Posted by Don Zelazny | Comments : Comments Off
Category : Reviews
Tags: Christy Clayton
Yet another fine performer I’ve recently run across is Texan Christy Clayton whose debut CD Devil’s Paradise is another of my recent favorites. She sings with a cutting, forceful honesty that reminded me of a very young Melissa Etheridge.
Her material is dark, and through the disc she gives us an intimate tour of the “Devil’s Paradise,” including the prostitution and stripper section (“Devil’s Paradise”); the lies and cries area, now serving alcohol (“One More Bottle”). Perhaps the largest section of the Devil’s Paradise is reserved for broken relationships, loneliness and love lost (“See You in the Morning,” “When I’m Gone,” and “Nowhere” which proclaims “since I’m goin’ nowhere with you, I might as well go nowhere alone”). Unlike the tour of the Hotel California, in which we’re reminded “you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave”, this tour ends with the aptly names “The End,” which gives us some hope there might be an escape from the Devil’s Paradise.
“I know a change is taking place, staring us right in the face.
You say ‘Hey, I don’t want to live that way, I’d rather close my eyes and pretend its not the end…
No matter what the faith the message is the same
Its time to open our eyes and our minds, fall on our knees and realize
I know a change is taking place…”
There’s some deep stuff in there, but if you think you can handle it, check out The Devil’s Paradise!
Posted by Don Zelazny | Comments : Comments Off
Category : Reviews
Tags: Pauline Reese
Another of the fine female performers new to me is Texan, Pauline Reese. The CD I received is entitled Pauline Reese and High Country: Live at Cherry Ridge. Pauline is one proud Texan and she starts off the CD with an ode to her home and the tough people from there (including Coach Landry and Stevie Ray) on Lone Star Flag.
“On a calm day in Texas we chase tornadoes, and on a slow day we race our pickup trucks; and on a hot day down in Texas we drink Tabasco, and on a bad day we thank God for our good luck. May the Lone Star flag forever fly. May the spirit of the Alamo never die.”
She is joined on the CD by High Country, which is composed of John “The Dude” Fannin on electric guitar, “Beau Jack” Johnson on drums and Jason “WC” Bryl on bass. Pauline adds acoustic guitar as well as lead vocals. I made it through high school on a steady diet of the Southern Rock of the Allman Brothers and many of the southern jam bands. Most of this disc would have fit right in at one of our parties. “The Dude” is one busy guitar player on this disc and I would guess probably has a place in his heart for Duane Allman. Her choice of cover tunes give a hint at her southern influences. The CD contains covers of Charlie Daniels’ tune “Caballo Diablo” as well as Townes Van Zandt’s classic “Pancho and Lefty.” Pauline’s strong voice is constant throughout.
Besides her frequent live performances, Pauline is a budding movie star as well. She will be starring in the movie Far Enough, to be shot this fall. I’m also happy to report that if this CD whets your appetite, Pauline has a new CD, Rolling Stone, which has recently been released. I’m looking forward to hearing it as well.
Posted by Don Zelazny | Comments : Comments Off
Category : Reviews
Tags: Sarah Benck
Every year we see countless “Best of” lists come out starting about November. These are interesting to come up with, but can lead to guilt and remorse because of glaring omissions noticed after the fact.
While I’ve come in off the ledge and don’t plan on jumping anymore, my list would be different today if I had received all the ‘07 releases I have now actually IN 2007. One of the CDs that would be at or near the top is by one of several fine female artist that are new to me, Sarah Benck and her band The Robbers. The 2007 CD Neighbor’s Garden is a fantastic CD by a truly wonderful singer and songwriter. Neighbor’s Garden is the sophomore effort for the Omaha resident and her band, consisting of Jason Ferguson on guitar (a graduate of the Musicians Institute in Hollywood), James Carrig on bass and Scott “Zip” Zimmerman on drums. This CD had me from right from the first energetic beats of the opening title track. When Sarah opens her mouth its like she’s opening a can of “whup-ass” on you; you’d never imagine a package this petite could pack so much punch. After hearing all the styles she handles on this disc, I’m not sure there’s a style she couldn’t handle. Her bluesy-rock stuff is great, such as the title track. “Dump the Truck” has a bit of a funky feel to it. Slower ballad? Covered, with “Good Man.” She even straps on the acoustic guitar for a solo acoustic tune “Once a Week,” which also displays Sarah’s great vocal range. She adds a bluesy horn section to the upbeat “Trails,” another standout cut. This is definitely a performer you need to check out!
