09/08/08
OUR FIRST CONTEST!!!!!!!
Our pals at ABC Studios noticed that we just don’t run enough contests around here and generously provided us with two copies of “Eli Stone-The First Season” on DVD to feed the fire and have our first contest. Ok, so now we have the prizes, what hoops will we make you jump through to get them? How about a good old fashioned essay contest? In 50 words or less, tell us why you should win a copy of Eli Stone. Entries must be received by Sept 13 to be considered. Neatness counts. Judgment of the judges is entirely subjective. Every bit of legal mumbo jumbo that ever been written about contests that covers our butts is incorporated by reference whether you’ve ever read it or not. Now start submitting!
BLACK LODGE PUBLICITY
LAKEHURST/Euan Aura: Oy, a bunch of shoe gazers that name themselves after the site where the Hindenburg crashed. Oh, the humanity! Anyone that’s ever stuffed themselves into girl pants and couldn’t get a date will be able to relate to the message here as these down in the mouthers try to make an incursion on the mainstream while still being outsiders. Wondering what under the radar thing to get the guy liner wearing malcontent on your list?
BLUE CIRCLE
JEANETTE WILLIAMS/Thank You for Caring: What a treat when you get something that takes you by total surprise. Without taking a close look at this set, it almost went into the ‘later’ pile. Mistake. Hand picked bluegrass by Tom T. and Dixie Hall should not be ignored no matter how unassuming it looks and shows up. Right from the opening chords, this bluegrass vocal set just grabs you by the ears and won’t let go totally reminding you of the great stuff coming out on Rounder a generation ago when NAC was in flower in the hands of young Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush, Tony Rice and others that would grow up to master the genre. Bluegrass often gets marginalized until an artist like Rhonda Vincent or Alison Krause comes along. Add Williams to that list. Very much an album that transcends genre while both respecting and expanding it, Williams deserves your attention which she will amply reward. A killer set that any one with folk/country/Americana/bluegrass ears will absolutely love. Hot stuff throughout.
7
ORBIS
BRUNO RABERG/Lifelines: There’s a lot of notable reasons to check out this set but one of the foremost is to hear Matt Wilson kicking it out on some extended improv work. Loaded with cats whose experience range from ECM to downtown jazz and a ton of stops in between, this is a jazzbo busman’s holiday where acclaimed, high octane cats get to hang out and play what they feel with the kind of confidence in their abilities that encourages listeners to hang out and hear wheat’s coming next. A super solid outing that’s loaded with the chops and passion to never let you down. Check it out.
508
PALMETTO
WILL BERNARD/Blue Plate Special: A genre busting jazz guitarist that flies under the radar but keeps turning up with Grammy nominations swings for the fences once again–swinging directly at them to break them down we mean. With some more of his high profile pals lending a hand, this is young jazz for modern ears that will open those ears to the tradition while teasing them with the future. A smart, solid player, this is progressive music for progressive tastes that like to keep moving.
ROCK PAPER SCISSORS
FRIGG/Economy Class: Fiddlers from a family of fiddlers from a town in Finland where most of the people’s last name is the name of the town, it sounds like some down home stuff until they inject the local ethnic eccentricities. If you were a college kid in the 70s when back porch music flourished under the extended penumbra of Jerry Garcia’s musings and grew up to get a taste for world beat via Mickey Hart, this skewed, 30 years later version of same is going to catch you by surprise and take you back at the same time. Delightful, not too offbeat stuff that was made for munching granola to, or whatever it is they much in Finland while listening to organic fiddle music. Fun stuff.
6095 (Northside)
SIX DEGREES
BETO VILLARES: CeU’s producer steps out from behind the glass to take a break from producing others and soundtracks to show what he’s all about on his own. Because there isn’t the industrial infrastructure there used to be, it might not seem apparent that this cat is following in the footsteps of Jobim, but he’s one of the hippest and hottest cats working in Brazilian music today. A killer, world beat adult pop date, this set is expertly in the pocket throughout but it’s made with such a subtle hand, you never feel like you’re being manipulated by pros. A wonderful breath of fresh air from fertile grounds that rarely have let us down.
1152
Volume 31/Number 313
September 8, 2008
MIDWEST RECORD
830 W. Route 22 #144
Lake Zurich, IL., 60047
CHRIS SPECTOR, Editor and Publisher
©2008 Midwest Record