Otis Taylor: “My World Is Gone” (2013) CD Review

Otis Taylor’s new CD, My World Is Gone, is a collection of songs that seems to take us into the past while not being nostalgic or irrelevant. The themes are sometimes related to Native Americans and the destruction of cultures, but don’t worry – this isn’t a doom and gloom album. It’s not an album to ruin your mood, or bring you down. Partly this is due to the instruments Otis chooses with which to present his messages.  Otis Taylor has his own sound, combining banjo and cornet on “Sand Creek Massacre Mourning,” for example (that song also has some nice work on drums by Larry Thompson). This isn’t just blues, though he uses a familiar, traditional blues rhythm on a song like “The Wind Comes In” (though even on that one he uses banjo).

Most of these tracks are really effective. Only occasionally does Otis Taylor fall back on over-used, familiar images and statements. Like in “Never Been To The Reservation” he sings “They’ve got babies living in the street, and he’s drinking champagne.” Lines like that no longer elicit anger in the listener, no longer feel like a call to action. They’ve become too commonplace. But mostly he’s able to refrain from these sorts of lyrics, and to be original. For he really does have an original voice and sound. And what a voice.

All of the tracks on My World Is Gone were written and arranged by Otis Taylor.

“My World Is Gone”

The album begins with the title track, “My World Is Gone,” whose opening notes are so sweet and pretty, with fiddle coming in over the guitar. Then Otis Taylor’s vocals come in, his voice kind and wise, maybe a bit tired – a voice that has lived and seen much, a voice that speaks Truth, but not from on high, but rather from right next to you, with you. “If you send me a golden razor, oh, I’ll cut my hair.” I also really dig the guitar part, particularly on the lead sections. Anne Harris’ presence on fiddle really adds to the beauty of the song.

“Lost My Horse”

“Lost My Horse” is a bit more aggressive, with a good blues edge. It opens with these lines: “My daddy was a runaway slave/My momma was a Navajo/I’ve been drinking/Like my daddy do/I’ve been drinking/Like my daddy do/I done lost my horse/Oh, I’m sure to lose my mind.” This song features the great combination of electric mandolin and guitar. A different version of this song appeared on Otis Taylor’s 2001 release, White African.

“Huckleberry Blues”

“Huckleberry Blues” is one of the most interesting songs on the album, for it’s blues with a banjo, an instrument that seems somehow the opposite of the blues. And on top of that, there is this delicious horn – that’s Ron Miles on cornet. The result is a wonderful jazzy blues jam. I really love this tune.

“Blue Rain In Africa”

“Blue Rain In Africa” has a sound that is simple and beautiful. This is a song that somehow gets right on top of you emotionally, without the help of a lot of lyrics. It seems to effortlessly tap into something deep within us, something to connect all of us. “There must be blue rain in Africa.”

“Jae Jae Waltz”

“Jae Jae Waltz” is a fun, light and sweet folk song that is impossible not to like. In this one, a man is asking a woman to dance, reminding her that her husband is gone.  It opens with these lines: “Waltz with me/Won’t you please/Won’t you please waltz with me/Won’t you hold my hand/Won’t you please waltz with me/John is gone/John is gone/They put him in the ground.” I absolutely love this tune.

“Green Apples”

“Green Apples” is a really cool jam. I dig that relentless guitar part, like it’s demanding and not going to give up until she agrees to treat him right. Otis sings, “Green apples in the morning/Red apples at night/Treat me right/Oh baby, treat me right.” This track also features wonderful work by Ron Miles on cornet.

“Sit Across Your Table”

My World Is Gone concludes with “Sit Across Your Table,” an upbeat, happy blues tune about being seated across the table from the woman you love.  Here is a taste of the lyrics: “When I wake up in the morning/And the world gets me down/Well, I look across my table/I see you, I see you/And I say to myself/Lord, I say to myself/A wonderful world/What a wonderful world/Wonderful world.” This is a great little gem of a song.

CD Track List

1. My World Is Gone
2. Lost My Horse
3. Huckleberry Blues
4. Sand Creek Massacre Mourning
5. The Wind Comes In
6. Blue Rain In Africa
7. Never Been To The Reservation
8. Girl Friend’s House
9. Jae Jae Waltz
10. Gangster And Iztatoz Chauffeur
11. Coming With Crosses
12. Green Apples
13. Sit Across Your Table 

Musicians

Musicians appearing on this release include Otis Taylor on vocals, guitar, electric mandolin, slide guitar, and banjo; Mato Nanji on vocals and guitar; Anne Harris on fiddle; Larry Thompson on drums; Todd Edmunds on bass and tuba; Shawn Starski on guitar; Ron Miles on cornet; and Brian Juan on organ.

My World Is Gone is scheduled to be released on February 12, 2013 on Telarc International, a division of Concord Music Group.

New Leonard Cohen Concert Tour Dates For 2013

As you probably know, Leonard Cohen is the best living songwriter. Today a friend got us tickets to see him in Oakland. This will be my tenth Leonard Cohen concert, and I am seriously excited. If you've seen him already, you know what an incredible experience his concerts are. If you haven't seen him, well, here is your chance.  The following are the new tour dates:

March 2, 2013 - Paramount Theatre, Oakland, CA
March 6, 2013 - Save-On-Foods Memorial Center, Victoria, British Columbia
March 9, 2013 - Brandt Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan
March 11, 2013 - MTS Centre, Winnipeg, Manitoba
March 13, 2013 - Chicago Theatre, Chicago, IL
March 15, 2013 - Milwaukee Theatre, Milwaukee, WI
March 18, 2013 - David A. Straz Jr. Center For The Performing Arts, Tampa, FL
March 20, 2013 - James L. Knight Center, Miami, FL
March 22, 2013 - Fox Theatre, Atlanta, GA
March 24, 2013 - Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN
March 28, 2013 - Mahalia Jackson Theater For The Performing Arts, New Orleans, LA
March 30, 2013 - Louisville Palace Theatre, Louisville, KY
April 2, 2013 - Oakdale Theatre, Wallingford, CT
April 6, 2013 - Radio City Music Hall, New York, NY
April 9, 2013 - Copps Coliseum, Hamilton, Ontario
April 13, 2013 - Halifax Metro Centre, Halifax, Nova Scotia
April 15, 2013 - Harbour Station, Saint John, New Brunswick
April 17, 2013 - Moncton Coliseum, Moncton, New Brunswick
April 20, 2013 - Mile One Centre, St. John's, Newfoundland
June 18, 2013 - Palais Omnisports de Bercy, Paris, France
June 21, 2013 - The O2 Arena, London, UK
June 25, 2013 - Konig Pilsener Arena, Oberhausen, Germany
July 7, 2013 - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy
July 9, 2013 - Lucca Summer Festival, Lucca, Italy
July 12, 2013 - SAP Arena, Mannheim, Germany
July 14, 2013 - O2 World, Hamburg, Germany
July 17, 2013 - O2 World, Berlin, Germany
August 17, 2013 - King's Garden, Odense, Denmark

Obviously there are some large gaps which likely will be filled with more dates. I hope this tour goes on and on. You'd never guess Leonard Cohen is 78 years old. He has more energy than most folks in their twenties.

Patrolled By Radar Releases New Video

I really love the band Patrolled By Radar.  They're based here in Los Angeles, and I need to go see them more often, for they put on a really good show.  One of the venues this band frequents is Cinema Bar, down in Culver City. That place is seriously small, and yet attracts a lot of great bands.  Patrolled By Radar shot their new video (for the song "Hate Talkin'") at that venue.

For those who are curious, here is the link to the video: Hate Talkin'.

I've also reviewed their albums, and you can check out my reviews here:
- Be Happy (2011)
- Cards Gifts & Caskets Vol. 1 (2012)

Bobby Rush: “Down In Louisiana” (2013) CD Review

Is Bobby Rush really 77? You’d never know it from the tunes on his new album, Down In Louisiana. I’d guess he was at least a couple of decades younger because of his energy and attitude. This CD is full of blues, with a good dose of funk. Check out the slow funk groove on “You Just Like A Dresser.” And check out “Rock this House,” which is all about the groove. There is also a Cajun influence on these tracks, as you might guess from the album’s title.

Most of these songs were written by Bobby Rush. Though in “Raining In My Heart,” he sings, “The sun is going to shine in my back door someday,” which of course is not an original line, and I do wonder how many songs use that line. (That song also features a very cool piano section by Paul Brown.)

This is a really good group of songs, my favorite probably being “Don’t You Cry.” And I believe Bobby Rush when, at the beginning of “Boogie In The Dark,” he sings, “I promise you, baby, I’ll never break your heart.” No, there is a faithfulness in these songs – to his fans, to music lovers, to the blues.

And so what is the blues? Well, as Bobby Rush sings, “The blues ain’t nothing but something bothering you on your mind/Try to forget about someone and you think about ‘em, you think about ‘em all the time.” Oh yes, that is certainly the blues.

“Down In Louisiana”

Bobby Rush opens Down In Louisiana with the title track. This song is blues with a good groove and a certain New Orleans flavor that always tastes just right. And at times his voice is so damn smooth it just makes you feel great. You know? Plus, it’s a fun song, with that whatever-you-want-to-do-is-good attitude. 

“Down In Louisiana” was written by Pat Vegas, Lolly Vegas and Jim Ford.

“You Just Like A Dresser”

In “You Just Like A Dresser,” Bobby Rush starts off directly addressing a woman in a cool spoken word bit: “Hey, baby, you know when we first met you promised you’d be true. In fact, you told me that I was the only man in your life. But I done found out everybody knows about my good thing.” Then the song kicks in – “Girl, you just like a dresser/Somebody’s always ramblin’ in your drawers.” One thing I’ve noticed about the blues is that they can make some silly lyrics totally work; they can make a goofy line sound cool and sexy, sometimes even profound.

“I Ain’t The One”

“I Ain’t The One” has a bright, positive feel, due in large part to Bobby Rush’s wonderful harmonica part. But this song also has a bit of reggae, which is inherently positive. This tune will put a smile on your face. Toward the end, Bobby sings, “If you want someone to pay your bills without giving up some thrills, I ain’t the one.”

“I Ain’t The One” was written by Paul Brown.

“Don’t You Cry”

“Don’t You Cry” is a seriously cool slow blues love song. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “You say you been hurt by a previous love affair/He broke your heart beyond repair/So dry your eyes, pretty mama/And please don’t you cry/You love me, and I love you/Together baby, there ain’t nothing we can’t do.” And again, I love his harmonica part, which at one point begins an excellent instrumental section. (Actually, that happens twice in this song.) And then his voice right in your ear at the end saying “Don’t cry, baby” is just perfect. So intimate, so kind, so sexy. I absolutely love this song.

“Tight Money”

“Tight Money” is great raw blues with an angry pulse. In this one, he sings, “I’m poor, poor, poor/Up to my neck/The only time a woman nice to me/Is when I get my check.” I can relate to the idea of money being tight. So can pretty much everyone I know.  “It costs too much to live and it costs too much to die.”

“Bowlegged Woman”

“Bowlegged Woman” is another tune with a good, mean groove. It’s a song that combines Chicago and New Orleans – in which he calls out, “Hey little girl in a tight sweater.” Oh yes. I love it when his voice gets low, when he lets you know just what he’s up to, what he wants. And what you want too.

CD Track List

1. Down In Louisiana
2. You Just Like A Dresser
3. I Ain’t The One
4. Don’t You Cry
5. Tight Money
6. Boogie In The Dark
7. Raining In My Heart
8. Rock This House
9. What Is The Blues
10. Bowlegged Woman
11. Swing Low

Musicians

Musicians appearing on this release include Bobby Rush on vocals, harmonica and guitar; Paul Brown on Rhodes, Wurlitzer, piano, Hammond B3 and vocals; Pete Mendillo on drums and percussion; Terry Richardson on bass; Lou Rodriguez on guitar; and April Brown on backing vocals.

Down In Louisiana is scheduled to be released on February 19, 2013 on Deep Rush Records through Thirty Tigers.

January 2013 Concert Calendar

A new year. I'm going to try to get to more concerts this year than last year. Here is a list of concerts you might be interested in for the month of January. Most of these are bands that I've reviewed, though some are some bands that I haven't yet written about, but really like. If you can, try to check out at least a few of these shows. I will try to add to this calendar as much as I can throughout the month.

January 1, 2013  (Tuesday)

January 2, 2013  (Wednesday)

January 3, 2013  (Thursday)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY

January 4, 2013  (Friday)
Ellis Paul  -  Unity Church, Lawrence, KS  -  7:30 p.m.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY

January 5, 2013  (Saturday)
Steve Poltz  -  Private Event, San Diego, CA
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY
The Trishas  -  MusicFest, Steamboat, CO
The Whooligans  -  The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA  -  10:00 p.m.

January 6, 2013  (Sunday)
Ellis Paul  -  The Performing Arts Studio in the Norman Depot, Norman, OK  -  2:00 p.m.
Special family show
Ellis Paul  -  The Performing Arts Studio in the Norman Depot, Norman, OK  -  7:00 p.m.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY

January 7, 2013  (Monday)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY

January 8, 2013  (Tuesday)
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY
Dar Williams  -  L2 Arts & Culture Center, Denver, CO

January 9, 2013 (Wednesday)
The Dunwells  -  City Winery, New York, NY
The Loomers  -  Club Passim, Cambridge, MA
One-Hit Wonders Night
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY 
Dar Williams  -  Vilar Center For The Arts, Beaver Creek, CO

January 10, 2013 (Thursday)
Peter Mulvey  -  Bo Diddley's Deli, St. Cloud, MN
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY 
Dar Williams  -  eTown Hall, Boulder, CO
Keller Williams  -  Newby's, Memphis, TN
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Tennessee Theater, Knoxville, TN

January 11, 2013  (Friday)
Cake  -  Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY
The Dunwells  -  B.B. King Blues Club and Grill, New York, NY
Los Lobos  -  Cerritos Center For The Performing Arts, Cerritos, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Peter Mulvey and Kelly Joe Phelps -  Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY 
Martin Sexton  -  Attucks Theatre, Norfolk, VA
Dar Williams and Loudon Wainwright III -  Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
Keller Williams  - Revolution Music Room,  Little Rock, AR
Stephane Wrembel  -  World Cafe Live at the Queen, Wilmington, DE
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Marathon Music Works, Nashville, TN

January 12, 2013  (Saturday)
Cake  -  The Wellmont Theatre, Montclair, NJ
Antje Duvekot  -  Stone Soup Coffeehouse, Pawtucket, RI   -  8:00 p.m.
Go Betty Go  -  Eleven, San Diego, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Diana Jones  -  Kathryn's Space House Concert Series, New York, NY  -  8:00 p.m.
Los Lobos  -  Bing Concert Hall, Stanford, CA  -  7:00 p.m.
Acoustic Performance
Los Lobos  -  Bing Concert Hall, Standford, CA  -  9:00 p.m.
Acoustic Performance
Patrolled By Radar  -  Cinema Bar, Culver City, CA
Ellis Paul  -  Wieden Auditorium, University Of Maine Presque Isle, Presque Isle, ME  -  7:00 p.m.
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY 
Martin Sexton  -  930 Club, Washington, D.C.
The Whooligans  -  The Red Leprechaun, Long Beach, CA  -  7:00 p.m.
Dar Williams and Loudon Wainwright III - Benaroya Hall, Seattle, WA
Keller Williams  -   Gillioz Theatre, Springfield, MO
Stephane Wrembel  -  Towne Crier Cafe, Pawling, NY
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  House Of Blues, New Orleans, LA

January 13, 2013  (Sunday)
Los Lobos  -  Three Stages PAC. Folsom, CA  -  7:00 p.m.
Acoustic performance
Peter Mulvey  -   Stage North, Washburn, WI
Preservation Hall Jazz Band  -  The McKittrick Hotel, New York, NY
Stephane Wrembel  -  Webster Hall, Manhattan, NY

January 14, 2013 (Monday)

January 15, 2013  (Tuesday)
Aimee Mann  -  Nalen, Stockholm, SE

January 16, 2013  (Wednesday)
Los Lobos  -  Benaroya Symphony Hall, Seattle, WA  -  8:00 p.m.
Aimee Mann  -  Pustervik, Gothenburg, SE
Stephane Wrembel  -  Carriage House, Ithaca, NY

January 17, 2013  (Thursday)
Antje Duvekot  -  The Altamont, Asheville, NC
Paul Kelly  -  Old School Of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Aimee Mann  -  KB, Malmo, SE
Erin McKeown  -  Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
Ellis Paul  -  Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA
Keller Williams  -   Club Congress, Tucson, AZ
Stephane Wrembel  -  Thunderbird Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Plaza Theater, Orlando, FL

January 18, 2013  (Friday)
The Dunwells  -  Celtic Connections Festival, Glasgow, United Kingdom
Antje Duvekot  -  The Evening Muse, Charlotte, NC
Paul Kelly  -  7th Street Entry, Minneapolis, MN
Los Lobos  -  Austin City Limits, Austin, TX
Aimee Mann  -  Train, Aarhus, DK
Erin McKeown  -  Poisson Rouge, New York, NY
James McMurtry  -  Granada Theatre, Dallas, TX
Peter Mulvey  -  Private Event,  Lancaster, WI
Patrolled By Radar  -  House Of Blues Foundation Room,  Hollywood, CA
Ellis Paul  -  Freight & Salvage, Berkeley, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  Spruce Peak Performing Arts Center, Stowe, VT
The Trishas  -  Anderson Fair, Houston, TX
Keller Williams  -   Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
Stephane Wrembel  -  The Nighttown, Cleveland, OH
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL

January 19, 2013  (Saturday)
Antje Duvekot  -  Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
Entrain  -  The Grog, Newburyport, MA
Go Betty Go  -  The Wicked Shamrock, Lompoc, CA
Los Lobos  -  The Kessler Theater, Dallas, TX
Erin McKeown  -  Littlefield, Brooklyn, NY
James McMurtry  -  Cheatham Street Warehouse, San Marcos, TX
Peter Mulvey  -  Jensen Community Center, Amherst, WI
Ellis Paul  -  Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA -  11:00 a.m.
Special Family show
Ellis Paul  -  House Concert, Redding, CA  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  Lupo's, Providence, RI
The Trishas  -  Anderson Fair, Houston, TX
Keller Williams  -  Orpheum Theater, Flagstaff, AZ
The Whooligans  -  The Auld Dubliner, Long Beach, CA  -  10:00 p.m.
Stephane Wrembel  -  The Blue Wisp, Cincinnati, OH
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Jannus Live, St. Petersburg, FL

January 20, 2013  (Sunday)
Antje Duvekot  -  WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham, AL
Los Lobos  -  Dosey Doe, The Woodlands, TX
Aimee Mann  -  Columbia Club, Berlin, DE
Erin McKeown  -  Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA
Ellis Paul  -   Don Quixote's, Felton, CA
The Trishas  -  New Braunfels House Concerts, New Braunfels, TX
Yonder Mountain String Band  -   Freebird Live, Jacksonville, FL

January 21, 2013  (Monday)
Aimee Mann  -  Fabrik, Hamburg, DE
Erin McKeown  -  Iota, Arlington, VA

January 22, 2013  (Tuesday)
Los Lobos  -  The Acadiana Center For Arts, Lafayette, LA
Aimee Mann  -  Gloria Theatre, Cologne, DE

January 23, 2013  (Wednesday)
Samantha Crain  -  The Berkeley Cafe, Raleigh, NC
Los Lobos  -  Tipitina's, New Orleans, LA
Erin McKeown  -  Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA
Peter Mulvey  -   The Purple Fiddle, Thomas, WV
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Jefferson Theater,  Charlottesville, VA

January 24, 2013  (Thursday)
Samantha Crain  -   The Soapbox LaundroLounge, Wilmington, NC
Gaelic Storm  -  The Plaza Live, Orlando, FL
Aimee Mann  -  Paradiso, Amsterdam, NL
Erin McKeown  -   Beachand Tavern, Cleveland, OH
Peter Mulvey  -   Jammin Java, Vienna, VA
Ellis Paul  -  3rd & Lindsley, Nashville, TN
Keller Williams  -  Alabama Music Box, Mobile, AL
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Orange Peel,  Asheville, NC

January 25, 2013  (Friday)
Samantha Crain  -   Givens Performing Arts Center, Pembroke, NC
Gaelic Storm  -  Culture Room, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tracy Grammer  -  Ram's Head, Annapolis, MD
Aimee Mann  -  Vooruit, Gent, BE
Erin McKeown  -  The Hideout, Chicago, IL
Peter Mulvey  -   Kirk Avenue Music Hall, Roanoke, VA
Ellis Paul  -  Moonlight On The Mountain, Birmingham, AL  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  State Theatre,  Portland, ME
Keller Williams  -   Tipitina's Uptown, New Orleans, LA
Yonder Mountain String Band  -  Orange Peel, Asheville, NC

January 26, 2013  (Saturday)
Samantha Crain  -  Givens Performing Arts Center, Pembroke, NC
Antje Duvekot  -  Princeton Coffeehouse, Princeton, IL
Entrain  -  MV Chili Fest, Oak Bluffs, MA
Gaelic Storm  -  Pasco-Hernando Community College, New Port Richey, FL
Tracy Grammer  -  World Cafe, Wilmington, DE
Aimee Mann  -  Bataclan, Paris, France
Erin McKeown  -  Cedar Cultural Center, Minneapolis, MN
Peter Mulvey  -  Halton Theater, Charlotte, NC
Patrolled By Radar  -  The Foundry, Hollywood, CA  -  9:00 p.m.
Ellis Paul  -  Buckman Performing Arts, Memphis, TN  -  10:00 a.m.
Special Family Show
Ellis Paul  -  Buckman Performing Arts, Memphis, TN  -  8:00 p.m.
Martin Sexton  -  Flying Monkey, Plymouth, NH
Keller Williams  -   Fitzgerald's, Houston, TX

January 27, 2013  (Sunday)
Samantha Crain  -  House Show, Charlotte, NC
Antje Duvekot  -  Unitarian Congregation, Columbus, IN
Peter Mulvey  -  Eddie's Attic, Decatur, GA
The Whooligans  -  Nadine's Irish Mist, Sunset Beach, CA  -  4:00 p.m.

January 28, 2013  (Monday)
Gaelic Storm  -  Lyric Theater, Stuart, FL
Aimee Mann  -  Royal Festival Hall, London, GB

January 29, 2013  (Tuesday)
Paul Kelly  -  The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles, CA
Peter Mulvey  -   Vagabond Blues, Palmer, AK

January 30, 2013  (Wednesday)
Gaelic Storm  -  Variety Playhouse, Atlanta, GA
Aimee Mann  -  ABC-Celtic Connections, Glasgow, GB

January 31, 2013  (Thursday)
Gaelic Storm  -  The Handlebar, Greenville, SC
Paul Kelly  -  Triple Door, Seattle, WA
Aimee Mann  -  Grand Canal Theatre, Dublin, IE
Ellis Paul  -  Club Cafe, Pittsburgh, PA  -  8:00 p.m.
The Trishas  -  Courville's, Beaumont, TX
Keller Williams  -   Bell's Eccentric Cafe, Kalamazoo, MI

Henry Wagons: "Expecting Company?" (2013) CD Review

No other performer excites me these days quite like Henry Wagons. Rumble, Shake And Tumble, the full-length album from 2011, is full of great tunes and delicious, somewhat twisted energy. That year I saw the band perform at a small venue in Los Angeles, and it was one of the best concerts of the year.

So I was seriously thrilled to hear the new solo EP by Henry Wagons. Titled Expecting Company?, this collection of seven songs confirms his place as one of the most exciting musicians around. I’m completely sold on this guy’s talent, and I’ll definitely be paying close attention to everything he does from now on (well, everything he does musically, that is). All of the material on Expecting Company? is original, and Henry plays most of the instruments on these tracks. Si Francis joins him on drums for four of the songs.

One of my favorite elements on this album, however, is the female vocals. Most of these tracks are duets, and the vocalists are all impressive. The more I listen to this album, the more entranced and enamored I become.

There is a great freedom in this album. Henry clearly is not trying to restrain himself, but gives his creativity free rein. And it bounds in several directions, finding a temporary home in the late 1960s – at least on a few tracks. But there is country and folk here as well. What amazes me is that he does everything so well. It’s like each experiment pays off. I feel like if he were Frankenstein, his monster would have turned out just fine.

By the way, check out the cover. With the title in quotation marks, and the songs listed on the front, it totally fits with the 1960s feel of several of the tracks.

“Unwelcome Company”

Expecting Company? opens with “Unwelcome Company,” which has an intense late 1960s feel. You expect sexy go-go dancers with light playing on their torsos to rush into your room brandishing guitars and silver pistols. Two quick drums rolls open the song like machine gun bursts. And Henry sings, “The gentle patter of angel’s toes/Circle round my bedside and brush against my nose.” It sounds a bit like something from Wild In The Streets.

And then Alison Mosshart comes in on vocals. She sounds like a sex kitten who will tear you to pieces with her claws and leave you smiling. She’ll betray you, and you can’t fault her. And when they sing together it’s like the Airplane was hired to do a soundtrack for a weird film. It’s when Henry sings, “Everywhere I go they follow/Everywhere I go they follow me” that he returns to familiar ground. But only briefly. I love those short spurts of electric guitar. Basically, this song blew me away.

“I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene”

“I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene” also has that sort of feel, while adding to it that familiar country rhythm, though then taking it and twisting it into a strange tale of lusting for Mary Magdalene. Henry sings, “Spent all night immersed in prayer/Why must my mind always take me there” (and then Sophia Brous responds with similar lines: “Why must your mind always take you there”). There is actually something sexy about this song, due in large part to Sophia Brous’ vocals, which are amazing. And then it ends on such a pretty note.

“Give Things A Chance To Mend”

Henry Wagons switches to country for “Give Things A Chance To Mend.” But it’s the country of days gone by. We’re in another time, or rather Henry pulls that time to us to make it now. The song is a plea to take a moment and not to make a hasty exit from the relationship, but rather give things a chance to get better. It’s a cool love song. Grab a beer and think of that special, problematic someone. This one is a duet with Jenn Grant, who completely, perfectly captures that old feel. What a great voice. This tune also features pedal steel by Seamus O’Sullivan.

“I Still Can’t Find Her”

I love how low Henry’s voice gets on the opening line of “I Still Can’t Find Her”: “Blow the dust.” The more I listen to Henry Wagons, the more I’m impressed by his vocals. And he does some interesting stuff on this one. And I really like this section: “My mother’s cousin Deborah cheated on her husband Wayne/Wayne’s photo’s been placed by Bill/And that seems a little harsh to me, Debbie.” It’s Debbie’s name coming after that pause that cracks me up every time. That has to be one of the most effective uses of a pause ever in a song. And then to top it off, there’s a spoken word bit. That’s Robert Forster performing; Forster co-wrote this tune with Henry Wagons.

“A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done”

Things get a little strange with “A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done.” This is a wonderfully messed up tune, and will work well on a cool Halloween mix CD. Seriously. It’s a dark tune, but with a drum beat slightly reminiscent of something like “Radar Love” or “Ballroom Blitz.” There’s some killing toward the end. Patience Hodgson provides some excellent vocals.

“Give Me A Kiss”

“Give Me A Kiss” is more in the folk vein, but with a weird carnival waltz atmosphere. My favorite part is Gossling’s vocals. Holy moly, these two make quite a couple. Check out these lines they sing together: “Let’s stop this before it gets worse/There’s room for both of us in this hearse/Raise your glass now to this toast/Let’s split at this fork in the road.” I love this song, and I wish it were longer. I want more.

“Marylou Two”

Expecting Company? concludes with “Marylou Two,” a sort of sequel to (or re-working of) “Marylou,” the final track from Rumble, Shake And Tumble. This one is more of an acoustic folk version, and as a result has an immediate and vulnerable feel. Basically, it’s like the very end of the original version, but expanded to a full song of its own. “And I can’t break free from you, Marylou.” This is also the only track that is not a duet.

CD Track List

1. Unwelcome Company
2. I’m In Love With Mary Magdalene
3. Give Things A Chance To Mend
4. I Still Can’t Find Her
5. A Hangman’s Work Is Never Done
6. Give Me A Kiss
7. Marylou Two

 Expecting Company? is scheduled to be released on January 22, 2013 on Thirty Tigers.

My Ten Favorite CDs Of 2012

This year saw the release of a lot of great music.  Making a top ten list is always a bit difficult, and a bit unfair, as there is generally something that I'm forgetting, and different music hits me harder at different times. But I love to make lists, so here I go.

Just so you know, this list is only full-length new studio albums from 2012.  I didn't include any re-issues, compilations or live albums, so a lot of great material didn't make this list, such as re-issues of Grateful Dead Dick's Picks CDs and Los Lobos' Kiko 20th Anniversary Edition.  Also, EPs don't count, so Martin Sexton's wonderful Fall Like Rain is not on the list.

So here they are, my favorite albums from 2012.

10. Ruthie Foster: Let It Burn

The year started off really well with some excellent January releases, including the new one from Ruthie Foster. This album was going to make the list just for that incredibly sexy version of "If I Had A Hammer."  I was listening to it again the other day, and it still blows me away. But the rest of the album is really good too. Ruthie Foster has an excellent voice, and on this release she is joined by The Blind Boys Of Alabama.  By the way, she puts on a good concert, so go see her if you get the chance.

9. Christa Couture: The Living Record

Christa Couture is an excellent singer/songwriter with a truly wonderful voice. Her 2012 release, The Living Record, features all original material. Some of my favorites are "Lucky Or Lost," "Pirate Jenny And The Storm" and "Wooden Shoes And Windmills." But it is "Pussycat Pussycat" that is the most surprising tune on the album. This one has a funky edge, and there is something flirtatious and sexy in Christa's vocal delivery. It is one of the coolest songs I've heard this year.

8. The dBs: Falling Off The Sky

Falling Off The Sky is The dBs' first new album in twenty-five years, and the first album with the band's original lineup since 1982. This album is a lot of fun. I'm particularly fond of "The Wonder Of Love," "Write Back" and "She Won't Drive In The Rain Anymore." And I seriously love "The Adventures Of Albatross And Doggerel."  It's a catchy tune, and has an interesting structure, with its strange section in the middle where he sings, "I can see everything/I can hear everything/But I can't do anything for you" (with a strange Felini feel for just a moment behind the vocals). It is one of my favorite songs of the year.  It was written by Chris Stamey.

7. The Trishas: High, Wide & Handsome

The Trishas are four female singer/songwriters with gorgeous voices and tremendous songwriting ability. Each singer has a distinct voice, and when they harmonize, the sound is beautiful.  I like the entire album, but "Looking At Me" is the song that really made me fall for them. It's a beautiful tune, and the lyrics are wonderful. Here is a taste: "Well, a fire burns slow if you know how to build it/The heat travels up from the ground toward the trees/And when the winds change, I know smoke follows beauty/I follow it up till it's you that I see/Oh, it's a shame, it's a shame/The last one to know is the first to complain/Oh, beware of the dark/For all of your secrets are shared with a spark."

6. Paul Kelly: Spring And Fall

Paul Kelly's 2012 release, Spring And Fall, is an album full of great, honest love songs. This is a seriously strong album. Some of my favorite tracks are "For The Ages," "Time And Tide" and "Sometimes My Baby."  "Sometimes My Baby" has an excellent instrumental section which made me completely fall for the song. Besides music, one of my passions is Shakespeare, and Paul Kelly includes a song from Twelfth Night as a hidden track on this album. Titled "Where Are You Roaming," it is sung by Feste in Act II Scene iii, after Toby asks for a love song.

5. I See Hawks In L.A.: New Kind Of Lonely

I've been a fan of I See Hawks In L.A. for a while now, and I have to say that New Kind Of Lonely is the best album they've released.  This album, even more than the others, really demonstrates what a great, emotional and wise voice Rob Waller has. Plus, this group has great harmonies, which you can hear on basically every track, but especially in a song like "Mary Austin Sky."  This album features the fun "I Fell In Love With The Grateful Dead" (a tune I can relate to).  The entire album is strong, but my absolute favorite is "If You Lead I Will Follow," a wonderful and gorgeous country song. Check out these lyrics: "The angels are singing/And I'm still clinging to the crack at the end of the ledge/You're calling to me/Denying gravity/I close my eyes and step over the edge."  This is one of my favorite songs of the year.

4. Holly Golightly And The Brokeoffs: Sunday Run Me Over

I love this duo. Their 2011 release was one of my favorites of that year, and this year's album, Sunday Run Me Over, is also fantastic.  Most of the songs are originals, but they also do a few interesting covers. They do a take on Wayne Raney's "We Need A Whole Lot More Of Jesus (And A Lot Less Rock And Roll)," changing it to "We Need A Whole Lot Less Of Jesus (And A Lot More Rock And Roll)," about how the Jesus freaks want to direct the nation, regardless of the large numbers of people who don't believe in that nonsense. Their cover of Mac Davis' "Hard To Be Humble" cracks me up.  But of course it's their original material that really makes this album special, particularly "One For The Road," "Turn Around" and "Goodnight."

3. Marley's Ghost: Jubilee

I became a fan of Marley's Ghost a few years ago when I heard Ghost Town (which is a great album). The band's 2012 release, Jubilee, is even better. In addition to some excellent original material (such as "Rollin'" and "South For A Change"), there are some darn good covers (including a take on "It's All Over Now" that completely blew me away). And to top it all off, this album features some wonderful guest players, including John Prine and Emmylou Harris.  (And there is even some yodeling on the album's last track.)

2. Stephane Wrembel: Origins

Stephane Wrembel is an amazing, astounding musician. His new release, Origins, is the only instrumental album to make the list. It's a seriously incredible album.  By now, probably everyone has heard "Bistro Fada," a tune Wrembel composed for Woody Allen's Midnight In Paris. I love that song, but the rest of the album is equally enjoyable and impressive. I was lucky enough to catch one of Stephane Wrembel's concerts this year, and it was one of the best shows I've seen.

1. Leonard Cohen: Old Ideas

My number one choice of the year probably comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me even a little bit. Leonard Cohen is the world's best living songwriter, and his 2012 release, Old Ideas, is his best album in at least two decades. Every song is wonderful. My current favorite is the final track, "Different Sides," which has the line, "Stop writing everything down" (a line which is also on the cover of the Leonard Cohen journal a friend bought for me at one of his concerts).  This album also features "Darkness," a song he introduced during that wild three-year concert tour. The first time I saw him perform it was in San Jose in 2009, and it immediately became a favorite.  "Lullaby" was also performed at several stops on that tour, but unfortunately I wasn't at those particular shows.  Old Ideas opens with another wonderful song, "Going Home," which I saw him do at a stop on his new tour (it was one of the encores). In that song, he refers to himself as "a lazy bastard living in a suit."  I think people have finally let go of that misconception that he's a depressing songwriter.