March BEAT

CD SPINS

Monthly Reviews of New CDS by the staff of Midwest BEAT Magazine

TRACER X
Tracing The Heavens
(Indie)

   The classic hard rock quartet, TracerX has unleashed a full-on assault
with their 11-song, Tracing The Heavens. This is local hard rock at its
finest. The lion’s share of song writing belong to guitarist Trace Cronin and
vocalist, John P.S. Yeager.

    TracerX’s sound and Yeager’s voice in particular, is reminiscent of Rob
Halford-era Judas Priest during their Stained Glass and Hell Bent for Leather
days. This group is dedicated in their consistency and remaining true to the
hard rock genre.

     The CD opens with “Rectifier” – a tune chock full o’ high energy,
great vocals, tight interaction with the rhythm section and a guitar riff
that will stay in your noggin for a long time to come. “Master of Pain” is
another powerful example of the band’s writing talents.

    My personal favorite, “Frozen,” has the special recipe of strong
arrangement, soulful vocals, a searing guitar solo and a punchy, dramatic
ending.

   There’s a hidden track on this set, where TracerX cover a song that
inspired this reviewer to pick up his first guitar, the Leslie West/Mountain
rock classic, “Mississippi Queen.”

   Unfortunately, this bonus track was the only disappointment I had on this
CD. In my opinion, when you choose to cover a song, you can one of two
things – honor the tune by trying to place as close as possible to the
original or make the tune completely your own. TracerX does neither. Their
rendition misses the mark.

   Production could be better. When a band has a vocal talent like Yeager,
his voice needs to be more up front in the mix. The crunchy guitars and his
voice were made for each other, but sometimes the guitar overshadows the
vocal. The bass is often lost in the mix as well. That is not to say that the
backbone of Kasper and Szot isn’t there, just that they deserved to be heard
better.

    If Priest, Rainbow and their ilk are favorites, Tracing The Heavens will
be a treat for your ears.

– Jon Rice

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BILLY KING
Mean Woman Blues
(King Records)

   Chicago bluesman Billy King has put out one solid blues record with Mean
Woman Blues.

   He’s got core members of the Lonnie Brooks Band backing him up – Pat
Doody on drums, Dave “Biscuit” Miller on bass, and Rusty Hall on keyboards –
and together, they click. The opening cut, “New Car Blues,” sets the stage
for a great set of original blues from one of Chicagoland’s newest bluesmen.

   “Big” showcases Billy on harp, but the way Billy works his bright red
Fender Stratocaster on “Wolf Man” and “Hound Dog Baby,” these tunes are
built for late nights at Bugsy’s or Legends.

    There’s been a lot of ink spilled in these pages about supporting your
local band, and Billy King is one bluesman who will repay your investment at
the club or at the CD shop many times over. Don’t take my word for it,
though. Drop in and check out King when he sits in with Little Johnny some
night or catch him on his own.

   I am partial to “New Car Blues” and boogie of “Natural Born Voodoo Man,”
but this debut disc has a dozen tracks of red hot original blues that show
off Billy’s considerable songwriting and guitar talent.
(www.billykingbluesman.com )

– Eric Steiner

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FLATHEAD FILLUPS
Word Of Mouth
(Indie)

   Word Of Mouth is a 6-track demo from one of the tightest metal bands I
have heard in a long while.

   Flathead Fillups capture enough power in these six tunes to leave the
listener wanting more. Superb production, crafty song writing, intelligent
lyrics and vocal presence make Word Of Mouth worth the effort to find and
purchase.

   They evoke the spirit of such bands as Silverchair, Candlebox, Days of the
New and older Alice in Chains without being tied to any one dominant
influence.

   “Above” starts the CD with “punch you in the face” effrontery, dynamics
and a fresh approach “mans inhumanity to man” reflected in thoughtful
lyrics. “Quest to be the Victor,” is filled with hooks and energy that
propel the song through its tale of independence.

    The highlight of this set is “Something New.” Quite often, I find that
bands seem to lack a basic knowledge of the use of dynamics and “space.”
“Something New” is really a textbook example of how to do it right. The song
writing team knows exactly where to leave some breathing room after being
bombarded with sounds and imagery. This allows the listener to reflect on
what just kicked them in the crotch. “Something New” has great harmonies,
power and melody. It totally captures the apathetic indifference of today’s
youth.

   Word Of Mouth is a great first shot. I visited their web page and found it
to be as polished, professional and thought out as their CD. Find it at:
www.flatheadfillups.com.

    Flathead Fillups captures the “Gen X angst” rather well. I can only
guess that their live show is strong as the CD. I look forward to hearing
much more from these guys.

– Jon Rice

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WILL HOGE
Carousel
(Indie)

   Had Will Hoge been making music 25 years ago, he’d be right at home in the
spotlight with artists like Marshall Crenshaw, Elvis Costello, Graham Parker,
or The Boss (Bruce Springsteen in his “Rosalita” days), who all made quirky
rock in a literate sort of way.

    On Carousel, one of Nashville’s newest singer-songwriters rocks with
former Georgia Satellite frontman Dan Baird on guitar, Kirk Yoquelet on
drums, and Tres Sasser on backing vocals.   Carousel rocks with “Let Me Be
Lonely” and “Your Fool,” but it’s Hoge’s “Ms. Williams” that has gotten
legs at radio.

    This single has been picked up by two popular Tennessee stations, WRLT
(Lightning 101, Nashville) and WMFS in Memphis. “Ms. Williams” also is on
the Aware 8 sampler (via Columbia) which also includes Marty Lloyd (ex-Freddy
Jones Band), Glenn Phillips (ex-Toad the Wet Sprocket), John Mayer and a host
of other up and coming artists.

    I hope this Carousel will continue to spin and that Hoge will be the
next big artist to break out of Nashville. He’s the best I’ve heard from
Music City in a long while. Experience Will Hoge at: www.willhoge.com

– Eric Steiner

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STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN & DOUBLE TROUBLE
The Boxed Set
(Epic/Legacy)

   Ever since his tragic passing 10 years ago I had always hoped that SRV’s
recordings would not become what the Hendrix estate has become.

    I don’t need reissues or digitally remastered versions. Just give me the
rare stuff, the unreleased tracks, the unheard live material, etc. I have to
admit that I thought it would be hard to top The Sky Is Crying, which I
consider the essential SRV CD.

    Well to my great pleasure, it’s been done. I’d like to thank Jimmie
Vaughan (who oversees the SRV estate) for putting together a must-have box
set! The rumors were floating around for years that we would see a box set
but what would be on it? Just when you thought you had it all, Jimmie was
able to dig up 54 total tracks, with 36 of them never before seeing the light
of day!

    This is a very unique box, not only for the music of SRV, but because it
also comes with a 4th disc, which is a “live” DVD of an unreleased session
from the TV show, Austin City Limits. The 72-page booklet is an added plus
that also comes with never before seen photos. You’ll get a plentiful dose of
SRV history, well over 4 hours worth as the box spans the years 1977 (from
his early club days) to 1990 (including one of the final Alpine Valley
Shows).

    I don’t know if this will be the last SRV piece we will ever see, but if
it is, it’s a great swansong release for the career of a true blues legend
and guitar player icon.
    If there is anything negative to say about this set, it’s that many may
listen with a heavy heart, because hearing how powerful Stevie was can only
make you wonder what might have been if he’d lived.

   Still...something in my gut tells me though he is doing okay and is
probably jamming with Jimi. Until we join the audience of that concert in the
great hereafter, this box set will certainly fill the void that’s been left.

– Brian Pearson

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THE MODERN RELICS
Phonograph
(Fizzy Music)

   The brain child of Tony Darling, The Modern Relics release – Phonograph
is a trip back to the ‘60s and ‘70s that’s well worth the trip.

     POP, POP, POP!   This disc is full of it! Pop music that is!

    The Modern Relics really sell the retro experience with this release.
Let’s see, there is: the psychedelic CD Artwork, the title itself
("Phonograph"), thanks in the CD jacket to Chicago area Saturday morning
shows from the ‘70s (i.e. Ray Rayner, Frazier Thomas of Garfield Goose, Bill
Jackson of B. J. and Dirty Dragon, and our beloved Bozo, Bob Bell), and even
record needle clicks and pops at the beginning of one of the tracks.

   "Phonograph" is pop story telling filtered through an H.R. Pufnstuf
episode!

   Tony Darling’s voice is unique and his own. It’s not often I hear a vocal
styling that isn’t modeled after a more famous voice. I applaud Mr. Darling
for that. The use of acoustic guitar throughout the CD is rather refreshing
as well, adding a“singer/ songwriter” feel to whole disc.

    “Another Song (about boy meets girl)” sums up what most of us feel when
we have that sugar-sweet story shoved down our throats via television and
radio on a daily basis. The rhythm section (he uses a large stable of
players) here is quite notable.

    Another fantastic story hits us on “Every Single Day,” this time of
small town fears and dreams. This song was very reminiscent of the “Bertolt
Brecht” songwriting that The Doors experimented with. A true pop gem is
“Marina.” Great song arrangement and hooks.

    This band reminds me of the overlooked ‘70s band, Crack the Sky. They
embodied the same cynicism and juxtaposition that is The Modern Relics’
tongue-in-cheek strength.

    Visit their website (www.modernrelic.com), where you can sample and then
purchase this fine pop collection of cartoon injected tunes.

– Jon Rice

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DELBERT McCLINTON
Nothin’ Personal
(New West Records)

The term “roadhouse music” is what has always best described singer
Delbert McClinton. Some consider him to be a blues singer, an R&B singer or
even a country singer. of course they are all correct, McClinton is all of
those and so much more.

     This “blue eyed soul” vet let’s all of his talents shine on his New
West debut, Nothing Personal, which hits stands on March 6th. This is a well
crafted 13-track effort well worth adding to your collection.

    The team of McClinton and longtime partner Gary Nicholson really stand
out with their roadhouse romps. The cuts “Livin’ It Down” and “Squeeze Me
In” would make Mick & Keith jealous, while the Jimmy Reed-inspired “Nothin’
Lasts Forever” will make you appreciate what the blues are all about. There
are also hints of Tex-Mex in the great ballad, “When Rita Leaves,” and some
great Memphis-inspired soul with the song “Don’t Leave Home Without It.”

     Nothing Personal is a CD that you won’t skip from track to track. From
start to finish, you get what you paid for – a great CD. Delbert has always
been greatly admired in the music biz. If you haven’t yet experienced
Delbert, now it is time to do so and Nothing Personal is a great introdu
ction. For those who have follow the artist through the years, this
album will not disappoint.

    For more info: www.delbert.com

– Brian Pearson

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DAVE ANDREWS
Get Me Out Of This Place
(Padre)

    I’m a sucker for singer-songwriters that can help me look at life or love
in a new way through their work. Over the years, artists like Steve Goodman,
Jackson Browne, Greg Brown, James McMurtry or Tim Finn have crafted some
great stories with some great music and the results have often been magical.

     With Get Me Out of This Place, I would add Dave Andrews to this
constellation of talented original artists that help redefine the
singer-songwriter’s art.

    Portland, Oregon’s Andrews is well known in the Pacific Northwest as
frontman for Colobo, regional music legends that play 150-plus live gigs a
year. His 1996 solo EP, The Little Things, charted Top 20 in regional sales.
There’s a lot in his music that reminds me of Jackson Browne when he was
Late for the Sky or Neil Young in his Zuma days, particularly on the title
cut and on “Make Me Happy.”

    The upbeat “2,000 Miles” captures both sides of a wistful homecoming and
it’s sure to ring true for both sides of any romance. Carson McCullers’
dark novel’s got nothing on the “Ballad of the Sad Cafe,” but in Andrews’
hands, it’s illuminated by Chris Funk’s lap steel and Stephanie
Schneiderman’s sweet vocals.

    There’s a lot to like on Get Me Out of This Place and Andrews’ talent
and respect for roots/Americana styles of music shows through in lap steel,
mandolin, and fiddle.

– Eric Steiner

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JEF SARVER
Penny Arcade
(Shaved Cat)

   Jef Sarver hails from the state capital of Indiana and transplanted to the
Calumet Region a few years ago where he briefly formed the local club band,
Edgewise.

     It was after the demise of that short-lived (albeit impressive) group
that this writer lost touch with Sarver and his career accomplishments.

    In the interim between then and last month’s release of Penny Arcade (on
N.W. Indiana’s fledgling Shaved Cat label), the artist has kept quite busy.

    Sarver, released a few album projects on his own merit and with a
self-named band, toured the Far East as a headliner. While touring these
shores, he shared stages with a bevy of classic rockers (REO, Blue Oyster
Cult and Kansas among them).

   That brings us up to speed on Sarver, who now returns with this set of a
dozen self-penned songs, which work in tandem with four instruemtal
interludes of varying lengths and complexities linking some numbers.

     With this collection, we find that Sarver has matured tremendously as
both a writer and performer since his Edgewise days at local haunts like Club
Dimensions.

    Quirky and clever, these guit