In this column I feature a review of a full-length tribute to power pop favorites The Flashcubes as well as collections featuring singer/multi-instrumentalist KP Hawthorn and blues songstress Candice Ivory.
Title: Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes (Big Stir Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Cars, Big Star, The Knack, WeezerTell me more: The legacy of Syracuse, New York-spawned quartet The Flashcubes is front and center on the stellar new 24-track collection Make Something Happen! A Tribute To The Flashcubes, available now courtesy of Big Stir Records. Formed in the late 1970s, The Flashcubes are in the Power Pop Hall Of Fame rightfully alongside fellow genre champions Big Star, Cheap Trick and Raspberries. Among the slew of great early offerings on Make Something Happen! are sparkle*jets u.k.'s shimmering "Make Something Happen," Librarians With Hickeys' rollicking "Gone Too Far," a collaboration between Graham Parker and Mike Gent on the hearty "Pathetic," The Kennedys' jazzy "Walking Through The Park," and Dolph Chaney's post-punk nugget "Girl From Germany." Make Something Happen!'s delights continue via gems such as The Peppermint Kicks' exuberant "Muscle Beach," The Choosers' tender "Christi Girl," The Armoires' harmonies-draped "You're Not The Police," The Mayflowers' ambitious "Born To Cry," Sorrows' beguiling "Radio" and euphoric disc closing "Nothing Really Matters When You're Young" courtesy of The Spongetones. In addition to all the top-tier readings of Flashcubes classic materials are a trio of new cuts contributed by the Flashcubes; the infectious lead-off single "Reminisce," the soaring "The Sweet Spot" and deeply affecting "If These Hands" are rousing additions to the band's growing legacy and allow each of the band's songwriters — guitarist Paul Armstrong, bassist Gary Frenay and guitarist Arty Lenin — to shine. Information: bigstirrecords.com.
Title: Til The Glitter End (Mule Kick Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosie Flores, Beth Nielsen-ChapmanTell me more: Already celebrated for her signature vocals, sterling songwriting and role as a founding member of both The HawtThorns and CALICO, KP Hawthorn has just released her outstanding full-length solo album Til The Glitter End. The new album — which finds Hawthorn contributing vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards, mandolin and percussion along the way — was co-produced by Hawthorn with Steve Berns, and recorded at The Fitting Room Studio in Nashville. The lead-off track "Fool's Gold" immediately highlights Hawthorn's rich soprano, a beautiful instrument that carries emotional weight with each note. The album's parade of splendid cuts includes the rowdy country sortie "High Road" (the latter featuring legendary Rosie Flores on electric guitar), the enchanting "Roll Away The Stone," the irresistible "San Andreas Shake," Americana ballad "Come To Me" and beautifully introspective "The Lone Ranger," as well as a gorgeous disc-ending cover of Led Zeppelin's "Going To California" (the latter featuring guitarist-singer Johnny Hawthorn and violinist San Madigan). Information: https://kphawthorn.bandcamp.com/album/til-the-glitter-end.
Title: New Southern Vintage (Nola Blue Records)
You might like if you enjoy: Janiva Magness, Susan Tedeschi, Mavis StaplesTell me more: Grammy-nominated blues songstress Candice Ivory's New Southern Vintage takes listeners on a marvelous trip through the richest corners of blues music, her soulful soprano used in the service of more than a dozen outstanding tracks that celebrate the American genre in spades. Fans of traditional and modern blues will be immersed in Ivory's artful approach when showcasing her own material as well as other material featured on the title. Her dynamic vocals are particularly powerful on the blistering opener "Ain't So Blind," the spirited take on Joe Hick's "I'm In Trouble" (the latter featuring the amazing harmonica of Jan Hartmann), the soulful "Look Away," the hypnotic "Catfish Blues" that finds Ivory sharing lead vocals with Jimmy "Duck" Holmes, the tradition-steeped "Corrina," and superlative versions of Memphis Minnie's "World of Trouble" and "Shout the Boogie." Information: nolabluerecords.com.
Robert Kinsler
No comments:
Post a Comment