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Now that the '98 calendar is down, the eggnog is finished (along
with the zambuca), and the gifts have been exchanged, What are we to do?
Talk music.
First up is our "IndepenDisc of the
Year" for 1998. Sometime around mid-December we began compiling our Top 10 disc's of
'98 list. An annual ritual that became very complicated this year. 1998 saw us here at
IndepenDisc purchasing very little from the major labels due to the fact that we began
forming IndepenDisc early in the year, so the independent releases that occupied our CD
players out numbered the major releases by a margin of at least 10 to 1. Add in that 14 of
these "Indies" we enjoyed so much that we are representing them through
IndepenDisc, and you can see what we were up against. Yes, there were arguments &
ties, yes, 1 or 2 major releases made the list, but in all honesty, to rate one above
another is an individually opinionated process that changes with our mood and the weather.
With that in mind, we will refrain from subjecting you to our complete list (which still
changes daily) and jump right to Number 1.
The "IndepenDisc of the Year" for 1998 is;
Emil Muzz -
"Superprimered".
Simply put, IT ROCKS!!!
We knew this was good, but the more we played it, the more we jammed.
When we sat down to compile the list, we were a bit (but not totally) surprised to find it
come in at #1. But that's where it is, and that's where it deserves to be.
Emil Muzz is "Superprimered" indeed. Still available for
$8.98 + s/h.
To read our original review from Issue #1 go to: Superprimered
"Three Brass Balls", the debut full-length album by
Pawnshop on Home Office Records.
Some where between Folk Rock and Pop there lies Pub Rock, a laid back
acoustic sound with an electric bite. This is Pawnshop's stamping ground. The mix of
acoustic and electric guitars is masterful. The high energy sound that cruises along with
the right amount of reserve seems to draw influence from Waterboys/Black 47 Irish Rock
style arrangements.
Kick back and groove as Pawnshop morphs the music seamlessly through 13
tracks of ever changing, yet positively centered music reflecting the nature of the band.
Firmly anchored by singer/songwriter Sean Smith (vocals, acoustic guitar), with Jimmy Lee
(guitar), Marc Hutchins (drums), and John Abbey (bass), Pawnshop also features an array of
guest musicians ("Fellow Shoppers") that lend an alluring edge listen after
listen.
Pawnshop contributed 4 tracks to the Home Office Records compilation
disc "Burner" (see Burner). All 4 tracks
are also included here, but each has been reworked for a fresh new slant. "Three
Brass Balls" opens with one of those tracks (Wild Rose) grabbing your attention with
a throbbing bass, sparsely picked guitar, and barroom vocals. As you lift your pilsner
glass everything kicks in. This constantly engaging (Jet Stream), head bobbin' (Who's To
Blame), bar top tappin' (Trip), drinking friendly (Hole In My Shoe), party sound track
(Don't Dig) doesn't let up until the last call of "Stumblin' Fool", a passionate
ballad of self reflection/appraisal sung to a love interest through an empty bottle.
Fittingly, the bar patrons chat on as we prepare to leave, but order one more and stick
around for the hidden track, it'll warm the cold walk home.
Pull up a stool, quaff an ale and dig.
Pawnshop - "Three Brass
Balls", available now for $10.98 +s/h.
As always the Cover Graphics, Track Listings, Sound Clips, and Ordering Information for the Artists and their music profiled here, can be found on the Catalogue page.
It's February and there's not much happening, unless you count
Valentine's Day, the impeachment soap opera, and the crazy weather. What better a time
than now to introduce the "IndepenDisc Label Spotlight" where every so often we
showcase an Independent Record Company that we feel deserves a closer look.
This month we've trained the Spotlight on C&D Records of Providence
R.I. in the USA. Founded in 1996 by the members of the D.J. Lauria Band, C&D Records
roster of Artists include: Black & White (Rhythm & Blues Rock 'n' Roll), Q
(Progressive Jazz-Rock), Smoky Topaz (60's Soul), and D.J. Lauria Band (Modern Pop).
We held a cyberchat with the President of C&D Records, Mr. D.J.
Lauria, to find out a bit of what drives this independent Label.
IMC: Could you give us a Brief description of C&D Records?
DJL: There is an overabundance of talented musicians in Southeastern New
England (roughly, the triangle formed by Boston, Cape Cod, and Providence.) Most of the
labels are concentrated in Boston; it seemed natural to try to fill the void in Rhode
Island. We do what every indie does: try to help with tour support and publicity for bands
that have enough of their business together to at least get their own CDs out. Our
corporate goal is to get one of our bands a guest shot on NBC's hot new drama about a
woman who, after deciding that her life in California is shallow, learns you CAN go home:
"Just Shoot Me."
IMC: Why Music?
DJL: No one had any interest in my sushi bar.
IMC: What's your motto?
DJL: The line must be drawn he-ah!
IMC: What was/is your favorite 8-Track/Cassette tape to make out in a
car to?
DJL: Joni Mitchell's "Court and Spark."
IMC: You know the drill, You're on a desert island and can only have 3
discs. Name your 3 desert island discs.
DJL: 1. Marshall Crenshaw, "Lifes Too Short." Pop songs with
really loud guitars, and an even louder snare drum. What's cooler than that?
2. Elvis Costello, "Get Happy." Good thing he wasn't.
3. Dave Brubeck, "Take Five." Who else can groove in 13/8?
IMC: Who are the 2 people who influenced your musical being the most?
DJL: Mom/Dad for letting me go to music school. My first real guitar
teacher, Paul Murphy, for showing me how you can be a Professional musician.
IMC: We all have a guilty pleasure that we love to listen to, but hate
to admit it to anyone, What is one of your musical guilty pleasures?
DJL: The Monkees. Mike Nesmith was the coolest guy ever in a wool hat.
IMC: Finally, Anything of *REAL* importance that you would like to
conclude with?
DJL: It is not impossible to strike a match on a marshmallow. Just very
difficult.
There you have it, a surprisingly candid interview that revealed
many of the reasons why we here at IndepenDisc have been enjoying the music released on
C&D Records. Two of those releases are this month's Featured Artists.
We start with the D.J. Lauria Band
CD "Satellite Pictures" a solid disc of quintessential Modern
Pop. Seven tracks, that upon first listen disclosed themselves to all have
"single" prominence. That is, of course, until we found out that this is a
collection of the band's most recent singles.
"Satellite Pictures" opens with
"Huddleston Pond" a beautifully constructed pop gem that takes you back to that
lost love and puts a smile to your sadness. It sets the theme, for the most part, as we
are taken on a familiar musical journey through failed relationships of the past, a
subject that lends itself perfectly to the modern pop stylings expertly crafted here. Ache
with the passion; musically, vocally, and lyrically of "Day Before We Met"
(Please come back/It was so long ago/and I have such fond regrets). Subconsciously enjoy
the railroad metaphors and jaunty bounce of "Emergency Stop" detailing a sudden
break-up. Also included here is Billboards 1995 Song Contest winner "Time That I
Forgot" a song that captures the essence of this disc; Rich in its simplicity, pure
and uncomplicated, filled with hooks that'll lodge in your brain and lyrics that you'll be
singing in the shower.
D.J. Lauria (Guitar, Keys, Vocals), John Andrade, Jr. (Drums), and John Sundstrom (Bass) are talented musicians that shine throughout this rollickin' fun disc.
D.J. Lauria Band "Satellite Pictures" is now available for $7.98 + s/h.
Having a party? The folks at C&D Records
know what you need, it's Black & White with their latest release
"Hepcat". Slap this disc on and watch the party Rip, Roar, Rock
& Wail. This Rhythm and Blues Rock 'N' Roll trio kick it open with the Rockabilly
slide guitar styling of the title track, then keep it churning with the up-tempo pickin'
of "Alimony Blues", continuing with a Surf-Rock classic (in it's own right)
"The Wave" that would be right at home along side any PulpBeachFictonBlanket
Dick Dale tune. They then take it down a notch with the gut wrenching music and vocals of
"Latest In The Evening" before swinging & swaying you through the final four
tracks.
When it's over, do it again and marvel at the power put out by this
trio of Mark Wagner (Vocals, Guitars), Don DiMuccio (Drums), and Kevin Martin (Fender
Bass); with Special guests: Trombonist Porky Cohen (Tommy Dorsey, Artie Shaw), and
Baritone Sax man Doug James (Roomful of Blues).
To heck with the current "swing revival" Black & White is not a nostalgia act, they are the real deal.
Black & White "Hepcat" available now for $9.48 + s/h.
We here at IndepenDisc would like to thank C&D Records, their Artists, and D.J. Lauria for brightening our winter, and our lives through their music. We also ask and encourage you to visit their web site at; <http://members.aol.com/cdrecords> and check out for yourselves all that C&D Records have to offer.
Madness.
March Madness.
One could go into the astrological significance or the deep rooted
mystical connotations of the phrase, but as of right now, Corporate America has sold it to
us to represent the NCAA Basketball Tournaments. Now, I could rant on about the Big Money
being spent to (profit by) "promote" amateur athletics, except I support the
fact that "independent" athletes have the outlet to showcase their talents to
the general public. After all, that is what we are trying to do here at IndepenDisc.
Besides, we always saw March Madness as the Tea Party scene in
"Alice In Wonderland" with the March Hare & the Mad Hatter sitting around
slammin' tea and singing songs with a timeless amount of glee. We always wanted to sit in.
And now we have the disc to bring along.
"add the good" by "Crenshaw"
invites us in with the opening line "If I could have Alice". It then takes the
madness of everyday life and slows it down to a manageable speed. Crenshaw brings the
overlooked simplicity of life to the forefront so that we can see the beauty, the
richness, the artistic joy that each day can contain. "add the good" uses self
reflective lyrics that contain simple phrases like:
"I love Blue Mountain's coffee",
"God girl, You're tan",
"All we do is sit here, watch TV, and drink beer",
"I don't believe what you're paying for a haircut"
These are just a few examples of words that'll put a smile on your face, words that you
know the Mad Hatter and the March Hare would've had an enjoyable field day bantering back
and forth with.
All the while, this musical journey through our personal wonderland is
being paved by Dan Allenby (vocals, acoustic guitar), Tad Howard (guitar, vocals), Jon
Melzer (bass), and Michael Allenby (drums, vocals) in a manner that reflects a Dave
Mathews Band feel throughout, while highlighting influences from Toad The Wet Sprocket (i
do need it), Huffamoose (quick), Steely Dan (maybes), and Neil Young (song), not to
mention the Grateful Dead parallels. Yet, Crenshaw is highly original. Their sound is
provocative, it's tantalizing, hypnotic, funky (check out, "all that you
wanted"), serene and just plain out easy on the ears. The music, especially the lead
guitar, talks to you as if vocalizing its own set of lyrics. Catchy drum fills, groovin'
bass lines and hidden hooks all converge right in front of your ears just waiting for you
to take notice. In some cases you do not have a choice, "ma" is a song that
demands your attention in much the same way as the disc on a whole; quietly,
unsuspectingly, only after it's done do you realize you want more.
Steep another pot of tea, clean cup, move down, relax, wink at Alice,
nod to the Mad Hatter, and throw a Cheshire Cat grin at the March Hare and all the madness
as you hit the repeat button.
Crenshaw "add the good" to your life now for $9.98 + s/h.
As always the Cover Graphics, Track Listings, Sound Clips, and Ordering Information for the Artists and their music profiled here (including all our past 'Zines), can be found on the Catalogue page of our web site.
IndepenDisc will not be publishing an April edition. There are a lot of things happening here and we will keep you updated periodically. There will be several changes (some you'll notice, others you won't) that we're hoping will aid us as we continue to bring you more of "Tomorrow's music, Today". We will be back on May 1st with our next 'Zine profiling two more independent Artists that we think deserve a listen. Don't forget to check out our web site often (there's always a lot of good music to hear), and look for our updates.
Until then,
a very merry unbirthday to you,
Gary Vollono, President
There is a karma about music which is undefinable, it carries an
aura unto itself. While comparisons can be made with other aspects of life, none can equal
the magical quality of music's ability to transcend time and space. To recreate
"other aspects of life" in a controlled atmosphere (unlike involuntary chemical
induced "flashbacks") is a powerful, awe inspiring, and at times breath taking
feat, yet most of us encounter these "Time Warps" everyday. Whether you realize
it or not, music is the soundtrack of your life. There are points where music has merged
so effortlessly with everything that has happened that it becomes the identifying factor,
the springboard, a portal to the past...
"Can't You See That She's Mine" by The Dave Clark Five
instantly transports me to my parent's living room, age 7. Dancing about, playing air
guitar, and wearing a dish towel on my head to simulate a "Mod" haircut.
"Reelin' In The Years" by Steely Dan and I'm getting my first
real kiss.
The LP "Some Girls" by The Rolling Stones brings a month's
worth of "Welcome to the real world kid" memories (See the 'Roll away the
Stones' article posted on the Tremens page for that whole
story).
"(This Is) Radio Clash" by The Clash allows me to relive the
Times Square riot at Bonds in May of '81.
I listed just 4 of the many historical journeys to my past that I'm
able to indulge in through the gratuity of music. From single songs to entire LP's, from a
brief glimpse of a moment to whole monumental occasions. It has happened before and will
happen again, to us all.
But, what if, you put on a new disc of songs that you have never heard
before, and it happened?
Yes, I mean "IT". The whole time travel, instant karma,
musical aura of the past, retrospective journey into all your years and then some. Pretty
powerful thought, isn't it? What if it made you sit up and ask "What is Rock 'n'
Roll"? What if it answered you that "Rock 'n' Roll is music. ALL music, played
with the attitude of youth". R'n'R doesn't categorize itself within any one musical
style except youth. And, when music has the power to reawaken long slumbering memories, 9
out of 10 times it's going to be R'n'R shakin' the cob webs out of that brain of yours.
Why? Because as time marches on, each generation's earliest musical memories are going to
be rooted in the R'n'R of the 1950s and on up. The teenage rebels without cause who use to
"Shake, Rattle, & Roll" are now in their mid to late 50s. The boomers who
were weaned on Chuck Berry and came of age in the 1960s Summer(s) of Love are now 45 and
over. Hell, even the New Wave Punks of the late 70s are pushing 40. So yes, R'n'R has
become the Musical Fountain of Youth - emphasis on Youth, with each generation providing
their own definitions. But all the definitions are relative, which brings me back
to...Charlie Burton.
We've written about Bulldog Records recording artist Charlie Burton
here before. His 1997 CD "Rustic Fixer-Upper" with his band "The Texas
Twelve Steppers" was featured in our very 1st Issue.
Well, now Charlie has broken new ground with the release of his One-Disc Box Set!
"One Man's Trash: The Charlie Burton Story, '77-'99"
23 songs covering 22 years of recording and a lifetime of Rock 'n'
Roll. This virtual Fountain of Youth has brought me back to every highlight of my life
that has music connected to it's lineage. I was amazed that not only could I relive the
past 22 years of my life within these 73 plus minutes but, the past 45 years of Rock 'n'
Roll as well. I was not familiar with any of these songs before, yet they are all
recognizable. I have found myself comfortably enjoying every nod to Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck
Berry, Elvis Presely, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddley, James Brown, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Warren
Zevon, Randy Newman, The Beatles, The Kinks, The Clash, The Ramones, and many more, not to
mention the long list of styles covering early R'n'R, Blues, Folk, Honky Tonk, R&B,
C&W, Soul, Punk, Latin (Flamenco, Bossa Nova), etc., etc.
The musical times of my life that this disc invoked has brought a smile
to my face, not only am I standing on the beer soaked floor of a bar with a thick cloud of
smoke hovering overhead while trying to make the move on a local girl as the house band
cranks out another favorite, but I'm also dancing around the living room playing air
guitar and wearing a dish towel on my head.
Thank You Charlie Burton, though I may never have heard these songs
before, their memories are dear to my (youthful) heart.
"One Man's Trash: The
Charlie Burton Story '77-'99"
is available now for $9.98 + s/h.
Don't forget to check out "Rustic Fixer-Upper" along with a wide variety and vast array of Youthful music found in the Fountain of our Catalogue.
"When are you old folks gonna learn
that it's an after school savior
Yeah, ROCK.....................
.............and ROLL behavior."*
Till next month,
Gary V.
* Charlie Burton, "Rock & Roll Behavior".
