Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil and Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs
Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil “Shadow Play”
A plucky follow-up from 2015’s Cycle the folk duo of Steve Robinson & Ed Woltil continues to craft fine artisan music. The contemporary pop of “Chasing Angels” has layered acoustic guitars, and a workmanlike approach to open things off. The mood shifts with “Kickstart,” with its inspired melody and two-part harmonies in the chorus. Joined by XTC stalwart Dave Gregory, “Life on A Trampoline” is pure joy and an album high point.
The album plays between songs with a weary, ethereal touch and the occasional bursts of pop beauty. Highlights include the bouncy and catchy “The Way You Love Him” and “On Your Side,” and the beautiful warmth of “Make Amends.” The production here is crisp and this is definitely an album worth checking out.
Mike Campbell & The Dirty Knobs “External Combustion”
If Mike Campbell sounds familiar you should know, he played with Tom Petty for most of his career as the Heartbreakers’ lead guitarist and launched The Dirty Knobs after Tom’s passing. Campell’s skill and talent keep the spirit and sound of Mr. Petty alive and well.
Campbell has the edge over any cover band as he is the real deal and the sound is uncanny. He opens with the rousing “Wicked Mind.” Mike is joined by Ian Hunter on “Dirty Job” and Margo Price on the ballad “State of Mind.” This is classic Petty, played with flair, wit, and precision. “Lightning Boogie” is another keeper, and overall this is an album that deserves to be heard.
Jim Basnight and Marc Jonson & Ramírez Exposure
Jim Basnight “Early Years”
Where did it all begin? Jim’s bohemian existence as a musical artist is chronicled and remastered as a series of early solo singles and some with his band The Moberlys. His energy is palatable on the 1977 openers “Last Night” and “Leave The Past Behind,” after being robbed in NYC. Songs like “I Return” scream “hit record” and Iggy Pop clearly influences “Sexteen.”
For fans of the early ’80s, the styles run from power pop, punk, and new wave. Basnight and The Moberlys have an edge few could claim at that time, as “Country Fair” and “I Trust You” are both catchy gems. The Bo Diddley guitar on “Show Who You Are” and the bouncy sweet “Love is Beautiful” showcases Basnight’s many moods. Overall a 20-track lo-fi, fun listen and highly recommended.
Marc Jonson & Ramírez Exposure “Turning On The Century: Volume 1”
Marc Jonson teams up with Ramirez Exposure and the long-awaited results do not disappoint. “Tape Recorder” opens with glorious harmonies worthy of Brian Wilson, and Curt Boettcher, and the songwriting has a melodic ethereal quality like the band America. From the light jangle of “Titling At Windwmills” to the expansive echoing vocal of “Sour Lemonade Sour.”
California sunshine is strong with the duo, and songs are mostly short mini-symphonic scaled gems – a great example is “Rain, Rain, Rain,” as it conjures visions of wide open spaces. The two alternate lead vocal duties and Marc sounds most comfortable on the breezy “I Don’t Know Your World.” The only pet peeve here is the hooks aren’t as strong in the album’s second half but that doesn’t take away from the superb musicianship here. Highly Recommended. Currently singles are on Amazon, and the full album is on Bandcamp.
October EPs and Freebies: The Persian Leaps, The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club, Rum Bar Records, Canadian Invasion, Friends of Cesar Romero, The Chords UK, Gavin Guss
New music that deserves to be heard. The Persian Leaps return with a fresh new EP, and they still impress with their solid songwriting on “Maybe Time Will Let Me Forget” and “Beautiful Inside.” It’s an early Halloween treat from The Bishop’s Daredevil Stunt Club on the Vanishing Point EP, with creepy synths on “Every Night I’m Dying” and heavy riffs on “Why You Ghosting Me Girl?” Both are recommended. Rum Bar Records’ newest sampler is another great FREEBIE, check out the strong female rockers Cindy Lawson and Abbie Barrett. Canadian Invasion is a bit more subtle in approach, check out the mid-tempo “Swim Club,” it’s one of the better singles this month. Friends of Cesar Romero adds some garage swagger and fuzz to their new EP. Each song rocks and it’s also a FREEBIE (no excuses)! The party continues with The Chords UK, check out the anthemic opener “All For Nothing At All” with its handclaps and high-energy riffs. Finally, a single cover from Gavin Guss, was initially done by The Police, but it sounds like a perfect Nick Lowe version.
Ken Sharp and The Boys With Perpetual Nervousness
Ken Sharp “I’ll Remember The Laughter”
The Pandemic forced artists back into the studio, and many embraced the newfound “time” to create. But no one I know did as much as artist Ken Sharp, who created a veritable box set of 50 songs for his 7th album, I’ll Remember the Laughter. Assisted by his amazing co-producer Fernando Perdomo, he creates a series of love letters to 1970s-era bubble gum, power pop, glam, baroque, soul, and folk styles. Lots of standouts allow you to pick and choose a “best of” from the bunch.
Sharp has been an excellent writer, and curator of these musical styles and creates many memorable songs here. Even with the copious selection, his batting average is high when it comes to potential “hits.” Opening with the Todd Rundgren-like “Maybe Next Summer” it plays with key shifts, harmonies, and a satisfying guitar coda. His falsetto is so high on “Cracking This Heart of Stone” I thought it was a Diana Ross imitation, and it is such a lovely tune. I’ve mentioned in the past that his vocals are not everyone’s cup of tea, but it definitely grows on you. “Dennis” is baroque bubblegum with a theatrical flair, “It Pays To Be A Rock and Roll Star” has cool glam guitar riffs, and “Maybe You’re Right” has that pure power pop hook. You get the idea. Sharp also includes a bunch of previously released singles and some covers. Like an everlasting gobstopper of music, this is highly recommended, despite Sharp’s contention that “Nothing’s Everlasting.”
The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness “The Third Wave Of...”
The duo of Andrew Taylor (Dropkick) and Gonzalo Marcos (El Palacio de Linares) are back as The Boys With The Perpetual Nervousness. The sophomore album “The Third Wave Of…” Is more of the same feel-good jangle that made their debut so engaging. “As The Day Begins” greets us with a sticky hook, a fast tempo, and glorious harmonies. Fans of The Byrds, Teenage Fanclub, and CSNY will find this as comfortable as a favorite sweater.
Another Pandemic album, there are lots of highlights here, one of my favorites is the ballad “Isolation” with the ethereal Mary Lou Lord on backing vocals. The band hits its stride with the excellent combo of “In The Right” and “The Stars Go Round.” Both have superior melodies that are perfectly suited to Andrew’s smooth vocals. The remaining songs are also very good but don’t hook you as quickly. Still, no filler here, and very highly recommended.
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