Eclectic Releases To Stir The Sonic Soul: Blackmore's Night, The Black Crowes, Lorenzo Wolff, Melody Duncan, Jody Porter

Any week where I can champion new audio releases covering the far-flung genres of Renaissance music, Southern rock, chamber-pop folk and indie rock is a great one.

Artist: Blackmore's Night

Title: Nature's Light (earMUSIC)

You might like if you enjoy: Ritchie Blackmore, Blackmore's Night, Renaissance music

Tell me more: Those wondering if there is any sonic bridge between the Renaissance era (1400-1600) and modern rock music need listen no further than Blackmore's Night, the troupe led by multi-instrumentalist Ritchie Blackmore and singer/multi-instrumentalist Candice Night. Nature's Light marks the collective's first new album in six years; a long wait to be sure but the new 10-track LP fully immerses the listener in a sound that blends past and present music making with artful sublimity. The range and scope of wonderful songs and instrumental pieces on the LP includes the Celtic-flavored "Feather In The Wind," gorgeous Blackmore-penned instrumental "Darker Shade Of Black" (bolstered by an especially-melodic electric guitar solo), traditional "Going To The Faire," triumphant title track and evocative "Second Element." Those who miss Blackmore's signature rock guitar work with Deep Purple and Rainbow will want to revel in "Der letzte Musketier," an instrumental confirming that the 75-year-old British legend is still one of the world's most gifted guitar heroes. Released on March 12, Nature's Light is available on multiple formats including audio CD, digital, vinyl, as well as a strictly-limited 2CD hardcover media book with a bonus disc of selected songs from the group's extensive back catalogue. Information: blackmoresnight.com.

Artist: The Black Crowes

Title: Shake Your Money Maker (Target Exclusive) (UMe)

You might like if you enjoy: The Black Crowes, The Rolling Stones, Humble Pie

Tell me more: One of the first great albums of the '90s and a bona fide rock classic of the era, the Black Crowes' Shake Your Money Maker has been reissued and has never sounded better. Rock radio still features a trio of the album's gems (the rocking "Jealous Again" and "Hard To Handle" along with the sweet Southern blues-rock ballad "She Talks to Angels") in regular rotation, but the disc's strength extend to the ragged British blues cut "Twice As Hard," Rolling Stones-styled "Sister Luck" and "Thick N' Thin" and others. In addition to the original remastered album that occupies disc 1, a second disc includes a number of unreleased songs and B-sides (a cover of Humble's Pie's "3- Days in the Hole" and horn section-draped "Hard To Handle" are particularly notable). Rounding out the 3-disc version I have (available for $20.99 on retail giant's Target.com website) is a previously-unreleased 1990 Atlanta concert recording that fully captures the energy of the quintet led by brothers Chris and Rich Robinson. There are several other configurations of the reissue available including a limited edition money green colored vinyl LP version on sale at Amazon.com. Information: TheBlackCrowes.com.

Artist: Lorenzo Wolff

Title: Down Where the Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld for Judee Sill (StorySound Records)

You might like if you enjoy: Judee Sill, Courtney Barnett, Lorenzo Wolff

Tell me more: Music aficionados will be forgiven if they are not familiar with the entrancing music of the late singer-songwriter Judee Sill, who passed away in November 1979 at the age of 35. Although Sill was David Geffen's first signing to his Asylum label in the early '70s, her eponymous 1971 debut and 1973's Heart Food failed to achieve the success of titles from other Asylum artists including Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne and Joni Mitchell. Producer/multi-instrumentalist Lorenzo Wolff — who was first introduced to Sill in 2010 on a playlist created by tour-mate Henry Wolfe — has crafted a compelling and affecting tribute to Sill titled Down Where the Valleys Are Low: Another Otherworld for Judee Sill. Wolff has gathered different lead singers for each of the seven songs of the wide-ranging tribute. Singer Mary-Elaine Jenkins' melancholy vocals lift the magnificent title track. Bartees Strange brings his rich baritone to the soaring Americana-styled "The Pearl." The diversity of the selections is electrifying; the experimental "Crayon Angels" (featuring vocalist Grace McLean), lush "The Kiss" (featuring singer Emily Holden) and haunting "There's a Rugged Road" (with Osei Essed on lead vocals) are among the other elegant Sill-penned songs on the Wolff-produced collection. Information: StorySoundRecords.com.

Artist: Melody Duncan

Title: Wolf Song (Melody Duncan)

You might like if you enjoy: Cowboy Junkies, First Aid Kit, Brandi Carlile

Tell me more: A talented singer, songwriter and fiddler, Melody Duncan's newly-released Wolf Song was also recorded and produced by the Atlanta, Georgia-based artist in her home studio. The disc is beautiful throughout, the 11 songs probing the world with an intimate and personal touch. Evoking the feeling of being in the home studio with Duncan amidst the creation of her recordings, the blend of sonic intimacy and personal songcraft is remarkably in tune with our times. "Lonely" shines with elements including vocal layering, piano and whistling surrounding Duncan's slightly raspy (but lovely) vocals. The straightforward acoustic jewel "Over The Hill" is sparse with her voice accompanied by a lone guitar, but the power of her reflective message about facing each and every challenge is a powerful one to be sure. Just as mighty are her introspective baroque folk originals "Reunion" and "Campfire" that follow. The aptly-titled "Rain Storm" is one of the most interesting disc-ending tracks in memory, a reminder of nature's unparalleled power and humanity's own gift to treasure the sounds that lurk all around us. Information: MelodyDuncanMusic.com.

Artist: Jody Porter

Title: Waterways (Rare Rock Records)

You might like if you enjoy: The Belltower, The Church, Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Doves

Tell me more: Jody Porter — acclaimed as the lead guitarist of Fountains of Wayne — is back with his latest solo effort (Waterways). The sound across the 12-track album is lush and inviting, Porter's euphonious voice is emotive and the musicianship is sharp and stylish. Highlights abound; the dreamy "Moonbeam Reach" draws favorable comparisons with the wistful work of The Church and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds. Elsewhere the disc's expansive riches include the driving "Sunsick Moon," indie rocker "Girl From The Other Side," dreamy "Crashland" and power pop-mining "Neverlasting Love." Several stellar cuts round out the set including the swirling "Synching Ships," experimental rocker "Masters At Work" and enchanting "WaterwaysPt2." The wonderful-sounding album was produced by Porter and Fountains of Wayne drummer Brian Young. Information: https://jodyporter1.bandcamp.com.

Robert Kinsler

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New album from Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne) out on vinyl March 26

 Some breaking news for fans of Fountains of Wayne and top-tier dream pop! Robert Kinsler

Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne) releases new album, 'Waterways,' on vinyl on March 26, 2021 AVAILABLE NOW DIGITALLY

Photo Credit: April Orr

“Jody is like a good friend talking in your head when it’s dark. For me, his lyrics are smart, fun and personal. Of course, it’s the whole band and the songs that play well together. I like the way the album sounds and the separation of the instant new sounds. Favorite track: 'Girl from the Other Side.'" - A Fan Grammy-nominated artist and former Fountains of Wayne guitarist Jody Porter is set to release his new album, WATERWAYS, on vinyl via Rare Rock Records on March 26. WATERWAYS is the hilarious and debonair guitarist's third solo effort and is available now digitally and on CD via Bandcamp. Co-produced with Fountains of Wayne's drummer Brian Young (who also played with the Jesus and Mary Chain and The Posies), WATERWAYS is the follow up to 2017’s PACIFIER. Prior to the formation of Fountains fo Wayne in 1996, Porter fronted the London-based band The Belltower who were considered dream-pop trailblazers on the UK indie scene. WATERWAYS fuse’s his shoegaze roots with the power-pop sensibilities of his former band making for a guitar-heavy psychedelic sail on the high seas. DOWNLOAD/STREAM/PURCHASE WATERWAYS JODY PORTER WATERWAYS (RARE ROCK RECORDS) March 26, 2021

Track List: Waterways, Pt. 1 Sunsick Moon Girl From The Other Side Half Mast Moonbeam Reach Argonaut Neverlasting Love Crashland Sheet Lightning Synching Ships Masters At Work Waterways, Pt. 2

Celebrating the legacy of Adam Schlesinger

Adam Schlesinger, on the right, with Fountains of Wayne.
Photo: Courtesy of the Artist

As I write this column it's unbelievable that more than 337,000 Americans have been stricken during the coronavirus pandemic; sadly more than 9,600 persons across the U.S. have died as of April 6, 2020. 

Among those who have lost their life from complications caused by COVID-19 is singer-songwriter/multi-instrumentalist/music producer Adam Schlesinger. The famed artist — only 52 and the father of two young daughters — died on April 1, 2020 in an Upstate New York hospital after reportedly battling against the infectious disease for more than a week. 

Although Schlesinger was best known as a member of groundbreaking New Jersey-spawned power-pop quartet Fountains of Wayne, over the past 25 years he was an in-demand tunesmith and producer who achieved acclaim for far-flung projects that earned him a Grammy win along with multiple Emmy wins and even an Academy Award nomination. 

Sprinkled across Fountain of Wayne's handful of full-length albums are countless masterworks (FoW also featured lead vocalist Chris Collingwood, lead guitarist Jody Porter and drummer Brian Young). Here are some of my favorites songs that benefit from Schlesinger's artistic touch.


Fountains of Wayne

"Radiation Vibe" — A stellar cut from FoW's eponymous 1996 debut, "Radiation Vibe" is bolstered by edgy guitar (including a touch of artful feedback), a driving rhythm section and an anthemic chorus. 

"She's Got a Problem" — Another standout from Fountains of Wayne, the wistful "She's Got a Problem" is a wonderful song that is more ballad than rocker but nevertheless has a driving quality that warrants the fuzzy guitars and sonic shadows of Lou Reed. 

"Sick Day" — Brilliant. The mix of literate and observant lyrics about the challenges of going into the office day after day enhanced by a rich melodic rockscape combine for a powerful punch. Another highlight on FoW's debut. 

"Hackensack" — FoW is best known for their gloriously uptempo power-pop-meets-indie rock. However, immerse yourself in "Hackensack" (off 2003's Welcome Interstate Managers), a baroque pop ballad that is as tender and affecting as anything put on disc that decade. 

"Mexican Wine" — We could all use a little hope in these dark times, right? Just listen to the melancholy-drenched chorus from "Mexican Wine" off Welcome Interstate Managers: "The sun still shines in the summertime / I'll be yours and you'll be mine / I tried to change but I changed my mind / Think I'll have another glass of Mexican Wine." A witty and tuneful song that kicks off the album, the ambitious harmony vocals and dramatic dynamics on the track make this one of the band's most interesting cuts.

"Stacy's Mom" — Fountains of Wayne's biggest-ever hit, the 2003 single "Stacy's Mom" reached number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The infectious track revisited the sound of the Cars to be sure, and the accompanying much-played music video starring model Rachel Hunter (conjuring up the 1982 teen coming-of-age flick "Fast Times at Ridgemont High") helped solidify the song's success.

 "The Girl I Can't Forget" - One of the standouts on the 2005 compilation collection Out-of-State Plates is the exuberant "The Girl I Can't Forget." Few artists have ever delivered as convincing a story of youthful lust-meets-enduring love with as much force and cleverness wrapped in melodic sheen over a mere 3 and a half minutes as Fountains of Wayne achieved with this joyful ride.

"Strapped for Cash" — I was listening to "Strapped for Cash" (off 2007's Traffic and Weather) recently and memories of FoW tearing through the rocker on the main stage at Coachella in 2007 came flooding back to me. Like so many of FoW's greatest songs, there is a combination of brilliant storytelling, smart wordplay and undeniable song craft that makes for required and repeated listens. 

"Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart" — When FoW released their brilliant album Sky Full of Holes via Yep Roc Records in summer 2011 few knew this would be the band's final studio effort. As years go by, I become more bewitched by the musical magic and lyrical poetry painted across its lucky 13 tracks. "Someone's Gonna Break Your Heart" is just one of the classics on the disc. The lines enthrall, none more than this: "Melancholy comes like a robin at your window." 






Favorite Other Projects

"That Thing You Do" — The instantly-memorable title cut from the Tom Hank-directed film "That Thing You Do!" sounds as great today as it did when we first heard the Beatlesque gem in movie theaters and over the airwaves in 1997. Schlesinger wrote the song and sang back-up vocals on the recording as well.

"Work To Do" — The duo America's bona fide comeback album, 2007's "Here and Now" featured the legendary act performing Schlesinger's inspired "Work To Do." The breezy folk rock song blends the strains of Americana and tuneful pop in a beguiling track custom made for America singers Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley. Here and Now also features the winning "Ride On," an acoustic-flavored nugget he co-wrote with Bunnell.

"Our Own World — Monkees fans will always be grateful for Schlesinger's production on the band's most recent two studio albums (2016's Good Times! and the 2018 holiday album Christmas Party). On the wonderful "Our Own World," Schlesinger's contribution includes writing the inviting track and playing bass guitar as well.  

"Me & Magdalena" — One of the most beautiful pop recordings in recent memory, the Ben Gibbard-penned "Me & Magdalena" may well be the highlight on the Schlesinger-produced Monkees LP Good Times! The nuanced production showcases Schlesinger's all encompassing gifts as a master in any corner of a recording studio.

"House of Broken Gingerbread" — Schlesinger teamed up with American novelist Michael Chabon to co-write the rollicking power pop salvo "House of Broken Gingerbread" for the Monkees' Christmas Party. Don't let the title fool you; Micky Dolenz delivers an amazing lead vocal performance on an instant classic that sounds as good in summer as around Christmastime. 



Robert Kinsler