Friday, March 27, 2015

Dave Alvin and Phil Alvin - Common Ground

Subtitled "Play and Sing the Songs of Big Bill Broonzy", this is a self-explanatory release. The Blasters brothers are huge fans of old time blues/rockabilly/country/r'n'r and give it all a go in this project dedicated to the long career of this legendary bluesman.

I've been a fan of the Blasters since first seeing them in the clubs when I moved to LA and can attest that they are still a strong live act and Phil's voice is as spectacular and powerful as ever. Dave is, of course, an exemplary guitarist, with a strong style that emotes with the simplest lick, though he is capable of blistering leads.

Here the two show off Broonzy's terrific songwriting while making the arrangements their own with the help of a number of friends, including their old piano pounder, Gene Taylor. They move from acoustic blues ("All By Myself"), to electric swing ("I Feel So Good" - man, Dave's solo stings here!), to acoustic boogie-woogie ("How You Want It Done?") and more. Dave gets to take lead vocal while Phil blows harp on the tough blues "Southern Flood Blues"

The brothers have gathered some of Big Bill's best tunes here and all are performed by some of the current masters of the genre. Both Alvin's get to shine, instrumentally and vocally (trading off leads and harmonizing) and the backing musicians truly know how to power the blues.

Any fan of the Blasters - and of quality blues - will dig this one! Get it!

(And ya gotta love the front cover - some things never change!)

J.B. Hutto and His Hawks - Hawk Squat

This is another stumble'n'find for me and another Chicago bluesman, also recorded in 1968, this time
tipping his hat to the likes of slide-master Elmore James. The famous Sunnyland Slim joins in on keys and the rest of the combo consists of Maurice McIntyre on tenor sax, Lee Jackson on guitar, Junior Pettis or Dave Myers on bass and Frank Kirkland on drums.

J.B.'s sound is more traditional, late-60's, Chicago blues, with some rough-edged vocals (emotional and powerful, but not the best singer to come out of the town, by a long stretch) and some fine playing. Dig the raw guitar/sax interlude on stuff like "Too Much Pride" and the slippery slide work that spices up many of the tunes.

Of course, Hutto is no mere Elmore copiest, he has his own style and his music covers the gamet of the blues - slow'n'sizzlin', fast'n'swingin' and everything in between. The slide is not a constant feature, but adds cool texture and solos throughout. Some of the tunes will sound familiar - "Hip Skakin'" is a play on "Bare Footin'", "20% Alcohol" is reminiscent of "Big Boss Man", etc. - but all are groovy and fine blues.

Dig this man a lot, but can understand him not being in the top pantheon of bluesmen - just not as charismatic as some, and he also never really got a chance to shine, outside of local Chicago clubs. Fine release.


Jimmy Dawkins - Fast Fingers

I am continually amazed at the amount and quality of older blues music that I have yet to discover and how damn cool it is when I do. Again, not sure how I stumbled upon Jimmy Dawkins (Facebook, maybe?) but glad that I did! This CD includes tracks recorded in Chicago in '68 and '69 with "Fast Fingers" on guitar and vocals, Eddie Shaw on tenor sax, Lafayette Leake on piano, Might Joe Young on guitar (wow to all!), Joe Harper and Ernest Gatewood on bass and Lester Dorsie on drums.

The sound here is cool, soulful Chicago blues, in the Magic Sam vein, with skillful, biting guitar licks and runs throughout and Jimmy's edgy but melodic voice. Really great guitar stylings here, with surfy staccato, smooth frills, and standard blues riffs taking on new life. The band grooves and pulses behind him and get their own moment's in the spotlight, but mostly, this is all about Jimmy - and rightfully so!

Most of the material here is swingin', upbeat, jumpin' blues, but he does slow it down occasionally, like the BB King-ish "I Finally Learned a Lesson" and "You Got To Keep On Trying", although his style is rawer and more potent than even BB! Again, he most reminds me of Magic Sam - who is a favorite of mine - and his combination of blues and soul.

Another stellar find! Highly recommended.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

RIP Sharon Tandy

Lots of greatness from this one - I especially love her work with Fleur de Lys:
---
Sharon Tandy

recommended gigs

Friday Mar 27 - Super Zeroes, Analog Law at Babe's Rockin' Sports Bar
Friday Mar 27 - the Time Crashers with Greedy Mouth, Time Termination and more at OMD

Saturday Mar 28 - Whiskey Breath, Duane Marc, Hogjaw at Adrenaline
Saturday Mar 28 - The All Togethers and Josh Greenway at the Pioneer Saloon

Sunday March 29 - Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band with the All Togethers and Ditch Diggers at the Beauty Bar

Wednesday April 1 - Thee Mapes at the Double Down for Frank'n'Deans Weenie Roast

Thursday April 2 - the Delta Bombers at Viva Las Vegas

Friday April 3 - Scoundrels at the Double Down
Friday April 3 - Delta Bombers, Eddy Bear and the Cubs, Yawpers, Yosemite Slam at Triple B

Saturday April 4 - the Sonics at the Viva Las Vegas Car Show - the Orleans
Saturday April 4 - the Coffin Cats with the New Waves, Scoundrels and Dead at Midnight - the Dive Bar

Sunday April 5 - the Sonics at Viva Las Vegas - Mardi Gras Ballroom at the Orleans

Thursday April 9 - Bob Wayne, Fuzz Solow, All Togethers and the Bourbon Brothers at the Dive Bar
Thursday April 9 - the Psyatics, Heavy Glow, Cosmic Beasts, Core - the Beauty Bar

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors
Friday April 10 - Bob Wayne, Duane Mark, Whiskey Breath, All Togethers - Dive Bar

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Friday April 17 - the All Togethers at Artifice
Friday April 17 - 3d6, Lambs to Lions, SFT, Unit F, Horroripilation - Adrenaline

Saturday April 18 - the Unwieldies at Dillinger

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

The All Togethers - To the Sober Go the Spoils

I have been meaning to get to this, the All Togethers latest CD, for a couple of weeks now, but life and sickness have kept me from getting much of anything done. The previous release from this self-proclaimed "hillbilly jazz" bunch, Ridge Runner, is at least a couple of years old by now and the group has had some personal changes since then. Ken (lead vocals, banjo, mandolin) and Cindy (stand up bass/vocals) remain and are joined by Michael (guitar/vocals) and Brenna (cello/vocals), who have now been playing with them long enough that they have meshed and melded into a strong, cohesive unit.

Most of the songs here will be familiar to those who have been watching this combo grow here in Vegas and the opener, "Self Defense", has a strong, percussive mandolin intro and really nice 4 part harmonies, which are prevalent throughout. "Run Away" highlights Ken's strong song-writing and Brenna's cello, adding a different texture to the mix, and the acoustic rave-up at the end is a nice touch, as well. Bringing the cello to the forefront again is "Shadowboxing" (which also has a hep vocal pause/hook) along with "Get Your Mind Right", before Michael takes the lead for the prohibition-esque ode to the imbiber, "Sonata In Whiskey". Keeping in the theme is "Copper Angel", bringing in the record's title to this romantic paean to Ken's moonshine still - some really creative instrumental interaction here, as well as lyrical cleverness.

From there we get a Roarin' 20's banjo number, "So What?" and then Michael adds a lovely guitar intro (and solo) to the somewhat threatening and frightening (but beautifully melodic) "When the Night Comes". The added percussion towards the end is particularly creepy, as well. More jumpin'n'jivin' in their cover of "Darktown Strutter's Ball" and then the proceedings finish up with a new, upbeat take on "I Heard You Paint Houses" (that also appeared on Ridge Runner).

I'd have to say that this co-ed combo is probably my favorite acoustic combo in town (though they do have some strong competition here) and this recording is a high quality representation of their sound, with terrific tone, superior playing throughout and great songwriting. Hop a freight train, drain a can of Sterno and grab this wherever you can!

Friday, March 20, 2015

another 60's great gone

Michael Brown, keyboardist/songwriter for The Left Banke, RIP
---

Thursday, March 19, 2015

recommended gigs

Friday Mar 20 - the Beau Hodges Band at the Container Park

Wednesday Mar 25  - The Swank Bastards at the Double Down
Wednesday Mar 25 - The All Togethers and Brandon from Whiskey Breath at the Griffin

Friday Mar 27 - Super Zeroes, Analog Law at Babe's Rockin' Sports Bar
Friday Mar 27 - the Time Crashers with Greedy Mouth, Time Termination and more at OMD

Saturday Mar 28 - Whiskey Breath, Duane Marc, Hogjaw at Adrenaline
Saturday Mar 28 - The All Togethers and Josh Greenway at the Pioneer Saloon

Sunday March 29 - Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band with the All Togethers and Ditch Diggers at the Beauty Bar

Wednesday April 1 - Thee Mapes at the Double Down for Frank'n'Deans Weenie Roast

Thursday April 2 - the Delta Bombers at Viva Las Vegas

Friday April 3 - Scoundrels at the Double Down
Friday April 3 - Delta Bombers, Eddy Bear and the Cubs, Yawpers, Yosemite Slam at Triple B

Saturday April 4 - the Coffin Cats with the New Waves, Scoundrels and Dead at Midnight - the Dive Bar

Sunday April 5 - the Sonics at Viva Las Vegas - Mardi Gras Ballroom

Thursday April 9 - Bob Wayne, Fuzz Solow, All Togethers and the Bourbon Brothers at the Dive Bar
Thursday April 9 - the Psyatics, Heavy Glow, Cosmic Beasts, Core - the Beauty Bar

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors
Friday April 10 - Bob Wayne, Duane Mark, Whiskey Breath, All Togethers - Dive Bar

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Friday April 17 - the All Togethers at Artifice
Friday April 17 - 3d6, Lambs to Lions, SFT, Unit F, Horroripilation - Adrenaline

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 1 - the return of the Holy Smokes at the Double Down with the Astaires, Ditch Diggers, Psyatics

Wednesday May 13 - Shanda and the Howlers with the Royal Hounds at the Griffin

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

RIP Samuel Charters


Samuel Charters, Foundational Scholar of the Blues, Dies at 85 
---
I must admit that I am not well versed in his works, though obviously, as with any rock'n'roller, I am indebted to him. I will be looking into his books.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

RIP Andy Frasier of Free

FREE BASSIST ANDY FRASER DEAD AT 62
 ---
Very sad - I have always been a big Free fan and their song "All Right Now" is a true classic.

Hate reading about these rockers dying far too young.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

The Bourbon Brothers, All Togethers, Fuzz Solow and Charlie Overbey at the Dive Bar Mar 11, 2015

The Dive Bar does it again with another high quality night filled with talented acoustic/roots/blues/hillbilly/country/what-have-you music from start to finish.

Starting at a reasonable 9:30-ish time, the Bourbon Brothers took the stage with their two-acoustic act filled with folk music from around the world. Starting with a Croatian tune (first time for that at the Dive Bar?), they moved through originals and covers that gave the feel of Greek, Russian, Gypsy and assorted other flavors of traditional music. Both Elliot and Will are fine guitarists and vocalists who work off of each other well - trading guitar licks and chords, lead vocals, harmonies and making a cool, joyful noise. First time seeing this duo but it won't be the last!


In efforts of full disclosure, I did play a solo set this evening as well, as Prophet Greene and had a good time, despite being a bit rusty on this act. But then we got RR'n'RR'n'R faves, the All Togethers and they had a particularly strong set this evening, though I don't remember ever seeing a bad set by this combo. The sound was especially good (thanks, John Kirby!) and cellist Brenna continues to impress as I see her play with the gang more often. I was a bit hesitant about the addition of a cello but she does create some sweet sounds and a second female vocal enhances the 4 part harmonies. There were some new songs off of their upcoming CD (To the Sober Go the Spoils - release party Friday March 13 at the Forge!) and each member is standing out more - guitarist Michael gets in a few more licks, there was a song with mandolin and cello trade-offs and an update on "I Heard You Paint Houses", from their first CD. Always a good time!

Another one of my favorite local acts is one man band, Fuzz Solow, stirring up blues and funk in his own personal style. From his usual opener, Howlin' Wolf's "Built For Comfort" to an original "Midnight Sun" to Robert Johnson's "Crossroads" (by way of Cream) to a funky "Red House" and "Manic Depression", the man always entertains while he amazes with his guitar prowess (and, using a splitter, bass joins in, as well) as he stomps out the beat. He pulls out his out cigar box guitar for some slide blues and rallys the crowd by the end of the set. Another man that needs to be seen!

Headlining the evening (and going on at a fairly reasonable time - thank you to the Dive Bar for keeping things moving) was Charlie Overbey and the Broken Arrows, featuring old pals JImmy James and Dave James (Hangman and Super Bees, respectively), as well as an ace steel player (JC, I believe), and a fine bass/drum combo highlighting well-written songs like "Whiskey and California Weed" and "1975". Charlie is a graduate of the punk rock scene but has a good ear for country melodies and his voice blended well with the drummer's, while Jimmy, Dave and JC traded licks. Great seeing good friends (who are excellent players) and hearing new sounds.

Not a bad note throughout the night! Thank you Dive Bar!

recommended gigs

Thursday Mar 12 - the New Waves at the Bunkhouse

Friday Mar 13 - the All Togethers CD release party at Forge in Boulder City
Friday Mar 13 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down
Friday Mar 13 - Bogtrotters Union at Hennesseys

Saturday Mar 14 - The Two Tens at the Dive Bar
Saturday Mar 14 - Whiskey Breath at the Dillinger
Saturday Mar 14 - Bogtrotters Union at Water Street Parade

Sunday Mar 15 - Anvil at Adrenaline Sports Bar
Sunday Mar 15 - Bogtrotters Union at Water Street Parade

Tuesday Mar 17 - the All Togethers at the Backstop Sports Pub
Tuesday Mar 17 - Bogtrotters Union at Triple B with Civilians, Brock, and Lawnmower Death Riders

Friday Mar 20 - the Beau Hodges Band at the Container Park

Wednesday Mar 25  - The Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Friday Mar 27 - Super Zeroes, Analog Law at Babe's Rockin' Sports Bar

Sunday March 29 - Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band with the All Togethers and Ditch Diggers at the Beauty Bar

Thursday April 2 - the Delta Bombers at Viva Las Vegas

Friday April 3 - Scoundrels at the Double Down
Friday April 3 - Delta Bombers, Eddy Bear and the Cubs, Yawpers, Yosemite Slam at Triple B

Saturday April 4 - the Coffin Cats with the New Waves and Dead at Midnight - the Dive Bar

Sunday April 5 - the Sonics at Viva Las Vegas - Mardi Gras Ballroom

Thursday April 9 - Bob Wayne, Fuzz Solow and the Bourbon Brothers at the Dive Bar

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter

I have been familiar with this band by name only for decades but now that one of the members (Sandy - guitar) lives in Las Vegas, I finally have a copy of their record! This 1989 Voxx Records album apparently collects all of the HGD's recording on one 12" LP and no one has of yet released this on CD, which is a damn shame, as this bit of 60's-styled coolness should be heard by all!

Mostly led by Emily's (first names only on the sleeve!) lovely voice, the band creates a terrific batch of jangly pop, often with layers of 12-string guitar, drivin' drums (Rey) and some (uncredited) roaming bass lines. The powerful-pop one-two punch of "Love is Blue" and "Fell For Words..." opens, followed by a rollickin' "Don't Ask My Name (Just Call Me Jack", with its groovy feedback solo and "Gloria" steal. Guitarist Gordeen takes lead vox on the moodier "Somethin' About Today" (really reminds me of something that I can't place - maybe early, melodic Joy Division) and then keyboards join the mix for "Jonathan". They get a bit rougher and noisier in (and add manipulated vocals, keys, and Pink Floyd-ish sounds to) "Out of My Head" and Emily really does get a chance to scream (as she is credited).

Flip over the vinyl and we get a 12-string riffer in "Popular Trend" - nice drawn out feedback/vocals/something - and then there's a version of the Shadows of Knight "Dark Side" (funnily enough, I had just listened to that before putting this on). The Shads are on of my fave bands and that's one of my fave songs by them, so I'm not gonna say that this meets or exceeds their version, but it has a fine intensity all of its own and builds nicely. Another exceptionally catchy guitar riff opens "You're Pushing Me Too Far" and the two ladies get to join in on some fine harmonies on this memorable rocker. They slow down to a swingin' bass groove on "Cat's Got 9", which some sweet 60's melodies, a cool, Caribbean feel, and call'n'response vocals.

Really dug this bit of 60's styled pop quite a bit! Hopefully, people will search this one out. Produced by a member of TV Personalities, too!

Sunday, March 08, 2015

Cheap Trick at the 3rd Street Stage on Fremont Street, Saturday Mar 7, 2015

It has been quite a while since I have seen a major band play on Fremont Street, so was a bit surprised by the extra security added and the fact the the area in front of the stage was barricaded off, herding the people in through a small opening - meaning a long, very slow line. Access to drinks was minimal, as well - also quite surprising - and generally nowhere near as easy going as it had been in the past. Not sure if this was just because it was a NASCAR weekend (I think) or if this is the way they do it now, but not as fun as it once was.

Still, we got to see Cheap Trick for free and they are still great! Unfortunately, incredible drummer Bun E. Carlos is no longer with them and his presence is sorely missed. Rick's son has taken over the drum stool and he is a fine rock drummer, and he does sing, but does not have Carlos' style or groove (or fashion sense!). The sound at the stage is also a little funky, with heavy bass and drums and nowhere near enough emphasis on the guitars, which tended to be a bit muddy. But, enough complaints - the songs were there and the band looked and sounded pretty darn amazing!

While there are always some songs that you wish they played, the 2 hour set was quite strong, opening with - of course - "Hello There", moving into "Big Eyes" (that was a treat!) and "Hello Kiddies" - each song with a new guitar for Rick and Robin! Rick doesn't throw his guitars across the stage to his roadies any more, and, naturally, he has slowed down, but is still a showman and Robin is still r'n'r thin and stylish and hadn't lost anything in his incredible voice. Bassist Tom still has his distinctive 12 string bass, which is a big part of their sound, and he still gets to do his tune "I Know What I Want".

Guitarswere exchanged on nearly every number, and Robin took a few where he just sang. Pulling a few from Budokan, we got "California Man" (with the "Brontosaurus" intro - and blinding lights in Rick's checkerboard speaker cabinets), "Ain't That a Shame" - with Rick on slide and everyone trading licks - and more. "Hot Love" is always smokin', there was some song they recorded with Todd Rundgren that I did not recognize, "Look Out", and "On Top of the World"

Robin came out with an acoustic for their cover of "Don't Be Cruel", which they say was a Top 5 hit, though I guess I wasn't listening to the radio then! Of course they had to do "She's Tight" - not terrible, but not one of their best by any means, then the ultra cool "Gimme Love", with the long intro and "Bang a Gong" references. "Southern Girls" - a fave with the fans - Tom's song - which he introduces with a bass solo - and then the dreadful "The Flame", that really brought down the momentum, though Robin tried to lighten it up a bit by starting a Neil Young song on his acoustic first.
Thankfully, they bounced back with "I Want You to Want Me" and "Dream Police", with Rick throwing out handfuls of guitar picks and Robin feigning passing out on stage with a roadie draping his jacket over his shoulders ala James Brown.

For the encore, they came back with what I can only assume was a new song and then - naturally - "Surrender" and "Goodnite Now", with Rick's 5-neck guitar and a number of fun, fake endings, bringing down the "house" (street?).

Despite missing Bun E., and the sound being iffy - it was better in some spots than others - it was still an excellent r'n'r show by an amazing band that never stopped rockin'. Always a good time and always a band to see! They posted their set list on their Facebook page.

Odd thing is that, despite the concert area being barricaded off, at some point the Fremont security was obviously letting stray folks simply wander through the barricaded area and hundreds/thousands of the drunken, People-of-Walmart, dregs of humanity passed us by with their truly unfortunate fashion choices as we tried to rock out with CT. Distracting and made us wonder why we had to stand in line, but I suppose this started at a certain time in the evening.

The All Togethers with the Swamp Gospel at the Huntridge Tavern - Friday Mar 6, 2015

Sorry, but I didn't take notes or even stay particularly sober this evening, but it was a fun-filled night with lots of new & old friends. LA buddy Bob Blackburn took a ton of great pix of the SG, so I am posting them here. The Huntridge is always a blast and we will be returning soon.

The All Togethers never fail to win new fans and entertain everyone with their own brand of Hillbilly Jazz - mixing traditional numbers, terrific originals (they have a new CD and will have a release party on Friday March 13 at the Forge in Bould City) and wacky covers of rap tunes (I never recognize these, but people will tell me that something was originally by, say, Vanilla Ice). Always an excellent time and they sounded great tonight - cellist Brenna is really fitting in and adding sweet sounds to the mix. I've ranted'n'raved about them innumerably, so just go see them!

Thank you again to the Huntridge Tavern for providing a cool, laid-back venue for fun shows!


Friday, March 06, 2015

Eddie Burns - Snake Eyes

I'm not positive, but I can only assume that I came upon Eddie Burns due to his work with John Lee
Hooker, especially on his fantastic "Burnin' Hell". Playing both guitar and harmonica, Eddie's style hearkens back to early Detroit blues, though his voice is quite weak - to the point of being distracting, at times. This 2001 recording shows both his strengths and his weaknesses, but his voice really brings down the proceedings, and I am not one to complain about vocal expertise much. So while instrumentally this is fine - though not exceptional - I really can't recommend this one. Sorry Eddie!

The Loons - Inside Out Your Mind

I've ranted'n'raved about the Loons several times before (though somehow haven't reviewed their excellent debut - will have to correct that!) and I've known Mike Stax longer than most people that I'm still in touch with and have been a fan of all of his bands over the years and the Loons are certainly no exception. Here Mike forsakes his Harmony bass and strictly sings lead while wife Anja (ex-Diaboliks/Cherylinas) aptly handles the bass chores along with Chris Marsteller and Marc Schroeder on guitars and Mike Kamoo on drums. This new Bomp! release follow in the footsteps of their previous releases (and bands) while continues to expand upon their sound and break new ground.

The sound here is terrific and this one opens with a rockin' guitar raver, "Siren City", that is somehow hauntingly familiar, with its cool melody, guitar lines and harmonies, and yet still original. In a combination of old Pebbles tunes and their moodier side (like something from their first album, Love's Dead Leaves), "Moon and Tide" is still full of energy, but has more of a Soundtrack of Their Lives feel. The title track pounds'n'stomps with an off-time groove, before adding a psych-ish chorus and lots of fine guitar interaction (Chris and Marc are a great team - working off of each other and adding just the right parts to each song). They bring in the 12-string for "Out of the Frame" while Anja starts out the hard-edged rocker "Cruel Grey Fog". For a change of pace there's an acoustic number (played by drummer Kamoo), "Silence", sounds like a quieter number from something like S.F.Sorrow. So you don't get too complacent they return with another fierce garage cruncher, "My Desolation" and the fuzz-filled "I Don't Live There Anymore". They dial back the mania (though it does build nicely) a bit for the psych-pop of "Head in the Clouds" (complete with strings!) but return with another piece of fuzz-garage in "Transparent Eyes" and then closes out with more groovy, energetic, Beatles-esque psych-pop in "As the Raven Flies".

Any lover of 60's sounds will know who Mike Stax is, so you know that he has great taste, so you already know that any band that he does will be something to see and hear. Definitely one to get and check them out whenever you can! I hear rumors of tours happening!


Thursday, March 05, 2015

recommended gigs

Thursday Mar 5 - The Biltmore Boys, Bourbon Brothers and Erik Alesi at the Beauty Bar

Friday March 6 - The Swamp Gospel with The All Togethers at the Huntridge Tavern
Friday March 6 - the Delta Bombers at Triple B with Big Sandy

Saturday Mar 7 - Cheap Trick at Fremont Street Experience
Saturday Mar 7 - Water Landing, Alex and His Meal Ticket, Ossum Possum - Triple B

Sunday Mar 8 - Thee Swank Bastards at Pussyrama at the Bunkhouse

Wednesday Mar 11 - Prophet Greene with Fuzz Solow and Charlie Overbey and the Broken Arrows at the Dive Bar

Thursday Mar 12 - the New Waves at the Bunkhouse

Friday Mar 13 - the All Togethers CD release party at Forge in Boulder City
Friday Mar 13 - Thee Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Saturday Mar 14 - The Two Tens at the Dive Bar
Saturday Mar 14 - Whiskey Breath at the Dillinger

Sunday Mar 15 - Anvil at Adrenaline Sports Bar

Tuesday Mar 17 - the All Togethers at the Backstop Sports Pub
Tuesday Mar 17 - Bogtrotters Union at Triple B with Civilians, Brock, and Lawnmower Death Riders

Friday Mar 20 - the Beau Hodges Band at the Container Park

Wednesday Mar 25  - The Swank Bastards at the Double Down

Sunday March 29 - Rev. Peyton's Big Damn Band with the All Togethers and Ditch Diggers at the Beauty Bar

Thursday April 2 - the Delta Bombers at Viva Las Vegas

Friday April 3 - Scoundrels at the Double Down

Saturday April 4 - the Coffin Cats with the New Waves and Dead at Midnight - the Dive Bar

Sunday April 5 - the Sonics at Viva Las Vegas - Mardi Gras Ballroom

Friday April 10 - the Mapes, the Maxies and Alan Six - Atomic Liquors

Saturday April 11 - Haunted Garage, the Time Crashers, Tartar Control, Radioactive Chicken Heads, Alexander the Terrible, Child Endangerment, Caliban and the Witch, Plague Doctor, the Rifleman and Firewater Folklore at OMD

Saturday April 25 - the Swamp Gospel at the Double Down with Thee Fourgiven and the Psyatics
Saturday April 25 - the All Togethers at the Mormon Fort - 6:00pm

Friday May 22 - the Humpers and the Hangmen at the Beauty Bar

Sunday May 31 - the Astaires with Sharks From Mars at the Double Down

Wednesday June 3 - Dick Dale at the Hard Rock on the Strip

What have I forgotten? Lemme know!

The Sloths / The Astaires - The Bunkhouse, Wednesday March 4, 2015

60's Back From the Grave-ers the Sloths are back and playing and recording again an dare now on tour on their way to SXSW. They generously made another stop in Vegas (see review of their last show in town here) and the renovated Bunkhouse, along with appropriate local support act, the Astaires.

Unfortunately, as this is Vegas and it was a Wednesday night, the turn out was slight, although enthusiastic for both bands. Cromm Fallon's Astaires now includes second guitarist/singer Dakota, bassist Ron (returning to the band after a previous stint as their drummer) and new drummer Ricky. This line-up has the proper mix of looseness and tightness - the songs are crisp and sharp, but the energy and stage presence gives way to some r'n'r anarchistic craziness, which keeps things entertaining.


Opening with a new stomper, the set the pace for the show right away - high energy garage rock'n'roll with plenty of harmonies. All three frontmen trade off on lead vocals, the Cromm is the default main man. Dakota sings a couple (including the standard "Do You Love Me" where he shows off his dance moves) and has a really cool voice, mixing garage and punk and bassist Ron had one. Just so the show never lets up, even when Dakota broke a string, they plowed ahead without him and made it work! Showing off a mix of influences, they cover the Stooges "Wanna Be Your Dog" and then move into an instrumental that sounded like a combination of surf and the Velvet Underground! All solid, really cool, well written garage. This line up is a raver - check 'em out!




The Sloths returned to town without second guitarist/bassist Mark due to scheduling conflicts - though he will join them later in the tour - but they showed that they can still rip'n'roar even in this stripped down version. Pat (Pooch) has a fantastic, full tone with his clear Dan Armstrong guitar and new Fender DeVille amp and Michael and Ray hold down the rhythm fort while singer Tommy keeps the troops entertained with his singing and visual antics and costume changes.


Their sound is a mix of r'n'b, garage and more modern punk and Tommy adds some cool harp to several of the number, while everyone adds vocal harmonies. Lots of cool numbers like "Never Enough Girls in the World", the Dr. Feelgood-stylings of "Wanna Be Old Before I Die" (us old folks are now glad that we didn't die before we got old!), "One Way Out", "Everybody's Trying to Be Somebody", "Haunted", "Wanna Get Fired" and, of course, their 60's "hit", "Makin' Love". Despite the sparse crowd, they put on a full show, Tommy pulled out plenty of props and wardrobe changes (he keeps a clothes rack on stage!) and interacted with the audience. The finale was their take on Love's "7 & 7 Is", showing their influences and leaving the kids wanting more!


Another fine show for the Bunkhouse - hopefully we will have more! Check these cats out when they come to your town and when their new LP (50 years in the making!) is finally released!


John Fallon - Afterword

John Fallon was the lead singer/guitarist in the 80's psych/garage band the Steppes, though he pretty
much went into retirement and settled down after the band broke up. Now located in Las Vegas, NV., John has started playing again with various projects (once you start again, it's hard to stop, as I can attest!) and has recorded this, a solo album, with various friends, myself included - so understand that there may be a bias here!

The 12-string jangle of "For You, Girl" starts off the album with a Bryds-y/Turtles kinda feel - supremely catchy and a bit different from his usual pysch leanings. Some truly biting guitar opens "Alone" with a garage rocker with some intertwining late-60's leads running through it, reminiscent of his work with the Steppes. This continues in "(Live in A) Garbage Can" - more simple, catchy 60's riffs surrounded by walls of wild noise and then he slows down for a ballad with "My Loving", with some Beatles-esque melodies and changes. More 12-strings add to a vocal line somewhat similar to the Who's "The Good's Gone" in "Waiting For Tomorrow" and then I appear on co-lead guitar on "Ain't Got No Money", a tougher, 3 chord rocker, with more Who-esque breaks, a psych breakdown and some fine guitar playing, of course! (Hah!) "Yes, You Are" is another strong rock'n'roller, with Bryds-ian 12 strings adding texture that moves into a mellower direction for the instrumental bridge. There is a reprise of "My Loving" in a stereo mix with heavy keyboards and stretched out for the LP version and then remixes of two songs that John released as a single previously: "Picture Yourself Today" and "Theme For Steve McQueen". To flush out the CD, two live Steppes cuts appear from a show John did with members of Brian Jonestown Massacre and Brian Wilson's band, as well as his son, Cromm, from local band the Astaires.

Any fan of the Steppes or pysch/pop in general won't be disappointed. Go get it!

(BTW, this is not a duet record - the cover girl, Vivian, as is dachshund Sammy, is there for set dressing. :) )

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

Jerry Lee Lewis - The Killer Live!

This three CD set gives a good overview of Jerry Lee's career through a series of live sets, including the legendary, maniacal romp'n'stomp rumble in Germany's Star Club. Of course, this set is all fantastic!

Since it is so legendary, of course, this compilation starts with the Live at the Star Club, Hamburg set, also the earliest concert here. This 1964 set has Jerry backed by members of the Nashville Teens and he is absolutely ferocious! He certainly had a chip on his shoulder by this time, having been dragged through the mud for marrying the (very young) girl that he loved, and being passed over by the new British Invasion - he wasn't even as recognized and celebrated as many of the other 50's rockers - maybe due to his lack of songwriting, or because the new breed were guitar oriented instead of piano pounders. Regardless, this gig shows what rock'n'roll has always been about - wild abandon and furor, with Lewis obviously having the time of his life while playing exceptionally, with crazed teenagers chantin' his name and goin' insane! Truly one of the wildest live shows ever recorded. Essential!

Incredibly, he label decided not to release this in the States - at the time it was only available in Germany and later in England - so they taped a domestic gig with his own group and it came out as The Greatest Live Show on Earth. Not as great as the Star Club, despite the title, but excellent, regardless. Enthusiastic crowd here, as well, but nowhere near the mayhem of Hamburg. And while he performed "Your Cheatin' Heart" previously, he shows his movement into C&W a little more here with "Who Will the Next Fool Be" along with Buck Owens' "Together Again", done in his own inimitable style. But there's plenty of JLL's r'n'r here and he closes out with "Long Tall Sally" and, of course, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".

We move up a couple more for By Request: More of the Greatest Live Show on Earth, that continues in a similar vein - a mix of 50's r'n'r covers (he does three Chuck Berry tunes here - he tends to do more of other artists' hits than his own) and a number of country numbers, such as "How's My Ex Treating You", "Green, Green Grass of Home", "You Win Again" and "Cryin' Time". It is funny how he recycles his stage patter - not unusual or surprising, just amusing, since it does come off pretty spontaneous. The is especially apparent in his take on "What'd I Say", where he adds a long monologue about making out in the middle of the tune - much to the appreciation of the audience. As usual, he ends up with a couple ravers, "Money" and "Roll Over Beethoven".

By 1970 and Live at the International, Las Vegas, the Killer had gone pretty straight-ahead country, with steel guitar, fiddle and back-up singers and, while his energy still shines through, a little more gloss and shine than I prefer with JLL. Regardless, this is fine C&W work, played by some great instrumentalists. Jerry's sister, Linda Gail Lewis, duets and even sings lead on a tune, apparently in order to put some variety into the Las Vegas revue. Again, he wisely chooses an upbeat finale, this time "Flip, Flop and Fly".

The third disc features outtakes from the previous two shows, including some wild ones like "Blue Suede Shoes", "Lovin' Up a Storm", "Mean Woman Blues" and a lewd a lascivious "What'd I Say" from By Request. The Las Vegas outtakes have even more numbers, from "Move on Down the Line" (with Linda Gail helping out), "Shoeshine Man", the country "Invitation to Your Party", the upbeat honky-tonk "San Antonio Rose" and "Homecoming", the somewhat mellower "One More Time With Feeling", "Stagger Lee", a steel-guitar-driven ballad duet with Linda, "Got You on my Mind Again", before the proceedings all come to an end with "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On".

Honestly - you need this one - get it!

Monday, March 02, 2015

King Curtis - 7 Classic Albums

King Curtis was a saxman whose styles ranged from rhythm'n'blues, soul, funk, blues, rock'n'roll and
jazz and this collection puts together seven full albums showing off the range of his work, all stemming from the years 1959 through 1961.

Opening with his 1959 record, Have Tenor Sax, Will Blow, we get plenty of early r'n'r/r'n'b styles, from the Bo Diddley-inspired "Midnight Ramble" to the strollin' "The Shake", some cool guitar/sax interplay on "Jay Walk", "Lil' Brother" and "Peter Gunn", real wailin' on "Snake Eyes", and several others before closing with a live "Birth of the Blues", which has touchstones in various popular numbers, making you think you've heard it before whether you have or not, and then "Chili", a slightly ethnic number.

The album Azure follows, which a bit more of a, mellower, exotica feel, though, weirdly, the CD itself shows completely different titles than the track listing on the back cover, so I'm not sure what tunes I'm actually listening to! Strings appear here and there, as do (mostly) wordless vocalizations, adding to the exotica vibe. (I see that the cover listing is correct as he gets into covers like "Misty" and "When I Fall in Love".)

Disc two includes his Soul Meeting album, which blends jazz with a soulful twist on numbers like "Soul Meeting", "Lazy Soul", "Do You Have Soul Now" (to make sure that you get the record title connection, I guess!) along with traditionals like "What Is This Thing Called Love" and the appropriately titled blues tune, "Jeep's Blues".

The record Trouble in Mind starts with the bluesy title cut, and continues in this vein throughout. Besides Curtis' stellar sax-blowin', there's some exceptional guitar work on this one, as well, by Al Casey and Mac Pierce. Curtis sings throughout this one and more than does justice to numbers like "Nobody Knows You When You're Down and Out, "Bad, Bad Whiskey", "I Have to Worry", and "Woke Up in the Morning".

Going back to a funkier, r'n'r side, we get "Night Train" and the Old Gold album on disc three. "Honky Tonk" sounds damn close to Bill Doggett's original - even the guitar solo - and Curtis' honkin' sax rules here. "Fever" gets a cool reading, "Tuxedo Junction" swings'n'wails, sweet Hammond B3 highlights "Lean Baby" and a good portion of this record, you can just picture the teens doing "The Hucklebuck", Curtis gets to let loose and really blow on "Soft". There's a few other goodies before a groovin', sultry "Harlem Nocture" finishes that record.

Music For Dancing The Twist is another bandwagon-jumping LP, though Curtis gives it some hep style. "Jersey Bounce" is indeed, bouncey, Curtis sings "Twistin' Time" (you can kinda guess already how it sounds just from the title), "Honeysuckle Rose" has more yakety sax, he's back on vocals for his take on "Peppermint Twist" and "The Arthur Murray Twist". By the sound of the music, I don't know if they're "Stompin' at the Savoy", but definitely jumpin'n'jivin', in a somewhat cheesy way, and then several more standards necessary for any "twist" album - the one that started it all, "The Twist", "12th Street Twist", and "Let's Twist Again". I guess they wanted to change it up before concluding, since the last two are "Alright, Okay You Win" and the twist-influenced dance number "The Fly".

For the final disc, we get his Soul Battle album (with Oliver Nelson and Jimmy Forrest), where he goes back to a jazz feel, and can stretch out and do some creative and innovative playing. "Anacruses" is a particular stand-out with its hep, staccato lines, as is the sax battle in "Perdido". While there is good stuff throughout this comp, this disc might be my favorite of the bunch.

Really good collection of practically a day's worth of music for a very reasonable, discounted price. This shows the versatility of this man and his playing.