Kristin Hubbard
- The Get me Downs' "Burn This E.P."
- Rachel Harrington "name of cd"
- Genuine Article "name of cd"
- Third Road Home's "Venus in Retrograde"
- Tiffany Petrossi's "Sweet Groove"
- Sue Quigley Band's self-titled debut CD.
- Kelly Buchanan's "Bastard Daughter"
- Ripley Caine's "Works In Progress"
- Datri Bean
- G-Spot's "Come Here, Go Away"
The Get me Downs
Burn This E.P.
The first time I heard The Get Me Downs' Burn This E.P., thoughts of early Blondie and B52's immediately came to mind. The black and white cover has a gogo dancer doing her thing and I can not think of a more appropriate vision to accompany this six-pack of unadulterated fun. That or an after hours beach party. Anne Stark's vocals are pure rock diva, drawing you in and bouncing you around in time with distorted guitar riffs and snappy drumbeats. With Anne on bass, Michael Donhowe on guitar, Eric Alto on drums and everyone sharing vocal duties, The Get Me Downs are gritty, raw and stripped down to the bare necessities -- the quinessential garage band you wish rehearsed next door. I know I do. Check them out at thegetmedowns.com.
Rachel Harrington
I love harmonies. I love harmonies that come out of nowhere and sweep
you away with the refrain of a song. Rachel Harrington knows her way
around (and in, out, up and down) a harmony. On Halloween Leaves, her
4-song demo EP, she masterfully draws you in using her luminous voice
and an acoustic guitar. And it's enough. In fact, it's just about
perfect. Her country, folk, and gospel roots marry beautifully with
the three remakes she's chosen, beginning with My Morphine (Gillian
Welch). A fabulous rendition of "Hickory Wind" (Gram Parsons) is
followed by Ms. Harrington's original title track, Halloween Leaves.
The demo closes with my personal favorite, a thoughtful remake of
Jamison's "That's How Strong My Love Is" . This EP leaves you wanting
to find the line to stand in to get your hands on the album in its
entirety. According to her website, the final touches are being
applied now and we can all enjoy more from this talented
singer-songwriter in the near future. Check her out at
rachelharrington.net.
Genuine Article
A friend recommended Seattle-based Genuine Article and I've been
thanking her ever since. This duo is ridiculously talented and it's
not often you find an act who writes, arranges, performs and produces
its own material. Tate Erickson (former drummer for Faceless) takes
on drum, bass, lead and rhythm guitar duties while Avalon Wilson
(former solo singer/songwriter) provides vocals, piano and rhythm
guitar. These four tracks pack a punch and have been in heavy
rotation on my player since Avalon so kindly sent me a copy of the EP.
They get you coming and going, from rocking hard (Not Givin' Up and
Don't Let Me Down) to slowing it down (Some Things) to radio-ready
(Your Hero). Genuine Article's initial effort is terrific and I can't
wait to hear more. Check them out at genuinearticlemusic.com.
Third Road Home's
Trinity and Tom Demask began performing together in the spring of 2001
and their chemistry was evident immediately. While Trinity was new to
performing, Tom had extensive musical experience, having played with a
host of Denver-based artists since his teens. Soon they'd dubbed
themselves Third Road Home and with Trinity on vocals and acoustic
guitar, Tom on acoustic and electric guitars, bass, backing vocals and
bouzouki, and the addition of Brandy Stewart on drums, they perfected
their sound which is captured in all its glory on their debut CD,
"Venus In Retrograde". And I do mean 'glory', as it is some of the
best alt-country/alt-folk I've come across. Third Road Home is a
versatile band with a varied repertoire. The disk begins with
acoustic-based tunes featuring gorgeous harmonies (a personal weakness
of mine) and sing-along melodies, and showcasing Tom's gifted guitar
work. They also offer haunting ballads, particularly "The Distance
Between You & I" which features a beautiful cello accompaniment.
Then, just when you think you've got them pegged, Tom picks up an
electric guitar and sets the tone for the rest of the CD. Probably
the most noteworthy on 'Venus In Retrograde' is, however, Trinity's
voice. When the first notes of "Awakening" played, I immediately
thought of Allison Krauss with that crystal clear fluidity and
flawless presentation. I must admit I haven't stopped listening to
this disk since I got it and I eagerly await Third Road Home's newest
release, due this sometime this year. Check them out
thirdroadhome.com.
Tiffany Petrossi
Tiffany Petrossi knows how to put out an album. An independent
recording artist from San Jose, she writes, produces and performs ...
all on her own record label, Esmeralda Records. She was a runner-up
in the VH-1 'song of the year' contest in 2004 and is also the founder
of the Rockin' Moms project (rockinmoms.com). A gifted lyricist,
I strongly urge listeners to read the liner notes prior to enjoying
the finished product because her work could be published simply as
poetry. Her charismatic vice makes you feel as if you are in a
coffeehouse listening to this woman share her life with you. On this
sophomore effort, aptly entitled Sweet Groove, Petrossi seranades us
with lyrical imagery, most notably on the first track entitled "Sweet
Summer Day". Sweet indeed when you can imagine yourself in that room
with that open window and almost feel that summer breeze and smell
those 'grasses so high'. Again, on "Connections", you know exactly
how she feels when she sings of a "missed connection, crossing paths,
exchanging glances, questions asked". Add incredibly talented studio
musicians to Petrossi's lyrical gift, capable voice and own acoustic
guitar ability, and you've got a gem. Check her out at
tiffanypetrossi.com.
Sue Quigleys Band
Sue Quigley has a magnificent voice. Her warm, full-bodied alto is
reminiscent of early Melissa Etheridge, Susan Tedeshi and Bonnie Raitt
and, like those artists, she's also an accomplished guitar player.
Sue started playing guitar after her teenaged sister abandoned it for
other pursuits (read: boys). Influences include Joan Armatrading,
Stevie Nicks, Chrissie Hynde, REM, K's Choice, Concrete Blonde,
Lucinda Williams and Pearl Jam. A guitar playing camp counselor
sealed the deal and Sue was hooked, writing songs in her spare time.
When asked about the songwriting process, Sue shares that "Driving is
huge because it's mindless. I'll play around with a melody and then I
call myself and leave it on the voice mail." Judging from the depth
and quality of the poignant lyrics and catchy melodies, Sue does a lot
of driving. "If I show my naked heart, does it do something for you?
Does it make you feel important? Give you something to do today?".
Those lines, from the first track entitled 'Naked Heart' are
indicative of Sue's style of writing and really strike a chord (pun
intended) in the listener. "What made the ship go down? Well it just
went down, without a trace, like the last I saw of love on your face."
Those lines, from "Without A Trace", her newest song only available
on demo at the moment, illustrates the depth of Sue's voice. The
resonance and honesty in her singing makes the soul-glimpsing lyrics
even more touching and confirm her claim that "being a musician on a
relatively regular basis has made me the closest I have ever been to
truly happy".
While practicing on the deck of her new Seattle area house several
years ago, Sue met neighbor John Mills, who, serendipitously, is a
bass player. As Sue tells it, "I was playing guitar and this guy
(John Mills) across the fence started chatting with me. He said he
played bass so we started getting together every so often to play. He
had some friends who played guitar and drums and we played with them
for awhile. I finally decided to start my own band with my name on it
as I'm not getting any younger! John agreed to play bass with me and
he has a lot of experience from being in punk bands in the 80's and
here we are". Currently, The Sue Quigley Band consists of John Mills
on bass and backing vocals, John Martiniello on drums and backing
vocals, Gary Sorenson on electric guitar and Sue on lead vocals and
acoustic guitar. Either this group practices a whole lot or the
synergy is there because they're tight, talented and offer a complete
sound, something seriously lacking in much music today.
A school counselor by day, Sue and the band make the rounds at local
venues, including the Central in Pioneer Square, The Green Room in
Portland, Conor Byrnes, The Ballroom in Freemont and the Hotwire
Coffee House in Shoreline. Sue hopes to be traveling to the east
coast sometime this summer, most notably to play ChickSingerNight in
New York City (chicksingernight.com). When asked what's on the
horizon, Sue becomes more philosophical. "My dream before I leave my
mortal coil is to make a living singing my songs all over the place
and leave something that people love, because they probably are the
closest things to children I will ever have." Somehow, I believe that
a woman of her musical ability and personal strength (Sue was once a
member of the Hotshot Fire Crew fighting forest fires), will make this
dream happen. The six song EP "Sue Quigley Band " is available at
Tower Records, on Sue's website (suequigley.com) and on
CDBaby.com.
Kelly Buchanan
A friend recently asked me describe Kelly Buchanan's sound and I
replied, without hesitation, that it's an electric mix of Ani DiFranco
and PJ Harvey with some Alanis and Liz Phair thrown in for good
measure. On her third release, 'Bastard's Daughter', she's only
improved with age and is as in-your-face as ever. Don't be fooled by
the mainstream sound of the first track, 'Letter In Your Mailbox'.
Yes, that song is terrific and is as radio-ready as any I've heard
recently. There is so much more here, though. 'No Vacancy', for
instance, where Kelly's lyrics knock you down, pull you up and then
knock you back down again with tales of unrequited love and all the
ugliness that can entail. Songs written with a razor sharp wit and
no-holds-barred anger can do that to a listener. "Too stuck on
yourself to give to someone else ... I wash the sheets of your scent
and your stain". Alanis was never this pissed off and it only gets
better. This woman has something to say and, by god, you're going to
hear it and you'll WANT to hear it as it's wrapped in infectious
melodies and a versatile and talented backup band. You want to mosh
and bang your head against a wall? Listen to the tale of 'PiggyBack
Ann''. You want grunge, rock band next door with spine-chilling
distorted electric guitar? Try 'Cocaine'. How about some Tori'esque,
gut wrenching and disturbing views on being a woman? Try "Body Bag'.
Want to kick back and relax to a more ballad-like tune? She's got that
too, particularly on the last track, aptly entitled "Lullaby". My
personal favorite, however, has to be "Gun or a Ring'. I laughed out
loud the first time I heard Kelly belt "Get a gun or get a ring. You
either gotta love me now or kill this thing. This is an all or nothing
world. Are you with me? Get a gun or get a ring". This might just
become the theme song of young men about to spend two months salary
everywhere.
I read in her press kit that she once explored a jungle in Brazil all
alone, armed only with a pocket knife and a can of mace. No doubt.
Kelly Buchanan does not do things the usual way, including producing
this CD. According to her website, her fans ultimately financed the
making of Bastard Daughter. In exchange for demos, autographs, liner
note thank-yous and the like, fans donated to the cause from inception
to release. Now that's a fan base. Join the club at the
kellybuchanan.com.
Ripley Caine
Chicagoan Ripley Caine has a voice that you think you recognize but,
in the next instant, aren't quite sure you do. Is it Kathleen Fisher?
Everything But The Girl? No, it's not and you turn it up to listen
more closely to try to get a hold on what you're listening to. A one
woman show, Ms. Caine has mastered not only her guitar but the
computerized generation's ability to create a terrific CD at home on
her computer. Yes, according to the liner notes, this album was
recorded at 'The RC Hit Factory on a dell computer". Few artists can
make a top notch CD in a studio and Ms. Caine has done so them one
better, creating this beauty quite possibly from her living room. Add
producer to her list of accomplishments, next to top notch songwriter
and accomplished guitarist.
There are four tracks on this EP and I cannot get enough of any of
them. "Full Moon" opens up the set with a mid-tempo ode to a love
gone wrong, complete with harmonies, rounds, perfectly suited drum
machine beats and that guitar of hers. Terrific stuff. The second
track, "Our Song", is a dead ringer for Everything But The Girl's
vocal sound but then the guitar kicked in with the echoes, the layers
and the slightly off beat electronic backup, reminiscient of Moby, and
I was hooked and it became clear that Caine's sound is all her own.
The third track, "The Promise", is my favorite. with it's sulty drum
opening, minor key progressions, perfect vocals and laid back feel,
it's a thunderstorm in a song. The too-short EP closes with "Bque
Dance Party, offering another sound for Ms. Ripley with echoing
vocals, more drum machine prowess and solid lyrics -- indeed a perfect
party song. You can check out her work at ripleycaine.com. I
strongly urge you to do so.
Datri Bean
Datri Bean creates a sound that makes me imagine a sunny, country
afternoon sipping mint julips on an old screened porch, the air moving
ever so slightly under the ceiling fan. It's a nice place to be. I
was fortunate to obtain a three song EP from Ms. Bean last month and I
must admit it is in my player more than anything else these days. Tori
Amos, Sarah Slean and Nellie McKay may have made piano accompaniment
popular, but Ms. Bean takes it a step further by bringing it back to
basics -- just her pure, full, emotive voice lilting over her
impressive skill on the ivories. Jazzy, bluesy,
country, folksy -- it's all there. And not only is her voice perfect
for the sound, her writing is as well. If Billie Holiday were alive
today, she'd want Datri Bean writing her material.
Originally from Wyoming, Ms. Bean currently resides in Seattle, honing
skills in Boston and Austin along the way. She's played the piano all
her life, writing songs and singing almost as long. She was recently
selected as one of a handful of performers chosen over hundreds to
play at the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Concert in Texas later
this month; a tribute to her talent. The only complaint I have is
that the EP is much to short -- a tease, if you will. I am anxiously
awaiting the CD she promises to release later this year and will
review it as soon as I can get my paws on a copy. Until then, she's
got us covered by offering complete downloads of all three tunes on
her website at datribean.com.
G-Spot
The inside cover of G-Spot's lastest release, "Come Here, Go Away",
has lead singer Gail Silverman flipping off the reader. There could
not be a more appropriate image to represent the band. Gail Silverman
sounds (and looks) like the girl your mother warned you about -- and
who you secretly wanted to be -- fearless and sassy, sporting short
skirts and a shorter fuse, and smart-as-a-whip with something to say.
Edgy, gritty, raw and sexy, Ms. Silverman has punk diva written all
over her. Accompanied by bass player Donald Dixon, guitarist Dennis
Winge and drummer Phil Bloom, Ms. Silverman plays acoustic guitar and
writes the band's material (she wrote or co-wrote every song on the
album) . Top notch production by Lorraine Ferro (formerly with EMI)
shows this band to be the perfect marriage of punk and rock. The
music is catchy and full of sing-a-long opportunities for all, with
lyrics that will have you howling one minute and nodding a 'oh yes,
I've been there' the next. Want to make waves at your next Mom's club
meeting? Play this CD. You'll either clear the room or have a slew
of new best friends.
Ms. Silverman sings, "I wanna go down in history as the age
revolutionary. I wanna be the one who didn't make sense. The one
who's proud to be aspiring rock star of 20. I'm not dead, but I'm
beyond 14. What the hell do you think that means. No I'm not
Christina and I'm not Brittany I'm not Brandy nor am I Mandy. It's
cool to be the one whose not just eye-candy. " Mission accomplished.
Check them out at gspotband.com.
Halloween Leaves
Genuine Article
Venus in Retrograde
Sweet Groove
Bastard Daughter
Works In Progress
Come Here, Go Away
(c) 2004 Gail Silverman (Revolutionary Records) ASCAP, Firethorn Music BM