Flanfire

ALY TADROS — Things Worth Keeping

Aly Tadros [left, with Alyse Black at her side] makes you think she has been around the world (oh, wait, she has!) — and that she is a sophisticated chanteuse (well, absolutely!) — and a lot older than she really is (don’t ask, don’t tell).  She made this record in — of all places, you might think — Louisville, Kentucky, but then you remember that Ben Sollee is from Louisville and he plays cello on “Keep Up” and that alone is worth the trek.  The record provides a nice introduction to Aly’s songs, but to get the FEEL of this enchanting woman I strongly suggest you go to Aly’s MySpace page, click on the “But a Memory” blog entry, and watch (despite the low light) several songs from the live set at her CD release at Austin’s Hideout Theatre — because it is the live show that opens your senses to the breadth of her talent.  Alyse Black and Aly have been touring together — and no wonder, as BOTH are cabaret singers of the highest order.  It took me a while to get it — they seemed so different at first.  Now Aly and Alyse are on tour for what seems the rest of this year and into next year,   “But a Memory” is cut 8 on the record, and the first of 14 separate videos embedded here.  The second cut here, “Names We Forget,” is the final cut on the CD — and live she dedicates the song to Douglas Jay Boyd, another of the many talented songwriters who have either met or become better friends through the now-dormant Shut Up and Sing! songwriter showcase (which Rob Cooperman does have plans to revive with maybe a new venue and a new partner in crime). 

HILARY YORK – In the Dark

I got to know Hilary York [center] when she and Aimee Bobruk were doing this songwriter showcase at the Scoot Inn that I hated to miss even once a month.  Tall and blonde, Hilary has this contralto voice that sounds like Marianne Faithfull today and delivers a punch with every note.  At her CD release the other night at the Contintental Club (where she sometimes works), Hilary [shown here with Joe Reyes and Kullen Fuchs] had a hot band (Doug Walseth, Zachary Firnhaber, Kullen, and Kyle Schneider) and even hotter special guests (Buttercup’s Joe Reyes, and Darian Momanaee from the Low Lows).  Ian Moore graces the album itself, along with Steve Bernal, Gary Newcomb, and Julie Lowery (and more) — but the star of this show is Ms. York herself. 

The very first cut on this record is called “Jaded,” but I always remember it as “the future’s got me thinking of the past … and it won’t last.”  What a GREAT line.  Kullen plays trumpet (and probably keys too) here.  What’s not to like?  The second cut, “I Look for You,” has another hook – “I feel your thythm,” and you want to get rhythm.  That’s Jud Newcomb on guitar solo here — mmmmmmmM!  On “Carnival,” Hilary (per my roommate) sounds a lot like Mary Travers … and come to think of it, looks a little like the younger Mary too.  This waltz is best danced WITH Hilary (if you are lucky enough!) — Ian Moore is playing THIS guitar solo.  “Cover Me Up” is one of the featured cuts (also with Ian Moore AND Jud on guitars).  Halfway into this song you get a rush of excitement as Hilary explodes with high energy … another great dance tune.  Now I like “Shutters and Doors,” a gentle ballad that features Scrappy’s non-brother Gary Newcomb on pedal steel (the best in the whole wide world!).  This song is like eating chocolate mousse with nutmeg flavored whipped cream on top.  Song 6 opens with Steve Bernal’s deep, dark cello — like dark chocolate liqueur.  Then there is this cover of Randy Newman’s dark “Baltimore,” which in a way reminds me of the neighborhood around the Scoot Inn.  Another fine Scrappy solo is on “Close Your Eyes.”  Hilary lets you know she may “eat you alive” if you do not stay away in the final cut, “Loosen Your Grip,” which features Kullen on piano and organ and trumpet and tender loving care for this wonderful song.  This woman is a master of the supper club – she even makes the Driskill’s ghost light up and shine.