In this column I review new titles featuring Black Jones & the Trike Shop, Ruthie Purves Smith and JD Souther.
Title: and still... (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Badfinger, XTC, They Might Be Giants, The Zombies
Tell me more: Blake Jones & the Trike Shop's and still... is a melodic delight, a set of dozen alluring tracks that recall the groundbreaking sounds and song-rooted strengths of enduring favorites including XTC, Badfinger, They Might Be Giants, The Beach Boys and Frank Zappa. The Fresno, California-based outfit (singer-guitarist Blake Jones, bassist Mike Snowden, drummer John Shafer, guitarist-singer Mike Scott, keyboardist-vocalist Scott Hatfield) fuses melodic rock with more progressive rock elements to carve out their own signature sonic approach. Standouts abound on the 12-track LP including the opulent opener "Record Cover Girl," jubilant "Used Record Stores," galloping instrumental sortie "You Put Theremin On My Hype Sticker," Baroque pop gem "String Lights and Hold On," soulful "We Love the Tower," harmonies-fueled "What's Enough?" and Rolling Stones-flavored "Shake Your Dress." Released by Big Stir Records on Aug. 16, and still... is available on audio CD, vinyl and via streaming services. Information: bigstirrecords.com and blakejonesmusic.com.
Title: Piano in the Field (Ruthie Purves Smith)
You might like if you enjoy: Lucinda Williams, Rosanne Cash
Tell me more: Released on Aug. 16, Ruthie Purves Smith's Piano in the Field is a striking album that took the the artist years to complete and is fully worthy of discovery. The power of the songs here is evident with a single listen; my early favorites on the disc include the sweeping opener "Call An Angel," poignant country nugget "Chelsea," touching tribute to the artist's late father "Cross Over To You," and the title track — the latter which "tells the story of a homeless woman living on a "skiff of land at the edge of the road near Purves Smith's rural Alberta, [Canada] hamlet." The magic of the album continues with wonderful originals including the bittersweet murder ballad "Own True Love," the ambitious "Leonard Cohen Cover," playful "Captain Kirk," and poetic blues track "Water Up The Creek." Piano in the Field features Smith on lead vocals, Jonathan Lagore on electric and acoustic guitars and banjo, Mitch Jay on steel guitar and Dobro, Corbett Frasz on drums, Lisa Jacobs on bass, and Steve Fletcher on keyboards and piano; Esther Purves-Smith, Sydney Zadravec, and Lana and Keith Floen provided background vocals on the disc. Information: ruthpurvessmith.com.
Lost Classic
Title: You're Only Lonely (Omnivore Recordings)
You might like if you enjoy: The Eagles, Jackson Browne, the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
Tell me more: Originally released in 1979, JD Souther's You're Only Lonely was a nine-track album that featured a number of great original songs, including the bewitching title track which spent five weeks at #1 on the Adult Contemporary charts and was a #7 Pop hit. Now the masterwork has been reissued and is available for the first time in 35 years; the audio CD and digital versions add two previously unissued bonus tracks from the album's original recording sessions. Those not familiar with Souther's stunning talents as a singer, guitarist and songwriter should note that by the time he recorded his Columbia Records debut 45 years ago he had already penned hits for the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and James Taylor. That level of excellence is heard across You're Only Lonely, including the gorgeous ballad "The Last In Love," lovely "White Rhythm and Blues," rollicking "'Til The Bars Burn Down," wistful countrified "The Moon Just Turned Blue," and rocking "Trouble In Paradise." The previously-unheard bonus tracks are treasures; the smoldering "Ever Faithful Woman" (enhanced by Daniel Kortchmar's stellar guitar work) and an early recording of "Bad News Travels Fast" (the latter would later be recorded for his 1984 Warner Bros. album Home by Dawn) complete the marvelous reissue. Among the notable guests who appear on the album are Eagles lead guitarist Don Felder, Phil Everly, Frey, Henley, Browne and sax great David Sanborn. A wonderful 16-page booklet includes archival photos and new liner notes from Joe Marchese (The Second Disc) as well as an interview with Souther outlining the recording of the album. Information: OmnivoreRecordings.com.
Robert Kinsler
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