In previous reviews of albums by singer-songwriter Dave Potts, I've invoked the name of David Wilcox, and I'm not about to stop with his latest, Music in My Soul. Neither is Potts; in his liner notes, he thanks Wilcox for his "inspiration," which has plainly been considerable. Potts sings songs such as "This Dream Is Mine" in a soothing, tender voice that he accompanies with a softly strummed guitar and (too infrequently) a smattering of percussion. These sympathetic homilies are well-intentioned but almost completely devoid of humor or bite. The definition of "safe" (Northern Lights Productions, 7422 East Costilla Avenue, Englewood 80112). In contrast to Potts's kindly croon, Troy Williams, the lead vocalist for Soak, delivers his words in a gruff voice meant to connote toughness--but on the act's self-titled CD, his manner is too self-conscious to really connect. The songs range from Lively alterna-rock ("Wanna Be") to jangly hook-o-ramas ("Maybe She's Still") and back again, and there's nothing all that wrong with it. If that sounds like the mildest conceivable recommendation, there's a reason for it (available in area record stores).
Grant Rieder of the 'Vengers adds some tasty trumpet to the efforts of Boulder's Fe, a band that exists to play the songs of Geoffrey Muireann. The lyrics Muireann writes are consistently "poetic" (a compliment in some quarters, pejorative in others), but musically they're well-played (by, among others, Danny Shafer), if a tad sleepier than is strictly necessary. "Fe" is about the best of them; its "latun dai dunde dai lada" chorus recalls the days when Simon was still speaking to Garfunkel (Fe, 1705 14th Street, Suite 323, Boulder 80302).
Singer-songwriter Laurie Dameron, whose current demo anticipates a CD being polished even as we speak, is literate and, when the song calls for it, saucy. The former characteristic is evident on "Dying of Human Souls," the most carefully produced of these six selections, while the latter rears its head on "When Will I Ever," on which Dameron is able to hold one's attention with just voice and guitar. Also nice is "They'll Play a Little Samba," which is discreet but alluring. A persuasive sampler (Laurie Dameron, P.O. Box 475, Niwot 80544-0475). I suspect that I'm not the first person on my block to have been given a copy of Helio-Ursinity Now!, by Bears of the Sun. You see, its copyright date is 1993. But it's not quite so out-of-date as it might seem--the driver of the vehicle remains Michael Lorton, whose lyrics are, for the most part, entertainingly twisted. He sometimes falls victim to his own smarts; whereas "My Wrolpher Says" and "Goldilocks Is Everywhere" are winners, "Politically Correct" goes down the tubes before the first verse is done. Also, the music is frequently retro even by 1993 standards--and not in an especially good way, either. By now, though, he's probably entered the Nineties (674-8541).
It's that time again: The early submission deadline for acts wishing to showcase at South by Southwest '97, set to take place March 12-16 in Austin, is October 18. The late submission deadline is November 15--and those acts getting material to fest minions after that date are out of luck. For more information on the fees involved and other assorted flotsam, write SXSW at P.O. Box 4999, Austin, TX 78765, or call 512-467-7979.
Hungry? The Da Vinci String Quartet can feed your head and your stomach simultaneously. On Monday, October 14, the four-piece appears at St. John's Cathedral, 1313 Clarkson Street, at noon; a $4 lunch will be served beginning thirty minutes before showtime. (Brown-baggers can attend for free.) Maurice Ravel is on the musical menu; as for the food, your guess is as good as mine.
Mmmm-mmmm, good. On Thursday, October 10, Stuart Davis drops by Cricket on the Hill; Mustard Plug seasons the Mercury; and the String Cheese Incident promotes dairy products at the Bluebird Theater. On Friday, October 11, Pete Nalty and the Jinns test-drive material slated for a new CD, at Ziggie's Saloon; Lonnie Brooks frets at Herman's Hideaway; and Abdomen rumbles at Seven South, with the Commerce City Rollers (the same two bands appear the next night at the Lion's Lair). On Saturday, October 12, Trout Fishing in America is on the line for a morning kids' concert at Cameron Church, 1600 S. Pearl; James McMurtry strums at the Mercury; and Shwag, MK Ultra and Bobby Peru crash at Area 39. On Sunday, October 13, Warren Zevon and Chris Whitley are the main attractions at the Bluebird. On Monday, October 14, Orange 9MM goes off at the Fox Theatre, with Local H; and Reel Big Fish, Cherry Poppin' Daddies and Let's Go Bowling strike the Bluebird. And on Wednesday, October 16, Indian Gypsies take a dip in Cosmic Pond at the Edge. Bring your own trunks.
--Michael Roberts
Backbeat's e-mail address is: Michael Roberts@ westword.com
