Heygoods, Ralston Bowles , Steve Mayone

09.27.2005 -- Review by: Stephen Hug


“Fleetwood Skynyrd” by the Heygoods (Hi-N-Dry)—Former Boston rockers Katie and David Champagne, along with their bass guy Kimon Kirk, have created what should be a contender for Americana record of the year, along with the likes of Sarah Borges and Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez.  The songs on “Fleetwood Skynyrd” have a loose “I don’t give a damn” folk/country attitude brimming with good-natured, sexy, even infectious cynicism. (Is that possible?) All tunes were written by David Champagne, and feature words like: “Dazzling green eyes, I wish you kept your glasses on”; and “See how long her virtue keeps you warm.” If Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez’s “Red Dog Tracks” is the warm, romantic CD of the year from a duo, this one has to be the warm, cold, snotty, romantic CD of the year from a duo.  4 bottlecaps, our highest ranking.  My goodness, Katie and David, we’ve got to bring you to the Narrows Center for the Arts in Fall River!


“Carwreck Conversations” by Ralston Bowles (Soft Butter Records)—Move over Garrison Keillor! A new Midwestern bard is in town!  Killer lyrics, killer tunes.  Biting guitar work too!  A lot of these songs would be great for Eric Clapton—they have the world-weary feeling of “Wonderful Tonight” except Bowles’ songs have more energy and aren’t as sappy.  4 bottle caps, top of the ratings!  Tasty, classy, a must listen for those who love singer/songwriters who rock!  Congrats Ralston!  More, more, more!!!


“Bedroom Rockstar” by Steve Mayone (Umver Records)—This is the CD Paul McCartney should have released instead of “Chaos and Creation in the Back Yard,” which wasn’t a bad record.  Mayone’s a longtime guitar sideguy—and former receptionist for the Artist Now Once Again Known as Prince—who’s finally doing his own thing—sort of.  His Beatle influence (Maybe Prince as well?) is noticeable bigtime to these old and furry ears, where nearly song by song he switches among the Fab Four (Except for Ringo; nobody does Ringo.) for influences. Maybe that’s an overstatement.  For example, in the track “Going Down” he sounds like Mike Nesmith doing a “serious” Monkee track in 1967.  But, oops, Nesmith was likely imitating the Beatles’ “Rubber Soul.”  Despite Mr. Mayone’s inability to control his “inner Beatle” (Jeff Lynn’s made a career out of it), this is a fine CD.  (Note: Several of the tracks don’t show Beatle influence, such as “Deeper in the Well,” and “Bedroom Rockstar.”)  If this were Paul McCartney’s latest record I’d be giving 4 bottle caps, our highest prize.  But Mayone is a better writer than Paulie these days (Paul’s still a master craftsman), though he’s struggling for his own voice, which is an issue. Nonetheless “Bedroom Rockstar” is entertaining, with catchy songs and playing.  I give Mr. Mayone 3 ½ bottlecaps.  Next time, I expect a solid 4 from him!  P.S. to Steve Mayone: I Don’t Believe in Beatles.  The Dream is Over.