R2OK!

Cherskiy

The start of tonight’s show was delayed by the Eurovision voting travesty overrunning by around ten minutes or so. Sadly, the Thea Gilmore track planned for the first hour was a casualty of the reduced time available. Back to what was on offer, though, and Bob had a cracking line-up planned, the middle hour being handed over virtually to two live sessions. One was performed by Jesse Malin who has received some R2 daytime airplay recently, and the other by the superb guitarist and vocalist Sue Foley, who unfortunately hasn’t, but who has had tracks featured by Bob in recent weeks. Both artists were only available tonight, so Bob invited the two of them into the studio – great stuff!

The line-up had a rocking good start, provided by “Runnin’ Down A Dream” by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Bob taking this track from their 1993 “Greatest Hits” album. ‘Nuff said.
Hot on the heels of last week’s track by Ryan Adams, Bob played “Ticket Time” by his band Whiskeytown, from their eponymously titled EP from ten years ago. No-nonsense country-influenced rock is found here, showing just how good Adams is as part of a band in addition to his continuing success as a solo artist. The track itself won’t set the world alight but it pushes all the right buttons when it comes to blue-collar America – the song is workmanlike and possesses a damned good beat.
Built to Spill’s forthcoming sixth album “You in Reverse” had a repeat play this week, this time the track “Traces” giving us another helping of Doug Martsch’s somewhat laid back vocals and the band’s almost prog-rock like guitar backing. More Whistle Test music for the 21st Century.
I wasn’t entirely taken by Rufus Wainwright when I first heard him a while back, but he’s growing on me at the moment, largely down to the appeal of his new single “Going To A Town”. His laconic, laid back lyrics are given extra bite by both the understated backing and pace of the song. I’ll be interested to see what other material he has to offer in the future.
Tracks by the Great Lake Swimmers have made regular appearances on the Saturday show this year, this Toronto-based outfit showcasing Tony Dekker’s occasionally haunting, mostly dreamy vocals and the superb yet minimalist accompaniment from the rest of his band. If you’re looking for something to chill out or relax to, then “Changing Colours” from their recent album “Ongiara” will deliver, providing more evidence (if any was needed) that Canada is fast becoming a major player in the current acoustic revolution.
James Iha was another gem from tonight’s show, Bob playing “The Sound Of Love” from his 1998 album “Let It Come Down”. Previously a guitarist with The Smashing Pumpkins, Iha shook off any criticism that his solo debut may have accumulated with a finely crafted if not totally original take on life, wrapped up in slightly fragile lyrics - a world away from the Pumpkins’ darker output. The album was released at the time without much fanfare and didn’t achieve much success. However, it still makes rather pleasant listening, and would not be out of place on regular R2 airplay. This track and the remainder of the album was no doubt helped by input from the likes of Neal Casal and one of the members of Fountains of Wayne (qv).

The first live session came courtesy of Jesse Malin, who has achieved some success (and mainstream R2 airplay) courtesy of his “Glitter In The Gutter” album, with a little help from Bruce Springsteen along the way. “Don’t Let Them Take You Down” was the first track I heard by this New York-based artist and this was Bob’s introduction to the middle hour and his live set. Blessed with a Springsteen-like gutsy performance and a voice that teeters on the edge of being classed as gravelly, Malin in real life is a rather pleasant individual with a laid back New Yawk accent. “Glitter” was produced in LA, Malin’s previous two solo albums being produced in NY, and Bob opened with a conversation as to why he moved to the other side of the country to make the third album, plus the collaboration with Bruce Springsteen. This led nicely into Malin’s first live song, namely “Broken Radio”, which was Ken Bruce’s Record of the Week some weeks ago. Live, the track initially sounded almost identical to the recorded version, which must be a tribute to his strong vocals and the minimum of accompaniment required for what is a very good song, obviously without the backing of The Boss here or the guitar of Ryan Adams. Malin was contacted by Springsteen who liked his first album, “Fine Art of Self Destruction”, which eventually led to Jessie Malin sending The Boss the lyrics to “Broken Radio”. “Lucinda”, his second live track, played homage to Lucinda Williams, who he has sang with before (“Take It Easy”, part of a benefit concert with Jackson Browne). It was a slightly warmer and faster paced song, lacking the hard edge of the better known tracks, with Malin’s voice softening just a little. He talked about his time with D-Generation, when his songs were ‘angry’, when “punk rock was an attitude, not just a t-shirt”. The last live track was again taken from “Glitter” – this was “Aftermath”, another slower-paced song but still with that ‘kick’ in his vocals. He praised the crowds at the concerts he’s given already in the UK, this tour ending midweek before he moves off to Europe. I suspect the album itself won’t be a million miles removed from what was an excellent live performance tonight. The seemingly off-mike comment at the end said it all: “Wow!”

Canadian Sue Foley delivered the second live performance of the show almost straight away. Although critically acclaimed and responsible for something like ten albums over a fifteen year period, she’s practically unknown in this country. An accomplished guitarist in her own right, she also has her own band and has been touring for eighteen years. First off was what she called her ‘warm-up song’, “Down The Big Road Blues” (taken from her 2002 album “Where The Action Is”), which effortlessly mixed a traditional blues arrangement with her amazing vocals and energetic guitar work. Channelling Gretchen Wilson’s distinctive “Red-necked Woman” in places, Sue’s opening offering was extremely engaging. She has also worked with Lucinda Williams, and classes her as an influence. She wonders why her ‘Sue-heads’ (the name given to her fans) are mostly 55-year old men, but accepts it has a lot to do with blues in general attracting that sort of demographic. She has thrown herself into a project called “Guitar Woman”, writing a book documenting female guitarists – Memphis Minnie, Maybelle Carter, Bonnie Raitt, Joni Mitchell, etc. Although designed to highlight the role of women guitarists in the history of popular music, she concedes she is also looking for links with her own performances. Her second track, “So Far”, was taken from her recent collaboration with Deborah Coleman and Roxanne Potvin, a CD called “Time Bomb”. Much faster-paced, this song could almost have been sung by K T Tunstall, the live performance reminding me greatly of the latter’s first live R2 performance with “Minature Disasters”. The same degree of energy and level of live stagecraft was in evidence, it was uncanny. A conversation developed about the team-spirit among Canadian musicians, the country’s industry having less of the competitive edge than found south of the border. Government start-up grants are available, giving emerging artists the possibility of recording and touring deals. “Two Moons Gone”, also taken from “Time Bomb”, was a funky, country-blues song which pulled you in from the get-go, Sue’s distinctive voice here adding another delicious layer to the mix. An absolutely brilliant set, and that’s coming from someone who doesn’t go out of his way to listen to blues.

The Fountains of Wayne received another airing tonight, the third-week-in-a-row track being “Someone to Love”, the opening track from their latest release “Traffic and Weather”, which hit the shops at the beginning of the month. The band are well-known for producing seventies-like ‘power pop’ music, and this track doesn’t disappoint in that regard either. Almost immediately the listener is immersed in an infectious set of harmonies and backbeat. Maybe not an instant hit such as “Stacy’s Mom”, more of a slow-burner hit, but good music all the same. This track is released on the 28th of this month.
The above band’s “Radiation Vibe” features on their friend Hem’s 2006 album “No Word From Tom”. Hem (Sally Ellyson) possesses almost dreamy, floating, soaring vocals, which on this particular piece sound a hell of a lot like Carly Simon, and that’s a good thing. Nothing like the Fountains’ version, this cover is soft, mellow and yet still enjoyable. I have heard of her name before, but not what she sounded like. Going by this track alone, this album – and her back catalogue - will be on my wish-list by the end of the week!
Jeffrey Dean Foster’s “Long Gone Sailor”, taken from his recent solo debut album “Million Star Hotel” (slang for being homeless) was also fairly enjoyable to listen to, without requiring much effort. His vocals and the accompaniment aren’t exactly earth-shattering (rather like a slightly toned-down Bryan Adams in places) but there’s plenty to like here.
For the life of me, I can’t see what Bob sees in Marillion. “One Fine Day”, the live track he played, had all the excitement of a funeral dirge. It was marginally improved when the singer shut up halfway through and let the guitar take centre stage, but he had to come back in for a second go. The applause was pretty muted, thankfully. Oh, well.
Far better yet still fairly bleak in outlook was the Decemberists’ with “The Crane Wife”, last year’s surprise hit on WCLZ, one of the more discerning regional US radio stations I have on occasion listened to. I’m never very sure where to position the band, probably veering towards folk albeit with some rock influence as with this track. Not much change with the lyrics, mostly the same line repeated ad nauseam, but they do it so well. Give it a go – you’ll be surprised, just like I was the first time I heard this.
Bob said at the start of the show he had a ‘never-heard before’ track by The Travelling Wilburys. For the uninitiated, the Wilburys were Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison and George Harrison. “Like a Ship”, which will feature on the soon-to-be released first volume of a collection CD, is pretty good with Dylan’s vocals featuring prominently although I can tell how many critics suggest he can’t hold a tune in his head. He does have gravitas, though.
Corinne West has a new album out later this year – “Second Sight”, from which “Handful of Gold” was taken. A wonderfully clear voice is on display here, complementing the sparse but pleasant accompaniment and the roots-based arrangement, with more than a hint of bluegrass to feast upon. This is absolutely lovely.
I’d never heard of the Wyoming-based Walter Strauss before either, but there was something about his finger-style playing of the acoustic guitar that was compelling. The instrumental piece played here tonight, “Spinner’s Cascade”, from his album “Pulling Shadows”, was strangely uplifting – perfect if you want a little background music to unwind to.
I do remember Tia McGraff being featured on Bob’s playlist before, though, and the elements I recall from last time were still present on “Second Chance”, taken from her latest album “Day In My Shoes”. Here, the clarity and strength of her vocals are neatly complemented by those of Steve Balsamo (of The Storys).

An excellent show tonight – more hopefully this weekend coming!
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Cherskiy · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 6:19 pm Post subject:

So he is - I rushed to finish the above and didn't catch what was happening this weekend. Review hopefully to follow tomorrow.
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)

Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

'Lammo' has done Bob's show before so it should be a good show.
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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

Barkingbiker · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 2313 Location: Lincolnshire

I listened to last weeks show directly before this weeks & found it hard to get into Steve Lamacq's groove. The music was pretty good & I did find myself thinking, this guys not too bad after all. I was very disappointed he didn't play In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett, although I did really enjoy the midnight theme and perhaps this example was just too obvious. Maybe it was a big mistake to catch up with last weeks show, presented by the master, directly before listening to the apprentice.

BB Twisted Evil

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Old Bikers Never Die, our leathers just get tighter!

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun May 20, 2007 5:11 pm Post subject:

There is a difference in styles and presentation although its not so pronounced as with some of the other stand-ins. I can't think of many presenters who would be able to do a good temporary job in this slot with this type of show.

Though Mr Lamacq should remember to check his CD player next time around, and not leave the Pixies at home! Very Happy

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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)