Further Observations From a Jangly Music Fan

The pace of life in the Washington, D.C. area has been decidedly uptempo for the past month, and I find myself asking “Where did the time go?” Fortunately, while May was whizzing by, a surfeit of excellent music was added to my music collection. Here is a brief summary of the terrific new jangly (and not so jangly) discs, along with music-related news, that helped to soothe that hurried pace during the past month:

Get It Right by the Kennedys. The dynamic husband/wife duo of Pete and Maura Kennedy has released their first studio album in over two years - and it’s everything you would expect it to be … and more. There are lots of Beatles, Byrds and Buddy Holly references in the eleven original tracks, and there are plenty of chiming Rickenbacker guitar riffs in all the right places. In addition, there are some cool songs that reflect Marvin Gaye and Sergio Mendez (and Brasil ’66) influences on the Kennedys’ musical explorations. Quite simply, the Kennedys continue to compose and record some of the most appealing contemporary folk/rock music on the indie pop music scene. Social and political themes are apparent in songs like “Pearls Eye View” (co-written and recorded with their friend, Nanci Griffith) and “I Don’t Trust Words;” and Pete and Maura display their sense of humor on the catchy tune “Why, Winona, Why?” (written about a Hollywood shoplifting incident that involved a famous young actress). The final track, “The Things We Touch,” harkens back to the twosome’s first studio album - 1995’s River Of Fallen Stars. Get It Right, released on their own Jiffyjam Records label, is an interactive disc that includes a music video, photos and more. Pete and Maura’s “extended family” (her siblings and their musical friends) contributed to this disc. Since the Kennedys have been recording together for almost a decade, they have certainly developed a “signature sound;” but as each of their albums has proven, it’s the little surprises here and there that keep that sound lively and fresh. To order your own copy of Get It Right (and other discs in their catalog), visit either www.Kennedysmusic.com or www.Jiffyjam.com. When you visit these sites, tell Pete and Maura “that Gene Clark guy” sent you!

Speaking of Gene Clark, word circulating from reliable Austin, Texas music sources indicates that Dan Fogelberg has recorded a version of Clark’s “Full Circle” for his next full-length album. This winning artist/material combination should appeal to mainstream and indie pop music fans alike.

Another forthcoming release that will appeal to fans of jingly-jangly music is He Was Fab: A Loving Tribute To George Harrison - which will be released on the Jealousy Records label later this summer. Pop musician Tim Anthony is the honcho for this tribute compilation, which will feature 19 Harrison tunes by indie pop artists. Tim is planning a very limited release of this disc, so visit the www.jealousy-records.com site for further details. It was sad to observe George Harrison’s death last November, but it is very gratifying to note that the indie pop community is leading the way in paying tribute to Sir George’s timeless repertoire of songs.

In the “buy this CD and feel good about yourself” category is Indie Rock Unites Vol 1, from the folks at Fire-tone Records. The 21-song compilation has some very cool songs by some up-and-coming indie pop artists, and the proceeds will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. It’s well worth the modest price, and the disc will introduce you to some fine acts who have contributed their tracks to a noble cause. Jangleholics will find several tracks with the ringing 12-string guitar riffs that they love, and pop fans, in general, will hear some tunes that encompass a broad spectrum of musical styles. You can acquire a copy of this disc through http://www.cdbaby.com/firetone. What are you waiting for?

Other artists are seldom compared with the Kennedys, so when Bruce Brodeen of Not Lame Recording made the comparison in his description of the Catholic Girls’ new disc, Make Me Believe, I had to check it out. Wow! The Kennedys comparison truly is well-deserved (due to the musical stylings, female lead vocals and jangly guitars), but this quartet’s material also merits favorable comparisons with the Nields and the Bangles. The title track and four other songs are repeated in electric and acoustic versions - and you won’t want to skip any of these melodic folk/pop/rock tunes! Purrr-fect harmonies, accompanied by chiming 12-string guitars, make this worth seeking out through the band’s website - www.thecatholicgirls.net

If you haven’t already taken advantage of the David Grahame “fan appreciation” offer cited in last month’s update to the “fufkin” site, there is still time to acquire a copy of David’s latest release - which will not be available commercially. Check last month’s site update for details. Hint: have someone take a picture of you holding one of David’s previous releases; then send the picture and $1.25 (to cover all costs) to Dog Turner Records, 4219 Kraft Avenue, Studio City, California 91604.

Tony Low, singer/songwriter and musician best known for his affiliation with the Cheepskates, is applying the finishing touches on a marvelous solo album that features catchy original folk-pop, psych-pop and pop/rock tunes. Tony’s Danelectro 12-string guitar even adds some jangly flourishes to several of the songs. Before indie pop fans can enjoy this excellent album, Tony needs to place it with a pop label. Someone in the record business - please give pop music fans a treat and release this disc in 2002!

Jeff Glenn, pop musician and pop music fan extraordinaire, recently achieved the “century” mark by releasing the 100th Volume in his Lost Jukebox compilation series. I am convinced that Jeff is on a quest to acquire and possess the largest collection of 60s 45s in pop music collector circles. Jeff’s efforts have certainly paid off; I took advantage of the recent long holiday weekend to re-listen to the contents of these discs. There are some terrific jangly folk/rock tunes in the 2,700+ songs … along with some excellent doo-wop, surf, girl group, psych/pop, garage rock, Spector knock-off, novelty, instrumental and Beatlesque tunes. Thank you, Sir Jeff, for sharing with others these obscure vinyl tracks that are a living testament to pop music’s “golden era!”

I don’t know how I overlooked this disc in 1997, but the Fire Apes’ A Perfect Day For Bananafish would have been a shoo-in for Top Ten honors that year if I had known about it! From start to finish, this disc delivers the goods - original songs and a superb power pop version of Abba’s “S.O.S.;” lots of jangly guitars; and a Merseybeat tune, “Is That Me,” that rivals the Spongetones Beatles-inspired repertoire. The Fire Apes disc will be close to my stereo for months to come!

Tell The Kids The Cops Are Here by the Model Rockets. This Not Lame-signed band reminds me of a blend of Martin Luther Lennon and the Shazam. The disc contains power pop tunes that are crunchy, snappy and jangly in all the right places. Sir Bruce still has a fine ear for pop, and this disc should contend for Top Ten honors in 2002.

Sleeping In - a five-song CD-EP by P76. Danny McDonald and pals (including Dom Mariani) have released yet another outstanding example of Australian power pop. That sure does sound like a Rickenbacker 12-string on “My Home,” “All Away” and “My Sunshine!”

Speaking of Australian power pop, Zip Records has just released the latest full-length disc by the Chevelles, Girl God, and it is awesome, as usual.

G. Elvis Is Still Alive - by Phil Angotti and the Idea. Great Midwestern pop released on a great Midwestern indie pop label (Jam Records). This disc features eight songs - some exceptional covers of Beatles, Left Banke tunes, and some fine new original material from one of the “pseudo-60s pop” genre’s best practitioners. Long may you run, Sir Phil!

Well, I had yet another stack of discs to tell you about … but they will have to wait for next month’s column. Until then, jangle on … and/or keep on rockin’ in the free world!

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