Read all about it: Doves' latest and musical duo

As many of you know, I sometimes get around to writing about some of the best new albums that come my way and musician-writer TJR is kind enough to post those on his www.MusicWorthBuying.com site. Earlier today, he posted my review of the latest effort from Doves. Make sure to check that out if you are a fan of adventuresome Brit-pop and indie modern rock.

Also, the Orange County Register ran my review of the next Lord of the Strings concert, featuring guitarist Richard Smith and cello player Julie Adams. Here is the story that was posted on the Register's Web site on April 21, 2009:

Few instruments sound as wonderful together as the guitar and cello, especially when played by 2001 National Fingerstyle Champion guitarist Richard Smith and award-winning cellist Julie Adams.
The Nashville, Tenn.-based musicians – who are celebrating their 10th wedding anniversary this year – will perform two concerts in south Orange County this week, appearing in Dana Point on Friday, April 24 and Mission Viejo on Saturday, April 25.
Smith, who was born in England in 1971, has been playing guitar since age 5. A childhood prodigy, Smith began to learn guitar after hearing his father play a cover of a notable Chet Atkins-Merle Travis recording, "Down South Blues." Though Smith is left-handed and his father's right-handed guitar was too large for the youngster's small hands, by the end of the day Smith had learned to play both the chords and the melody.
More than three decades later, Smith is considered one of the world's best fingerstyle guitarists, and he performs a wide-ranging repertoire that includes bluegrass, jazz, country, pop, rock and classical.
Adams was raised in Dayton, Ohio, and received her training in music at the Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Cincinnati Conservatory.
Though her early training was in classical music, Adams also has extended her interest in contemporary music with the 2000 recording "Theme for Two Friends" with well-known guitarist Muriel Anderson.
Adams also is a well-known studio musician, having played on Top 10 albums and major film scores.
Smith and Adams released their first collaboration, "Living Out a Dream," in 2001. The album features original compositions by Smith and Anderson, as well as interpretations of standards such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and classical works such as "Flight of the Bumblebee" and "Ave Maria."
For more information on these two shows, call Tim Johnson at 949-842-2227.

MATTHEW SWEET AND SUSANNA HOFFS TO RELEASE 'UNDER THE COVERS VOL. 2' ON JULY 21

Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs. Photo courtesy of Shout! Factory.

Great news for those of us who loved (and still love) the fantastic power pop-minded effort from singer-songwriter Matthew Sweet and Bangles singer-guitarist Susanna Hoffs "Under the Covers Vol. 1" released in 2006.

I just got the press release from Shout! Factory this morning that the 70s-minded sequel "Under the Covers Vol. 2" is on the way. I interviewed Matthew Sweet about the project last year and he told me it was coming, and now after seeing the track listing, I'm even more excited. And, isn't it cool that I'm not the only one who thinks Bread was cool? Here is the press release:

MATTHEW SWEET AND SUSANNA HOFFS
COZY UP TO THEIR FAVORITE SONGS OF THE 70’S WITH UNDER THE COVERS VOL. 2

Featuring Special Guests Lindsay Buckingham,
Dhani Harrison and Steve Howe

In Stores July 21, 2009

Los Angeles, CA – Power-pop sensation Matthew Sweet and Bangles vocalist Susanna Hoffs, otherwise known as “Sid & Susie,” will unveil their newest project July 21 on Shout! Factory, titled Under The Covers Vol. 2. This delightful collection features 16 of the duo’s favorite tunes from the 1970’s, and is the much anticipated follow up to the highly-praised 60’s compilation Under The Covers Vol. 1, released in 2006.

Produced and recorded by Sweet and Hoffs in Sweet’s Lolina Green Studios in Los Angeles , Sweet and Hoffs treat the songs with reverence, showing their appreciation for this captivating decade of music. Under The Covers Vol. 2 features the pair’s perfectly harmonized voices on favorites from the genres of power-pop, glam, classic rock and even prog-rock. The pair get a little help from Lindsey Buckingham on their cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Second Hand News,” Dhani Harrison playd on George Harrison’s “Beware of Darkness,” and Steve Howe guests on their version of the Yes song “I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People.”

The tracks on Under The Covers Vol. 2 cover a diverse range of music, including huge hits such as Carly Simon’s “You’re So Vain,” Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May,” and Mott The Hoople’s “All The Young Dudes,” as well as lesser known cult favorites, including Big Star’s “Back Of A Car” and Todd Rundgren’s “Couldn’t I Just Tell You” (one of two Todd Rundgren songs included on the disc). Other treasured songs given the Sid & Susie treatment include John Lennon’s “Gimme Some Truth,” Derek & The Dominoes’ “Bell Bottom Blues,” The Grateful Dead’s “Sugar Magnolia,” The Raspberries “Go All The Way,” Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers’ “Here Comes My Girl,” Little Feat’s “Willin’,” Todd Rundgren’s “Hello It’s Me,” and Bread’s “Everything I Own.”

Matthew and Susanna have long performed at each other’s shows, and collaborated with comedian Mike Myers as members of Austin Powers’ on-screen band Ming Tea in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Austin Powers in Goldmember before collaborating on Under The Covers Vol. 1. Matthew and Susanna will have a number of tour dates to support the release in addition to separate shows by both Matthew Sweet and the Bangles.

Matthew Sweet released his 10th studio album, Sunshine Lies, on Shout! Factory in 2008. Produced by Sweet, the album featured Hoffs on the title track, and also featured Sweet’s longtime cohorts Richard Lloyd (Television), Ivan Julian (Richard Hell & the Voidoids), noted session player Greg Leisz and drummer Ric Menck (Velvet Crush). Born in Lincoln , Nebraska , Sweet was part of the developing music scene in Athens , Georgia in the 1980s and came to fame in 1991 with his hit “Girlfriend,” off his certified gold album of the same name. After releasing a number of other excellent solo albums, Sweet formed The Thorns with fellow singer-songwriters Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge, and they released one self-titled album to positive reviews. Sweet then returned to his solo efforts, releasing Living Things and Kimi Ga Suki.

One of the most successful female groups of all time, the Bangles, made up of Susanna Hoffs (vocals/guitar), Debbi Peterson (vocals/drums), Vicki Peterson (vocals/lead guitar), and Michael Steele (vocals/bass), first hit the radar as a fixture on the LA music scene in 1981 with their
distinctive pop sound and gorgeous harmonies. The band’s sophomore album, the multi-platinum A Different Light, contained the hit singles “Manic Monday,” “Walk Like an Egyptian” and “Walking Down Your Street.” 1988's Everything delivered the hits “In Your Room” and “Be With You,” and the international #1 single “Eternal Flame.” The band broke up in 1989 and each of the band members went on to participate in various other projects, which only contributed to their creative growth. In 2003 they reunited and released Doll Revolution. Shout! Factory released their first-ever live DVD , Return To Bangleonia, in 2007, which featured the original lineup performing their hits at The House of Blues in Los Angeles .

Shout! Factory is a diversified entertainment company devoted to producing, uncovering and revitalizing the very best of pop culture – The Stuff You Grew Up On But Never Outgrew. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their careers sharing their music, television and film faves with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD offerings serve up classic, contemporary and cult TV series, riveting sports programs, live music, animation and documentaries in lavish packages crammed with extras. The company’s audio catalogue boasts Grammy®-nominated boxed sets, new releases from storied artists and lovingly assembled album reissues. These riches are the result of a creative acquisitions mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention. For more on Shout! Factory, visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Under The Covers Vol. 2
Distributed by Sony BMG
Release Date: July 21
Selection No.: 826663-11306
Suggested List Price: $15.98

Track Listing:
1. Sugar Magnolia (The Grateful Dead)
2. Go All The Way (The Raspberries)
3. Second Hand News (Fleetwood Mac)
4. Bell Bottom Blues (Derek & The Dominoes)
5. All The Young Dudes (Mott The Hoople)
6. You’re So Vain (Carly Simon)
7. Here Comes My Girl (Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers)
8. I’ve Seen All Good People: Your Move/All Good People (Yes)
9. Hello It’s Me (Todd Rundgren)
10. Willin’ (Little Feat)
11. Back Of A Car (Big Star)
12. Couldn’t I Just Tell You (Todd Rundgren)
13. Gimme Some Truth (John Lennon)
14. Everything I Own (Bread)
15. Maggie May (Rod Stewart)
16. Beware Of Darkness (George Harrison)

8th annual Orange County Music Awards held on April 4, 2009

With so many musical categories recognized at the 8th Annual Orange County Music Awards (affectionately known as the OCMAs) on Saturday night, April 4, 2008, and the majority of nominees only up for a single award, it was especially impressive that Venus Infers picked up three trophies on the night.

But the outstanding feature about this event was the camaraderie among the generations of musicians, as well as the palpable positive spirit that this truly marked a new beginning with Martin Brown, founder and producer of the OCMAs, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award and passing the torch on to the 2009's producer Luke Allen.

"I wanted to officially hand over the music awards to Luke," said an obviously-surprised Brown, who didn't know until a video presentation was made that he was being honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award. "I started these eight years ago … and this was a time for a change. I'm proud of what I achieved with this, but it needed fresh blood and Luke is definitely the person to do this. I am very happy that he has taken this over.
"This is it, officially (my) goodbye and thank you Orange County for everything you have done for me," said Brown, who now lives in Madrid, Spain. "All the best luck; tell all your friends to support Luke and this organization for as long as you possibly can."

Fallen Stars bassist-singer Tracy Byrnes noted that in past years, many of the artists would get up and leave after their category was named. This year, she noted in a chat after the ceremony, most attendees stuck around to the end and took advantage to network and hang out with other musicians.

Brian Hazard, whose performance moniker Color Theory, has had a strong 2009. In addition to his best electronic nomination, his song "If It's My Time To Go" was included on the 2009 OCMAs mp3 compilation at the ceremony and is already a grand prize winner as part of the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. He was one of several musicians interviewed who didn't take home a trophy, but still seemed to having a great time.
"When I was nominated for the 2009 O.C. Music Awards, I wasn't sure what to expect," said Hazard. "I was overwhelmed by the depth of talent here in Orange County. It was truly an honor just to be nominated. I'll be back next year for sure, if only as an audience member."

The mix of eight performances was a perfect sampling of the area scene, with performances by HumanLab, Suburban Legends and Venus Infers especially memorable.
Indeed, the entire evening was about celebrating the local scene.
"That was awesome; let's give it up for these bands," Allen told the crowd, most getting to their feet in a sense of solidarity. "Thanks guys; these are your awards."

LIST OF WINNERS

Lifetime Achievement Award: Martin Brown
New artist: Japanese Motors
Jazz: Translucent Ham Sandwich Band
Punk: TSOL
Live acoustic: Cory Case
Hip-hop: Mickey Avalon
Alternative: Venus Infers
Blues: Parker Macy Blues
Indie: Venus Infers
World: The Fenians
Electronic: Faded Paper Figures
Pop: The Bolts
Country/Americana: The Fallen Stars
Metal: Atreyu
Live band: The Union Line
Surf: Japanese Motors
Club DJ: Free the Robots
Latin: Boogaloo Assasins
Rock: The Shys
Song: "No Harm Done," Aushua
People's Choice: Duress
Album: "The Truth About Venus Infers," Venus Infers
OC Impact Award: The Vandals

The Smithereens Play Tommy

I just received this press release and thought it was worth featuring here. The Smitheerns have released several Beatles tributes this decade, and the New Jersey outfit's approach with The Who's 1969 rock opera looks promising.

Punk Rock Opera Meets the Godfathers of Pop! The Smithereens to Release "The Smithereens Play Tommy," a 40th Anniversary Tribute to the Landmark Album by The Who, on May 5, 2009
New Studio Album to Hit in Fall 2009
Tuesday March 31, 2009

Pop legends The Smithereens are set to release "The Smithereens Play Tommy," a tribute to the landmark rock opera by The Who, on May 5, 2009.
The band is also currently in rehearsals with 12 new tracks for its upcoming new studio album, due later in 2009.

Whether it was The Who or The Kinks that created the very first "Rock Opera," or whether "TOMMY" is even an "Opera" at all, the May 23, 1969 release of the double "Tommy" album was a true landmark in rock history. Who fans had already been galvanized by the album's first single, "Pinball Wizard," released in March of '69 and already a huge hit. But critics and fans alike were unprepared for what they would hear on the album.
Meticulously arranged and produced in the studio, the album's sound shocked many Who fans who were expecting that familiar power guitar sound made famous by songs like "Substitute," "Can't Explain," or even the electrified version of "Summertime Blues" that The Who debuted on their celebrated 1968 tour. Instead, Pete Townshend played mainly acoustic guitars, and the album featured multiple overdubs including keyboards, percussion, French horn and other parts. Listening to the album now, even the remastered version of the album sounds somewhat brittle, thin and theatrical.

When asked about this album, The Smithereens frontman Pat DiNizio stated, "This is punk rock opera meets the godfathers of pop. Plain and simple."
The Smithereens decided to make a proper, all-out studio version of one of the albums that inspired their rock dreams of becoming a band in the first place for this 40th anniversary tribute. The Who's unique sound will never be duplicated, but then again neither will The Smithereens' sound that has made them enduring rock icons over the past 25 plus years. The result is part Who, part Smithereens. Part totally familiar, and part unexpectedly unique... and 100% tour de force. The Smithereens' "musical dreams ain't quite what they seem" -- the result is more than a loving tribute and much more like an inspired re-imagining. After listening to this album a few times, you may never hear any of The Who's versions of Tommy the same way again.

Having released 7 albums -- and reaching Gold and Platinum status along the way -- during their career, The Smithereens spawned several Top 40 radio hits, including, "A Girl Like You," "Too Much Passion," "Blood and Roses" and more.
Look for the new studio albumin Fall 2009!

James Hunter to perform at the Coach House on March 25

James Hunter will perform at The Coach House on March 25, 2009.

PHOTO COURTESY OF CHRIS RAMIREZ

If you haven't heard of singer-songwriter James Hunter, you have now.

And plan on hearing plenty more about the singer-songwriter in the years ahead.
Songs such as "Don't Do Me No Favours," "The Hard Way" and "Carina" explode out of the speakers, recalling greats such as Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Bobby "Blue" Bland.
Hunter spent two decades playing under the commercial radar, typically appearing in small venues in his native England, looking for an audience.
With the release of his album "People Gonna Talk" in March 2006, the world has opened its ears to Hunter's infectious retro-minded style of soulful blues. "People Gonna Talk" was nominated for Best Traditional Blues Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. His artistry drew additional attention with the release of his 2008 disc, "The Hard Way."

The past three years, Hunter and his band have performed on bills with the likes of Los Lonely Boys, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison and Boz Scaggs.
Blending New Orleans R&B, Philadelphia soul and old time rock 'n' roll against a backdrop of Motown-flavored horn blasts, Hunter's authentic approach outdistances fellow British soul seekers Amy Winehouse, Joss Stone and Corinne Bailey Rae. And the fact that Hunter can tear it up on guitar is sonic icing on the musical cake.

Hunter has gone from an opening act to a headliner, and he will perform next Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. Orange County singer-songwriter-guitarist Michael Ubaldini will open the show. Singer-songwriter Ryan Shaw will also appear on the bill.

Laurence Juber to play 'Lord of the Strings' this weekend

Laurence Juber will perform in Dana Point on March 13 and in Mission Viejo on March 14.

When a musician is in a band with Paul McCartney, it’s natural to assume that even the most talented of artists will have a difficult time emerging from the long shadow of the former Beatle.

But don’t tell that to Laurence Juber. A member of Paul McCartney and Wings in the late 1970s and early ‘80s, the East London, England native is widely recognized as one of today’s most talented and innovative fingerstyle guitarists.

Juber won a Best Rock Instrumental Grammy for the track “Rockestra” (featured on Wings’ 1979 album “Back to the Egg”), and picked up a second Grammy when his solo guitar arrangement of “The Pink Panther Theme” was featured on Solid Air Records’ “Henry Mancini – Pink Guitar” collection in 2004.
“The gratifying thing is that people have paid attention and the process to me has been just really doing what comes naturally,” said Juber, when I interviewed him at the NAMM music show in Anaheim on Jan. 15, 2009. He has released more than a dozen full-length discs since his debut “Solo Flight” was released in 1990.

Juber said his success in the niche world of solo acoustic guitar is a credit to more than virtuoso skills on his instrument, but to the efforts of Seal Beach-based Solid Air Records president James Jensen to help introduce and promote this type of music to a wider audience.
“Because of the synergy between what I do and what James does with Solid Air Records where his vision and my vision really are on the same track, to express myself through the solo guitar and to get the kind of response, it’s a process. I’m coming up on 20 years of doing it.”
Juber returns to Orange County to perform twice this month as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series. He will play at the Dana Point Community House on March 13 and at the Mission Viejo Civic Center on March 14.

Juber is on tour in support of his latest solo album, the aptly-titled “Pop Goes Guitar.” The 12-song collection features dazzling versions of material by the likes of the Beach Boys, the Police, the Rolling Stones, the Fab Four and Wings all arranged for solo guitar.
“Well, the trick is to squeeze it all on the guitar, because with a tune like ‘Every Breath You Take’ for example, it has an intricate Andy Summers guitar line on it and then the (vocal) melody sits on top,” Juber explained.
“Well, with standard tuning you can’t play the melody and accompaniment at the same time – it just doesn’t physically work. But I figured out a way of doing it because I use alternate tunings in my work.”

The genesis of the recording of “Pop Goes Guitar” actually was launched when Juber set out to publish a book featuring his original arrangements.
“One of the weird things about the music publishing business…the Beatles stuff is very restricted. So we’ve been trying to get a deal to put out a book of my Beatles arrangements,” explained Juber, who not only performed with McCartney but also played guitar with George Harrison on his song “Breath Away From Heaven,” and with Harrison and Ringo Starr on the sessions for “Stop And Smell The Roses” in 1981.
“As it turned out they gave permission to put out two Wings and three Beatles songs. We made a deal that I would do a transcription book (musical translations of his instrumental guitar arrangements) that would include those five songs plus another seven to make it up to a healthy book.”

Juber then began compiling a list of all of his favorite pop songs and then gave that to the respective publishers to see which ones he could get permission to include in his book, and ultimately on the companion “Pop Goes Guitar” album.
“I wanted stuff that was compatible with the Beatles things. I didn’t want to go into any old standards because I already did that with my previous album (2006’s ‘I’ve Got the World on Six Strings’), and I didn’t want to get anything too contemporary either. So what we ended up with was a group of really compatible songs, so the selection came about backwards. Normally you do the album, and then you do the transcription book. This time the book came first and the album was done as a supplement to the book.”
Juber is looking forward to his two upcoming Lord of the Strings concert dates, which will mark his first shows in Orange County since appearing at the NAMM music conference in Anaheim in January.

“I think the shows that I’m doing this year; the rock musician part of me has been a little bit sublimated in that I’ve been doing shows that are more structured. There is not a lot of improvisation,” Juber said.
“I don’t want to be self-indulgent because it’s really important to entertain the audience which is why I mix it up with original tunes, with standards, pop songs and some rock ‘n’ roll, some jazz – it’s a bit of everything.”

Where: Dana Point Community House, 24642 San Juan Ave., Dana Point
When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13

Where: Mission Viejo Civic Center, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo
When: 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14

How much: $25
Online: www.LordOfTheStringsConcerts.com or
Call: Concert series president Tim Johnson at 949-842-2227

Reggae veteran brings beats to Coach House

Photo credit: Anthony Castellano

This story was originally published in the Capistrano Valley News on Thursday, March 5, 2009.

Anyone who caught the reggae festival featuring the Wailers, Eek-A-Mouse and Pato Banton at the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa last summer knows the best artist of the night was the night’s opener. Banton and his Mystic Roots Band delivered a dazzling concert set, highlighted by “Stay Positive” and other original songs.

Now the native of Birmingham, England, returns to Orange County when he headlines at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Sunday, March 8, 2009. Those who enjoyed his brief 35-minute set in July 2008 will now get to see Banton deliver a full-length set.

Not only does Banton’s music revolve around positive themes, but his songs are memorable and recall the infectious sonic brew of reggae-minded artists such as the English Beat and General Public that found widespread success in the 1980s.

Banton first rose to fame in the early 1980s, when he was featured on “Hip-Hop Lyrical Robot” and “King Step” on UB40’s 1985 “Baggariddim” album. He also found acclaim in the rock universe when he teamed up with Pretenders singer Chrissie Hynde on a cover of “I Got You Babe.” That single reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom.

Banton has released a wealth of strong solo efforts, including 1988’s “Visions of the World,” 1990’s “Wize Up!” (featuring his college radio hit cover of the Police classic “Spirits in the Material World”) and 2000’s Grammy-nominated “Life Is a Miracle.”

When he performs at The Coach House, Banton will likely feature recent material from his “Positive Vibrations” (2007) and “Destination Paradise” (2008) CDs.

For more information, call the Coach House at 949-496-8930.

South County guitarist's solo career hitting new gear

Philip Vandermost of Laguna Niguel, seen here in a recent photo, will perform songs from his solo debut, "Automatic August," when he plays a trio of dates over the next month at Mahé in Dana Point.
PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGIA TORCASIO

Area audiences are quickly becoming familiar with singer-songwriter Philip Vandermost.
The Laguna Niguel resident celebrated the release of his commercial debut with an appearance as part of the acclaimed International Pop Overthrow music festival in Huntington Beach in July 2008, and he headlined at Mahé in Dana Point on New Year's Eve to kick off 2009.

He returns to Mahé Friday (Feb. 27, 2009) to perform songs from his 10-song solo debut, "Automatic August," as well as classic material from other artists. The album features a wealth of material, from the hard-rocking, melodic "Speak to Me" to the power-pop-mining "Because" to the R.E.M.-meets-Carbon Leaf "Drifting."

"Most of the bands I listen to can be traced back to the three B's: the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Byrds," said Vandermost, noting that all three of those legendary bands used a combination of guitars and vocals to forge an original sound rooted in strong songwriting.
Vandermost was a celebrated lead guitar player in Greenwich Meantime, the Kelly Bowlin Band and the George Fryer Combo. Vandermost said a combination of factors led him to strike out on a solo career last year.

"The main thing, being a support player even in a creative capacity, I didn't have a lot to show for the time I've been playing music," Vandermost said. "The other thing, I needed to cut back on live performances. My family is very important to me." Vandermost is married and has two young daughters.
"Automatic August" was recorded, mixed and mastered between February and April last year.
"This is a fun transition," Vandermost said of his new solo career. "I get to handle the creative and the business sides."

Vandermost and his band will perform at Mahé, 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point from 7-11 p.m. on Fridays, Feb. 27 and again on March 27. Vandermost will perform solo at the venue on Wednesday evening, March 11.
For more information, call 949-240-6243.

Nils Lofgren: Road to Recovery

Nils Lofgren, seen here in an updated photo, got his start as a teenager, playing guitar with Neil Young. Last year he recorded an album of Young cover songs.

Photo credit: JAN LUNDAHL

The following story was posted on the Orange County Register Web site on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.

Nils Lofgren is one of the most celebrated guitar players in rock, having played on Neil Young's seminal 1970 album "After the Gold Rush" while he was still in his teens.
Then after a brief stint with Young's hard-rocking Crazy Horse, Lofgren fronted Grin, which released four critically-acclaimed albums in the early 1970s.

This year marks Lofgren's 25th year as a full-time member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. While that famous outfit was on hiatus in the early 1990s, Lofgren toured with Ringo Starr and his All-Starr Band (a troupe that also included the Eagles' Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh, as well as Todd Rundgren).
Since his 1975 self-titled debut, Lofgren has issued a number of strong solo works, the most recent being "The Loner – Nils Sings Neil," a 2008 release where Lofgren revisited 15 classic cuts by his long-time friend Young.

"I would have never thought of it; it was my manager Anson Smith," Lofgren said in a Friday, Jan. 23, 2009 phone interview. "He suggested I sing my favorite Neil Young songs acoustically.
"I wasn't sure I liked the idea, but we assembled about 30 songs and I spent a couple weeks just singing them in the mornings mostly, to my dogs and cats – not recording, not arranging, not producing, just singing.
"And I noticed after a couple weeks a handful stopped sounding like decent karaoke (versions) and started feeling something special that was more my own, and it was at that point I decided to do it," Lofgren said.

It took a combination of hard work and creativity for Lofgren to complete the CD during the E Street Band tour last year.
"I'm also such a fan of Neil's that I really felt there was no chance of it being a special record unless each performance was completely live with no (additional) production or overdubbing; just one instrument, one voice," Lofgren said.
"And so with that as the guidelines I went into the studio and in a very short period of time – I was looking for 10 or 12 songs and I got 15 that felt right. Billy Wolf (of Wolf Productions), a great engineer friend of mine, mixed them up with me while I was on the Springsteen tour.
"I flew in on days off and worked into the late hours with him and got it done and felt great about it," he said. "It was all live in the home and a very special project for me, a stroll down memory lane. I used an old piano that belonged to my wife's father, who she never knew – (it) had a lot of history to it
"And the D-18 guitar was what I used on the 'After the Gold Rush' project when I did not own an acoustic guitar," Lofgren said. "Neil Young lent his Martin to me, and gave it to me as a gift at the end of the sessions, which of course is my most treasured guitar and certainly the only one appropriate for this project."

Both the 2008 tour and recording of "The Loner" came while Lofgren was in a tremendous amount of pain. On Sept. 30, 2008, he flew to New York and had double hip replacement surgery. His appearance during the Super Bowl halftime show in Tampa on Sunday will be his first public performance since that procedure.
"Forty years on the road, a lot of them doing the back flip with the trampoline and jumping off drum risers; an enormous amount of basketball on city cement courts, I just tore my hips apart," Lofgren explained.
"The last 15 years they went bad, and finally over the last few years they were bone on bone and the doctors said there is nothing we can do for you except a complete replacement," he said. "I put it off a long time. Finally, it got so bad that I found a great surgeon in New York who was willing to do both at the same time and it was very successful.
"Now it's my job to rehab. I hope if I just keep doing my rehab right for the next 8 to 10 months, I'll be back to normal – well as normal as you can be with fake hips – I'm walking around and doing okay."

On Super Bowl Sunday, Lofgren and the rest of the E Street Band will likely be performing a mix of classic cuts, as well as material off Springsteen's newly-released "Working on a Dream." Lofgren said the final set list is something that will be decided by the Boss right before the highly-anticipated appearance.
The highly-publicized concert at the Super Bowl also provided Lofgren the perfect opportunity to reissue his 2001 effort, "Tuff Stuff! The Best of the All-Madden Team Band," which features Lofgren performing a number of blistering instrumental tracks.
Lofgren was born in Chicago in 1951, but it was a move to the Washington, D.C. area as a teenager that ultimately provided him with the inspiration that has served him over the past four decades.
"Actually, I fell in love with the sound of harmonics," said Lofgren, who has lived in Arizona since the mid-1990s. "Roy Buchanan, was a hero of mine in D.C. growing up, and I got to know Roy and went to see him play a lot and got to play with him a bit. He was the first person I heard who made harmonics sound like bells.
"He showed me how to do it with a flat pick and I don't play with a flat pick," he said. "So I figured out my own style with the thumb pick, and created something called bouncing harmonics where they kind of shimmer and bounce.
"And that's really where I was inspired and fell in love with that sound…way back in the mid '60s."

Because I have posted this story on my blog after the Super Bowl performance, I can note here that Nils did a great job and looked in fine form despite his surgery in late 2008. I'm sure he will be firing on all sonic cylinders when the E Street Band is out on tour beginning in April 2009.

Pat DiNizio pays tribute to Buddy Holly

This story was originally posted on the Orange County Register Web site on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.


Although Buddy Holly's impact on rock was seemingly immortalized by Don McLean as "The day the music died" in 1971's "American Pie," there has been mostly silence from the rock community in connection with the upcoming 50th anniversary of his death.
The notable exception is Smithereens lead singer Pat DiNizio (seen in the photo here), who released his 11-song "Pat DiNizio/Buddy Holly" tribute to early rock's most influential songwriter on Jan. 27, 2009.

And while the Smithereens are known for a Beatles meets A/C blend approach where melodic songs are layered amid crunchy guitars on cuts such as "Blood and Roses," "Only a Memory" and "A Girl Like You," DiNizio's tribute to Holly features mostly his voice and acoustic guitar set against artful new string arrangements delivered by the Encore Chamber String Quartet.

"I wanted to make the album you wouldn't expect me to make; people were expecting a straight-up rock 'n' roll album, you know what I mean? That would have been the easy route," DiNizio explained in a phone interview conducted on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009.
"This was a little more difficult, a little more thought-provoking, and a little more emotional and the sort of album Buddy might have done himself at this time (2009)."

Holly was only 22 when he was killed in a single-engine plane crash early on the morning of Feb. 3, 1959. Also killed in the crash were Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson and 21-year-old pilot Roger Peterson. The three artists had performed just hours earlier at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa.
"I wanted to let the world know that without Buddy there might not have been the Beatles, and without the Beatles there wouldn't be much of anything else that we love," DiNizio said.
Although Holly's success only lasted about 18 months, he had a profound impact on those who followed. An original songwriter with a distinctive style of singing and equally innovative style of playing rhythm and lead guitar, the Texas rocker influenced the Fab Four, Rolling Stones and Bob Dylan, among many others. Indeed, a young Dylan attended a Holly concert on Jan. 31, 1959.

"I am shocked frankly that I am the only one to put out a tribute (this year)," said DiNizio, noted that in the week leading up to the anniversary much more was being made about Bruce Springsteen's upcoming performance at the Super Bowl than a serious reflection on Holly's contributions.
"The Super Bowl means nothing (in the big historical picture). God bless Bruce, he's a great guy, but it's (just) another album," DiNizio said of Springsteen's "Working on a Dream," released on the same date of his Holly tribute.
"I'm really shocked that Bruce put this album out on the 50th anniversary. With me, it's totally appropriate, because it's the right thing to do on the 50th anniversary and put it out on the 50th anniversary, not six months later, but on the date. I'm absolutely shocked that nobody (else) has done anything."

For his part, DiNizio has clearly let his love for Holly's legacy provide a fitting gift for fans of Holly, and DiNizio. Highlights include a reworked "Raining in My Heart" that captures the theme of loss vividly, an a cappella approach on the doo wop-styled "That'll Be The Day" and this writer's favorite, a haunting "Well Alright" where DiNizio's rich baritone is used to pull new emotions out of the Holly classic.
DiNizio is encouraged that a number of activities set in Clear Lake, including a sold-out concert at the Surf Ballroom where Holly gave his final concert on Feb. 2, 1959, are have drawn people from around the world to venture to the small town in northern Iowa to honor the fallen rocker.
"Hopefully it will be a celebration, it won't be a funeral," DiNizio said of events in Clear Lake in connection with the anniversary. "My record is a celebration of the life of Buddy. That's really what it is."

The Submarines set to surface in Costa Mesa

Blake Hazard, left, and John Dragonetti are the Submarines.

This story was originally posted on the Orange County Register Web site on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009.

Submarines have been an effective image for music makers, with the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine," the Gram Parsons-led International Submarine Band and Thomas Dolby's "One of Our Submarines" among the best-known examples of subs used in the service of song.

But increasingly, music fans identify the word with the Submarines, a compelling indie pop group comprised of John Dragonetti and Blake Hazard. The Los Angeles-based husband-and-wife duo kick off a nationwide tour this week in support of their sophomore effort, "Honeysuckle Weeks," with a show at Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa on Friday, Jan. 30, 2009 marking the second night of the trek.
The group has been garnering plenty of local attention since the release of the Submarines' 2006 debut "Declare a New State."

Both that album and 2008's "Honeysuckle Weeks" each received solid airplay on KCRW-89.9/FM, as well as Indie 103.1, and it was the recent demise of the latter station where conversation began in a phone interview with the Submarines on Jan. 19.
"It's such a loss," Hazard said. "We had heard that there were problems going on over there. I'm happy they didn't succumb to this sort of corporate (expletive), which is why they are off the air. It's so incredibly sad that they're gone."
On a happier note, former KCRW music director Nic Harcourt was among the first high-profile voices to champion the Submarines' unique and introspective style.
"They've been fantastic and Jason Bentley (the new music director at the station) is actually doing a really great job with 'Morning Becomes Eclectic'. KCRW is totally going strong and we're fans and supporters," Hazard said.

The Submarines' compelling story has made for an interesting backdrop to the duo's alluring and intoxicating song craft. Originally from Boston, they were introduced by a mutual friend and became romantically involved, even touring together as members of each other's bands.
However, their initial four-year romantic relationship ended when they moved to Los Angeles in 2004. Both continued to write songs, and Hazard still recorded her tracks in Dragonetti's home studio. Listening to each other's music they realized all their songs were pretty much about each other, so they got back together and started the Submarines.
"I think we didn't want it ('Honeysuckle Weeks') to be focused on our relationship (as was the case on the band's 'Declare a New State' album)," Dragonetti said. "We felt like it was time to be a real band and not have so much attention focused on how we started and the breakup and writing songs and all that.
"I think we just tried to make a record like anyone else would, and we also did want to make something that was more enjoyable to play live and I think, comes across as more upbeat. But there are still a lot of dark undertones in there; it's certainly not a happy-go-lucky sort of record. It's just nice to not always be writing about yourself."

Thanks to the addition of drummer J. Stare, the Submarines are expanding their concert presentation in 2009. The duo's version of "Boys Don't Cry" is also available on the newly-released "Just Like Heaven – a Tribute to The Cure" recently issued by American Laundromat Records.
"(With) the first album, we toured just the two of us; we used a lot of computers and stuff and guitars. But on this record we really wanted to kick it up a notch and so we've been playing with Jason (J. Stare) and it's been a great trio, just a fun group to play with and so it's drums and guitars and various little instruments," Dragonetti said.
Added Hazard: "It's been very cool to have the dynamic of the three of us as we tour around. It's so nice not to just be the two of us. It diffuses some of those tensions that a couple might have traveling together."

For more information on the Submarines, visit www.thesubmarines.com.

Coach House concert is Sweet news for classic-rock fans

This story was originally posted on the Orange County Register Web site on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009.

Sweet is back.
The legendary 1970s rock band that crafted a string of infectious and well-known rockers such as "Fox on the Run," "Ballroom Blitz, "Little Willy" and "Love is Like Oxygen" is the subject of an upcoming reissue by Shout Factory.
"Action: The Sweet Anthology" is a two-disc collection set for release April 28. It is the definitive Sweet set, featuring the band's best-known material remastered. The ambitious CD celebrates the legacy of Sweet, which featured bassist-vocalist Steve Priest, singer Brian Connolly, drummer Mick Tucker and guitarist Frank Torpey (later replaced by Andy Scott).

The good news for area music fans is that Sweet, which Priest reconstructed last year, will deliver live versions of those classic cuts and other material when the band kicks off its 2009 tour Thursday night, Jan. 29, 2009, with a show at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
Sweet combined the harmony-minded vocals of groups such as the Hollies and the Turtles with distorted guitars and heavy bass guitar and drums. That distinctive sound remains an influential force 35 years later.
Sweet's 2008 tour saw the band perform for more than 200,000 fans throughout the United States and Canada, with the positive response setting in motion the reformed outfit working on a new studio album expected to be completed this year.
The 2009 tour is dedicated to two members of the original Sweet, Connolly (who died at age 51 in February 1997) and Tucker (who died at 54 in February 2002).
In addition to Priest, Sweet's current lineup includes lead vocalist Joe Retta, lead guitarist Stuart Smith, drummer Richie Onori and keyboardist Stevie Stewart.

Sweet, J.D. Peterson & Gratitude and the Claude Von Trotha Band will perform at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2009.

Tickets priced at $20 each are available at the venue's box office.

Information: 949-496-8930.

NAMM - Still about the music

On Friday, Jan. 16, I got to see a strong acoustic set by the Bangles and meet the band at the Winter NAMM show in Anaheim.

It's no wonder musicians and music fans love to go to NAMM. Where else can you catch intimate, stand-by-the-stage concert experiences with coutless of the world's best known names and then usually chat with them too?

On top of the experience of seeing so many performances, you get to see and check out the latest instruments and music gear before it goes on sale to the public. Kind of like a kid in the candy store.

I've been attending NAMM since the early 1990s and it is always a highlight. I was there on days 1 and 2 this year (Jan. 15-16, 2009) and was impressed by the performances and gear. On Thursday, I caught a wonderful acoustic set from fingerstyle guitarist Laurence Juber (best known by rock fans for his work with Paul McCartney & Wings) at the Martin Guitar Booth. The highlight for me was his instrumental version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Just beautiful. I had a sit-down interview with the guitarist/composer and that story will run in connection with his performance as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series in March 2009.

I also caught a full-on electric performance from Lee Rocker and his band. Wow, the group was on fire and highlights included the rockers "Gone" and "Lost Highway," as well as an infectious version of the Beatles classic "I'll Cry Instead." Rocker is a wonderful frontman, and has a couple of great sonic weapons in guitarists Buzz Campbell and Brophy Dale. Both played plenty of surefire guitar solos.

On Thursday afternoon, I also got to interview instrumental guitarist Muriel Anderson for a story that will also run in the Orange County Register in a few months. Both she and Laurence Juber are playing as part of the Lord of the Strings concert series. Visit http://www.lordofthestringsconcerts.com/calendar.htm for more information and to see when they will be back here in Orange County.

On Friday, I caught two more wonderful performances. Orange County-based singer-songwriter Kerry Getz performed at the Starbucks inside the Marriott at noon, and she played several new songs that were very strong and won the approval of discerning listeners.

Then in the early afternoon, the Bangles performed a strong set that included semi-acoustic versions of favorites such as "Manic Monday" and "In Your Room." Their power pop-styled harmonies were great and fans crowded around the Daisy Rock booth to catch a glimpse of the group.

Among the many talented members of the Orange County music scene I saw this year: Michael Ubaldini, TJR, Walter Clevenger, James Grey, Kenny Howes, David Koval and Mike Hernandez, who is the drummer in Clevenger's top-notch Dairy Kings.

Among the other legendary performers who attended NAMM but I missed meeting or seeing perform this year were Eric Johnson (I saw the guitarist deliver an incredible full-length set on Wednesday, Jan. 14 at the Coach House), Brian Wilson, Doors guitarist Robby Krieger, CCR singer-guitarist John Fogerty and Los Lobos.

Fountains of Wayne unplug to great effect

Chris Collingwood of Fountains of Wayne sings at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night, Jan. 23, 2009.

Photo by Kevin Sullivan.

Both Kevin Sullivan's photo and my review were posted on the Orange County Register Web site on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009.

There were several fans in the near-capacity crowd at the Coach House Friday night (January 23, 2009) who were likely disappointed that Fountains of Wayne initially ignored occasional loud calls to play the band's best-known hit, "Stacy's Mom."
That disappointment likely turned to confusion when the eclectic quartet finally did play the song, turning the upbeat tale of youthful lust into a wistful story of regret with a musical arrangement that recalled a Frank Sinatra cocktail lounge lament.

But such change-ups were largely the point of this stop, part of a brief, highly anticipated acoustic tour intended to test out new material and recharge creative juices that found Fountains of Wayne delivering an outstanding 20-song set in San Juan Capistrano.

With the exception of some electric bass guitar, the group took a decidedly unplugged approach all night, with drummer Brian Young using brushes while Adam Schlesinger, Jody Porter and lead singer Chris Collingwood worked on grand piano and acoustic guitars.
On a night where wary fans might have expected things to get a bit too folksy, the group opened with the aptly titled "Please Don't Rock Me Tonight." That song, like many to follow over the next 75 minutes, rocked despite the absence of electric guitars.

For those who appreciate the band's Beatles-y harmonies, endless parade of winning melodies and the sense of irony songwriters Schlesinger and Collingwood wield, the set list had something for everyone. "Someone to Love" and a new song, "The Summer Place," boasted up-tempo, driving rhythms, while an authentic alt-country sound that might please Wilco audiences was showcased on the terrific "I-95," "Valley Winter Song" and "Fire in the Canyon."
Of the fresh tunes the band played, "Cemetery Guns" was especially impressive. With a militaristic drum beat, arresting melody and lyrics focused on death and delivered perfectly by Collingwood, the song showcased Fountains of Wayne's continuing quest to stretch its sound and artistic range. Based on this showing, the group's next studio effort should be a strong one indeed.

Neither of the night's opening acts came close to attaining the kind of songcraft exhibited by the headliner. Singer-songwriter Dennis Roger Reed has a personable approach and winning folk-rock style, but his brand of cowboy blues was not particularly effective this night. His "Nickels and Dimes," however, proved to be catchy and gave him a chance to play a nice solo on acoustic guitar.
That Was Then is a promising young band out of the Dana Point area whose members' individual skills are strong, but after watching their 35-minute set, I firmly believe they should focus on trying to play together as an ensemble. The singer is armed with a pleasing voice, but various players often seemed to be in their own worlds, not paying attention to the nuances of their band mates' music-making. As a result, promising song ideas often became a patchwork of forces working against each other

Fountains of Wayne to perform unplugged at Coach House

Fountains of Wayne includes, from left, guitarist-singer Jody Porter, drummer Brian Young, singer-guitarist Chris Collingwood and bassist-singer Adam Schlesinger.
PHOTO COURTESY OF FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE

Please note this story was originally published in the Orange County Register on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009.

Fans of melodic and intelligent power pop will want to secure their tickets for an intimate acoustic performance by Fountains of Wayne on Friday, January 23, 2009 at The Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.

Since releasing their first album in 1996, Fountains of Wayne has earned a reputation for crafting rock that is as melodic as it is artful.
Fountains of Wayne was formed by singer-bassist Adam Schlesinger and lead singer-guitarist Chris Collingwood, who met at Massachusetts' Williams College in 1986. The two songwriters then joined forces with guitarist Jody Porter and drummer Brian Young, and the quartet has gone on to enjoy commercial success and critical acclaim.
In addition to the band's 1996 self-titled release, other albums include 1999's “Utopia Parkway,” 2003's “Interstate Managers” and 2007's “Traffic and Weather.”

On a bill that also included Arcade Fire, Travis, and Jack's Mannequin, Fountains of Wayne's appearance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2007 was among the highlights of the three-day festival.

The power-pop quartet's performances at The Coach House will likely feature material off the DVD release “No Better Place – Live in Chicago,” set for release by Shout Factory on March 3. The DVD features 5.1 “surround sound” and a widescreen picture of the energetic band performing a 16-song set, including hits such as “Mexican Wine,” “Stacy's Mom” and “Bright Future in Sales.”
In addition to the full-length concert shot in Chicago in 2005, the band recorded a five-song set of acoustic material in a New York studio in December that is part of the DVD's bonus material. The alt-country-flavored “I-95” and “Fire in the Canyon” boast the approach that Fountains of Wayne will likely take when performing their acoustic show in San Juan Capistrano.

Fountains of Wayne, Dennis Roger Reed and That Was Then will perform at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, at 8 p.m. on Jan. 23, 2009. Admission is $23.50.

Eric Johnson coming to Orange County

Photo credit: Max Crace

Even music fans unable to attend the upcoming NAMM music show in Anaheim later this month will still have a rare chance to see acclaimed guitarist Eric Johnson play an intimate show in Orange County this month.

So while the Austin, Texas-based guitarist will perform at NAMM (the acronym for the International Music Products Association's previous name, but is still used for the annual convention that draws more than 80,000 music industry insiders to Orange County every January) on Jan. 16, Johnson will perform a full-length set at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano at 8 p.m. on Jan. 14.

Of particular interest to longtime fans of Johnson is that his upcoming show at the Coach House will be among a handful of concerts staged this month that see the legendary guitarist sharing the stage with bassist Kyle Brock and drummer Tommy Taylor for the first time since the mid-1990s. It was that talented trio that was featured on Johnson's classic albums "Ah Via Musicom" (1990) and "Venus Isle" (1996).
"It's kind of a thing where it's a bit under the radar. We kind of booked it last minute," Johnson said in a recent phone interview.

"What happened, I'm releasing a new Strat (Stratocaster guitar) for Fender, a new version of the one that came out a few years ago (in 2005) and so they hired me to play the NAMM show and I thought as long as I'm coming out to play at NAMM maybe we should play a few shows.
"So I talked with my friend Kyle Brock, we hadn't played together for years except this one benefit we did a few months ago, he happened to have a lull in his schedule, and said 'Why don't we get together and play for 10 days?' So it's kind of a coincidence that he had time and we were doing the NAMM show anyway. So why not add a few dates to it."

In addition, both the show at the Coach House and performance at the Fender Musical Instruments exhibition area at the Anaheim Convention Center on Friday afternoon, Jan. 16 will celebrate the recent release of his full-length DVD "Anaheim," which chronicles a concert performance at The Grove of Anaheim on May 3, 2006. Released by Vanguard Records and featuring incredible 5.1 Surround Sound, "Anaheim" was one of the best concert DVD releases of 2008.

"Well, it was a crew from Canada shooting Joe Satriani when I was on tour with him, and they were going to show it for HDNet (the first all-high definition television network) and they had all these cameras and said 'Hey, if you want, we'll shoot your show.' I said, 'Sure, why not'."
After HDNet was done with the footage, they offered to give it to Johnson for his use.
"We did some editing on it and put it together, and started to add a couple of bonus things to it and decided to put this out."

"Anaheim" features tracks from Johnson's most recent studio album, 2005's "Bloom," as well as a cover of Bob Dylan's "My Back Pages," Neil Diamond's "Little Bit Me Little Bit You" and his only recording of a cover of the Jimi Hendrix gem "Manic Depression."
"A lot of time when I go on tour I'll end up doing a Hendrix song because I love playing his music and people like to hear it and that was a particular song that we had worked out before that (2006) tour," Johnson said.
"So yeah, we just had that in our bag for that tour so we played it."

In addition to the nine-song set of songs he performed at the Grove of Anaheim, "Anaheim" also features a wealth of bonus materials including an interview videotaped by Orange County-based Cox3 producer-director Eric Winter, as well as several acoustic performances. The highlight of the acoustic material is Johnson playing a version of Hendrix's "The Wind Cries Mary" on acoustic piano.

"I started playing piano first when I was really, really young and then transferred over to guitar when I was a teenager. I love acoustic piano – it's my favorite instrument."

Eric Johnson and opening act Shawn Jones will perform at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, at 8 p.m. on Wednesday night, Jan. 14, 2009.

Tickets to the show, priced at $25, are available at the venue's box office.

A year to remember: my top albums of 2008

Sigur Rós “Med Sud I Eyrum Vid Spilum Endalaust” (XL Recordings) – Roughly translated as “With a Buzz in Our Ears We Play Endlessly,” Iceland-based Sigur Rós’ fifth full-length album continues to showcase a troupe eager to explore the vast reaches of its own sonic universe. This is music that is simultaneously otherworldly, beautiful and joyous. Recommended tracks: “Gobbledigook,” “Vid spilum endalaust.”

Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (Capitol) – Commercial success should not necessarily be equated with lackluster artistry. Case in point, the latest full-length gem from Coldplay. Recommended tracks: “Life In Technicolor,” “Viva La Vida.”

Al Green “Lay It Down” (Blue Note Records) – When I reviewed the Reverend Al Green a few years ago, I thought my ears were playing a trick on me because the sixtysomething performer sounded so flawless and inspired. His most recent album, the wonderful “Lay It Down,” reinforces my belief that my hearing was just fine that night. Recommended tracks: “Just For Me,” “No One Like You.”

Kasey Chambers & Shane Nicholson “Rattlin’ Bones” (Sugarhill) – A wonderful and heartfelt collection between Australian songstress Kasey Chambers and her husband Shane Nicholson, this 14-song alternative country-minded effort is magical from start to finish. Recommended tracks: “Rattlin’ Bones,” “Monkey on a Wire.”

R.E.M. “Accelerate” (Warner Bros.) – “Accelerate” is the first album by R.E.M. since the departure of original drummer Bill Berry a decade ago that works from start to finish and captures the magic of the Athen, Georgia-spawned outfit’s early work. Recommended tracks: “Supernatural Superserious,” “Until the Day is Done.”

Snow Patrol “A Hundred Million Suns” (Geffen Records) – Singer-guitarist Gary Lightbody continues to craft songs that offer something for both casual and discerning listeners, but with the depth of the material on “A Hundred Million Suns,” this is clearly the troupe’s best effort since 2003’s “Final Straw.” Recommended tracks: “Take Back the City,” “Please Just Take These Photos From My Hands.”

Aimee Mann “@#%&! Smilers” (Superego) – There have been few singer-songwriters who have delivered the kind of lyrically introspective and melodically pleasing songcraft on such a consistent basis over the past decade as Aimee Mann. Recommended tracks: “Freeway,” “Thirty One Today.”

Sonny Landreth “From the Reach” (Landfall) – Although Louisiana-based singer-songwriter and slide guitar master Sonny Landreth is joined by luminaries such as Eric Clapton, Eric Johnson and Mark Knopfler on his latest disc, it is his own unique blend of talents that shines so brightly on this remarkable collection. Recommended tracks: “Blue Tarp Blues,” “The Milky Way Home.”

Jack’s Mannequin “The Glass Passenger” (Sire / Wea) – Confessional and honest, singer-songwriter Andrew McMahon delivers another winning round of Brian Wilson-tinged pop and piano-anchored modern rock on his group’s sophomore release. Whether it was his successful battle to overcome leukemia in the wake of Jack’s Mannequin’s debut “Everything in Transit” or the full spectrum of life itself, the songs on his 2008 release explore love, loss and the world around him with an ever-growing depth. Recommended tracks: “Annie Use Your Telescope,” “Swim.”

She & Him “Volume One” (Merge Records) – The full-length debut from M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel drips with the retro sound and style of a range of ‘60s and ‘70s icons such as the Zombies, Linda Ronstadt and Dusty Springfield. But there is an intoxicating innocence about Deschanel’s vocals and Ward’s tasteful arrangements that adds up to something special. Recommended tracks: “Sweet Darlin’,” “Sentimental Heart,” “This is Not a Test.”

HONORABLE MENTION (alphabetical order):
Asia “Phoenix” (EMI America Records) – Call it a guilty pleasure, call it a nod to virtuoso musicianship; call it what you will, but Asia’s first new studio album in more than 25 years boasting the super group’s original lineup is solid musically and boasts heartfelt lyrics from singer-songwriter-bassist John Wetton focusing on his near-death related to open heart surgery. Recommended tracks: “Heroine,” “An Extraordinary Life.”

Glen Campbell "Meet Glen Campbell" (CAPITOL) – One of the more unusual surprises of 2008, "Meet Glen Campbell" may feature covers of other artists, but Campbell brings unexpected depth to selections such as Travis' "Sing" and Tom Petty's "Walls." Recommended tracks: "Sing," "Walls," "Times Like These."

Parkaimoon "The Sum of Our Experience" (Platonic Music) – Thankfully, there remains modern music that can't easily be categorized, defying well-established labels. The modern rock of Parkaimoon combines the vast soundscapes of U2 and Pink Floyd, but also boasts the modern rock of Garbage and Evanescence. Recommended tracks: "Bury Me Deep," "Tunnel Vision."

Matthew Sweet "Sunshine Lies" (Shout! Factory) - Matthew Sweet returned in 2008 with a wonderful and infectious collection of songs courtesy of "Sunshine Lies." Recommended tracks: "Time Machine," "Byrdgirl."

Michael Ubaldini "Street Singin' Troubadour" (Blackwater Records) – Not a year seemingly goes by without Fountain Valley-based Michael Ubaldini issuing another solid collection. His latest, "Street Singin' Troubadour," is a 13-song collection that examines a wide range of subjects in a thoughtful and artful approach. Recommended tracks: "Sound of the Age," "Sad Empty Streets of Sunday."

Mike Ness, Big Sandy impress at Coach House show

For any longtime Social Distortion fans, the experience of seeing that band’s singer-songwriter-guitarist Mike Ness as a solo artist is no longer a radical departure. Performing at the Coach House on Tuesday night, Dec. 9, 2008 — his second of six shows this month at the San Juan Capistrano venue — with a strong backing band featuring most of Social D, Ness delivered an 80-minute set once again weighted heavily on material from his two 1999 solo releases, "Cheating at Solitaire" and "Under the Influences."

Yet, despite covering songs by Bob Dylan, Hank Williams and Johnny Cash (a sing-along for “Ring of Fire” kicked off the encore), Ness played his Gibson Les Paul with almost as much ferocity as he does at a summertime Hootenanny fest fronting his other band. The intimacy of the Coach House, and the rare sight of a large crowd sitting (as opposed to standing or slamming in a mosh pit), gave the show a surreal feel. He also exchanged small talk with the audience providing additional magic to the night.

Throughout the performance, Ness’ own tunes stood up as well as his remakes, whether it was the Smithereens-style riff-rock attack of “Misery Loves Company” or a soaring “Reach for the Sky” or a honky-tonk version of “Ball and Chain.”

Long-running Anaheim act Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys kicked off the evening with a 45-minute set of authentic, infectious American roots music. Focusing on the band’s latest album, "Turntable Matinee," the quartet blazed through a mix of tunes anchored in rockabilly, Western swing and traditional country. The spirit of Buddy Holly lives in the beautiful tenor of Robert Williams (whose stage moniker is Big Sandy) and songs such as “The Great State of Misery” and the uptempo “Love That Man.”

Mike Ness' main set: Company C / All I Can Do Is Cry / Let the Jukebox Keep on Playing / Ballad of a Lonely Man/ Cheating at Solitaire / Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright / The Devil in Miss Jones / Rest of Our Lives / You Win Again / Dope Fiend Blues / Misery Loves Company / Crime Don’t Pay / Ball and Chain
Encore: Ring of Fire/ Reach for the Sky / I Think I’ll Stay / I Fought the Law

Mike Ness goes solo for Coach House December dates

Photo credit: Walter Urie

Mike Ness is headlining at the Coach House six times this month.

Although Mike Ness is best-known as the frontman of Social Distortion, the seminal and groundbreaking punk band that emerged out of Orange County’s music scene in 1979, his solo work explores a different side of the singer-songwriter’s multifaceted musical personality.

Both released in 1999, Ness’ rockabilly-styled “Cheating at Solitaire” and subsequent Americana-flavored “Under the Influences” fuse a vast array of roots styles together, with the ghosts of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and real-life talents of Bruce Springsteen and Stray Cats singer-guitarist Brian Setzer among the notables bringing this alternative sonic universe to life in the recording studio.
In fact on “Under the Influences,” Ness’ life-long affection for legends such as Hank Williams, Marty Robbins and aforementioned Carl Perkins are cemented with rousing covers of classics by those artists on the aptly-titled album.

Almost 10 years after the release of those now-classic recordings, Ness is performing a string of six highly-anticipated shows at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano.
Whether performing a honky tonk version of his own “Ball and Chain” or raucous cover of “I Fought the Law,” Ness can fuse punk rock, alt-country and rockabilly together effortlessly.

“I have a great affection for roots music; old blues, country, folk, rockabilly and primitive rock and roll in general. Without these roots, I wouldn’t have perspective,” Ness says in a recent bio.
“I love the music and feel it is as relevant as 70’s glitter and early punk. As a solo artist, I am able to cross the boundaries and integrate it all. I tried to bring these influences together and keep it honest.”

Ness headlines at the Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6, 9, 10, 14, 19 and 20. Although the majority of the shows were reportedly sold out as of this posting, some tickets do remain for the Sunday night, Dec. 14 date.
For more details, including what kinds of seats are available at specific dates, call the Coach House at 949-496-8930.

2008 Holiday Music a gift in tune with the season

Sixpence None the Richer, featuring guitarist/songwriter Matt Slocum (left) and vocalist Leigh Nash.

It’s not surprising that an ever-growing number of artists release Christmas-minded collections around the holidays. The good news for fans of such recordings is that the past few years have yielded an especially-strong number of albums in tune with the season.
So while 2007 revealed the memorable “Christmas Songs” from Jars of Clay and rollicking “Christmas with the Smithereens,” an equally sharp field of 2008-issued discs seems positioned to blast over the speakers at Santa’s toy factory this year.

“The Dawn of Grace” (Nettwerk Music) features the recently-reunited Sixpence None the Richer-led Leigh Nash revisiting eight traditional Christmas songs, including a stirring rendition of “Angels We Have Heard On High” and tender “Silent Night,” the latter showcasing the artful guest vocals of Jars of Clay lead singer Dan Haseltine. Two original tracks, “The Last Christmas” and “Christmas for Two,” highlight the pleasing folk-rock approach of the Grammy-nominated group.

Although not as well known as the aforementioned Jars of Clay and Sixpence None the Richer that she is touring with as part of the Love Came Down: A Christmas Pageant throughout December 2008, Sara Groves’ “O Holy Night” (Integrity Media) is a strong 12-song collection sure to win the one-time Rosemont, Minnesota high school teacher more followers.
Because Groves’ voice works best when singing emotive material in hushed arrangements (think Shawn Colvin), standards such as “O Holy Night” and “Angels We Have Heard on High” are reworked to focus on the lyrics and melodies with refreshing insight.

The fourth full-length album from Texas-based Los Lonely Boys is “Christmas Spirit” (Sony Records) a 10-song collection that features outstanding takes at “Run Run Rudolph” and “Away in a Manger,” as well as a flamenco-flavored instrumental take on “Cancion de las Campanas (Carol of the Bells).”

Rosie Thomas’ “A Very Rosie Christmas” (Sing-a-long Records) will please fans of the Seattle-based indie singer-songwriter, as well as lovers of traditional Christmas albums. Her voice draws comparisons with Joni Mitchell, so it’s no surprise a version of that singer’s “River” works so well here. She brings a nice dose of melancholy to reworked selections of “Christmastime Is Here” and “Silent Night,” making the songs her own.
Thomas is currently planning her first-ever Christmas tour, which includes a stop at Hotel Café in Hollywood on Dec. 9.

Of all the season’s new holiday-minded entries, few are as adventuresome as “Jingle All the Way” (Rounder Records) the latest album from Grammy-winning banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and the Flecktones. While the track list includes plenty of well-known standards (“O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Silent Night”), the delivery is all about style and innovation.
Highlights abound, including impressive renditions of the Vince Guaraldi Peanuts gems “Linus and Lucy” and “Christmas Time Is Here.”

The Boxmasters bridge the gap between traditional classics and rockabilly on the trio’s latest, “Christmas Cheer” (Vanguard Records). If you haven’t heard of the Boxmasters, you’ve surely heard of at least one member of the group; actor Billy Bob Thornton handles lead vocals and drumming duties in the band. He is joined by bassist-guitarist J.D. Andrew and lap steel-lead guitarist Mike Butler on versions of “Silver Bells,” “Blue Christmas” and John Lennon’s “Happy X-Mas (War Is Over),” as well as several Thornton-penned originals.

One of the original heroes of the rockabilly revival movement of the 1980s has become a champion of holiday-themed releases in the ‘00s.
The Brian Setzer Orchestra has released the 2-disc “Ultimate Christmas Collection” on Surfdog Records, a best of set that also includes a new recording of “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town.” The release also features a full-length concert on DVD that was filmed at Universal Amphitheatre in December 2004.

If it’s Christmas, chances are Mannheim Steamroller is issuing another holiday offering. The group’s 2008 collection, “Christmasville” (American Gramaphone), includes a number of songs from the “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” animated classic (including “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” and “Welcome Christmas”). This release also marks the first Mannheim Steamroller album with vocals on every track.

Although Enya released the 4-song “Christmas Secrets” in 2006, the Irish singer has issued a full-length album of new material in 2008. “And Winter Came…” features a range of holiday material boasting her distinctive vocals and Celtic-tinged new age style.

Christian rockers Third Day released the excellent “Christmas Offerings” in 2006, and completed a full-length Christmastime tour in 2007. One of those full-length shows was videotaped and has just been released on the similarly-titled “Third Day: Christmas Offerings” (Sony Music Videos) a DVD that finds the Georgia outfit performing gems such as “Do You Hear What I Hear” and “O Come All Ye Faithful,” as well as their own “God Of Wonders” as part of the 13-song set.

Although Johnny Cash died in 2003, his enormous and wide-ranging body of work continues to be reissued. Several recent releases have special significance this season, with Shout! Factory having issued a 4-DVD box set that includes his annual Christmas specials shown on CBS television between 1976 and 1979. The holiday specials are also available individually.
There are highlights on all four programs, but the 1977 special includes an all-star tribute to Elvis Presley that features Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison playing together.
BilesOnDVD has released “Johnny Cash: Chapter & Verse,” a DVD-CD set featuring Cash’s 19-hour narration of the New King James Version New Testament on DVD with an accompanying CD featuring 14 of Cash’s gospel hits.

With the upcoming arrival of Hanukkah on Dec. 21, Shout! Factory is issuing the perfectly-timed “The Heart and Humor of a People,” a collection of classic Jewish songs newly-recorded for the 13-song disc. An especially eclectic mix of musicians and actors have recorded tracks, including Neil Sadaka, Herb Albert, Max Weinberg (Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band), Dave Koz, Barbara Streisand, Jason Alexander and Adam Sandler.

There are a number of other noteworthy holiday-related collections that have been issued in recent weeks, including Yo-Yo Ma’s “Songs of Joy & Peace,” Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas,” Tony Bennett’s “A Swingin’ Christmas,” Melissa Etheridge’s “A New Thought for Christmas,” Sarah Brightman’s “A Winter Symphony,” Harry Connick Jr.’s “What a Night! A Christmas Album” and Mindy Smith’s “My Holiday.”

Parkaimoon defies conventions on new album

PARKAIMOON features, from left, drummer Dave Goode, bassist Damon Tucker, singer Kari Melissa, guitarist Tony Howell and guitarist-pianist Kenny Hale.

Photo credit: MIKE PRADO

There remains modern music that can't easily be categorized, defying well-established labels such as adult album alternative, hardcore, power-pop, funk or folk-rock.

So when getting an earful of the stunning new release from Parkaimoon, "The Sum of Our Experience," discerning listeners might want to throw away labels and note that it's simply a great modern rock album.
Released on Parkaimoon's own Platonic Music label on Nov. 11, 2008, "The Sum of Our Experience" is a wonderful 11-track disc that boasts artful and intelligent song craft enhanced by the troupe's strong musical instincts and dazzling performances.
The Orange County quintet spent about 18 months recording the finished tracks with engineer Jerry Adamowicz at Adamos Recording in Westminster. The album was produced by Kenny Hale, who plays guitar and piano in Parkaimoon.

"We wanted to do a big production record with multiple layers and orchestration," explained guitarist Tony Howell, noting Parkaimoon set out to get the big sound captured by some of their favorite acts, notably Pink Floyd and U2.
Added bassist Damon Tucker: ""Kenny, Tony and I sat down and watched the DVDs about the 'Making of the Joshua Tree' and the 'The Dark Side of the Moon.' If you are going to emulate someone else, you want it to stand the test of time. We rerecorded four songs from our last album ('Empty Vessel,' 'Disappearing Act,' 'Tunnel Vision,' 'Bury Me Deep') and did better versions of those."

Indeed, "The Sum of Our Experience" captures the grandeur of the band's heroes, while singer Kari Melissa, drummer Dave Goode and aforementioned Howell, Tucker and Hale bring their own distinctive talents to the mix to create something positioned between the far-flung sounds of Paramore, U2, Garbage and Evanescence.

"I can listen to it and enjoy it. I used to not be able to listen to my own stuff. I'm happy it (the new album) has the same sound quality as the other bands I like," Tucker said.
In addition to the band's album of all-original material, fans can download a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" or hear the reworked classic on Parkaimoon's MySpace page.

"We do a lot of cover gigs and we wanted to do a remake while in the studio," Tucker said. "I figured; why not throw some fresh bait out there? A lot of bands I came to like were based on covers they did, like Primus with Pink Floyd's 'Have a Cigar' and the Chili Peppers with Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground.'"
Most of the lyrics featured on "The Sum of Our Experience" were penned by Tucker, although Howell and Stefani Roscoe wrote those on "Bury Me Deep."
"We have influences, but they may or may not come out on our records," Howell said.
Tucker had a slightly different take on the group's influences: ""We listen to current stuff and listen to old stuff. We don't sound like anything else out there."

Many of the newer songs on "The Sum of Our Experience" reflect Tucker's more recent experiences and view of life, notably the album's uplifting title track.
"That song says life's short, appreciate every moment you have."

Parkaimoon will perform at King Neptune's, 17115 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach, 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. on Dec. 5.
Parkaimoon will perform at Mahe South, 24961 Dana Point Harbor Dr., Dana Point, at 8 p.m. Dec. 13, and at Mahe, 1400 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach, at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 18. The band will also perform at the Marine Room, 214 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, at 9 p.m. on Dec. 19 and 20.
Information: http://www.parkaimoon.com/ or www.myspace.com/parkaimoon.

Terri Nunn-led Berlin returns to Orange County

Berlin, one of the most successful and influential bands to emerge out of the Orange County music scene, will headline at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Friday night, Nov. 28.

Terri Nunn, lead singer of the techno-pop group that formed in Orange County in the late 1970s and rose to international fame in the early 1980s, reflected in a recent e-mail interview how much she enjoys returning here to perform.

"Orange County had a very open ear to new music and still does," noted Nunn, who now lives in the Los Angeles area.
"The people there were situated in an area that could get two extremely influential stations, KROQ in Pasadena and 91X in San Diego; both amazing stations for new, cutting-edge music. So we had an audience and two radio stations willing to take a chance on us. Without you guys, we would never have happened. There is nothing like playing your hometown and I am honored to get the opportunity to play for the people of Orange County especially."

Berlin's first release with Nunn on vocals was 1982's "Pleasure Victim," a seven-song disc that featured a number of groundbreaking new wave tracks, including "The Metro," "Masquerade" and the controversial "Sex (I'm A …)."
"Sonically, we were inspired by the European synthesizer bands Kraftwerk and Ultravox, and found other musicians to work with who felt like we did," Nunn explained. "It took writing and arranging a lot of songs to find the right balance of sounds that became the Berlin sound. I would have to say it was 'The Metro' that finally defined it for us. When we finished that, all of us were literally, "Wow! That's what we want the rest of this record to be like!'"

When Berlin hits the stage in San Juan Capistrano on Nov. 28, fans can expect to hear many of the tracks off "Pleasure Victim," as well as subsequent hits such as "No More Words" and "Take My Breath Away," the latter from the 1986 movie "Top Gun."
Although Berlin disbanded in 1987, Nunn reformed the group in 1999 and since has seen acclaim and recognition for the important musical outfit only grow. In addition of 2002's "Voyeur" focusing on new material, Berlin's full-length 2005 effort "4play" featured the band delivering a number of energetic covers of tracks such as Prince's "Erotic City" and David Bowie's "Fashion."
Nunn says fans of Berlin can look forward to several new projects she is working on that should see the light of day in 2009.

"A new album is happening, and it doesn't have a title yet. But I am very excited by the new writers I am working with now. It is still very electronic, with a little goth edge at times. There is also a concert event I'm putting together called 'Girls Night Out.' I am bringing together the best women artists in music today to sing not just on the same bill, but sing together. This is a once-in-a-lifetime event and I am thrilled," Nunn said.
Nunn said she is thrilled to still be performing with Berlin, almost 30 years after bassist John Crawford saw her ad placed in the Musician's Contact Service in Hollywood in which she said she was looking to sing in a "unique" band.

"I am very fortunate to still be able to do this as my job," Nunn acknowledged.
"I enjoy it more now than I ever did. Someone asked me the other day, when in my career did I finally feel I could sing? God, it took me 10 years just to feel like I had a tiny handle on it. … Now I feel like back at the beginning when I sang for fun, without an agenda. I can create whatever I want, and now I get to do it without being so freaked out all the time. It pays to stick with something."

The Bacon Brothers: Music now taking center stage

Photo credit: Paul La Raia

The Bacon Brothers, from left, Kevin and Michael Bacon.

Keanu Reeves, Kevin Costner, Billy Bob Thornton, Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix are among the growing number of successful actors who have also pursued secondary careers playing music.

But none of those film stars has enjoyed the well-deserved critical praise for their music that has greeted the Bacon Brothers, the group featuring acclaimed actor Kevin Bacon and his older brother, Emmy Award-winning composer Michael Bacon.
The Bacon Brothers have just released "New Year's Day," the siblings' sixth album. The duo will feature songs from that release in a headlining show at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano on Nov. 21.

From the infectious countryfied power pop of "Tell Me What I Have To Do" and authentic reggae-fueled "Bunch Of Words" to the lush melodic rock of "Architeuthis" and rocking title track, "New Year's Day" is an album that captures the brothers' collective talents as singers, songwriters and musicians.

"Every time I record something, I think that's the last one (song); the (tap) has been turned off. But the songs have kind of just kept coming," Kevin Bacon said in a recent phone interview. "I feel really good about the songs."
Michael and Kevin Bacon were raised in Philadelphia, so it's not surprising that soul is a part of their sound. As evidenced by the tracks on "New Year's Day" and 2005's "White Knuckles," country, folk, reggae, funk and an increasing number of other styles fit into a sonic brew that sounds both classic and contemporary.
"In some ways, this album feels a little bit more cohesive than the last one," said Kevin Bacon, a gifted actor whose range of eclectic performances have been featured in well-known movies including "Apollo 13," "JFK," "Footloose," "The Woodsman," "Tremors" and "A Few Good Men." His real-life role in the Bacon Brothers finds him sharing lead vocal duties with his brother. Both Bacons play guitar, while Kevin also plays harmonica and Michael plays cello.
The Bacon Brothers' top-notch band features Paul Guzzone (bass, guitar), Ira Siegel (guitar, mandolin), Frank Vilardi (drums, percussion) and Charlie Giordano (keyboards, accordion, melodica).

Michael Bacon, whose professional music career began in the late 1960s as a member of the Philadelphia band Good News, said the brothers share a life-long bond of making music together.
"Kevin was probably still in diapers. I don't ever remember a time where I didn't think it was a really good idea for us to play music together," said Michael Bacon during the interview, noting he bought Kevin his first guitar when he was young and taught him how to play his first song, the Beatles' "Hey Jude."
When the Bacon Brothers released their debut "Forosoco" in 1997, it was common for music writers to cover the group only because Kevin Bacon was a member. Today, the focus is usually on the depth and range of songs that the brothers play.
"If you want something, you have to work long and hard for it. We certainly didn't expect any shortcuts (because of his fame)," Kevin Bacon said.
Many local musicians will relate to Kevin's story about some of the Bacon Brothers' early shows.
"We were moving our own gear in Michael's station wagon," Kevin said.
"For one thing, it sort of keeps you about (realizing) how difficult this thing is. And I think people appreciate that you are not that (conceited) because of the movie star thing."
Both brothers said their primary objective when they play the Coach House is to put on a great concert.
"The most important thing is to have a great live show because you cannot digitize, you cannot download a live show," Michael noted.
Online: www.thecoachhouse.com