Category: Reviews

Reviews of music albums, singles or videos.

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A Chorus Line gets a new life at the University of Montana

I had just completed my sophomore year in high school when A Chorus Line first opened on Broadway in 1975, and truly fell in love with this Marvin Hamlisch/Michael Bennett classic when our glee club did a pair of its best songs, “One” and “What I did for Love.”  I could totally relate to the character of Diana, a Puerto Rican actress who, like many of us, just didn’t get improv.

When my daughter Grace was just two days old (in 1982), we took her with us for the touring company presentation of the musical in San Diego.  Although I have thought about the musical a few times over the years, I had all but forgotten its power until I attended the University of Montana School of Theatre & Dance and College of Visual Arts and Performing Arts production over the weekend.  It all came rushing back as my wife and I basked in the glory of this timeless musical.

Perfectly directed by John Kenneth DeBoer, who also plays the character Zach, with musical direction by UM alum John Knispel, UM’s A Chorus Line captured the essence and heart of the original production.  The show was wonderfully cast with a group of students that understood the story and presented it to the packed auditorium with all the wonder and pizzazz of the original Broadway cast.

With superb choreography by Nicole Bradley Browning and Heidi Jones Eggers, the simplistic but effective scenic and lighting design of Zack Aschim, Mike Monsos and Brian Gregoire, and the historically perfect costume design of Kersti Pearson, this show brought back all the positive memories of my earlier exposure and prompted me to sing along to every song.

Written before Hamlisch became a household name with his Oscar winning score for The Sting, the music of A Chorus Line set the bar for future Broadway shows, and propelled many of the songs, including “One” and “What I did for Love” into the pop music scene.

Even though A Chorus Line is a true ensemble piece, it still leaves room for some outstanding individual performances.  Among those in this production were Maria Miller’s portrayal of Diana, Carissa Marie Lund’s as Connie, Jourdan Nokleby’s as Sheila and the show-stopping performance of Colleen Reed Rosbarsky as Cassie.

Others who turned in memorable performances include DeBoer as Zach and Matt McDaniel as Paul.

The cast is so good they should consider taking the show on the road.  Everyone in Missoula should endeavor to catch one of this week’s closing performances on October 27, 28, 29, 30 or 31, all at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are available online through GrizTix or at the UMArts box office.  Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most powerful musical productions ever written.

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Darby Williams introduces herself with debut album “Me”

“Tall, blond, bodacious and sensual, newcomer Darby Williams commands the stage just as she commands her dynamic vocal range, with artistic creativity and a personal touch not often found today. Signed personally to Roc Cartel by label founder and President Ray De La Garza, Williams captures the essence and the nuances of perhaps the greatest collaborators in jazz history – Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn.”

So begins the press release for jazz artist Darby Williams, which was sent to this reviewer by one of his sources, Deborah Radel, publicist and fellow indie music lover.  Come to find out Williams had recorded a duet with Grammy and Oscar winner Peabo Bryson, which has been released as a single to highlight Williams’ debut album, Me.  With this reviewer’s interest piqued, an interview was set up with Ms. Williams, and here’s how it went:

IV:  How did you hook up with Peabo?

DW:  My manager, Richard Flanzer and my label, Roc Cartel, set up the duet.  We are planning on touring all of my music at some point, but our primary focus is on the duet.

IV:  How did the album title come about?

DW:  My label chose the title “Me” as I am a new artist who they wanted to introduce to the jazz world in particular.

IV:  What makes the duet with Bryson so special?

DW:  The duet is very breezy and fun while the remainder of the album is a collection of Ellington ballads.  Most people are already familiar with those tunes so they wanted them to see what makes my music unique.

IV:  What was your training?

DW:  I started singing in church at the age of 3.  I always sang together with my her Dad, who loved jazz, so I turned into a jazz girl.  We’d get in the car and start singing to Sinatra and others and he’s still singing with me today.

IV:  What other jazz or music influenced your style?

DW:  The Ellington/Strayhorn swing songs were always my favorites but their ballads were what I loved.  They were challenging to perform but such a privilege to get to do them.  They are not easy to sing and emotionally impact me very deeply.  During the recording process, there were many times I would just burst into tears as the meaning behind the lyrics hit home.  This (recording music) is all very new to me and I feel very lucky to have this opportunity.

IV:  Why is recording music is so different?

DW:  It’s like Alice in Wonderland for me.   The whole process is very amazing.  I have two great producers, Jason Switeser and Flanzer, who are legends in the industry.   I’m being well taken care of and loving every minute of it.

IV:  How did the label deal with Roc Cartel come about?

DW:  I was introduced to De la Garza (the label owner) through a friend of a friend of my manager.  When De la Garza found out I was a singer, he was intrigued.  It went from there.  It’s kismet for a girl from Salem, Oregon to get this opportunity.   I subsequently moved from Salem to Portland but am now considering an apartment in NYC to expand my horizons.

De La Garza had this to say about Williams:  “Darby has such a diverse vocal range that her interpretation of these songs makes them relevant and accessible to everyone. We are looking forward to introducing this work to many who are not yet familiar with this legendary music, as well as, to those who hold a deep appreciation for these timeless classics.”

“Darby is a fantastic vocalist with command and range. I’ve sung with the greats and she’s more than holding her own,” added Peabo Bryson.

Williams is currently scheduling her tour to support her album, and hopes to include Europe and Japan on her itinerary.  Her album dropped in August.

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Patricia Bahia’s resilience shines through her new release ‘Save Your Heart’

There’s been a lot of emphasis on achieving your ‘bucket list’ since the popular movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman came out in 2007.  But Patricia Bahia, whose sophomore album Save Your Heart drops on October 23, was already hard at work on her list before then.
Bahia debuted her new album during a CD Release show at the Monkey House Theater in Berkeley on October 15.  Los Angeles residents get their turn on October 25, when Bahia performs at the world famous Hotel Cafe’.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2003, Bahia discovered a desire to write songs during successful treatment for her disease.  Although she had been around music her entire life, she had never written a song before cancer tried to cut off her life.  Consequently, Bahia looked for help in fulfilling this bucket list item, and discovered Songsalive, a grass-roots songwriting organization co-founded by Australian Gilli Moon, who now lives in Los Angeles.
Bahia started her musical career as a soloist with the acclaimed Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, where she recorded with Linda Ronstadt, performed with Joan Baez and opened for Bonnie Raitt.
Bahia possesses a silky smooth voice that perfectly delivers her truth.  The message of her bucket list pursuit comes through clearly in this collection of songs, providing inspiration for others to do the same.  You can’t help but be uplifted and inspired by these tunes.  Although every song has a unique message, this reviewer was most impressed with the title song, “The Bridge That You Don’t Burn,” and “Every Day is a Gift.”  Speaking of the latter, the song was one of the winners in the 2015 Songs for Life songwriting competition and will be the opening song on the forthcoming compilation album.  Songs for Life is an annual music contest that supports cancer research.
Save Your Heart was produced by Bahia and Jon Hayes, and mixed by the legendary producer/engineer Bobby Owsinski (Neil Young, Willie Nelson) and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Erick Labson (Joni Mitchell, Ryan Adams) at Universal Mastering Studios in Hollywood, CA.  The album is being released on DreamSongs Records.
Besides working on her own material, Bahia has been hard at work collaborating with other local indie artists, including Sleep Machine, MILCK and Alisha Zalkin.  The resulting songs have been placed in several television shows and movies.
It is quite obvious that Bahia and her music have a mission:  “The healing power of music was a large part of my recovery and music continues to save my life everyday,” says Bahia. “I want to share that experience with as many people who need and want to hear it.”
Save Your Heart opens with the upbeat pop song “Resilient,” which describes Bahia “to a T,” and closes with the hauntingly beautiful ballad “Come Back to Me.”   “Resilient” was inspired by teenage Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who survived a Taliban assassination attempt and went on to receive the Nobel peace prize.  “Whether you’ve been knocked down literally or figuratively,” says Bahia, “this song is a tribute to you and your resilience.”

Bahia is a gifted songwriter with impeccable timing and amazing vocals.  Her music is an inspiration for others to follow their dreams, and will stay with the listener long after the last notes have faded. 

To find out more about this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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Cindy Alexander is one special American girl

The Hotel Cafe is the place to be on Saturday, October 10 when local Los Angeles indie artist Cindy Alexander debuts her latest spectacular creation An American Girl.
I believe David Lawrence, host and executive producer of Net Music Countdown said it best:  “Cindy is the personification of what it takes to be a superstar.  Her writing is insightful and poignant. Her stage presence is utterly unforgettable, and her musicianship is flawless. She also possesses that rarest of charisma that one cannot manufacture: she was born to perform.”
Born and raised in Los Angeles, and despite being trained at the acclaimed USC School of Drama, Alexander decided to forego the acting world and focus instead on just being herself – a brilliant, witty and boisterous singer-songwriter whose songs have touched and affected the lives of everyone who has had the pleasure of hearing them.   Alexander’s songs speak of real-life events, allowing her audience to connect with and accept their inherent truths.
A seasoned writer and classically-trained performer, Alexander’s songs incorporate numerous subjects – not just the classic singer/songwriter confessional laments about dysfunctional relationships, marriage, and motherhood, but also her personal discovery and recovery from breast cancer, the perils of the entertainment business, classic literature, sexuality, spirituality, history and the human condition.   For Alexander, there is no topic which is off limits – she simply tells the truth about the highs and lows of life.
An American Girl, a five-track EP, is easily the best material Alexander has created to date.  A breast cancer survivor herself, Alexander has timed the release to coincide with Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.  Despite her diminutive stature, Alexander has never been afraid to tackle real issues with her songs, and the four original songs on the EP are further proof of that.  To top it all off, Alexander adds her own take to the classic Tom Petty hit “American Girl.”
Despite winning numerous awards and a television reality show, Alexander has chosen to remain an independent artist.  She formed her own label, JamCat Records in 1999 and released five CDs (See Red, Smash, Angels & Demons, Wobble with the World and Every Rise and Fall) before partnering with Blue Elan Records for the 2014 release of Curve.  The partnership with Blue Elan has given Alexander better exposure while allowing her to remain what she truly is – an independent artist.
In addition to being a singer/songwriter/ recording artist, Alexander is a wife, daughter, friend, mother of twins, breast cancer survivor, advocate and Ambassador to BreastCancer.org, animal rescuer, avid reader, hiker, cribbage competitor, baker of OCD chocolate chip cookies, volunteer, and guacamole lover.
When asked what drives her to be an artist, she answered:  “What compels me to share my creativity is what I call the ‘life of song.’ It’s the journey from Inspiration, to a spark or current in my heart, to something that pours from my pen to paper, from my fingertips to my instrument, from within my body and out through voice…to the space between me and the listener and hopefully, into that listener’s heart, where it takes on an additional meaning, if not an entirely different one than I had imagined… And then perhaps, it’s shared with a random friend and the journey continues. That’s the life of a song.  Music is a connection, a healer, and it’s magic.”

Give a listen to An American Girl, as well as her entire musical catalog – we think you’ll agree that Cindy Alexander is a uniquely independent artist with plenty to share.  Don’t miss her EP release show at The Hotel Cafe on October 10.

For more information on this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  You can find her songs on Amazon.com and iTunes or listen to the stream on SoundCloud.

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Alice Wallace is making “Memories, Music & Pride” with her latest release

Alice Wallace is set to debut her latest album, Memories, Music & Pride when she brings her SoCal Americana music to one of Hollywood’s premier venues, The Hotel Cafe’ on Friday, October 9.
Already recognized by the Orange County Music Awards (OCMA) with nominations for best country/americana and best live band, Wallace’s latest release should cement this rising star’s place as one of the best Americana performers in America, right next to Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin and Honeyhoney.
Co-produced by Kirsten Proffit of CALICO the Band and Steve Berns (who produced CALICO’s debut album), and released on California Country Records, a label created by Proffit and her CALICO co-founder Manda Mosher, Memories, Music & Pride is the perfect marriage between the classic and future sounds of Americana music.  In addition to co-producing the album, Proffit and CALICO bandmate Aubrey Richmond also provide backing vocals on the album.

According to Wallace, “This record is more cohesive, as far as style is concerned,” she says. “I like blues, I like folk, I like country. This one still touches on all of those. But with this album I feel like I was trying to bridge the gap between my influences in old-time country with newer artists like Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell, whose albums have opened my eyes to what modern country can be.”  Wallace’s previous releases include 2011’s Sweet Madness and 2013’s A Thousand Miles From Home.

 All of the 11 tracks on the CD are originals, with the exception of Wallace’s cover of the classic 1935 Patsy Montana hit “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart.”  Montana was the first major female country and western solo singing star, and Wallace, who took up yodeling after hearing Jewel talk about the old country singing style on her early records, had to reach back to the style of such earlier yodeling recording artists as Montana, Jimmie Rodgers, and Slim Whitman for her interpretation of the tune.  “I’ve never done anything in the style of Patsy Montana, and I was trying to make it true to the original in a way.”
Every track is stunning, with Wallace’s amazing vocals bringing life to her thought-provoking lyrics and melodies.  Everything you like about Americana music is there – the emotions, the vocal range and the steel guitar combine to create songs that are instantly memorable and reach deep inside the listener to connect on a deeper level than most music being produced today.
Two songs that stand out are “Leave” and “If I Didn’t Win.”  You can literally feel the pain and the joy in these songs, with universal themes of loneliness, love and struggle.  Not only are they great songs to listen to, but they are also the perfect soundtrack for dancing.

Among the amazing musicians that play on the record are jazz-schooled guitarist Tom Bremer, who has worked with Wallace for the past five years; drummer Josh Huppert, another longtime band mate; multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Long, now the pedal steel player in Sam Outlaw’s touring group; and bassist Robert Bowman. Special guests on the album include Ted Russell Kamp, a well-known Los Angeles solo artist who plays with Shooter Jennings’ band and is a frequent guest player with CALICO, who contributes upright bass on the track “Leave.”

Wallace, who was born in Los Angeles and raised in St. Cloud, Florida, began playing guitar at the age of 10 but didn’t truly devote her time to music until she was 15.  Over the years, she absorbed a variety of influences, from her parents’  favorites like Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris to ‘80s and ‘90s country performers like Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and Mary Chapin
Carpenter and singer-songwriters like Jewel, Alanis Morisette and Sarah McLachlan.
It was these songwriters that brought Wallace back to music:  “That’s why I picked up the guitar again and made a more serious attempt at playing and writing songs – I was so inspired by hearing female artists on the radio.”
Wallace and her family left Florida in 2008 and relocated to Fullerton, California.  By 2013, Wallace was doing music full-time, traveling across the country on the strength of her first two albums, and gathering material for what became Memories, Music & Pride.
It should come as no surprise that “A Traveling Song” (Track 8) was inspired by some of those chance companions on the American byways.  “I’ve spent the last two years getting used to traveling – usually by myself,” Wallace says.  “It’s definitely been a personal learning experience, dealing with being alone a lot, and the songs reflect that.”  In addition, some of the album’s most intimate songs – like “Rough Around the Edges” and “Ohio Boy” – are drawn from relationships that developed on the road.   Wallace continues, “Traveling full-time does not lend itself well to romantic relationships; the few that I’ve had have been temporary, and usually they end badly.  They make for good songwriting material, but I definitely look back and say, ‘All right, Alice, you should have seen that coming.’”
For more on this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram, and subscribe to her YouTube channel.  And if you’re lucky enough to be in Los Angeles, don’t miss her release show at the Hotel Cafe’ on October 9.
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It would be “Criminal” not to check out indie artist Jerad Finck

Indie rock has a new champion to join the ranks of such artists as Lifehouse and Blue October.  Please give a rousing welcome to Jerad Finck, who is set to release his new EP Criminal this month.
Criminal is an audiophile’s dream, with rich melodies, lyrics to sink your teeth into and an unmistakable vocal track that sets Finck apart from his contemporaries and propels him into the elite of indie musicians.  Every song on this EP is single-worthy and ready for radio exposure.
The title track, scheduled to be the first single, is a good place to start, setting the tempo for what is surely one of the best EPs to be released in 2015.
One thing that comes through loud and clear is Finck’s positivity.  His songs are upbeat, with lyrical content that uplifts the listener and are the perfect remedy to life’s uncertainties.  Even the song titles are uplifting, as Finck brings us to “The Good Life” where you can be “Fire Proof” as long as you “Take me With You.”
One of the first to recognize Finck’s potential is Milk & Honey, an elite management company whose clients have already amassed an impressive array of BMI and ASCAP pop awards, Grammys, Junos, Golden Globes, Arias and Mercurys. while their art and music have impacted the furthest corners of the globe and collectively sold more than 400 million units.   Milk & Honey is based in the Miracle Mile area of Los Angeles and works closely with the major ad agencies, television networks, film studios, and music supervision houses to place music with visual media.  Milk & Honey is run by Lucas Keller, who founded the firm in 2014 after spending four years with another boutique firm, The Collective.  Finck is also endorsed by Gibson Guitars.
Ciminal is produced by David Hodges (Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, Christina Perri), Steven Miller (Pink, Dave Matthews Band, Switchfoot) and Nathan Meckel, and is the perfect follow-up to Finck’s previous self-titled debut from 2011.  That debut gave us the song “Runaway,” which became one of the most successful independent songs of 2011 and truly launched Finck’s career.  As a result of that EP, produced by John Seymour, Spokane-based Finck began performing practically non-stop, opening for and/or touring with Daughtry, Christina Perri, Edwin McCain, DADA, Vertical Horizon, Parachute, One EskimO, Ingrid Michaelson, Matt Hires, Red Wanting Blue, Ron Pope, Cracker, Ingram Hill, Tony Lucca and many others.   According to Finck, “Touring with Sister Hazel, a highly fan-interactive band, helped me develop a deeper, more intimate relationship with my own audiences, both onstage and off..”
Among the highlights of Finck’s tour schedule have been performances at Live In The Vineyard, Hotel Carolina, SXSW, Indie Week Toronto, The Rock Boat XII, and Balcony TV.  Finck has also been featured in more than 50 newspapers and magazines; including CMJ, Skope, American Songwriter, Amplifier and Acoustic Magazine, while he and his band have performed on dozens of morning TV shows on NBC, CBS, ABC & FOX.  Finck’s songs have been featured in films and TV shows on HBO, ESPN, Discovery, CBS & NBC, among others.
At one point in 2011, “Runaway” was the #1 independent song in the country, peaking at #3 on the Adult Contemporary Chart, #42 in Hot AC and #25 on the Hot AC Indicator Chart.  It also inspired popular remixes by Ajax and DJ Lynnwod (that appeared on later editions of Jerad’s Anthony Resta-produced EP Stuck In Your Riddle).  The song was used by the NBA and the NHL as the backdrop to videos created for each league’s finals that celebrated wins by the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Bruins.

For more info on this amazing artist, check out his Facebook page, follow him on Twitter, and subscribe to his YouTube channel.

Special thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions for the background material.

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Paige Nichols lights up the indie world with “Burn”

“Captive.  Enslaved.  Held hostage by the very thing you desire most… Love. What happens when that passion you can’t live without turns too volatile to endure? What do you do when the object of your affection is the source of your
anguish? How do you stop the incessant cycle and break free from those binds, when even your heart betrays you?”

These words are the inspiration behind Paige Nichols‘ new crowd-funded music video for her unreleased single “Burn,” a dark and haunting twist on the beloved fairy tale “Beauty & the Beast,” which explores the Stockholm-syndrome phenomenon plaguing a woman chained to a love that’s grown too tumultuous to control.

“We knew we needed a unique and striking story to portray this very special song,” said Nichols. “Sometimes fires grow so big they can’t be extinguished. That can also be true in a relationship, which sometimes just has to burn itself out. And, it was our responsibility to give the fans something incredible.”

Nichols is speaking of the countless supporters across the country who contributed to funding the production and release of the video via Kickstarter.
“Burn” was shot at the San Encino Abbey in Los Angeles, a fitting fantasy backdrop for the video, complete with a quaint cathedral and chilling catacombs.

To contrast the stone stronghold with elegant, opulent style, Nichols’ fashion team looked no further than Albright Fashion Library L.A., dressing her in both Dolce & Gabbana and Nina Ricci gowns.

“Something about seeing this gorgeous girl trapped in a dark, dreary dungeon, and belting out this emotional power ballad just gave us chills on set,” said producer Jacob Burch. “We all knew something magical was happening.”

A songstress since before she could speak, this singer/songwriter who blends powerhouse vocal prowess with crowd-captivating music and lyrics has been described as a “…Sara Bareilles-esque songwriter with a sound that
is both soulful and spirited. Think Grace Potter with a healthy dose of Stevie Nicks.”

Nichols is joined on the song by the uber-talented and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Jacob Luttrell.  Luttrell brings his ultra-smooth and unmistakable voice and presence to both the single and the video.  Luttrell is currently also featured on Zedd’s latest track, “Done with Love,” and was responsible for several other current Top 40 hits including “I Don’t Like it, I Love It” by Flo Rida featuring Robin Thicke and “Marvin Gaye” by Charlie Puth featuring Meghan Trainor, as well as past hits “Wild Ones” by Flo Rida featuring Sia and “Tonight (I’m Loving You” by Enrique Iglesias.

The video was directed by Jacob Johnston, Visual Development Producer at Marvel Studios.  Johnston wrote and directed his first short film Kadence, which was an official selection at both Indiana’s Mayday Film Festival and California’s Idyllwild Film Fest, where it was nominated for Best Director and Best Featurette.

The video was produced and edited by Jacob Burch, producer of Disney/ABC Domestic Television‘s nationally syndicated entertainment news program “On The Red Carpet,” and debuted on BreathHeavy.com on September 10, 2015.

To find out more about this amazing artist, check out her website and Facebook page, follow her on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to her YouTube channel.

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Danny Click returns to “Hold up the Sun”

Long time alt-country superstar Danny Click has returned with a new album, Holding up the Sun, which was released on September 18, 2015.  If you are a fan of blues-driven country rock artists like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Stevie Ray Vaughan or vintage rock acts like Creedence Clearwater Revival (“CCR”), then Click’s new album is a must.

For many years Click was Austin’s best kept secret, playing in the background and earning the respect of many of alt-country’s biggest superstars.  All that changed in April 2011, when Click released his album Life is a Good Place, which propelled him into the national spotlight and garnered him the recognition he so richly deserved.  The album spent more than 12 months on the charts and spawned two singles, “Wait My Turn,” which reached #1 on Nashville’s Indie World Country Chart, and “I Feel Good Today,” which topped out at #14 on the New Music Weekly national Country chart along side such greats as Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert and Taylor Swift.

Click’s new album, Holding up the Sun, reinforces the fact that Click is one of the best alt-country artists of this century.

“Broken,” the first track on the disk, pays homage to CCR and sets the tone for the rest of the album.  From the first notes of guitar, to the Bruce Hornsby-like piano to his John Foggerty-esque voice, Click’s first track brings the promise of greatness that infuses this new album with a breath of fresh air that is so needed on alt-country radio today.

The trend continues with the second track, “When You Cry,” which also brings forth those amazing lyrics that Click has become known for, and reminds this reviewer of another legend, Dwight Yokum.

Track three, “Eva Jane,” with its exquisite acoustic guitar background, is a haunting song with a sound similar to Tom Petty’s “Last Dance with Mary Jane.”  It’s wailing guitar riffs and those background vocals make this one of the most memorable tracks on the album.

I could go on and on about each and every track on this CD.  Trust me when I say that every single one is amazing, making this album one of the absolute best of 2015.  The title track, a beautiful ballad sung as a duet, especially demonstrates this fact, with lyrics you can sink your teeth into, two amazing voices and an acoustical soundtrack that while easy on the ears also gets the toes a-tapping.

Some of the credit for this amazing album definitely lies in its production by legendary producer Jim Scott (Tom Petty, Rolling Stones, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, among others).  Scott has created a tight sound that will stay with you long after the last notes of “After All,” the final track on the album, have ended.

Click, now a resident of the San Francisco Bay area, has built a large and passionate fan base that includes musical greats Carlos Santana and Elvin Bishop, both of whom have joined him on stage for impromptu jams.  With his band, The Hell Yeahs, Click has played more than 200 sold out shows over the past two years, including opening slots for such legends as Taj Mahal, Cake, Robert Plant, Mavis Staples, Sonny Landreth and JJ Cale.

In 2014, Click became a regular guest at Grateful Dead legend Phil Lesh’s club, Terrapin Crossroads, which led to the recording of Danny Click & the Hell Yeahs! – Captured LIVE.

Check out Holding Up the Sun – I guarantee it will make you a fan.  And also check out his website and Facebook pages, as well as follow him on Twitter to learn more about this amazing talent.   You should also check out his video for “Baptize me Over Elvis Presley’s Grave” on YouTube.

Thanks to Jen Lyneis of Ue3 Promotions for the background information.

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Undesirable People set for release of “Eternal Vision of a Blind Future”

UndesirablePeople_EternalVisionOfABlindFuture_coverart

Direct from the Motor City, Undesirable People are set to release their first full-length CD on September 22, 2015.    The band previously released three EPs (Undesirable People, Eugenics, and Former Self/Current Self) before hooking up with producer Marc Jacob Hudson and Rancho Recordo.

Composed of Mark Vincent (vocals and bass), Brian Fraser (guitar), Caleb Sanchez (guitar), and Jon Lebiecki (drums), the quartet deliver an album that harnesses their own angst and mistrust of the current music business in a style very reminiscent of Nirvana and The Ramones.

The band released three of the tracks (“All we Want is a Proper Burial,” “We’re all cut From the Same Cloth,” and “Cosmic Man”) as singles in advance of the CD release date.  Of the three songs, “Cosmic Man,” which was released on September 8, is the strongest tune.

For the audiophile, the true star of the CD is the music, not the message.  The riffs are hot, the beat is steady and the overall vibe is strong and melodic.  Unfortunately, some of the lyrics are rather simplistic and interfere with listening to the otherwise well written music.  However, for their target audience, which are obviously members of the Millennial Generation, the songs should deliver a direct hit.

The strongest tunes on the CD are near the end, beginning with Track 8, “Cutting Down the World Tree,” and continuing on with Tracks 9 and 10, “Let me in/Lock me Out,” and the aforementioned “Cosmic Man,” respectively.  Those three tracks more than make up for any perceived deficiencies in the rest of the disc.

For more on the band, check out their website and Facebook page or follow them on Twitter or Instagram.

Thanks to Michelle King and Noisy Ghost PR for the background materials.

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Claire Holley’s “Time in the Middle” is time well spent

Long-time folk artist Claire Holley has created a gem with her latest offering, Time in the Middle.  If you love alt-country/Americana artists like Patty Griffin or Lucinda Williams, then this CD is the perfect choice for you.

Holley grew up in Mississippi but now calls Los Angeles her home.  Although she is new to this reviewer, she is not new to the industry, as she has seven previous albums to her credit.  According to her publicist, Holley wanted her new album to be more than just a folk album.  If that’s the case, then Holley has surely succeeded.   Holley’s influences on this album range from Bob Marley to Van Gogh, coupled with the traditions and sounds of her southern roots.

The record was recorded at Sonic Temple studio in Ferndale, California, located a few hours north of the Bay Area, and co-produced by Dan Phelps, a multi-instrumentalist that Holley credits with “infusing the songs with electricity and vitality.”  Phelps has worked with artists ranging from Tori Amos to David Wilcox.  “Dan merged music to lyric so intuitively and naturally that I didn’t even realize what he was doing until months later when the songs were mixed,” explained Holley.

One of the things that sets this album apart from so many others is that the entire team (Jonathan Kingham (organ, piano, co-writer and producer); Martin Woodlee (engineer, mixer) and Phelps (guitars, drum, bass, Moog and piano) camped in the guesthouse during the recording process.  This led to a true camaraderie between the musicians and crew and an organic feel to the music.

The record begins with an amazing cover of a Bob Marley tune, “Three Little Birds.”  “I came up with this guitar riff that I really liked and needed ready made lyrics,” explains Holley.  “On a whim I just tried singing Marley’s lyrics with this music.  The recording came with an ease that I can’t explain but am grateful for.”

The next tune, “Traveling Saints,” implores its listeners to “dance like you never have before,” and is a tribute to residents of the Crescent City aka New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  “Boat of Dreams” has a soothing dreamy melody with compelling lyrics about searching for what lies beyond, and is one of the best tracks on the CD.   It is followed by “Heat of July,” a song that honors Holley’s dad in a classic country song with a sound reminiscent of Deanna Carter’s “Strawberry Wine.”

“Love in a Bowl” combines zydeco, Dixieland jazz, a blistering guitar riff and sassy lyrics into a fun song that reminds this reviewer of the Beatles hit, “Sgt. Pepper.”  The obvious pop influence continues on the next track, “How you Fly.”

The lyrics for the next tune, “Kudzu” were lifted from a poem by Beth Ann Fennelly called The Kudzu Chronicles.  Holley comments: “I love the spooky textures Dan (Phelps) made for this track.  It’s like some mosquito humming in your ear.”

The title track returns to a big piano sound as Holley gives us a beautiful love ballad that is airy and smooth similar to her earlier track “Boat of Dreams.”  The next two tunes, “Bones” and “Be Still” offer up rockier sounds than any of the other tracks.  “Bones” was used in the indie film Child of the Desert, while “Be Still” is Holley’s answer to that song that returns to the simply perfect sound of Holley’s voice and an acoustic guitar before giving way to a simple drum beat and the wail of the electric guitar.

The album closes with “Saturday Sale,” which describes the experience of sifting through a box of forgotten attic treasures and reliving those memories, and is a perfect ending for the record, which will surely be remembered by its listeners.

For more information on Holley, check out her website and her Facebook page,  Thanks to Kim Grant at KG Music Press for the background materials and for turning me on to this amazing artist.