Johnny Maddox- Indianola

No more piano.

Although he sold millions of units and has a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame, Johnny Maddox, 81, seems to be almost entirely forgotten today. The "King of Ragtime," 81, explains his career in this video. It's an amazing document on several different levels. In the excellent liner notes of Cowboys and Indians, Maddox explains that "Indianola" is a "World War I song about the Indian Chief that wanted to scalp the Kaiser." Yeah, it makes me squirm a bit too, but the 1984 recording is quite charming.

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The ill-conceived and unrelentingly cynical B Is For Bob makes me very angry. I listened to the entire "Kidz Bop"-esque project, however, largely because the sound quality is the most astonishingly vivid Bob Marley album I've encountered.

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I had reserved a spot on my year-end top ten list for Far, Regina Spektor's new album. Boy, am I disappointed! It features even more of the irritating vocal tics that I'd hoped she'd abandoned. "Folding Chair,"' for instance, includes the line "I've got a perfect body but sometimes I for-ge-eh-eh-eh-eh-et." And then she makes goofy dolphin sounds. Cute? Try annoying. I still believe "Laughing With" is a song for the ages, however.

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Ali Akbar Khan has died.

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I wouldn't be surprised if David Cook agreed with my assessment of his homecoming performance Saturday. Even so, I knew I'd catch heat from Cook's ardent supporters in the comments. It's good stuff.

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I understand hysterical fandom- I squealed like a nine-year-old Hannah Montana fan when I learned that The Pogues were coming to Kansas City. I've yet to see them.

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Tech N9ne has a "featured playlist" at MySpace. It includes "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Riders On the Storm," System of a Down, Jamie Foxx, King Gordy, Collie Buddz, Avenged Sevenfold and the theme from Halloween.

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I'm pleased that there's finally a Black Eyed Peas' hit that I can feel good about.

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Kansas City Click: Olympic Size play Tuesday at Czar Bar.

Phoenix play a "secret" show Wednesday at The Record Bar.

Sonia Dada- Paradise

Paradise lost.

Barry Beckett died last week. The man was so pervasive that he played on or produced at least a dozen tracks that have been featured at There Stands the Glass. One of his later credits is as co-producer of Sonia Dada's My Secret Life. I've heard people talk trash about the band because of the founder's background. Behind-the-scenes intrigue doesn't interest me much. It's the music that matters. And while I'm not a big fan of jam-flavored R&B, Sonia Dada was undeniably skilled in the genre. As heard here, Beckett brought out the best in them.

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I almost drove off the road when I heard "Love In the Hot Afternoon" during an oldies segment on a country radio station today. The Gene Watson song romanticizes an illicit exchange with a "Bourbon Street lady." After "we got high in the park this morning," the narrator explains, they consummated their encounter. The (possibly underage) woman then slumbers "in damp, tangled sheets." The song hit #3 in the country charts in 1975. That couldn't happen in today's climate.

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Here's an obituary of Jack Nimitz. I discussed his career in this space on June 11. Saxophonist Charlie Mariano has also passed. Here's a loose live date with guitarist Phllip Catherine. And Bob Bogle of the Ventures has died. (Tips via BGO.)

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I adored Karrin Allyson's early set at Jardine's last night. Here's my review.

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Kansas City Click: Chris Hillman appears at Knuckleheads on Thursday.

Zany art kids are responsible for the fourteen-band Chomp Womp Soda Fest Friday at the Pistol and the Foundation. Here's a taste of last year's shenanigans.

Blue October serve as one of David Cook's opening acts Saturday at Sandstone.

A bevy of local blues bands play a benefit show Sunday afternoon at BB's Lawnside BBQ.

Review: Eric Church at Country In the Woods

"Give me a crowd that's redneck and loud," Eric Church demands on "How 'Bout You".

He didn't get it Sunday at Country In the Woods. Only a small percentage of men at the free concert could relate to lines like "my best blue jeans have Skoal rings" in "Guys Like Me". The sedate, family-oriented crowd was worlds removed from the honky tonks where Church's music rings truest.

So when Church suggested that the audience of about 1,500 "Pledge Allegiance To the Hag", he didn't find many takers.

Church was opening for Emerson Drive. I have a weakness for their big hit "Moments", but it frustrates me that softer-edged artists of their ilk are favored by the country music establishment while new proponents of the outlaw tradition continue to struggle. The alt-country crowd doesn't offer much support, either. They don't dig Church's irony-free patriotism and proud religious faith.

Don't worry, Eric. Sinners like me intend to stick with you.

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What a weekend! I saw Rancid, the Riverboat Gamblers and Rise Against on Friday (I concur with this assessment), Summer Jam on Saturday (here's my review) and Church's show.

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Kansas City Click: The Blue Room hosts a jam session every Monday.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Joe Williams- The Perfect Stranger

We never met.

I don't want to bury the man prematurely, but word in jazz circles is that saxophonist Jack Nimitz has passed away. He was one of the original members of California's cool school. While he was a legit jazz cat, he seemed to make a living as a session musician. In other words, Nimitz was "a perfect stranger." Check out the ridiculous list of credits on just the second of his three-page discography at AllMusic. It includes Neil Diamond, Stan Kenton, Ruth Brown, Natalie Cole, the Beach Boys, Michael Bolton and Nina Simone. And then there's this delectable slice of cheese. Nimitz may or may not have participated on this relatively obscure 1965 Joe Williams session. They're compiled on this sketchy out-of-print title. (Tip via BGO.)

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The new album by Kansas City's mighty Architects is streaming at MySpace.

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*My current obsession is Mobb Deep's "Eye For an Eye (Your Beef Is Mines)".

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LaLa is changing my life.

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*I'm positively ecstatic that Mojo magazine gave my Kansas City jazz site, Plastic Sax, a modest write-up in its June issue.

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Kansas City Click: British R&B group The New Mastersounds appear at Crosstown Station tonight.

Robert Moore of Sonic Spectrum curates an anniversary party at The Record Bar Friday and Saturday.

KPRS' Summer Jam returns to Sandstone on Saturday.

*Kirk Whalum appears at a Juneteenth celebration Sunday.

Will Dailey- Never Be Your Baby (live)

Good luck, Will!

It's only appropriate that as I sadly note the recent losses of singer-songwriters Kenny Rankin and Jeff Hanson I spotlight an exceptionally promising newcomer from the same tradition. While neither as mellow as Rankin nor as insular as Hanson, Will Dailey shares the melodic sensibility and respect for the art of song that marked the careers of both late artists.

Torrent, Volumes 1 & 2, Dailey's new major label release, will immediately appeal to fans of the commercial roots-rock trinity of Counting Crows, Matchbox Twenty and Train. A couple of Dailey's songs also evoke the soulful side of Jason Mraz.

But hipsters need not turn away in horror. The album brims with power pop jangle. Besides, Roger McGuinn is in the house! The brawny live track featured here pays homage to Phil Spector via Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen.

Dailey dismissively sings "we want riches,darlin'/we want fame" on "Down the Drain." Whether he wants it or not, Torrents is precisely the type of undeniable statement that precedes untold glory.

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Regina Spektor has one of the most annoyingly obsessive audiences I've encountered. Her freakish fans give me the creeps. But the joke's on me. Between the adorable new video for "Dance Anthem of the '80s" and the devastatingly brilliant new "Laughing With", I'm on the verge of becoming one of those cultish weirdos.

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I really like the new retro-style albums by Rancid and The Aggrolites.

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Before you ask, I have nothing strikingly original to add to the DJ Jazzy Jeff controversy.

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Kansas City Click: I'm tempted to take a peek inside Jardine's tonight to catch a bit of the site-less Carol Comer.

The Crystal Method will blow speakers / be asked to play a different kind of music do whatever it is they do Wednesday at The Beaumont Club.

(Image of Will Dailey by Eat My Design.)

Review: Audiovox At Crosstown Station

Primarily because the two members of Audiovox are in my larger circle of acquaintances, I spent much of Friday night at Crosstown Station.

It was a rare instance of finding myself moving in the right circles.

That Audiovox was good was to be expected. Marty Bush and Brad Chancellor are veterans of several highly respected bands. What's surprising is Audiovox's sound. They're like a tougher- but no less melodic- version of Death Cab For Cutie.

Just because Audiovox also knows their way around Bob Mould's catalog doesn't mean that the songs on their forthcoming EP aren't ready for Top 40 radio. Audiovox is a pop band.

As a laptop emitted pleasant electronic gurgles, the duo showcased their seamless commercial viablity. With the proper exposure, Audiovox won't be playing to audience of just forty people much longer.

Audiovox's CD release show is Friday, June 12, at The Riot Room.






















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Kansas City Click: Gregory Isaacs croons at the Beaumont Club on Monday.

(Original images by There Stands the Glass.

Katie Webster- I Feel So Low

Thanks Koko. Thanks Katie.

I consider myself very fortunate to have seen Koko Taylor perform many times. There was nothing like standing a few feet away as she began her shows with a mighty roar. Her voice contained a profound mix of joy, rage, lust and pain. She truly was, as one of her album titles suggested, a force of nature. Taylor died yesterday.

Because Taylor was featured at There Stands the Glass in 2007, I'll turn my attention to the late Katie Webster. While her sound and sensibility was vastly different from Taylor's, both women were outstanding, occasionally bawdy, blues entertainers. Much of that rare spirit is captured in this live performance.

Less known than her later work, Webster's out-of-print '5os Louisiana recordings for J.D. "Jay" Miller are outstanding examples of bluesy swamp pop.

As I suggested to a grieving friend yesterday, we might take solace by treasuring the handful of original giants still among us. Here in Kansas City, 92-year-old Myra Taylor certainly qualifies. Here's a new profile of the jazz and blues performer.

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Sam Butera died Wednesday. I intended to catch his show in Vegas. It's too late now.

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Jason Harper interrogates wacky kids who showed up nine hours early for tonight's Third Eye Blind show at The Uptown Theater.

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Kansas City Click: "International Harvester" is my favorite Craig Morgan song. I hope to sing along with Morgan tonight at the Power & Light District.

Ruben Ramos croons Friday at Guadalupe Center.

The legendary Sly & Robbie visit The Folly Theater on Saturday.

Reunited noisemakers Coalesce are among acts appearing Sunday at the American Waste festival at The Beaumont.

Dirty Dozen Brass Band- Five Aquariums

Drained.

One of the most encouraging trends in recent years is the gravitation of young hipsters to funk-oriented jazz. And music in that category doesn't get much funkier, or jazzier, than The Dirty Dozen Brass Band. It's a limited sample size, but I'm delighted to watch as several teenagers I know get behind New Orleans brass bands. There's hope yet. "Five Aquariums" is taken from Ears To the Wall, a promo-only title from 1996.

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I just stumbled upon this 1982 video of the Blue Riddim Band. It documents one of the most glorious moments in the history of the Kansas City music scene. (Don't miss the time stamp.) While I have no recollection of having been in attendance, I think that the goofball at 0:38 might be me.

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I'm enjoying Steve Pick's excellent "Albums of My Life" series at Lockwood & Summit.

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Here's my review of Rockfest.

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My life is simpler now that I've switched my Kansas City Jazz Calendar over to a Google Calendar format.

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Kansas City Click: Barclay Martin appears at Jardine's tonight.

The Yeah Yeah Yeahs come to The Beaumont Club Wednesday.

Review: Joe Lovano's Folk Art

Joe Lovano- "Dibango" (LaLa.com stream)

I'm mad at Esperanza Spalding.

I'd been perfectly content to ignore almost all of Joe Lovano's output. Sure, I'd admired everything I'd heard by the acclaimed jazz saxophonist, but I thought I had him covered by owning just a couple of the 22 albums he's issued as a leader for Blue Note Records.

Then Spalding came along. I acquired Folk Art only because I was curious about Spalding's contribution. I shamelessly swooned over the young bassist earlier this month. I wanted to hear how she'd fit in with some of the world's premier musicians.

Spalding's effort, along with the entire album, is incredible. The sound is reminiscent of the best free jazz recordings from the ECM and HatHut labels. Spalding chugs along just as naturally as an inspired Charlie Haden. Lovano's band seems to have Henry Threadgill and late Coltrane in mind on the skronkiest tracks.

Now I feel compelled to invest an insane amount of time and money on the rest of Lovano's catalog. Thanks a lot, Esperanza!

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I geeked out over plastic saxes today at, um, Plastic Sax.

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Kansas City Click: Jason Ricci headlines what's being billed as the first weekend blues show at The Record Bar tonight.

I'll be one of the thousands of fat, sweaty dudes at Rockfest Saturday.

The Wild Women of Kansas City return to Jardine's on Sunday.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass. As reflected in a handful of recent posts, I haven't yet figured out how to portray the proverbial glass with an MP3.)

Yomo Toro- Mi Pueblo

No more Yomo.

Sonia Sotomayor- what a great name! News of her nomination to the Supreme Court reminded me of another person of Puerto Rican descent with an even better name. Yomo Toro's out-of-print Las Manos De Oro provided my introduction to the cuatro. The album is loaded with beautiful, life-affirming material like "Mi Pueblo." And if this joyous video fails to make you happy, well, there's just no hope for you friend.

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Based on the way the main stage seems to be set up, watching Soundset on video appears to be better than actually attending the annual hip hop blowout.

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Kansas City Click: Treasure Fingers makes 'em dance tonight at Mosaic.

Jay Bennett, 1963-2009

Goodbye.

Jay Bennett's Whatever Happened I Apologize includes only a handful of fully realized songs. But dozens of excellent ideas are contained on the album. It's available as a free download from netlabel Rock Proper. Fleshed out, the project might have become a truly outstanding album. Sadly, it's never going to happen. Bennett died Sunday. That forces listeners mourning the death of the former Wilco member to imagine what might have become of promising sketches like "I Don't Have the Time." Check a Bennett blog post for tragic insights.

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I caught The Offspring, Taking Back Sunday, The Used, Alkaline Trio and Anberlin last Friday. Here's my review.

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Cherryholmes was a mixed bag Sunday when they performed with the Kansas City Symphony.

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Thanks to Blip.fm, I'm on an ugly 5'nizza jag.

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Kansas City Click: Saxophonist Logan Richardson plays Jardine's Tuesday and Wednesday. I previewed the shows at Plastic Sax.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Review: They Might Be Giants at Jiggle Jam

What an inconsiderate audience! They yelled. They cried. They whined. And that was just the adults.

As noted earlier this weekend at Back To Rockville, They Might Be Giants attract an unusually devoted audience.

The cult band's concert Saturday afternoon at children's music festival Jiggle Jam served as a rare instance of children enabling their parents. Kids clearly enjoyed They Might Be Giants, but most probably would have been just as entertained by Bongo Barry.

It's more than a little unsettling to watch adults sing along with "Alphabet of Nations" as if it's their personal version of "Born To Run" or "Highway To Hell."

Still, it was mad fun. By the time the band closed with "Dr. Worm", my face was sore from smiling.

















(Original images by There Stands the Glass.)

Lee "Shot" WIlliams- I Feel An Urge Coming On

Sated.

It's a prestigious award! So claim JP Soars and the Red Hots, the winners of this year's International Blues Challenge. I'm not knocking the Florida band- I like what they do and I'd gladly go see them if they were playing my neighborhood blues bar this weekend.

Even so, how can blues acts that deliberately replicate previously established styles be held up as the "best"? The present, by definition, is more compelling than the past. And that's coming from a roots-oriented guy. That's why, at least for me, the two most compelling blues releases so far in 2009 are by Heartless Bastards and Dan Auerbach. Most of their fans probably don't even think of them as blues acts.

There are, of course, exceptions to my rule. I'm completely charmed, for instance, by Black Joe Lewis. My knees buckle involuntarily when I'm exposed to good soul-blues acts. That's why I've loved Lee "Shot" Williams' outstanding Cold Shot since its release in 1995. Williams lacks an official web presence, but British nuts have posted a number of his early 45s at YouTube.

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I've never seen Nas. That'll change June 26 when he appears at The Uptown Theater with Damian Marley.

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Kansas City Click: "All the barbecue you can eat/All the ghetto stars you can meet!" That's the promise of Rich the Factor. He hosts a Bucks Over Fame party at The National Guard Armory tonight.

If They Might Be Giants don't play "The Mesopotamians" at Jiggle Jam Saturday, I'm gonna throw an ugly temper tantrum.

It's my understanding that attendance at Celebration At the Station Sunday is mandatory. The Kansas City Symphony mixes it up this year by bringing in bluegrass band Cherryholmes.

NRBQ- Things We Like To Do

Liked no more.

What's wrong with me? Not once has NRBQ been mentioned at There Stands the Glass. Everything I love about the hipster's version of the Grateful Dead is evident on this childlike goof from an out-of-print 1982 live date. NRBQ is a cult band for a reason. But weirdos who've listened to way too much music the discriminating few who love both Sun Ra's mysticism and Jonathan Richman's innocence, as well as fans of current bands Dr. Dog and Delta Spirit, will appreciate the carefree glee and expert musicianship of NRBQ. Here's a bit of corresponding video footage.

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Buddy Montgomery and Wayman Tisdale passed away on May 15.

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Dolla is dead.

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As much as I love the sense of community provided by Blip.fm, I'm not sure if I'll be able to resist forsaking it for Napster's new $5 a month plan.

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Road trip to St. Louis? "Vintage Vinyl is partnering up with Meat Puppets and Pabst Blue Ribbon to host a special Thursday happy hour listening party & grill session with the band! The band won't be performing at Vintage Vinyl but there will be tasty free Pabst Blue Ribbon, tasty free BBQ and some extra tasty (not free) music as the Meat Puppets hang out, sign autographs and grill at Vintage Vinyl! The grilling party begins at 6:00PM on May 28th." Who's in?

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I have a new favorite concert of the year. Esperanza Spalding was incredible Saturday. Here's my review.

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Kansas City Click: Dan Bliss is part of tonight's "Guitar Extravaganza" at Jardine's.

Review: Green Day's 21st Century Breakdown

Green Day- "Before the Lobotomy" (LaLa stream)

I regularly turn my terrestrial radio dial to a classic rock station.

Hearing songs by Boston, Bowie and E.L.O. that were already stale twenty years ago makes me laugh. Truth be told, however, I still love that stuff. Apparently, Billie Joe Armstrong shares my enthusiasm for the oldies. That would explain why Green Day's new 21st Century Breakdown sounds disarmingly like a classic rock album.

It's not exactly a subtle or groundbreaking effort, but this is Green Day, after all, and they're masters of the obvious. Heard in that context, 21st Century Breakdown is almost perfect.

The concept album's dopey political themes are easily forgotten amid the garish lifts. "Is that a Head East riff?" "Hey, that's from Styx!" "I miss Queen, too." The album has already provided me worlds of fun. And it's just going to get better.

The public pool in my neighborhood opens in a few days. The teenagers working there blast a Top 40 station through a tinny speaker system. I eagerly anticipate hearing these Green Day songs- the album has a least four potential hits- amid a mix of Ciara, Rick Ross and Soulja Boy. It's gonna be hot!

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Kansas City Click: Newmatica is on the Monday night bill at The Record Bar.

(Original image of Green Day by There Stands the Glass.)

Frank Wess- The Very Thought of You

Forgotten.

I try to keep my head down here at the There Stands the Glass compound. It's painfully obvious that I don't worry about what other music bloggers are doing. I'm here only because this obsession is so infuriatingly itchy. It's in me and it's got to get out. I also happen to have an obscenely large collection of dead format media.

The only thing that that ever sticks in my craw is when readers- even readers claiming to enjoy There Stands the Glass- call this an obituary site. I just hate that.

Who else is going to write about Stephen Bruton? And I don't see Brooklyn Vegan or Gorilla vs. Bear tripping over one another in a race to be first to pay tribute to Vern Gosdin. That's fine; those sites are great. But if I don't write about the passing of Bud Shank, well, there's a good chance that it will go unmentioned in the music blogger community. And that's simply not acceptable.

So when I spotted Frank Wess' name in an RSS feed yesterday, I feared the worst. Thankfully, it was just a review of an appearance at Lincoln Center by the 87-year-old jazz veteran.

He's heard here playing flute on a twenty-year-old live session. The band is just breathtaking. It includes Harry Edison, Ronnell Bright, Snooky Young and Marshall Royal.

Keep going, Mr. Wess. I don't want to write about you again for a long, long time.

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I downloaded Coldplay's new live album today. And I enjoyed it. Wanna make something of it?

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Kansas City Click: Pal of There Stands the Glass Howard Iceberg leads a troupe of songwriters at Coffee Break on Troost tonight.

Esperanza Spalding visits The Folly Theater Saturday.

Arthur Dodge provides the music Sunday at Westport Flea Market.

Dead Rock West At Knuckleheads

I'm disappointed in my people.

Like most serious fans, I consider Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers concertgoers to be my brothers and sisters, if only for the night. It's insanely fun to sing Clyne's great songs, arm-in-arm, with friends both old and new.

I was initially thrilled when the promoter explained Tuesday's unusual setup at Knuckleheads. Dead Rock West would open on the smaller indoor stage. Weather permitting, Clyne would immediately follow on the outdoor stage. If it rained, Clyne would play on Dead Rock West's backline indoors.

It didn't work out like I expected. Almost all of Clyne's rabid fans chose to jockey for position at the outdoor stage as Dead Rock West tore it up indoors. It was an unfathomably silly decision that might only make sense for teenage girls at Warped Tour.

I've characterized Dead Rock West as "X without the anger." On Tuesday night- shamefully the first time I've seen the California band- they proved themselves to be much more than a clever catchphrase. They effortlessly moved from Mermaid Avenue-style grit to the shimmering pop melodies of original material like "Highway One." Incidentally, the excellent Honey and Salt is aging quite nicely.

And as I discovered when I interviewed Frank Lee Drennen in 2007, the members of Dead Rock West are very nice people as well.

At least Knuckleheads provides a live video feed throughout their ramshackle roadhouse. But seriously- which experience is better? Standing inches from the delightful Cindy Wasserman or picking up the show on retro-chic video monitors?






















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The next big thing? That's easy. As I've previously suggested, Kansas rapper XV is standing on the verge of getting it on.

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Alacartoona plays Thursday's early show at Jardine's.

(Original images by There Stands the Glass.)

Stephen Bruton, 1949-2009

Farewell.

I've always considered Stephen Bruton to be Texas' version of Keith Richards. The comparison has nothing to do with lifestyle. It's about swagger. The men shared thin but soulful voices, instinctive senses of rhythm and a love for American roots music.

Bruton died Saturday. I last saw him perform in the '90s when he was part of Bonnie Raitt's touring band but Bruton was probably best known for his long association with Kris Kristofferson.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Bruton family chose to play "Getting Over You" at the memorial service. The haunting song is from his 1993 solo album What It Is. Incidentally, Stephen's surviving brother Sumter was featured at There Stands the Glass in 2008.

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The musical highlight of my weekend was provided by Fito Olivares. Eldar, one of my longtime favorites, just didn't inspire me this time around.

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Kansas City Click: Richard Buckner sings sad songs tonight at Davey's.

Review: Mac Lethal's Love Potion 5

Mac Lethal- "Undertow" (Lala stream)
"Undertow" video at YouTube

Mac Lethal can be a real jerk. And I can relate.

Brimming with anxiety and overflowing with internal contradictions, the rapper is a lot like the guy I see when I look in the mirror.

That's why the most important comment Mac makes on his new mixtape Love Potion 5 is a much more than a mere throwaway line.

"This is just a demo... the key is don't put a lot into each song," Mac notes. "That way you never get frustrated 'cause when you get frustrated you quit."

Man, does that ever sound familiar!

Relaxed and freed of inhibitions, Mac includes some of the most compelling music of his career on Love Potion 5. He is positively apoplectic on "Drunk Flow III (Painkillers+Beer)." "Stir Crazy" and "Heart Uvva Pig (Map of Love)" are also hilarious.

"El Camino," a clever reworking of "A Milli," includes a reference to local Chinese restaurant chain Bo Ling's. It's only appropriate. Imagine Lil Wayne as a Johnson County condo dweller.

It's not all good. No one wants to hear Mac whine about Asher Roth. And what's with the misogyny and homophobia? Cut it out, man. You're better than that.

Mac bashes users of the social media site on "At Least There's Twitter." In fact, he hates the service so much that he's only posted 344 times since he joined six weeks ago.

What a jerk.

(Don't worry, brother. You know I still love you.)


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Any act that drops Con Funk Shun and Maze on unsuspecting teenagers gets my vote. Here's my review of a concert headlined by Jason Mraz.

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I've often said that I'd give anything to have a voice that approximates Otis Redding's. Then I'm reminded that it doesn't guarantee happiness.

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Kansas City Click: There Stands the Glass favorite Fito Olivares performs tonight at KC Fiesta. I'm more than slightly excited.

Poncho Sanchez plays the Gem Theater on Saturday.

Are you kidding me? Seventy-three-year-old Engelbert Humperdinck is still at it. He hits Ameristar Casino on Sunday.

Pierre "Keyz" Parker, 1988-2009

Goodbye.

Local rapper Keyz was murdered Sunday morning.

Beyond the unspeakable nature of this and other all-too-common tragedies, two minor coincidences have left me rattled. Earlier that evening I parked on the street next to Grand Slam Liquors. Parker was shot nearby just a few hours later. The next day, still oblivious to the murder, I happened to toss this Keyz promotional flyer into my bag at 7th Heaven. Eerie.

The Pitch ran a music-oriented story and a crime-oriented piece. Here's a death notice in the Star.

This track from Keyz's latest mixtape, based on a Minnie Ripperton sample, isn't great, but it's typical of the post-Fat Tone sound that's still favored by the majority of Kansas City's rappers. In this context, of course, the track's thuggish nature makes for difficult listening.

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I loved Tony Bennett's effort last Saturday night. I also reviewed The People's Liberation Big Band on Friday.

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Kansas City Click: The New Vintage Big Band assembles tonight at BB's Lawnside BBQ.

(Note: I'm uncertain of this track's title and of Parker's year of birth.)

Trio Cantores de la Sierra- El Bejuquito

Party's over.

My Cinco de Mayo has been a happy one, if only because it inspired me to knock the dust off this delightful collection of folk music from southern Mexico. Each song is more celebratory than the last. My favorites, though, are the inspired duets like "El Bejuquito." I wish I could figure out what the dancers are doing in this rough but worthwhile video of a Trio Cantores de la Sierra performance.

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I insisted that my music trivia team be named "The Marquee Moonies" as a tribute to Richard Lloyd, who was playing the same venue later last night. Here's a friend's report: He shredded, literally, ripping the strings off his guitar in the Hendrix-esque, feedback-drenched finale! Backed by Television drummer Billy Ficca, so half of the punk pioneering band were there, doing their greatest "hits" like "Elevation," etc. Before 30-40 people! Bonus: the merch guy was Rolling Stone writer Charles M. Young.

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I picked up The Popper's excellent new single at 7th Heaven last week. The title? "You Ain't Bout Sh%#! (The Deadbeat Daddy Anthem)."

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Kansas City Click: The Blue Room hosts a Latin jazz listening party tonight. Pablo Sanhueza of Makuza and Miles Bonny will spin the clientele's LPs and CDs. I might have to dig out my Ray Barretto vinyl.

Bill Pekar- Colors Are All the Same

Invisible.

I almost became that guy.

There was a period in my life when I fell hard for the Texas troubadours. I'd see 'em all- Vince Bell, Guy Clark, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Kinky Friedman, Steve Fromholz, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Nanci Griffith, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Walter Hyatt, Lyle Lovett, Gary P. Nunn and Doug Sahm- on a regular basis.

And then there was Robert Earl Keen. Even back in the '80s I had a hard time comprehending the phenemenon. I'd see a guy like T-Bone Burnett play to a few dozen people in a coffeehouse one night and then be part of drunken orgy of thousands at a Keen concert the next night. It was- and continues to be- really weird.

Keen's style spawned so many imitators that it's become a genre unto itself. As Bill Pekar's song indicates, Keen's approach has come to represent a comprehensive worldview. Don't get riled up about his song's title. It's actually about the bitter rivalry between the Aggies and the Longhorns.

A couple thousand fans will probably attend a Cross Canadian Ragweed concert in my town this weekend. I won't be there.

While I still have deep affection for the sound, I was pushed off the bandwagon a few thousand miles ago. Oh, I'm well aware that geniuses like Alejandro Escovedo are still grinding, but the modest, low-key brilliance of this has mutated into this.

I'll let the owner of this truck- that guy- go in my stead. After all, the road goes on forever.

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I loved last night's show by Eddie and the Hot Rods and Cretin 66 last. Here's my review.

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Kansas City Click: The revival of The Blue Riddim Band continues tonight at Czar Bar.

The Randy Rogers Band plays outside The Beaumont Club with Cross Canadian Ragweed on Saturday.

Charlie Hunter hits Crosstown Station on Sunday.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Vern Gosdin, 1934-2009

Farewell.

I was raised on Waylon, Willie and the boys. While I liked that stuff, it wasn't really "my" music. It wasn't until "Set 'Em Up Joe"'s run as a radio hit that I could finally embrace the music of my childhood without reservation. The song had it all- boozy barroom ambience, candid acknowledgment of heartbreak, unabashed appreciation of the healing power of music and glorification of tradition. The latter sense of reverential pride is echoed on "Mother Country Music," a song from a misleadingly titled set. Vern "The Voice" Gosdin is responsible for bringing me into the fold. He died Monday. (Tip via BGO.)

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It's not quite Heavy Metal Parking Lot. In some ways, this painfully awkward interview of metal fans loitering in front of The Uptown Theater yesterday is even better. (Via Wayward Blog.)

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I'm pretty darn excited about KPRS' Summer Jam II. The only thing lacking is a decent promotional poster.

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Kansas City Click: Rust never sleeps. Neil Young visits The Sprint Center tonight.

Tex Williams- I Found a New Baby

She's gone again.

I hereby declare my intention to lobby for a Western swing revival. After all, what could be better than a mashup of country and jazz? The awkwardly titled On The Air 1947-1949: Western Swing from South California combines fiddle, accordion, pedal steel and vibes. It's plenty weird. Tex Williams' interesting career is best remembered for "Smoke Smoke Smoke." Don't miss the video.

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I liked The Gaslight Anthem but I loved Heartless Bastards. Here's my review of their show.

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Hey! Graham Parker has a YouTube channel. (Tip via B.L.)

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I wonder if I'm the only person in the world who intends to acquire today's new releases by both Bob Dylan and Tech N9ne.

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Kansas City Click: Barclay Martin plays pretty tonight at Jardine's.

Mack Allen Smith- Mean Ole Frisco

Mean no more.

I don't yet own the new compilation The Early Years: 1962-1967 (a first for a title featured at There Stands the Glass), but I just couldn't wait to post Mack Allen Smith's version of"Mean Ole Frisco." On the surface, it's just another Elvis Presley-inspired bit of hillbilly pop, but there's something about the achingly sincere and nakedly aspirational performance that I find deeply moving. The talented journeyman has also written a couple books, including the fictional Honky Tonk Addict. A YouTube search on Smith turns up a fun novelty tune and a decent countrypolitan cover of "It's Only Make Believe."

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I watched The Heartbreak Kid last night. Call me a simpleton if you must- I really liked it. The use of music in this scene is my favorite bit. The look on Ben Stiller's face at :45- keep in mind that he just married this woman- encapsulates the often awful moment of clarity that can only be provided by music.

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This remarkable short film makes excellent use of a piece by E.S.T., the late Esbjorn Svensson's group.

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Kansas City Click: The mighty, mighty Architects begin a two-night stand at The Czar Bar Friday.

Heartless Bastards support The Gaslight Anthem Saturday at The Beaumont Club.

The Wild Women of Kansas City return to Jardine's on Sunday.

(Photo courtesy of The Mississippi Arts Commission.)

Cedar Hill Refugees- Keys To the Kingdom

Locked out.

It happens. Sometimes a great album is hidden inside deceptively atrocious packaging. Its unfortunate appearance aside, Pale Imperfect Diamond by Cedar Hill Refugees is easily among my favorite albums of 2009. It combines the likes of Marty Stuart, Greg Leisz, Ron McCoury and Harry Stinson with Uzbek musicians. As demonstrated on "Keys To the Kingdom," featuring the unmistakable voice of The Almighty Ralph Stanley, the result is often surprising and never less than intriguing. More information is available at Effigy Records.

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I'm amused that so many partisans of hard rock and heavy metal- stylistic genres ostensibly representing freedom and rebellion- are so conservative and reactionary. Here's my review of last night's Chris Cornell show. Unlike this guy, I loved the concert.

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Mac Lethal has birthed yet another first-rate video.

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The New Low Down offers a podcast interview with Andrew Connor of Ghosty.

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Kansas City Click: I'm not particularly excited that The Toadies are at The Beaumont tonight. I realize the statement makes me the odd man out, but I prefer Burden Brothers.

Jay Thomas- Easy Living

Departed.

Since I don't have a CD player or satellite radio in my car, I often find myself listening to Bob Parlocha when I drive late at night. I'm fascinated by the old school sensibility of the syndicated jazz jock. A couple weeks ago I caught him raving about Jay Thomas. And the trumpeter is very good. He strikes an elegant balance between the classic swing of guys like Ruby Braff and post-Miles modernity. "Easy Living" is from 1993's Blues For McVouty. It's also one of several MP3s also available at Thomas' site.

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The new album from Medeski Martin & Wood is really good. It's strikes me as an imaginative combination of Nine Inch Nails, The Meters and Art Tatum.

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OK, I'll admit it. Kris Kristofferson made me cry Friday. Here's my review.

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I just received word that Rhythm & Ribs, Kansas City's annual blues and jazz festival, is taking a "hiatus" in 2009.

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Today's Plastic Sax post stimulated a nice discussion. I'm proud of my Kansas City jazz site.

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Kansas City Click: Lonnie Smith hits The Blue Room tonight.

Blind Pilot- The Story I Heard

The end.

In a shocking announcement that rocked the indie rock world, The Decemberists have selected Purple Stuff, a DJ Screw tribute band, as the opening act for their summer tour.

"We felt our fans needed to be challenged," explained Decemberists front man Colin Meloy. "And Purple Stuff represents where it's at in 2009."

Just kidding.

Fellow Portland band Blind Pilot have been tapped to support The Decemberists' forthcoming tour. They specialize in the kind of hyper-articulate art-rock that appeals to The Decemberists' discriminating fans. "The Story I Heard" is a typically smart example from the band's excellent 2008 album 3 Rounds and a Sound.

The evocative video for "Go On Say It" perfectly captures Blind Pilot's sensibility.

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Saturday is Record Store Day. In my town, Vinyl Renaissance is hosting in-stores by The Classmen and Lee Dresser of The Krazy Kats.

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I like Tech N9ne's new video for "Red Nose".

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Kansas City Click: The Rich Boys and comedian Andy Andrist are part of the loud and obnoxious bill Friday at The Czar Bar.

The Mingus Big Band plays The Gem Theater Saturday.

The Kansas City Civic Orchestra performs Sunday at The Folly Theater.

Mike Farris- Streets of Galilee

Road closed.

The era of media saturation doesn't afford many opportunities for surprise. So I was thoroughly delighted by the shock I received when I discovered the identity of Mike Farris. I had repeatedly listened to an advance copy of Shout! Live without bothering to look at the promotional one-sheet. It's refreshing, I thought, that a major label is releasing a live album by an unknown fifty-year-old soul and gospel singer. I reckoned Farris resembled Otis Clay. Only when I began to assemble this post did I discover that Farris is the dude from Screamin' Cheetah Wheelies. "Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!"

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A trustworthy friend urged area music writers to attend a women's singer-songwriter event last night. He hoped to build awareness for a woman named Cheri Woods. I'm glad I showed up. Woods' unaccompanied spoken word/song recital was equal parts Jack Kerouac and Iris DeMent. She exudes a guileless air of folksy authenticity. The woman doesn't even have a MySpace, but I managed to dig up this video.

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I reviewed Friday's Derek Trucks concert.

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I stayed in the next night. Naturally, I tuned in to Sabado Gigante. Yanni, of all people, was featured on my favorite variety show. "There are no rules," he asserts in this promotional video. He's a musical rebel!

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Kansas City Click: Organist Everette DeVan appears tonight at The Phoenix.

Eilen Jewell- Rain Roll In

Dried up.

Lucinda Williams has nothing on Eilen Jewell. Sea of Tears, slated for release April 21, opens with the world-weary yet sensual "Rain Roll In." The remainder of the album simmers with similar intensity. Deliberately low-key, it's a quiet, painfully honest effort that will instantly register with fans of Car Wheels On a Gravel Road and Blood On the Tracks. Jewell will be on tour for the remainder of 2009. Here's an evocative live video.

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My friend BGO informed me of Nancy Overton's death. Don't tell me you didn't love "Lollipop" and "Mr. Sandman".

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Pops Winans died yesterday.

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Can 11-year-old kids rock? I think so. Check out Supercharge. I don't know anything about these tots, but I suspect that they're further evidence of my theory that the Guitar Hero and Rock Band video games are spawning a new generation of real-life musicians. (Tip via B.L.)

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I reviewed Aterciopelados' show earlier this week.

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Kansas City Click: The Wee Trio perform the late show tonight at Jardine's.

Jay Blackfoot, Shirley Brown, Theodis Ealy, Latimore, Marvin Sease and Mel Waiters are on the bill at a woefully under-promoted blues show Saturday at Kemper Arena.

Jason Isbell and Justin Townes Earle hit Knuckleheads on Sunday.

Bud Shank, 1926-2009

Goodbye.

Jazz saxophonist and flautist Bud Shank died April 2. He was 82. Long a favorite of straight-ahead jazz fans weaned on Stan Kenton, Shank's playing, at least for me, became increasingly compelling as he aged. He's heard to great effect here with The L.A. Four- a collaboration between Shank, Laurinda Almeida, Ray Brown and drummers Shelly Manne and Jeff Hamilton. "Williwaw" is from a 1978 date included on this collection.

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In addition to seeing The Game, I caught the Kansas City Symphony (my notes) and Steve Coleman (my review) last weekend.

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I'm a fan of the new CD Baby Hip Hop Podcast. Listeners partial to the underground sound favored by the Black Clover and Rhymesayers labels will dig it.

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Kansas City Click: Aterciopelados make their Kansas City debut tonight at The Beaumont.

The Game At The Granada

Hip hop is the most sonically interesting, lyrically challenging and culturally important music of the last quarter century.

So why does hip hop so often fail to thrive in a live setting?

The Game, one of today's biggest and best rappers, was simply awful last night at The Granada Theater in Lawrence, Kansas. It was so excruciatingly disappointing that I abandoned the club 45 minutes into The Game's performance.

Almost everything that makes The Game's recordings excellent- brilliant street poetry, innovative beats, contrarian perspective and relentless sense of danger- was absent. Had it not been for his distinctive facial tattoos and gruff voice, I might have suspected that the star had been replaced with an annoying impostor.

The Game seemed far more interested in popping bottles and bringing acolytes on stage than in performing music. Even when he remembered that the sold-out room was packed with fans who had forked over $30 to see him, The Game frequently demanded that his DJ spin hits by other artists.

"I pay homage," he explained. "It's what I do."

It's no different than if Radiohead spent much of a concert chatting up fans in the front row and playing covers of hits by Coldplay and The Cure. What's the point?

Because he's a gifted artist, The Game's lack of effort was exceedingly frustrating. Nipsey Hussle, on the other hand, was just plain bad. With his long hair, slight frame and juvenile obsession with marijuana, Hussle recalled fellow Los Angeles artist Snoop Dogg. But where Snoop is clever and charismatic, Hussle is amateurish and annoying.

Kutt Calhoun was far better. It didn't hurt that the Kansas City rapper brought much of his Strange Music family with him. Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko, B-G Bulletwound and Big Scoob helped him out.

Calhoun may lack The Game's talent, but unlike the headliner, at least he gave it his all.

(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)

Brendan Croker- Darlin'

She's gone.

The liner notes to a 2000 compilation of the man's solo work characterize Brendan Croker as "Britain's answer to Ry Cooder." That's fair. He's a master collaborator. Most famously, he worked with Mark Knopfler in The Notting Hillbillies. Even He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named-In-This-Space makes a guest appearance on this collection. Even so, Croker's lovably shambolic roots rock seems more in keeping with J.J. Cale, Nick Lowe and Lowell George.

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If Prince and Pharrell Williams holed up in a Wichita studio during a tornado, they might come up with "A.D.D." I have a spotty track record when it comes to predicting hits, but I'm convinced that if given half a chance, the new song by XV could become a monster.

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Here's an update on the case of murdered reggae star Lucky Dube.

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Kansas City Click: Steve Coleman makes a rare Kansas City appearance tonight at The Blue Room.

A tribute to Muddy Waters continues Saturday at B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ.

The Life and Times headline a strong Sunday show at The Record Bar.

Vassar Clements- Fast Travelin'

Out of sight.

Hillbilly jazz. The phrase is a decent two-word approximation of my musical sensibility. It's also the title of one of my favorite albums. The project was spearheaded by the late Vassar Clements, one of America's great fiddlers. Prior to Hillbilly Jazz and his heralded work with The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band on Will the Circle Be Unbroken and with Jerry Garcia in Old and In the Way, Clements recorded a string of fiddle tunes and waltzes. "Fast Travelin'" is 59 seconds of delightful flash.

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Boss!

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Riverrock's heyday was before my time but the Kansas City-area country-rock band has reunited.

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Duane Jarvis died today. He was a really nice guy.

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Kansas City Click: The New Vintage Big Band plays tonight at B.B.'s Lawnside BBQ.