I should have been drinking Guinness and wearing an Eddie & the Hot Rods t-shirt rather than enjoying Boulevard Pale Ale while bundled in a sweater. Attending Phil Neal & the Wornalls' recent matinee performance at the RecordBar was akin to stepping into a London pub in 1976. The earnest band banged out pub rock with casual grace.
Ever since I reviewed the delightful album Lonely Tonight in February, I'd been meaning to catch the band. Better late than never.
Neal comes by the no-frills sound honestly. Check out his 1983 video for "2 Time Loser". Thirty years later, Neal's pop aspirations have been replaced with gritty defiance.
Aside from the shaky vocals I referenced in my album review, the band- particularly lead guitarist Gary Paredes- played with admirable fortitude. While callow audiences might be put off by the multi-generational composition of his band, Neal's perseverance inspires me.
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Josh Berwanger's Strange Stains is RIYL: Dwight Twilley, Lindsey Buckingham, the Shoes. (Tip via Tim Finn.)
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A favorite parlor game in the There Stands the Glass compound is determining which version of a popular song is best. The winner of the "Both Sides Now" entry is Dave Van Ronk.
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Care to watch grainy footage of Don Ho and Tom Jones singing Willie Nelson's "Night Life"? Of course you do.
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Disappointed! Robert Glasper's Black Radio 2 is a self-indulgent mess. Most of the raps are corny while the melismatic vocalists sound way too blessed out.
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Boy George's album is remarkably solid. Check out "King of Everything". RIYL: Culture Club, Culture, Club Med.
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I enjoyed Arcade Fire's new Reflektor album far more than the band's 2010 breakthrough album The Suburbs. RIYL: Let's Dance-era David Bowie, NPR, Chic.
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I really wanted to like Alan Jackson's Bluegrass Album album, but it just brought me down. RIYL: The Grand Ole Opry, moonshine, poor execution.
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Skeletonwitch's Serpents Unleashed is excellent. RIYL: dirt, Torche, beer.
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I'm glad to have listened to Allen Tousssaint's Songbook once, but the live recording accentuates the brilliant man's weaknesses. RIYL: Bobby Short, cabaret, Elvis Costello.
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Malaco re-upped a fine promotional video for a 1999 Little Milton album.
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This week's new releases of special interest to There Stands the Glass include titles by Trace Adkins, Arcade Fire, Bad Religion (Christmas Songs!), Bardo Pond, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Forsyth, Robert Glasper, Roy Harper, Toby Keith, Los Lobos, Nick Lowe, Johnny Mathis, Minor Alps, Juana Molina, Warbringer and White Denim.
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Kansas City Click: My official picks are published here.
(Original image by There Stands the Glass.)
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