Blues Americana: American Music--Raw, True & Blue was clearly a labor of love for harp player Dan Treanor, who assembled a squadron of Colorado blues musicians (including Washboard Chaz and David Booker) for a session that blends Treanor originals with covers of tunes by the likes of Mose Allison and Sonny Boy Williamson. There are no revelations here, but there weren't meant to be: Treanor's goal was to make music he loves in a relaxed environment, and at that he has succeeded. Modest, intermittently diverting (Plan-It Productions, c/o Dan Treanor, 5470 Saulsbury Court, Arvada 80002). Kevin Dooley, who checks in with the CD Everyday Dreams, is a reliable folk performer; he's unlikely to offer up off-pitch singing, painful rhymes or flat melodies. His vocals bring to mind a twangier Gordon Lightfoot, and his arrangements are spare and unfussy. "Decidin' Time" is a highway tune that rolls along nicely, "Over My Shoulder" should satisfy Greg Brown aficionados, and a friendly version of "Small Up Simple Down," from the pens of tunesmiths Harvey Campbell and David Kent, is a much-needed change of pace--a light ditty that contrasts with the sober-sided introspection all around it. If you're allergic to folk, Everyday Dreams is not the cure. But acoustic-music lovers may well eat it up (available in area record stores).
Swine is a combo that evolved from Swoon, which made its presence felt on the local club scene a few years back. Its self-titled demo has much in common with its earlier incarnation, meaning that it spotlights a band that specializes in the sort of aggressive guitar rock that's no longer considered in vogue. But if you're not hopelessly sick of the genre, you'll find much to recommend here. I especially enjoyed "Wasn't I" and "I-40," but each of the six sound nuggets on display are worth wallowing in (780-0699). Right Where I Wanna Be, by Boulder-based vocalist Mary Ann Moore, includes contributions from a slew of notable locals, Andy Weyn, Mark Diamond, Paul Romaine, Rich Chiaraluce and Ellyn Rucker among them. They provide a suitably slick backdrop over which Moore swings in a relaxed, confident manner. The material won't bowl you over with its adventurousness, but Moore makes "Wheelers & Dealers," "Living Room" and "Small Day Tomorrow" seem smooth and alluring. A solid effort (Synergy Music, P.O. Box 6213, Denver 80206-0213).
Over the Edge, the second CD by Frank Emsley, who goes by the name Mr. Zipp, is just as loopy as its predecessor, 1994's Unplugged. The offerings on hand that were created as gags for talk-radio shows have a somewhat dated feel, but many of them (like "Bob Dole: Sex Machine") are pretty funny anyhow, thanks to ultra-primitive recording methods, cheesy electronic instrumentation, tuneless vocals and Emsley's willingness to abandon good taste for long periods of time. I could have done without skits like "Axing Man's Brother" and "Zeke and the Ferrari," but the heavy dance beat behind "It's a Brothel" and the pop-based melody of "Over the Edge" actually induced me to tap my toes. Not that I'd admit that to just anyone (Rant Records, P.O. Box 39542, Denver 80239). The packaging on the self-titled demo by Freak Hungre isn't all that professional--unless you consider a TDK cassette with the songs written on its cover in ballpoint pen professional. The six tracks recorded on it are pretty primitive, too: Typical are "Strange," which mates a Captain Beefheart guitar line with atonal attempts at harmonies, the faux-reggae "Wear Your Coat" and the pale funk of "Old Candy." They don't exactly brim with listening pleasure, but I'll bet the bandmembers are awfully nice guys (388-7903).
Last week I neglected to mention the ballot for the third annual Westword Music Awards Showcase, set to take place at eight LoDo venues on Sunday, September 21. Fortunately, there's another copy in this week's issue (see page 103), and duplicates will appear in each edition through September 18. Vote for your favorite Colorado acts in thirteen different categories; you'll be glad you did.
The Hillbilly Hellcats, nominated in the rockabilly/roots bracket, have been through some changes lately, but they've finally settled on what leader Chuck Hughes hopes will be a stable lineup: original Hellcats bassist Lance Bakemeyer and new drummer Tim Theis. Rock with them on Thursday, September 4, at the Old Chicago at 1415 Market Street.
Or else do the following. On Thursday, September 4, Human Waste Project (from, appropriately, Los Angeles) gets Sick at Herman's Hideaway, and Cowboys & Angels, yet another Kenny James side project, joins Judge Roughneck and Toddy and the Assorted Beverages at the Boulder Theater. On Friday, September 5, Buzz Bomber and the M80s play for the benefit of Denver Safehouse at Cricket on the Hill; Carolyn's Mother nurses Mr. Woodman at Herman's; and the Acid Bugs, Jack Jensen and Allister Cobian get musical during an art exhibition at the 8 Oz. Fred Gallery, 26 Broadway. On Saturday, September 6, New York-based singer-songwriter Sam Shaber ventures to Cricket on the Hill; Preacherman and the Congregation raise the roof at the Boulder Theater, with Wojo; Alien Sleestaks, a Redd Kross cover band (!) made up of folks from bands like Sissy Fuzz and Abdomen, land at the Lion's Lair, with the Emirs; and the two-day Heal the Earth Celebration kicks off, featuring such hard-edged artists as Paul Winter, R. Carlos Nakai and Peter Kater. On Sunday, September 7, Israeli pop act Esta appears at the Robert E. Loup Jewish Community Center, 350 South Dahlia. And on Tuesday, September 9, Life of Agony has fun, fun, fun at the Bluebird Theater, with Dogma; Backspackle patches up Area 39 in the company of 30 Foot Fall and Big Wig; Local H is letter-perfect at the Mercury Cafe; and Black Lab is kicked out of bed for eating Cracker at the Fox Theatre. Mmmm-mmmm good.
--Michael Roberts
Backbeat's e-mail address is: Michael_Roberts@westword.com. While you're online, visit Michael Roberts's Jukebox at www.westword.com
