s a beautiful track, one we just want to have carry us away into the great world it describes. Oh yes, life is good. “And here is the best part/You have a head start/If you are among the very young at heart.” Those strings feel magical. “Young At Heart” is followed by Sinatra’s rendition of Cole Porter’s “Just One Of Those Things,” recorded in April of 1954 and used as the lead track on Swing Easy! which was released that summer. Ah, his voice seems capable of taking us on our own little trips to the moon, doesn’t it? This collection then moves to 1955 with a couple of songs recorded on February 17th of that year, “I Get Along Without You Very Well” and “In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning,” both of which were included on his In The Wee Small Hours album. Also from 1955 come three more hits, “Learnin’ The Blues,” “Love And Marriage” and “(Love Is) The Tender Trap.” The brass section’s work in “Learnin’ The Blues” is so good. As for “Love And Marriage,” I can’t help but think of the opening credits sequence to the television series Married With Children whenever I hear it, even now. In fact, I expect the song to end after only a minute or so. But no matter, it’s a great song, with playful elements. And there is something wonderfully catchy about “(Love Is) The Tender Trap,” which also has playful moments. When the horns take over in the second half, it feels like the whole world should find itself engaged in a dance.

“You Make Me Feel So Young” is another of those iconic recordings. Yes, other people have recorded this song, but it will always be a Sinatra song. Everything about this track is perfect. This song was recorded in January of 1956 and was included on his Songs For Swingin’ Lovers! album. Also from that album comes “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” another Cole Porter song, and another that is most closely associated with Frank Sinatra, though it was recorded by several artists before Sinatra did it. That’s followed by “I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night,” recorded on November 1, 1956, and included on Close To You, released in 1957. And he does feel especially close to us on this track. There is a wonderful intimacy to his vocal delivery. The next two songs were recorded on November 26, 1956, “The Lady Is A Tramp” and “Night And Day.” “Night And Day” was included on A Swingin’ Affair! (how many Sinatra albums have exclamation points in their titles?), and is another Cole Porter song. Also from A Swingin’ Affair! comes “Oh! Look At Me Now,” though this is not the first version of the song recorded by Sinatra. In the early 1940s he recorded a version with Tommy Dorsey And His Orchestra.

This collection moves to 1957 with “Where Are You?” which was recorded on May 1st of that year, and used as the title track to an album later that year. It features a gorgeous and moving vocal performance. That’s followed by “Witchcraft,” which was released on a single in 1957, and is one of my personal favorites. “It’s such an ancient pitch/But one I wouldn’t switch/’Cause there’s no nicer witch than you.” Oh yes, we know that feeling. This is such a great song. Then we get another of those giant hits, “All The Way,” which was also released on a single. How can you fail to be moved by this recording? “When somebody loves you/It’s no good unless he loves you all the way.” That’s the love that matters, that’s the love we all need. And we hear it in his delivery. Then we get a couple of songs recorded in October of 1957 and included on the 1958 album Come Fly With Me, “Moonlight In Vermont” and “Come Fly With Me.” I love the energy of his voice in “Come Fly With Me.” It makes us feel ridiculous for not going on some romantic, beautiful adventure. What’s wrong with us? That’s followed by “Only The Lonely,” the title track to a 1958 LP, which features another beautiful performance. “If you find love, hang on to each caress.” The first disc concludes with a couple of songs recorded in December of 1958, “Something’s Gotta Give” and “All My Tomorrows.” “Something’s Gotta Give” is a lively number included on Come Dance With Me! (another album title with an exclamation point), and “All My Tomorrows” is a romantic and wonderful song. “And all my bright tomorrows belong to you.”

CD 2

The second disc starts in March of 1959, with Frank Sinatra’s recording of “Here’s That Rainy Day,” a song he included on his No One Cares album. This track features a compelling vocal performance. Just listen to the way he delivers a line like “Funny how love becomes a cold rainy day,” how his voice is so strong at the beginning of that line and grows softer in the second half of it, losing power. We feel him reacting to that cold rainy day. We can hear it in his voice. That’s followed by another song from No One Cares, “A Cottage For Sale,” which was also recorded in March of 1959. This one too has a somber, sad vibe. His voice borders on despair at moments, his performance is striking. But don’t worry, the mood lifts with the next track, “High Hopes.” And the track features some kindly words to the children’s chorus at the beginning: “Have fun, now, boys and girls. Relax.” This playful number was released as a single in 1959. We then move into 1960 with “You Go To My Head,” a pretty and romantic song that Sinatra included on his Nice ‘N’ Easy album. That’s followed by a track he recorded the next day, “The Nearness Of You,” keeping to that wonderful, romantic tone. What a gorgeous rendition! It is then followed by the title track to Nice ‘N’ Easy. “We’re on the road to romance, that’s safe to say,” indeed! Any road to romance must include at least a little Frank Sinatra music.

Things then start to swing a bit with “River, Stay ‘Way From My Door,” which is a delightful number with a joyous energy, both in his vocal performance and in the work of the brass section. Then we get a couple of songs that were included on Sinatra’s Swingin’ Session!!! (holy moly, three exclamation points in one title), “September In The Rain” and “Blue Moon.” I love that ending to “September In The Rain,” his voice supported by bass. And he puts his own spin on “Blue Moon,” a track that features some wonderful work on saxophone. That’s followed by “Day By Day,” the lead track from Come Swing With Me! (seriously, the man loved his exclamation points). Sinatra had already had a hit with an earlier recording of this song from the 1940s. This track was recorded in March of 1961. Also recorded in 1961 was “When The World Was Young,” which was included on Sinatra’s 1962 LP Point Of No Return. “Wherever I go, they mention my name/And that in itself is some sort of fame.” The final track before the alternate takes is “I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues,” a song recorded on March 6, 1962. As it begins we hear “Take 3” being called out. This is a seriously delicious number with a cool vocal performance, and some lively work from the brass section. It was included on Sinatra Sings… Of Love And Things.

Then we get to those special tracks, which are also presented in chronological order, beginning in 1958 with “Here Goes,” recorded on March 3rd of that year. We are treated to some studio banter, and a false start before a lively and exciting rendition. Listen to the way that bass races along. That’s followed by an alternate take of “Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry.” We hear that this is “Take one.” It’s a beautiful version, and I love that moment where his voice nearly breaks on the word “teardrops,” something that comes as a surprise. This version is approximately a minute longer than that included on Only The Lonely.  Then we get the May 29, 1958 session for “Lush Life,” beginning with the first take, which lasts but a few seconds and goes right into the second take. We get a minute into it before Sinatra indicates he wants to start again, and then we get the third take. This take is stopped partway through, and there is some amusing banter. “Put it aside for about a year.” And that’s how this track concludes. But he put it away for longer than that. Apparently, Sinatra never returned to the song. I wonder why. The disc takes us next to June 24, 1958 for a test track for “One For My Baby,” another song that would be included on Only The Lonely. This is a great rendition, with Sinatra’s voice supported just by piano, and is for me one of the highlights of this disc.

There is one more track from 1958, an alternate take of “Just In Time,” recorded on September 30th. This song would be included on Come Dance With Me! which was released in 1959. There is some banter about the trumpets at the beginning of the track. The third and fourth takes are cut almost immediately, and what we get is the fifth take. That is followed by “A Hole In The Head (radio spots),” which contains takes of various promotional spots for the film directed by Frank Capra. There is something quite playful about this track, and the first take of the second spot causes whoever was present in the room to laugh. It’s probably that “Bink boink” that he utters at the end. “You know how to fix it?” he says before the next take. “Just a shade slower than what we did the other one, just a touch.” It’s a treat hearing this stuff, like we are in the room ourselves. Those spots were recorded in May of 1959. The disc then goes into 1960 with “I’ve Got A Crush On You,” a song Sinatra included on Nice ‘N’ Easy. There is some funny banter at the beginning of the track. They go through the entire song, and then start it again, with Sinatra giving a bit of direction to the players first. That second take contains a surprising change of lyrics, which causes everyone to laugh. There is a lot of humor before they start the third take, and more laughter as they begin the fourth take. This collection concludes with “Memories Of You,” recorded in September of 1961. This one also includes instructions to the musicians from Frank Sinatra, and a call for whiskey and brandy. And what a vocal performance!

CD Track List

CD 1

1. Lean Baby
2. I’ve Got The World On A String
3. I Get A Kick Out Of You
4. Young At Heart
5. Just One Of Those Things
6. I Get Along Without You Very Well
7. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning
8. Learnin’ The Blues
9. Love And Marriage
10. (Love Is) The Tender Trap
11. You Make Me Feel So Young
12. I’ve Got You Under My Skin
13. I Couldn’t Sleep A Wink Last Night
14. The Lady Is A Tramp
15. Night And Day
16. Oh! Look At Me Now
17. Where Are You?
18. Witchcraft
19. All The Way
20. Moonlight In Vermont
21. Come Fly With Me
22. Only The Lonely
23. Something’s Gotta Give
24. All My Tomorrows

CD 2

1. Here’s That Rainy Day
2. A Cottage For Sale
3. High Hopes
4. You Go To My Head
5. The Nearness Of You
6. Nice ‘N’ Easy
7. River, Stay ‘Way From My Door
8. September In The Rain
9. Blue Moon
10. Day By Day
11. When The World Was Young
12. I Gotta Right To Sing The Blues
13. Here Goes (session takes)
14. Guess I’ll Hang My Tears Out To Dry (alternate take)
15. Lush Life (session takes)
16. One For My Baby (test track)
17. Just In Time (alternate take)
18. A Hole In The Head (radio spots)
19. I’ve Got A Crush On You (session takes)
20. Memories Of You (session takes)

Platinum was released on October 27, 2023.