Tag: The Davenports

Badfinger and The Davenports

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“Badfinger"

Badfinger “Head First”

In 1975, power pop pioneer Badfinger was at a creative peak, however their masterwork ‘Wish You Were Here’ was taken off the shelves amid a fog of contract errors and managerial blunders. Still under contract to Warner Brothers, they needed one more album done, but it was too much for Joey Molland. He left the band, and Bob Jackson took his place as they created ‘Head First.’  

Both lead songwriters Pete Ham and Tom Evans offered good tunes, but the record company rejected the finished package. Pete Ham committed suicide shortly after. However, the album was eventually released in 2000 and depicts their painful experience in the music industry. In fact, the standout tunes “Hey Mr. Manager,” “Moonshine,” and “Rock ’n’ Roll Contract” are likely Tom Evans finest songs. With the 50th anniversary of this album, Bob Jackson meticulously remastered each track. It sounds great overall, and features Ham’s excellent songwriting on “Lay Me Down” and “Keep Believing.” Bob Jackson adds the Ham-penned instrumental “Saville Row” as a bittersweet coda. Highly recommended.

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The Davenports

The Davenports “You Could’ve Just Said That”

Brooklyn’s own The Davenports return with an album that showcases Scott Klass’s talent for crafting thoughtful, understated pop in a world often dominated by bombast. Klass has long been a master of quiet storytelling, and this latest collection proves that his knack for melodic balladry is as sharp as ever.

The title track, “When Everything’s Over,” sets the tone with a subtle groove, drawing the listener in with a gentle pulse that feels both intimate and reflective. Slowing things down is where Klass really shines, and songs like “I Am Lying,” “Full Length Mirror” and “I’m Not Gonna Bother You” are when his storytelling is most moving. “We’re Talking About You” picks up the tempo, injecting some welcome energy into the mix. But at its core, ‘When Everything’s Over’ is a testament to the power of restraint—a beautifully understated record that doesn’t need to shout to make itself heard. Fans of literate, melodic pop (like Elliot Smith) will find plenty to love here. Highly recommended.

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The Davenports and Joel Sarakula

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The davenports

The Davenports “Don’t Be Mad At Me”

Brooklyn’s The Davenports (aka Scott Klass) are back with a concept album that gives us stories that feel timeless and personal. The simple piano ballad “Where Shall We Hang Elena?” evokes memories past, but it soon pounds to life with the heavy rhythm rocker “I Don’t Know What To Do,” with its ascending bass notes and harmony-filled chorus. It’s an early favorite here co-written with David Myhr, as the strings and piano come back for the hummable title track. There is a melancholy that sticks with you throughout most of the album, the country-waltz “Miranda in Her Room” a duet with vocalist Shirley Simms (The Magnetic Fields) is a good example.

The catchy guitar composition “Leanne” has that classic Davenports sound and “With Me Or Against Me” does a great job with a subtle minor chord change. Another big surprise here is a bouncy power pop version of George Michael’s “Freedom.” Fans of Fountains of Wayne and McCartney will find a lot to like here. Overall a very good album that grows on your after repeated listens. Highly Recommended.

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Joel Sarakula

Joel Sarakula “Love Club”

Joel Sarakula relives the golden age of 70s soul on his latest LP. There is this period in music right before disco took over, and Marvin Gaye and The Doobie Brothers ruled the airwaves. Sarakula hits that mark. The slow funk of “Understanding” gives you the albums romantic vibe. “In Trouble” brings the horns and tempo up, its perfect Philly soul music for a hot tub.

My favorite here is “Baltic Jam,” that sounds like a lost track from Todd Rundgren’s Something, Anything. It just gets better from there, with the sexy “We Used To Connect” and on the sax funk of “Coldharbour Man” I can almost smell the musk of Isaac Hayes. It experiments with some sitar, synth, and guitar on “Cinnamon Surprise.” Not power pop, but if you feel yourself in the mood for this style of retro-reflection, give it a spin.

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Singles: Jared Lekites, The Davenports and Timmy Sean

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Jared Lekites

Jared Lekites “Five Separate Lives/And It’s Over”

I may rethink my policy of no single reviews when I hear something this good. Jared has produced a single so catchy I can loop it my player and not get tired of it. Not much to say except I hope an album follows this gem of a single. The B-side “And It’s Over” has a little Jeff Lynne in its DNA, with its casual strum over a repeated muti-tracked chorus. Get it at Bandcamp only.


The Davenports

The Davenports “Leanne”

A new single a month is the strategy from The Davenports. We are on month three and Scott Klass is a master of the guitar hook and proves it once again with “Leanne.” The band also has a free EP out there, a reworking of “Five Steps” from the A&E show Intervention, and a new track “Away From Me.” Its like Chinese water torture getting a song a month, but I’ll take it… Only on Bandcamp.

Timmy Sean “Gimme Everything”

Timmy Sean has a better idea: a single each week. You get immediate gratification from the talented musician. And stylistically he’s all over the place, but I like this very Lenny Kravitz-like rocker “Gimme Everything.” You do get a series of covers and some live tracks – so if you want originals you can pick and choose. Other gems I liked are “Everything I Want” and “One Dimensional Man.” Get all of them over at Bandcamp.