The Ohio Express: “Beg, Borrow & Steal: The Complete Cameo Recordings” (2014) CD Review

I admit it: I love “Yummy Yummy Yummy.” Though now when I think of that song, it conjures up that image from the film of Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas (you know what I’m talking about). But I didn’t know all that much of The Ohio Express’ other material (though I did see them in concert a decade ago, on a double bill with The Tokens). So it’s great to be able to hear the band’s first album, which only now has been released on CD. And there are some damn good mid-1960s rock vibes here. If you only know “Yummy Yummy Yummy,” you might be pleasantly surprised by the sound and attitude of many of these tracks.

The story behind this album, the music and the band is really interesting, and is detailed in the new liner notes by Jim Allen. There are actually three different bands on this album (and no, I have absolutely no idea what configuration of the band I saw in 2003). One of the bands features Joe Walsh. That’s right: Joe Walsh was (sort of) a member of The Ohio Express.

This CD issue of the album includes six bonus tracks, including two that were previously unreleased.

The album opens with the sounds of a train approaching. Silly? Certainly. But the song that follows, “Beg, Borrow And Steal” (the title track) was something of a hit. It sounds a whole lot like “Louie Louie,” but has a very cool raw tone, matched by lines like “I’d rather beg, borrow and steal/Than go back to you.” Yeah, you tell her! This song is a lot of fun. It features the first of three bands, this one originally called The Conquests (and then The Rare Breed).

“And It’s True” is a much mellower tune. This one is a love song, so completely different in tone from the first track, with lyrics like, “You're the only one I really love/You're the only one I'm thinking of/And it’s true/I love you.” And it makes sense that the tone would be different, as it was recorded by a different band. This band was originally called The Measles, and is the band that includes Joe Walsh. (“I Find I Think Of You” was also recorded by this band.)

The third track, “Had To Be Me,” is more of an upbeat rock and roll tune, and this one is by the third band heard on this album, originally called Sir Timothy And The Royals. This is the main band heard on this album, and they have a really cool, loose sixties rock vibe. “Had To Be Me” was written by one of its members, Jim Pfahler. Jim Pfahler also wrote “I Know We’ll Be Together” and “Hard Times.” “Hard Times” is one of my favorites. I dig the bass, which really drives that track. And the lead guitar section is totally cool. Plus, the lyrics are kind of funny.

Another of the highlights of this CD is “Soul Struttin’,” a groovy dance song. This one is pure fun, with a funky hook. Jim Pfahler sings lead. "Try It" has a great, tough groove. Dale Powers sings lead on this track.These two songs were also released as a single (included in the bonus tracks).

The original album concludes with the deliciously silly “Too Groovy,” with lots of goofing around on the vocals. I can’t help but love this track. Drummer Tim Corwin wrote this one. The album then ends the way it began, with the sounds of a train.

Bonus Tracks

There are six bonus tracks, two of which were previously unreleased. The first four are singles, including “Beg, Borrow And Steal” (sans train), which reached #29 on the pop chart. “Maybe” is an instrumental version of “And It’s True.” The second single is “Try It” and “Soul Struttin.’” This single reached #83.

The final two tracks were previously unreleased. The first, “Roses Are Red,” is a rock tune with a good groove. The lyrics, of course, are far from original (“Roses are red, love/Violets are blue/Sugar is sweet, love/Baby, just like you”). But the instrumental section – particularly the lead guitar – is excellent. “Life Is A Mystery” is more in the folk realm, with a sound in the same general ballpark as that of the mid-1960s Byrds.

CD Track List

1. Beg, Borrow And Steal
2. And It’s True
3. Had To Be Me
4. Let Go
5. Soul Struttin’
6. Try It
7. I Know We’ll Be Together
8. I Find I Think Of You
9. Stop Take A Look Around
10. Hard Times
11. It’s Too Groovy
12. Beg, Borrow And Steal
13. Maybe
14. Try It
15. Soul Struttin’
16. Roses Are Red
17. Life Is A Mystery 

Beg, Borrow & Steal: The Complete Cameo Recordings was released on April 29, 2014 through Real Gone Music.

Melissa Payne: “High And Dry” (2014) CD Review

There seems to be a great amount of excellent music coming out of Ontario these days. Melissa Payne, who plays fiddle in Express & Company, is releasing her second full-length solo album, High And Dry. The album is definitely singer-songwriter at its core, which is great. But Melissa Payne has a full band, and there is some power here as well. This band can create a driving rhythm and really go for it, like on the beautiful and moving “Bring Me Back.” When they do, it never feels like unnecessary additions to a folk song. But rather the band feels an integral part of these songs. When a song calls for quiet, you have it; when it calls for volume and power, then those are there, like on “Gunning For Me.” But these tracks never lose their sense of intimacy.

High And Dry kicks off with title track. I love the way this song begins, with a simple rhythm on acoustic guitar, and then Melissa’s glorious vocals over it. “Well, I got lost,” she sings. There’s a sweet, vulnerable break in her voice at one moment (“You got nerve to tell me how it is”). Then a minute into the song, it jumps to another level, as the band comes in. The song has a good groove. I particularly love her vocals on the chorus. “When it all goes south you’ll be high and dry/When it all goes south, you’ll be by my side/And I’ll be high and dry.” And I dig the work on keys. This a really strong track to open the album.

“Not The Only One” has a mellower, prettier vibe. For some reason the first line strikes me as funny: “Well, you don’t like the way I play guitar.” It’s interesting – Melissa’s voice can be simultaneously weary and powerful, reminding me here of Marshall Chapman. Melissa’s is a voice that makes you feel for her, but also makes you feel she can handle whatever comes her way. By the way, the first line of the second verse also strikes me as humorous: “You don’t like the way that I drink.”

“Call Me The Fool” is absolutely beautiful. I’m pulled in immediately by its use of a somewhat classical sound on fiddle, which comes as a surprise. There is something wonderfully sad about this song’s tone. It has kind of a late-night feel. “I’m a believer and a dreamer at best/Torn up inside and I could, could use a rest/Give me some rest.” This is one of my personal favorites on this album.

“Kitchen Walls” opens with a burst of pop (sounding almost like an element of prog rock), then becomes an interesting quick-paced country song. “There’s a lot of different people that are talking about me/But don’t believe everyone/Well, who do you believe/My soul is catching fire right beneath my feet/I hear the darkness coming/I can feel the heat.” And I love the short lead section on fiddle toward the end.

“Downtown” begins with vocals and keys, feeling like a late-night number. “And I’ve been standing here for days/Just waiting on some kind of change/But I’ve had no luck to speak of.”

“Gunning For Me” has great energy, and a good driving beat. It has an intense vibe, like the song is running, moving just as its narrator is, which pulls you in so that the song feels like it’s happening to you. Plus, there are some excellent lyrics. I love these lines: “Had a couple of jobs, and once a career/But they shine a light on all of my fears.” This is a seriously good song. “I ain’t got no home/I hide in the night.”

Things then quiet down for “Cold Out There,” another of my favorite tracks. The opening lines are, “Well, I don’t need your attention/And I don’t need your concern/I hope you find the life you’re after/I hope you get what you deserve.” This is a wonderful song, driven by Melissa's voice, which has both strength and a vulnerability. "I don't want to ruin your life/You're doing so well on your own."

CD Track List

1. High And Dry
2. Not The Only One
3. Call Me A Fool
4. Bring Me Back
5. Cool West Wind
6. Kitchen Walls
7. Downtown
8. Gunning For Me
9. Cold Out There

High And Dry was produced by Greg Keelor, and is scheduled to be released on May 13, 2014 through Seventh Fire Records.

Kelly Willis And Bruce Robison: “Our Year” (2014) CD Review

Kelly Willis and Bruce Robison both have had successful careers as solo artists and songwriters. Bruce’s material has been performed by the Dixie Chicks, George Strait and Tim McGraw (who all scored #1 country hits with his songs). Kelly Willis had a role and performed in the film Bob Roberts. She also had a song in the film Thelma And Louise, and recorded with Jay Farrar. The two teamed up in marriage nearly a decade ago, but apart from a holiday record did not put out an album together until last year (Cheater’s Game). Their new album together, Our Year, is an excellent album of folk and country. The songs are mostly covers, including tracks by T. Bone Burnett and The Statler Brothers. They alternate lead vocals duties, but of course harmonize so well together.

Our Year opens with “Departing Louisiana,” a song written by Robyn Ludwick, Bruce Robison’s younger sister. Bruce Robison sings lead on this sweet, delightful tune, which features Eamon McLoughlin on mandolin. The opening lines are: “Departing Louisiana/There ain’t nothing here for me/But my old man, he don’t see it quite like me.” As I mentioned, Bruce and Kelly’s voices blend beautifully, particularly on the line “Sleep don’t come in Louisiana.” For some reason, even just the way they sing that one line brings me a smile to my face. There are also nice touches on harmonica. (Robyn Ludwick’s original version can be found on her 2005 release, For So Long.)

Harmonica kicks off “Motor City Man,” a groovy, fun country tune, which Kelly Willis sings lead on. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “Now high school plan, be a Motor City man/Working night or day/’Cause no matter who you are, you got to have a car/In the USA.” Yes, it’s a good song to be listening to while on the road. This one was written by Walter Hyatt.

"Carousel"

“Carousel” is a wonderful, mellow tune whose rhythm feels like an old horse slowly trotting across the plains, which is such an interesting feel, considering the song’s title. It’s like a carousel that’s about to be retired – it still moves steadily, only more slowly than it once did.  “Comes a time when music has to stop/It’s the end of the ride/You step off the carousel/And say goodbye.” And the carousel metaphor for the world itself gives a delightfully sad image of the world, of life, of relationships. “The world just goes around and round and round/It’s such a crazy game/But people love a carousel/And no one is to blame.” Nice, eh? Bruce sings lead on this one, and co-wrote this song with Darden Smith. There is also some really nice work by Eamon McLoughlin on fiddle.

Kelly sings lead on “Lonely For You,” which is more of an upbeat country rock tune. This is a fun song, with some nice work on harmonica and fiddle. In this song she tells the guy to ignore any rumors about her, that she’s only lonely for him. It has an interesting ending, becoming mellow, even thoughtful, as it fades out. Kelly co-wrote this one with Paul Kennerley.

T Bone Burnett

Bruce and Kelly do a wonderful rendition of T Bone Burnett’s “Shake Yourself Loose.” On this one, they each sing lead vocals on a verse, Kelly taking the first verse. Kelly turns in a particularly excellent vocal performance on this track. There is also some nice work on steel guitar by Geoff Queen. T Bone Burnett’s original version can be found on his 1986 self-titled album.

"Harper Valley PTA"

“Harper Valley PTA” might seem like an odd choice of covers, though I suppose hypocrisy has never really gone away, even if the PTA has. (Does the PTA still exist? I don’t actually know.) Anyway, Bruce Robison and Kelly Willis do a really good job with it. As you might guess, Kelly sings lead. By the way, if you’ve never seen the film that was based on the song, consider yourself lucky.

One of my favorite tracks is “Anywhere But Here,” a song that Bruce co-wrote with Monte Warden. This is kind of a beautiful tune, with some wonderful work on fiddle. “Any life that was worth living/Any moment without fear/It’s getting harder to remember anywhere but here.”

The Zombies

Our Year concludes with the title track, “This Will Be Our Year.” This is an absolutely gorgeous and moving rendition of the Zombies song. Their voices sound perfect together, full of love and hope. “This will be our year/Took a long time to come.” Oh yes, I love this song.

CD Track List

1. Departing Louisiana
2. Motor City Man
3. Carousel
4. Lonely For You
5. Hangin’ On
6. Shake Yourself Loose
7. Harper Valley PTA
8. Anywhere But Here
9. I’ll Go To My Grave Loving You
10. This Will Be Our Year

 Our Year is scheduled to be released on May 27, 2014 through Thirty Tigers and Premium Records.

Alanna Gurr And The Greatest State: “Late At Night” (2014) CD Review

Late At Night is the second full-length album from Alanna Gurr And The Greatest State, a band based in Guelph, Ontario. This album is a delightful mix of folk and country, with some early 1960s pop elements present on a couple of tracks (particularly “Golden Coast”).

The first thing that strikes me is Alanna Gurr’s voice. There is something youthful and innocent, almost childlike about the way she sings “Swimmer,” which works in a truly interesting way with the lyrics, especially lines like “I’m not a kid no more.” It’s a sweet, mellow tune to open the album. “Take me out and throw me in…let’s see if I can swim” We all reach that point, where we have to find out what we’re capable of.

“By My Side” has a cool, kind of early 1960s feel to the groove at the beginning, then with touches of country. This is a truly pretty and wonderful tune, and the line “Yeah, you’re always by my side” has such a comforting feel to it. The backing vocals added to that line are a nice touch. This song makes me happy, and is one of my favorites from this album.

The repetition of the title line in “Hell Or High Water” - “That I would walk through hell and high waters for you, babe” - has a strong, peculiar effect. After a few times through, other voices join her, adding to the strength and power and earnestness of the line. And the sweet, sad tones of the pedal steel beneath the vocals give the song a mellower, more wistful feel. It all works to such a strong effect on the listener.

I love Alanna’s vocals on every track, but perhaps my favorite vocal performance on the album is that of “It’s Been A Long Time.” While still maintaining its warmth and honesty, her voice also has a bit of a cry at moments. Here is a taste of the lyrics: “I know your touch and I know your hands/Better than I know my own/And I know your stories, and I know your songs/When I hear them, I feel at home/But it’s been a long time since I’ve seen my love.”

“Golden Coast” is much closer to pop, and I suppose that’s at least partially why it was chosen as the album’s first single. It has a bright feel, with 1960s pop elements to its rhythm, which makes it fun. There are even hand-claps in this one at one point. But it is the delightful “ooh ooh” backing vocals that really make me love this track. There are some wonderful lyrics. I’m particularly fond of these lines: “I left my pictures in a tear-stained note/Remember me however you want/But I know that I’ll be remembering you” and “Well, tonight I’m going to drink to you/Then I’ll probably just drink a few more.”

"Weight Of Love" begins as pure folk, with a nice traditional feel, then takes on more of a country vibe when the other musicians come in for the instrumental sections. There is a sad sweetness and a sweet sadness to this tune. It's about a couple who haven't seen each other in a while. “Even though I’m in your heart and you’re in mine.” And at the end, she sings, “Will you think of me and the love we've had/So when you think of me, it won't be so bad/And when I think of you and all the love we knew/And when I think of you, it won’t be so sad.”

"Trouble" has a gorgeous, kind of darker vibe that really pulls me in. The song builds just right so that when the electric guitar takes a short but glorious lead spot, you are ready and eager for it. (I wish it went on a bit longer.) This is one of my favorite tracks. "And we all can toast to getting what we want."

Late At Night concludes with "Thunder Rolls," a nice, mellow song in which Alanna sings, “I’m tired of waiting/I’m tired of asking/When are you going to go and leave me now?” That leads to such a pretty instrumental section. The other instruments then quite down before her vocals return. That’s something I really appreciate about these recordings. Her voice is allowed to tell these stories, to be the most prominent element when it needs to be. It’s not competing with other sounds. Yeah, I'm kind of in love with her voice.

CD Track List

1. Swimmer
2. By My Side
3. Hell Or High Water
4. It’s Been A Long Time
5. Golden Coast
6. Weight Of Love
7. Trouble
8. Thunder Rolls

Musicians

Alanna Gurr performs lead vocals and plays guitar. The Greatest State is Joseph Gallo, Jr. on bass; Micheal De Paola on drums; and Matt Monoogian on pedal steel, guitar and vocals. Joining them on this release are Gordon Auld on vocals; Jessy Bell Smith on vocals; Daniel Romano on organ, guitar and vocals; Ian Romano on drums and vocals; and Raven Shields on vocals.

Late At Night was released on April 22, 2014 on Missed Connection Records.