Flanfire

LEEANN ATHERTON – Heart Traveled Road

Leeann Atherton had a CD release party at the Saxon Pub on September 18th, but guitarist Kevin Hollingsworth was at nearby South Austin Hospital preparing for his first round of chemotherapy (which we understand went well).  Let us all hope and pray for a speedy recovery and victory over this dread disease — Kevin’s singer-volleyball star daughter just started ninth grade. 

Leeann says this is her personal indulgences record, focusing in song on all of her ex-boyfriends, though one of my favorites is the Mike Stevenson ditty, “Ode to Nowhere.”  [Old barn dancers know that Leeann once recorded an entire album of Mike's songs -- as he is too shy to sing them himself.]  Heart Traveled Road is also Leeann’s first record done entirely in one studio with one producer — the celebrated Rich Brotherton.  The band is David Carroll on upright bass, Bill Whitbeck (Rich’s partner in crime with Robert Earl Keen) on electric bass, Barry “Frosty” Smith on drums, and Riley Osborn on keyboards, with occasional help from Brian Standefer on cello, Kim Deschamps on dobro, Maddy Brotherton on violin, Kaz Kasanoff on saxophone, and the James Sisters on backing vocals.  Rich, of course, plays everything else — including the cittern and harmonium.  The songs are radio friendly, with the longest (“Change of Heart”) the only one over 4 minutes long.  Brotherton has presented us with a stripped down Leeann, a woman who has shaken off old layers of skin to reveal yet another beautiful layer underneath.  Less bravado, more sensuality, more vulnerability too.

Funny things happen on the road to somewhere.  Leeann said her NEXT record will be her very best ever — and who knows?  But ten days before her show, she did not have a band and all of a sudden these cats showed up, some just down from Nashville, to play the CD release and maybe a bunch more down the road.  There are also co-writers on “Daily Blues” (an acoustic blues about coffee and the news co-written with recent collaborator Zhenya Rock) and the flat-out rocker “Lucy” (a story of how Leeann got her house and barn written with help from Brotherton), but the rest show sides of Ms. Atherton that many may not recognize.

“Change of Heart” sounds like an old Bobby Blue Bland song, with Kazanoff’s soft sax and Osborn’s killer keyboards and Leeann explaining how he “turned the other cheek, baby, and you looked the other way…”  No wonder she has the down and out blues — yet “Ride Out the Blues” is a bouncy number that begs for a duet arrangement.  Leeann shows off her harmonica skills here, too. 

But this record really takes off with “Looking for a Rainbow” and never quits.  This slow blues ballad (with that great chorus in the background) features some soulful guitar work and Leeann’s wailing vocal (imagine Irma Thomas covering this one!).  Next up, “Bougainvillea Sunset” has the flavor of old Mexico with a nice acoustic solo from Brotherton — you can dance to this one.  I love this cut, as you just see Leeann at 25 as she sings this one.  “Ode to Nowhere” done with the hot band was just amazing — closed our eyes and let the song take us wherever our hearts wanted to go.  I have always liked Mike’s songs, and this is another good one.  Leeann next teases us with a cabaret song, “Remember Me,” and then it is time to rock and roll with “Kiss.”  I can just see the jitterbuggers!

“I Believe” could be an Otis Redding song — that little riff underneath the guitar, the soulful lyric, and the honesty, plus the return of the James Sisters (I wanna hear THEM sing live!)  “Soul Song” features Standefer’s cello and Maddy Brotherton’s violin — this is quite a step away from the R&B soul singing Leeann … into a warm wonderful place that suggests a moonlit night on the beach or at an Italian bistro or somewhere else equally romantic where you can hold your lover very very close.  “Way of the Heart” is just as quiet — but here we have the dobro, and a waltz to be sure.  I can just see the video — with Lyle Lovett and Leeann dancing on a checkerboard marble floor somewhere.  This stuff just knocks me out.  The final cut, “Dream Again,” is also the shortest song on the record — a reverie of sorts, a song about the contentment that this passionate woman has always been looking for.

JESSICA SHEPHERD – You’re Country Now

Some of my earliest and fondest memories of Austin are of the South Austin Gospel Choir, which was formed at Leeann’s barn with Renee Fuqua (who like me just celebrated another birthday) as the choir director.  Leeann and Jessica Shepherd were both members of the choir, and Jessica today sings with PJ Liles in the Rockin’ Gospel Project.  You’re Country Now, Jessica’s sophomore solo project, opens with the classic country “Honky Tonk Angel,” a paean to her fellow girlsinger friend Floramay Holliday that also recalls Jessica’s longtime friendship with 2008 Texas State Musician Shelley King. 

Musicians here include Nick Connolly on keyboards, Kyle Judd on lead guitar, Perry Drake on drums, and Rob Jewett on bass, with lots of help from Roger Crisci (guitar), Kim Deschamps (dobro and pedal steel), Laurie Gibson (fiddle and vocals), Sally Gibson (vocals), Floramay Holliday and Shelley King and Eric Leikam (vocals), Andrew Frazier (ukulele), Roger Cumpian (drums), Dale Spalding (harmonica), David Valley (bass and vocals), “Washboard” Judy (rub board), and “The Wave” (percussion). 

“Five Year Fling” is a tough country gal song about an ex-husband that would be a big hit for Tanya Tucker, and “Do Your Damn Job” (my personal favorite) is an equally tough number about the city of New Braunfels and its war against Jessica for littering city hall with recycled materials the city had failed to pick up for months (this case in reality got quite nasty as the city elders were not happy with Jessica’s wicked humor expose of their incompetence).  This may be the best song about garbage since “Alice’s Restaurant,” and it ought to be a real country classic.

“God By Your Side” is a gospel number you can dance to (thanks in part to Laurie Gibson’s fiddle) — just the ticket for venues like Hill’s Cafe.  Another favorite is “Western Knight,” which showcases Jessica’s whistling talent and has a lilt that makes for great two-stepping.  “Humpty Dumpty” is a song from Austin folksinger Steve Brooks, known for his work with Jim Hightower’s radio show.  Like the beauty shop epic poem, “Ethyl’s Purty Palace,” this song shows off Jessica’s humorous side.  Imagine a female Roger Miller telling a funny story that is all too true.

“Soldiers of Love” comes right out of Jessica’s love of peace and love (the SAGC motto).  This cut features Spalding’s harmonica and Jessica’s explosive power boost vocals, plus a hot guitar solo or two from the Guitar Stud himself.  “Victory” has more harmonica and LOTS of fiddle – this is a driving number that just won’t quit.  The final cut here is the title song, written (as was “Western Knight” by C. Maples.  And indeed, Jessica Shepherd, whom we used to describe as Americana, has become “country now.”  And we like it.

Sorry, no photos — the camera is on the fritz!  But soon!  Monday night very late (after Bukka Allen) at Momo’s a bunch of us were sitting out on the deck and this long-haired guy with a high voice (someone suggested Ray LaMontagne like) was up on stage singing and playing guitar to an empty room (inside).  We of course could hear quite well, and we knew right away this guy had something.  So on Tuesday I am down at Jovita’s for the Tiny Tin Hearts and there he is again — Chris Jamison, hair and all, and his guitar — and his songs.  Guy’s got a big smile as he steps off stage to introduce himself.  Hands me BOTH of his CD’s.  Hangs out all evening — and later I find out maybe why.

Turns out Chris is a native Texan with lots of family around here — but his folks moved up to Radford, Virginia, and he ended up going to the University of Virginia and becoming quite a songwriter.  Put a band together up there and made a record, “Into Surrender,” some of which was recorded at Woodworm Studios in Oxfordshire, all of it mixed there, and the whole shebang mastered at Abbey Road.  A year later he made his second record, “Strangers and Lovers,” mostly in Virginia but again taking it to Abbey Road for mastering.  Now he’s working on his third song collection, but here in Austin.

And what songs — powerful stuff like “Savage Nation” and “A Heart Unbroken” on the first record, and “Hollywood Cemetery,” “Holy Ghost” (absolutely stunning!), and “Wonderland Avenue” and “River of Tears” on the second — and he is closing his sets now with even newer material that is pure poetry.  Chris is out at Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe on Friday — HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (as is the Sin City showcase at the Scoot Inn, featuring Stonehoney’s final set in central Texas until September 6 at Gruene Hall, and the Book People showcase featuring Tiny Tin Hearts at Momos).

Speaking of the Hearts, I simply cannot get enough of these guys and gals — new songs galore as they prepare to unveil their still in the final stages CD that George Reiff is producing.  But that’s nowhere near ALL the good music that has been popping up in town.  I already mentioned Bukka Allen, fresh from opening for the Flatlanders (and playing with them as well) out at the Boulder Theatre (I got a great report from my Devil in My Closet pal who saw the show!) with Robbie Gjersoe on guitar.  Freedy Johnston is also off on the road now, having played his final Monday night show at Momo’s for quite a while — though he will be back at the Continental Club in late July for a couple of shows.  Lots of folks are on tour for much of the late spring and summer — as it should be.  It’s getting hot here and the long winters of preparation have brought forth new flowers (for example, new CD’s from Charlie Faye, BettySoo, and a whole lot more) that need to be admired by a nation in great need of the real thing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this report, I will merely skim the highlights (memory and camera failing of late).  Let’s start with Ming’s, home to great jazz every Monday and tasty food every day (thanks, Fai Jow, for moving to Austin!).  Last week it was Gary Newcomb and his amazing skills on the pedal steel — so good that steel player John Leon showed up to take notes and get his picture taken with the master.  This week ringleaders Brad Houser and Eldridge Goins (now THERE’s a rhythm section for you) gathered together pianist extraordinaire Cole El-Saleh (Carolyn Wonderland, for starters) and Landis Armstrong (Paula Nelson, of late) with special guest Pat McCann (Troubadillos — but 25 years playing with Cole beginning in Shreveport and along with Landis one of the finest guitarists in town).  These guys are playing Autumn Leaves and Chopsticks and other standards (Moondance) — and Landis and Pat are trading off vocals as well as breathtaking guitar licks.  Did I mention the food – or the wine (BYO)?

Somewhere in between was a trip out to the Red Shed Tavern to see Shelley King and Floramay Holliday on their SASS tour — this place is flat out comfortable, and I had some tasty tamales from the Airstream diner on the premises.  [BTW, the Scoot now has its own semi-diner, too!]  Later that evening I stopped by House Wine (another great outdoor sitting venue) to visit with Margo Valiante, fresh from her successful showcase at the Wildflower Festival in Richardson (where she was one of three runners-up to the big kahuna winner and thus got to play again on Sunday).  There’s Margo through the rails with Etan Sekons — and the lovely smiling lady on the right is “Singer of the Year” Aria Hollingsworth, daughter of guitarist Kevin Hollingsworth, whom I ran into at Maria’s Taco X-press playing a set with Mandy Mercier (to whom I owe an apology for talking to Kevin while she was introing a song).  Aria, who will soon be at McCallum High, will tell you that it was “only” for her eighth grade class at school, but we know the girl is relentless and will have a good time on many stages in years to come. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there was that WILD Thursday night (oh, wait!  That was right after seeing Aria!) when I ran back and forth between the Amsterdam Cafe and Momo’s because I first had to catch some o fJackie Bristow’s set, then hightail it outta there to fall in love over and over again with Molly Venter who for the first time in MY memory was playing with a full band (Bryan Austin on drums, Steve Zirkle on bass and keys, and the dashing Dave Madden on melodica?) — then back to the Amsterdam to catch a set from Noelle Hampton and Andre Moran (with Teal Collins and later though I missed it Josh Zee as well), and back to Momo’s for the David Newbould extravaganzabonanza whytheheckareyouleavingusforNashville celebration party where he both blew everyone awy on stage and handed out (for a small donation) hand-made copies of his brand-new CD.

David, who has after all given Austin seven pretty wonderful years (hosting the open mike at the Hideout, for example), nonetheless has been coming into his own as a kickass performer.  On this memorable occasion (with Cindy Cashdollar, Warren Hood, the unable to perform Redd Voelkart, Wendy Colonna, and Lord knows who all else — I DID miss a couple or three songs — plus the lovely new mom Megan Melara on vocals along with GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!  And, yes, David closed his smashing set with a tribute to his opening act — which is just the type of dude he is!  And why Flanfire hopes to get to know this guy better on his occasional visits in the near and distant future.  Good GRIEF!  He is moving to Nashvegas! to become a BIG STAR!  Heck, he already IS a big star!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I have to mention yet another visit to the Amsterdam — to see Leeann Atherton and the wonderful Sunny Coleman.  Now while we were there in walked a vision of loveliness wearing a mask — a mystery woman, to be sure (who just happens to be a dynamic singer who was born in Wyoming).  And so we will leave you with the unsolved along with yet another photo of Molly Venter “posing” with Aimee Bobruk (that’s two of my favorite women in the world who just happen to write topnotch songs).

Thanks to a “chance” encounter at Flipnotics,  Flanfire has become friends with Scottish Western Swing  King Stretch MacFayden and the lovely Gemma Donald from the band Stretch Dawrson and the Mending Hearts who just performed with the Texas Swing Kings at the Old Settlers Festival (among a number of gigs in the Lone Star State).  Stretch had a couple of days off in Austin, so I took him out on the town for some major fun and music.

Last Monday, for example, was the second anniversary of Ming’s Cafe in Austin  – yes, the same Ming’s that graced Houston’s Montrose district for over a decade — and owner (and good buddy — see photo) Fai Jow provided his friends and patrons with an amazing gumbo on top of his tasty Chinese dishes.  Ming’s is one of Austin’s hottest Monday night music venues, thanks to the Mingtones and special guests, and this night was no exception.  Pedal steel genius Gary Newcomb showed ow the instrument works in the jazz idiom, performing with Brad Houser, Eldridge Goins, and an all-star cast that included Jane Bond, Matt Hubbard, and Cole El-Saleh – and later it was Laura Scarborough showing she too can entertain on a drum kit (or just with her hands in the air).  In the house for the annual photo were such luminaries as Shelley King (new CD on the way that is awesome, baby!), Carolyn Wonderland, and others too numerous to mention.

 

 Later that evening, Stretch and I stopped by the Hole in the Wall to catch a preview of the big Tuesday night bash at the Continental Club at which sets by the Lonesome Heroes and Shotgun Party were wrapped around the big CD release party for Leo Rondeau (see our review, archived at this site).  Mind you, this show came right after the historic Hippie Hour and founder and sequined songbird Toni Price stuck around for the whole shebang (as did earth mother/barn dance queen Leeann Atherton and many of the Hippie Hour regulars).  Now Stretch, being an old friend of Greg Garing, is also an old friend of Shotgun Party’s Katy Rose Cox, who has also been doing shows this week in Austin with the Maybelles (including Happy Hour at the Contintental the very next night).

But let’s get down to basics here — top left below is Shotgun Party with Leo, Missy Beth, and Vaughn Walters of the Shake ‘Em Ups celebrating the debut of fellow Shake-Em-Up Andrew Thomas Austin-Petersen as Shotgun Party bassist and sometime vocalist.  Top right – same group dancing and singing along with the dancing and singing crazy audience.  Bottom left – Leeann and Toni having a ball; bottom middle -Katy Rose with the Maybelles; bottom right – Leo Rondeau and Jenny Parrott.

 Okay — Stretch was already in Bandera on Wednesday evening when Flanfire kicked off a stellar evening that began with the bluegrass trio the Maybelles (Katy Rose with Jan Bell on guitar, harmonica, and British accent, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas, native Melissa Carper on upright bass — and all three on vocals (see photo at top right below with Landry McMeans of the Lonesome Heroes with Melissa and Jan and a handsome devil in the middle). 

Then it was over to Antone’s for a powerful set from The Tiny Tin Hearts (top left below) who OWN that room with their wall of sound, followed by Chris Brecht (bottom left) with ALL of his Dead Flowers Band, and the wonderful Jess Klein (with Scrappy Jud Newcomb, no kin to Gary, apparently) who showcased songs from her forthcoming CD done at Aerie Studios here in town.  Later, a bunch of us went over to Momo’s Club for a late-night set from Deadman, featuring bassist John Michael Schoepf along with frontman Steven Collins, Scott Davis on lead guitar, Kevin McCullough on harmony vocals, Todd Pertll on pedal steel, and with special guest (from the Dead Flowers Band) Matt Mollica on Hammond B-3 (which he lugged up the stairs at Momos after a hot set with Brecht at Antone’s).