JAMES MORAN (self-titled)

I could say that James Moran is a dirtier (Nawlins does that), grittier Danny Malone — but that would not be fair to either performer.  Both are intense guys who sing pop songs [Moran prefers "soul," but acoustic they are soulful pop], both wear fedoras, both are loved by the ladies, and neither is as tall as I am.  Both, however, write great songs that are all their own.  So let’s move past the outward appearance and get to the nitty gritty.  Daniel Coffey produced Moran’s debut; Bryan Williams recorded the guitars (all James), and Damian Rodriguez the vocals (again, all James).  I also have to say the last time I saw James on stage was at B. D. Riley’s with Rob Cooperman joining in now and then — it was a TOTAL GAS!  These guys are fun!

“Come What May” opens the CD, and this is a catchy song.  “Jadi’s Song” is all about “writing this song on your guitar” to the woman whom he loves.  “Agree to Disagree” shows a great vocabulary — something he shares with Tim Buckley (father of Jeff Buckley, whose work Moran dearly admires).  We do look forward to the full band version of these songs — because with a band, James will be able to emote more.  “Mea Culpa?” is a sad song about a broken relationship – how do lovers learn to listen before it is too late?  How do we know when there is nothing left to try?  But more importantly, how do we know when to shut up and just wait until the storm clouds disappear? 

[What we] “Could Be” is a plea to stick together to see what good things can happen in a mutually supportive relationship.  “Home To Stay” is yet another tale of a guy who goes off track in a relationship [notice that James is always a lover], while “Least That I Could Do” is a reflective ballad about how good a relationship can be when giving is at the bottom on both sides.  I like this song.  “Believe It or Not” is the jazziest song on the record — this time the relationship seems adrift, with some loss of meaning, and yet our gallant lad holds out hope.  [We have the] “Solution,” James sings on the final song — but you have to open up your eyes.  Sometimes Moran’s lyrics sound like rap set to music — so many rhymes in one long phrase.  Moran will be joining Rob Cooperman on February 8th at Momo’s Club — and maybe some Mondays at B. D. Riley’s (but there was some cryptic message about the “final show” for the Undercover Songwriters Showcase). 

KALU JAMES – Live

Of course the second to last time I saw James was at a Kalu James (and Josh Halverson) show at One 2 One Bar the very night before — and Kalu handed me an advance copy of his new live record, cut at Ruta Maya with his full band — Randall Squires (bass and producer), Ed Miles (drums), Drew Howard (lead guitar), Michael Rubin (harmonica, mandolin, vocals), Erik Telford (trumpet, keyboards),  and the inimitable Josh Halverson on two songs.  Curiously, Jeff Buckley is at the very top of Kalu’s “influences” list on HIS MySpace — me, I prefer Nick Drake, but most of these guys may not even know who he was.  But he also likes Tracy Chapman, and she is clearly a HUGE influence on his vocal style.   

Kalu has a BIG voice (and he is a big man who admits he sweats during shows, kinda like Marvin Dykhuis) — and his band is just topnotch.  The first time I heard Kalu sing was at a Ham Jam, and his pure vocal tone was just stunning!  Kalu must mean “bear” in some language he speaks — because he just oozes warmth even when not on stage.  I listen to this live record and hardly hear the words — and then I really listen and sometimes cry.  “SCheck” opens quietly, then the guitar comes in like a xylophone hitting solo notes — and you know you are up for something good.  Then comes that gravelly vocal and you wonder what is this song all about?  And it does not matter — it is all about introducing the band.  And, OH — it is really “soundcheck.”

Then the REAL music begins — “The Way I Feel” opens with the organ holding a long note — and the guitar comes in underneath, and then Kalu … singing a love song ….. about Rochester and the love he found there as a young African man in America where the summers are colder than whatever he thought was winter and the winters are a whole other planet.  The sheer energy of this performer already comes through, and we are just getting started.  “Dreams” is a bouncy tune, Simon and Garfunkely even, about a “brand new chapter for this love.”  “Love for Someone Else” is a quiet song about ending an affair – “I’ve built mansions, you leave me with a leaky roof,” and so it is time to move on.  Next is “To Be in Love with Me,” a song about smiling … and why not?  Malaria is prevalent in Africa, and this song evokes memories that left Kalu smiling in the face of danger.  And then there is “Big Heart,” which opens with a monologue and ends with a smile.  “The World Needs You” is just beautiful.  Did I mention these are lengthy cuts — four of the songs are over 7 minutes long.  “Listen to the Wind” opens with an Erik Telford trumpet solo and later there is this mandolin dolo from Michael Rubin}  The final cut, “Answers,” is yet another ballad … oddly, his live sets are anything but.  This is lovely stuf — even thugh i am very tired after a long day.  But just get out to see Kalu soon.

At top right we have Charlie Terrell, who has un-retired after getting settled with the lovely Polly here in Austin and shaken off the cobwebs to just tear up Austin music stages, including the gorgeous outdoor stage at the Scoot Inn with bandmates Danny B. Harvey (off right now with the Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash), Brad Fordham (Jerry Jeff, anyone?), Tom Lewis (Heybale), and a cast of a thousand “Murdered Johns.”  Charlie is a throwback to those glory days of southern rock — and a show not to be missed.  Great gravelly voice and a real showman.

But if it is pure joy you want, then get out to Threadgills on July 17th when the Trishas open for Willis Alan Ramsey.  From left to right, Savannah Welch, Kelley Mickwee, Jamie Wilson (of the Gougers), Liz Foster, and violinist Trisha Keefer.  This is just the best all-girl vocal group ever — they even blow away the Boone Girls.  Now, Savannah is busy with her movie career, Kelly is at House Wine most Thursdays with Andrew Hardin, and yadda yadda, but Stonehoney and the Band of Heathens together cannot generate as much pure emotion and power in their harmony vocals.  [After all, they're guys!]

The girls describe their sound as what happens when “Texas dirt, Mississippi River water, City Lights and Apple Pie sit down together in a pickin’ circle at an Austin backyard party – which I presume means Liz, Kelley, Savannah and Jamie in that order (explanations falter).  But it is not just that they are all drop dead beautiful – there are a lot of pretty faces out there.  This truly IS music people sing in a circle around a campfire — old songs, new songs, soulful and blue.  And any band where I get to hear Jamie Wilson sing her amazing songs has got to be a real favorite!  And there is more good news — Jamie has a new EP about ready for prime time (details to follow).

The photo below shows three-fourths of Margo’s new band — yup, she debuted with her new drummer at Momo’s last week before heading home to Wyoming to sing at a couple of weddings and get out of the Texas heat.  Thank goodness she will be back soon — meanwhile, Etan is working with the handsome Geron Hoy in a new project that we shall soon hear more about.  [And I have to mention that the piano player/guitarist with the big smile, Josh Halverson, is back in town for a while — I met his dad the other night at Momo’s and though brother Jake (who also plays drums and sings) is the better known rodeo cowboy, pop says that Josh can rope a steer just as well. 

So here we have the members of Edison Chair taking a little break from the hard work they did on a recent Sunday afternoon at Jovita’s, helping Roggie and ALTWorld host an all-afternoon showcase with half a dozen or so bands and four judges evaluating all of the younger musicians and more.  Ms. Moser was indeed one of the judges, as were Harmoni Kelley (my favorite red-headed bassist), Billy Harvey (whose own recognizable talent may soon be eclipsed by his production skills), and designer-photographer Mark Alba.  [Don't they all look superbly intent!]

As Ms. Moser reports in her own Chronicle blog, the bands (I missed half the show for reasons explained below) included South of Center (12-year-old funksters), Euphoria (winners of the Austin High battle of the bands) and a band I heard and liked — playing as an instrumental quartet, Team NEXT (whom I first met at Austin CAN Academy over a year ago), Edison Chair itself, the Fireants — fresh from Old Settlers, followed by a 30-minute jam that all the guys were talking about afterwards, the Carson Brock Group (just back from Germany), and the band I was most glad to see for the first time, the Cafe Racers, featuring Taylor Bartholemew [bottom left] and Brandon Mays (plus Sam on bass and Damian on drums).  This band really brought it — and Taylor writes good songs.

Earlier on Sunday, I had stopped by Jo’s Coffees on South Congress to visit with Ruby Jane Smith (and her lovely mom JoBelle) — and to hear a little of her band — Lefty Nafziger, Willie Pipkin, Lindsay Greene, and Damien Llanes (a more than passable bunch).  But I spent the better part of the day at the Second Annual Shotgun Party Chili Cook-off (I refuse to report on the contest other than to note that Kinky Friedman was one  of three chili judges — and that my two favorites did not even place).  This crowd photo shows people of all ages having a wonderful time — and why not?  Great food, great music, and a great bunch of friends having a blast together.  I got to see sets from J.W.W. and the Prospectors (bottom left — with Heather Rae on fiddle), Deadman, Leo Rondeau and his marvelous band, and Graham Wilkinson (dreads) and the Underground Township (featuring PJ on lead guitar — whose other band is Dub Kids).  Every set I heard was just downright fine and dandy!  And after all of that, I headed over to the Saxon for the Shelley King Band (see my review of Floramay Holliday’s CD).

 OK, that was Sunday.  Saturday was just as wild and crazy — with much of the action out at Threadgill’s World HQ in the form of a benefit concert hosted by none other than Margaret Moser.  Here we have the revitalized El Gaupos (with horns) and the Diving Captain (the band my pal Hoe’s daughter and her friends came to see).  Lots of others had played earlier, and I totally missed the Daze and Blues Mafia playing some Cinco de Mayo event over near Town Lake.

Now I did not take my camera out on Friday, but I have to mention sets at Momos from Jarrod Dickenson (playing solo) and Josh and Jake Halverson (Jake is Josh’s brother who is better known for his bronco riding on the rodeo circuit — but I like his singing, too).  Those, though, were lead-ins to the magnificent show at the Saxon Pub by Jackie Bristow and her hot band — George Reiff, Dony Wynn, and Aussie guitar god Mark Punch.  [But I take way too many photos of Jackie already!]

The photos below here are of Erin Ivey at the Parish (with Jon Dee Graham way down below) — the highlight had to be their duet, if for no other reason than that Jon Dee had never met Erin or impresario Brian Conway until he was asked to do the show with her.  Clearly, the magic was there — and Jon Dee showed why this “miracle man” should be one of the world’s most widely revered people who sing.  The other photo here is of Mike Harmeier and Burton Lee (Mike and the Moonpies) at Uncle Billy’s Second Anniversary Party on Thursday afternoon — Shotgun Party, Leo Rondeau and Slowtrain were also on the bill that day.  

Now here (left) is a major reason (other than the fine music from Jimi Lee and friends) to go to Hyde Park at Westgate on Tuesdays (Tony and his fried chicken are also there on Mondays).  The restaurant also has Sunday night swing (often with the Marshall Ford Swing Band — but look out — the texas Swing Kings will be coming soon!) — and may opt for another night of music here and there (how about late-night weekend jazz or whatever after the movies to nosh on HP’s famed snack foods)?

Wednesday nights are fast becoming Soul Track Mind parties at TC’s Lounge.  These events are not yet as crowded as Mondays with Little Elmore Reed, but rowdier for sure.  That’s mainly because of lead singer/lover Donovan Keith, who writhes on the floor, prances and dances, and falls into the loving arms of his womenfolk (see top right above).  And I have to mention George DeVore’s new project, the Twalls — who are playing late night Mondays in May at the Saxon but whom I saw at One 2 One (a really cool venue on 5th and Brazos with a great rooftop).

Finally here we have BettySoo playing accordian and singing harmonies with Charlie Faye after her own acoustic set at Momos on Tuesday night.  And, yes, I did see that little bit of Mingo Fishtrap after Stonehoney’s set at Antone’s last Monday (well, they ARE using Mingo’s drummer a lot).  Those California refugees will be on the road most of the summer — unlike Flanfire.

Now just for the record, I DID get out of the house a little bit this week too — Jimi Lee with Kevin Hollingsworth on Tuesday at Hyde Park, and Thursday was wild — but my camera battery was totally dead — so I may as well tell what I know about that night.  OK — I parked at House Wine, walked to Flipnotics for the Troy Campbell showcase that featured Will Cope and Lincoln Durham (out solo these days and sounding manly!) and a full set from Troy (do people here even realize just how good this guy is?) — and a surprise visit from Ray Wylie Hubbard, who is producing Lincoln’s new CD and has been the Itasca native’s mentor for years.  Ray Wylie (that old snake farmer) is playing Shady Grove next Thursday with Lincoln opening, by the way.

Then it was back to House Wine for a little bit of Kelley Mickwee (just back from Italy with Kevin Welch) and Andrew Hardin — and then over to Floramay Holliday’s CD release.  It was like old home week, with Kris Brown on guitar, Chip Dolan on keyboards, Arte Passes on pedal steel, Shelley King on harmony vocals along with Gabor Racz (Floramay’s hubbie who also plays harmonica), Greg Baumgardner on bass, and Vinnie Ambrosone on drums.  And later I got a private, one song concert from Austin newcomer Jessie Torrisi and her cellist, Alissa Schram at the Irie Bean right at closing time (I had missed the duo’s actual set, you see!).  Heck, they had me singing along!