I pondered the fleeting nature of fame as I watched Paula Cole perform three weeks ago. Cole won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1998. So how did she end up playing a free concert at a suburban shopping mall for a few hundred curiosity seekers 15 years later? Cole hasn't lost any of her talent or good looks.
Part of every popular artist's challenge is fending off the relentless waves of fresh talent. One significant “new” contender is Dessa. Part of the prodigiously gifted Doomtree crew from the Twin Cities, Dessa updates the confessional singer-songwriter rock associated with Cole and other Lilith Fair-style musicians on her latest solo album.
Because that sensibility isn’t my thing, I most appreciate the tracks on Parts of Speech that hew most closely to hip-hop. ”Warsaw” is my favorite song while ”Call Off Your Ghost” does nothing for me. A sparkling interpretation of Bruce Springsteen’s “I'm Going Down,” not surprisingly, delights me.
It's a strong effort, but there’s probably not a “Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?”-size hit on Parts of Speech. Those coveted shopping mall gigs are going to have to wait.
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A triple bill of Los Lobos, Los Lonely Boys and Alejandro Escovedo exceeded my expectations. Here’s my review of Saturday's concert at Knuckleheads.
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The three free new songs by Chris Hazelton’s Boogaloo 7 are RIYL: “Suit & Tie,” Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lou Donaldson.
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The Abnorm’s new mixtape is titled The Soular Powered Project.
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I’ve met several members of Bloodstone and I’ve had extensive dealings with a one-time manager of the Kansas City-based band. But until a few days ago, I never knew that Bloodstone starred in a movie. Here’s the trailer for “Train Ride to Hollywood.”
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Telarc Records will issue Trampled Under Foot’s new album this month. Here’s an excellent EPK.
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The video for Cowboy Indian Bear’s “I Want a Stranger’s Heart” is effective.
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Here’s a nice video recap of the 2013 edition of the Middle of the Map festival.
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Here’s murky footage of Mayor Sly James singing “It’s Not My Cross to Bear.”
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Steve Paul filmed a portion of “a mid-afternoon show of santeria/conga/rumba music” on a recent trip to Cuba.
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Sunday’s BET Awards was the most entertaining music-themed award show I’ve watched in years. The segments featuring Charlie Wilson and R. Kelly were excellent. I loved the performances by Janelle Monae, Robin Thicke, Tamela Mann and Kendrick Lamar.
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I’m not too proud to admit my affection for In a Warzone, the entirely derivative new album by the Transplants. RIYL: Rancid, Blink-182, Slightly Stoopid.
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I have absolutely no reservations about sharing my enthusiasm for Otis Clay’s new album Truth Is. It’s first-rate soul-blues. ”All That’s Missing Is You” is my jam. RIYL: Sharon Jones, Tyrone Davis, Jerry Butler.
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This week’s most compelling new releases include albums by Akkilles, Deap Vally, The Fall, the Joe Farrell Quartet and Joe. The latest from John Scofield is at the top of my list.
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Kansas City Click: Diarrhea Planet is on Tuesday’s bill at the Riot Room.
The Bottle Rockets perform at Knuckleheads on Wednesday.
Matt Stillwell appears on the KC Live! stage on the Fourth of July.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
5 comments:
Does lil' elvis stalk you often?
And thanks for letting me know Otis Clay has a new one. Been loving that guy for a long, long time.
I was a fan of Paula Cole. I attended a radio station festival in Oklahoma City during her peak. Donna Lewis (remember her one song?) also performed with Tony Franklin (Mr. Fretless Bass with Roy Harper and The Firm).
Donna Lewis! There's a name I haven't heard in a while. Bless her heart. That sounds like a fun show. I have a good Roy Harper story about the one time I saw him perform, Gary.
Yeah, Otis is the real deal, BGO.
This is cool!
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