Jim Basnight exclusive debut with The Moberlys, Rockinghams and more

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Jim Basnight and The Moberlys

Jim Basnight

Jim Basnight “Jokers, Idols and Misfits”

Jim Basnight has been a rock and roll survivor, from his days with The Moberlys in the ’80s, to The Rockinghams in the ’90s to today. Power Popaholic is proud to debut his new full-length LP Jokers, Idols, and Misfits with our digital distribution on Bandcamp.

Jim has gathered together a series of covers over the course of his musical career that mean something to him personally. Some will be familiar (The Who’s “I Can See For Miles”) but many are not. Obscurities like The Cowboys, Mike Czekaj, and The Sonics are alongside the well-known rockers here. The Kinks “This Is Where I Belong” opens a sprawling 21 track journey into rock, pop, and punk. The performances are top-notch, as “Rock and Roll Cowboy” showcases the energy of The Rockinghams, while the excellent covers of Marc Bolan’s “Laser Love,” The Sonics “Cinderella” and “New Guitar In Town” demonstrate just how freaking tight The Moberlys were.

Basnight also arranges the music to best effect with his vocal style, like on The Turtles “You Showed Me” with an emphasis on its percussion and horns. The bluesy approach on “Princess In Rags” with strings and trumpets shows Jim’s range and flexibility. This is one album that defies predictability, and for every familiar tune, you get something you’ve likely never heard before. I have to admit my bias here, but overall this is a terrific mix of songs with something for everyone. CD version is expected in a month or so. Highly Recommended.

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The Tummies and The Rockyts

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The Tummies “9:30 Girl”

This Nashville, Tennessee group has a great dynamic with the dual vocals of Judd Fuller and Dana Radford, and a Beatlesque streak a mile wide. Fans of The Rooks and Grip Weeds will adore this band. The original songs all wear the influence on their sleeves but don’t sound like a slavish imitation at all.

The jangling Rickenbackers and harmonies of “Sweet Little Mistreater” will carry you away to Merseybeat heaven and it sticks fast. The catchy “Little Blue Heart” and “Puppet” continue the party, and the title track is a slow ballad daydreaming about a girl you see on your commute. It effectively shifts moods on the acoustic “Collector” but it’s the groovy dance tunes like “Stuff Like That” is what these Tummies do best. Overall, the songwriting and musicianship are perfect without a note of filler. Highly Recommended.

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The Rockyts “Come On And Dance”

The Rockyts are a young Ottawa band who are modernizing the ’60s British Invasion sound for a new generation. Their high energy performances include original tunes that have a Merseybeat formula and several classic covers. 

The opener “All of the Time” certainly has the goods, with some similarities to the Fab Four’s “Anytime At All,” it’s pure catchy fun. The originals recall several other bands, notably The Dave Clark Five, The Animals, and Manfred Mann. Most of the songs are fast tempo and around 2 minutes in length. “Run, Run, Run” and “Have Love Will Travel” have more of a garage rock style. The Knickerbockers “Lies” and  The Easybeats “She’s So Fine” are also a perfect fit for this trio.  They stray from the formula a little with the instrumental “Espresso,” and it’s a good showcase for each band member. While this is a terrific debut, I would love to hear more originals songs. But these guys are young and hopefully, we’ll hear more very soon.

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Bubble and The Amplifier Heads

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Bubble “Other Broken Dreams”

NYC power pop group featuring songwriter Dave Foster (guitar/vocals), Russ Alderson (bass/vocals), and Tommy DeVito (drums). In their current incarnation, with Rembert Block (vocals/perc), Mike Fornatale (lead guitar/vocals), and Charly Roth (keyboards) they have recorded their first album in a decade. Opening with “Be Careful” it’s a theme for the COVID age, with a jaunty XTC-inspired rhythm.

The jangling ballad “You Don’t Have To Say It” boasts a great piano bridge as the chorus rises in triumph and the catchy “Mail Order Submarine” is full of wonderful percussive effects and Beatlesque guitars. The songwriting is superb on “Don’t It Make You Wanna Cry,” a bittersweet tune about the loss of a music venue and that last show, and the folk acoustic “There is Hope” provides some encouragement for the soul. The album’s second half doesn’t score as high, but still provides good listening with the highlights “Make It Through” and “Never Gonna Let You Go.”  Mostly it’s great music that deserves to be heard.

Amazon | Kool Kat Musik

The Amplifier Heads

The Amplifier Heads “Music For Abandoned Amusement Parks”

Boston based musician Sal Baglio moves from those sunny singles of summer with a sobering autumn album that is very much like getting lost in an amusement park after dark. The opening “Funhouse Mirrors” starts the album theme with some hopeful anticipation, but the slow guitar instrumental “The Lonesome Carousel” changes the mood quickly, next “September Song” describes the back-to-school routine.

Musically, Baglio keeps these melodies finely developed, with just enough hooks to keep you coming back for more. Stylistically akin to Tom Petty “Candy Apple Girl” and “Ghost Song” are highlights that focus on nostalgic memories. The title track recalls Andy Partridge, with its swirling baseline and the energetic guitar riffs in “Freaks” tell a former carny’s story. At times it feels like Sal ran out of ideas towards the end of the album, as short musical interludes seem to take over. But overall the songs are effective — and ultimately worth checking out.

Bandcamp | Kook Kat Musik

Friday Night singles: Brent Windler, Vanilla, Dave Sheinin, Richard Turgeon, Neil Nathan

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Enjoy the gentle strums and multi-part harmonies of Brent Wilder. Looking forward to this LP soon, but get the FREE download in the meantime.

The irrepressible Jayson Jarmon of Vanilla is back and he’s “So Happy” featuring the vocals of Kara Jane. Both bouncy and passive/aggressive.

Dave Sheinin gives us a timely look at trying to find “bits of bliss” among the daily stress and anxiety.

The prolific Richard Turgeon pens a genuine love letter to his instrument.

A celebratory ode by Neil Nathan, inspired by the sounds of the Traveling Wilburys, Roy Orbison, and Jeff Lynne. Featured on the season finale of Quarantine The Show, a fundraiser for the SAG/AFTRA Covid Relief Fund.

Happy Birthday to John Lennon!

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John Lennon’s 80th Birthday would have been on October 9th, 2020. To celebrate, a number of artists have released tributes in his honor.

John Lennon Tribute

Various Artists “Jem Records Celebrates John Lennon”

Each band is given a pair of tunes, and this first-class tribute starts with the premiere Beatlesque band The Weeklings. They add a Bo Diddley styled rhythm to this unique arrangement of The Beatles “The Word” and flesh out the bare-bones Lennon demo “What’s The New Mary Jane?” NYC-based The Midnight Callers deliver some sweet harmonies on the acoustic “Child of Nature” and bluesy lead guitar on “Jealous Guy.”

The Grip Weeds are faithful to the spirit of “You Can’t Do That” and “Strawberry Fields Forever” and the depth of sound and crisp production are impressive.  The Anderson Council’s Peter Horvath channels Lennon well on “I Found Out” with its swirling psychedelic reverb. Johnathan Pushkar and The Gold Needles also deliver the goods. Richard Barone’s speeds up the tempo in the lone mashup of  “Revolution” and “Power To The People.” It all works and is Highly Recommended.

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Timmy Sean puts a modern spin on several classics with his new EP – It’s a FREE download. Enjoy!

Reno Bo has done Beatles tributes before, but this one is new! It’s a FREE download. Enjoy!

John Lennon

John Lennon “Gimme Some Truth”

This latest ‘greatest hits’ collection is likely the best sounding mix you’ve ever heard and really does do justice to John’s compositions. Remixed by Paul Hicks (who did Imagine – The Ultimate Collection), all 36 tracks were selected by Yoko and son Sean to tell John’s post-Beatles story and illustrate his many moods. All gift-wrapped in numerous deluxe packages (the big one has a commemorative book, stickers, postcards, and extensive liner notes.)

Lennon’s searing indictment of self-serving politicians and “narrow-minded hypocritics” is even more relevant today than it was over forty years ago. The selection of songs includes his most popular work giving them new life for generations to come. Highly Recommended.

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