Jazz butcher for the world

 By Henry Lipput

I knew little to nothing about the band The Jazz Butcher when its leader Pat Fish died last year. But the people whose musical opinions I respect on Twitter had a lot to say about the importance of his music to their lives.

I haven’t done the deep dive into the band’s back catalog (founded in 1982 they had an 11- album run in the first 13 years of their career) that I told myself I should do. But I have been listening to, and enjoying, their final album and the first in nine years, The Highest in the Land (Tapete), which was released earlier this year.

The album is full of wonderful tunes and there’s a block of gorgeous ones in the middle of the album. I adore the sound of “Sea Madness,” with its C&W vibe and muted horn, “Don’t Give Up” is a gem and Fish’s take on an “I Will” encounter (with a lyric that recalls Eddy Arnold’s classic “You Don’t Know Me”), and “Amalfi Coast May 1963” is a lovely, melancholy instrumental.

“The Highest in the Land” has a bluesy electric guitar lick and some Al Kooper/Blair Cowan (take your pick) organ fills and the upbeat story song “Melanie Hargreave’s Father’s Jaguar” sounds like a sibling to Squeeze’s “Messed Around.”

And although there few indications in the songs on the album that Pat Fish knew he was dying anytime soon (he was free of cancer when recording of The Highest in the Land began), it’s hard to listen to “Time” (“My time ain’t long/Fishy go to heaven”) as well the closing track “Goodbye Sweetheart” knowing what came next. But he and the band have left us with this marvelous goodbye gift to remember them by.

With a little help from his friends

 By Henry Lipput

Known as the “Collaboration King,” the UK-based multi-instrumentalist Sean Buckley writes “melodic electronica.” In the past he’s worked with Laura Jane (“Games”), Chris James Willows (“Pull”), and Joe Peacock (“Corridors”).

 

Continuing his habit of “working well with others,” Buckley sent his latest instrumental to Carl Mann and Syd Oxlee of The Shop Window to add vocals and guitars. In addition to providing the band’s trademark vocals and Mann’s distinctive guitar sound, they also wrote the lyrics.  

The result of this collaboration, “Forgotten” (available on both digital vendor and streaming sites), is an ode to lost love and forgotten friends. The vocals add warmth to Buckley’s electronica-infused tune that is aided by the addition of Jen Dixon on drums and Chris James Willow on bass. And Mann’s jangle is the icing on the cake as this wonderful mash-up of styles comes together and celebrates the talents of both Sean Buckley and The Shop Window. 

Can I have some more please, sirs?

A Few Of My Favorite Things. 2021 Edition - Part Two: The EPs, SIngles, Reissues, a Compilation, and a Live Album

 By Henry Lipput

I wasted enough of your time in Part One talking about a lot of stuff that had little or nothing to do with the music so let's jump right into the tunes.

EPs

1. The Boo Radleys, A Full Syringe And Memories Of You (thebooradleys.com)

In the Summer of 2021 we were alerted to the exciting news that The Boo Radleys had just released a new single, "A Full Syringe And Memories Of You," their first new music since 1998’s great Kingsize album. Featuring most of the original line-up including the amazing Sice on vocals, Tim Brown on bass, and Rob Cieka on drums, the trio released a digital EP in September that included the single and another three songs (it was released on vinyl for the UK Record Store Day). What’s next? A new album in just days after this part of the year-end overview is posted. (Favorite track: "A Full Syringe And Memories Of You”)

2. Tucker Bingo, The Basement Sessions (Bandcamp)

On his Twitter profile, the one-man band Tucker Bingo describes himself as a “lower-class basement dweller” which makes the title of his debut EP very appropriate. Like a lot of early Kinks songs – not the singles but some of the album tracks – Tucker Bingo’s music on The Basement Sessions is more RnB than pop and there’s also some swing. His voice draws you in a way that Paul Westerberg invites you to listen to what he has to say and how he’s saying it. (Favorite track: “Trust Me”)

3. Silver Haar, Lights Out (Bandcamp)

Is there such a thing as a low-key anthem? The Pure Pop 4 Now People judges agree with me that it's something that U2 got away with back in the day. Low-key anthems are now part of the Silver Haar playbook and it’s all over their debut EP Lights Out. Silver Haar, an indie band from Scotland, is made up of songwriters and long-time friends Tom Brogan (vocals, guitar) and Duncan McCormick (guitar, backing vocals). The title track is the closest thing you’ll get to a musical embrace. (Favorite track: “Lights Out”)

SINGLES

1. SUPER 8, “For My Friends” (Bandcamp)

SUPER 8’s splendid single “For My Friends” is the second “taster” for his next solo album being released in 2022. “For My Friends” is a salute to those people who help you through the tough times (like the last two years) and are there with you to celebrate the good ones.  My alternative title for the song is “All You Need Is Friends” because SUPER 8 has channeled his inner George Martin to create the brilliant arrangements.

2. The Blue Herons, “Take Them Back” (Bandcamp)

Since vocalist and lyricist Gretchen DeVault joined up with tunesmith and the-guy-who-plays-all-the-instruments Andy Jossi back in late 2020, The Blue Herons has been releasing jangle-tastic singles every few months. Because DeVault is based in California and Jossi lives in Switzerland, even before the pandemic they were exchanging words and music across continents and oceans. It’s hard to choose which one I like best but my favorite is their latest, the upbeat “Take Them Back”

3. Karma Surround, "Stars Of The Last Magnitude" (Bandcamp)

Karma Surround is comprised on two brothers, Michael and Darren Roy, from, according to their Bandcamp page, the “old mining country in Fife” in Scotland, The band released singles throughout 2021 and released an album at the end of the year. The songs range from the Dylan-writing-Oasis-B-sides of "Shining Beat" to the glorious jangle of “Stars Of The Last Magnitude,” the first of their songs I heard and still my favorite. 

REISSUES

1. Lannie Flowers, Home (SpyderPop Records/Big Stir Records)

I admit that I’m coming late to the Lannie Flowers bandwagon. He’s been releasing music since at least 2008 and his Home album came out in 2019. This reissue is the result of the partnership of SpyderPop Records and Big Stir Records. I really like Lannie’s voice and his sound is a combination of power pop and country (he is from Texas after all) and every once in a while he’ll throw a Beatles reference into an arrangement. Flowers writes about regular men and women and the ups and downs of relationships in a way that makes it universal.  (Favorite track: “Home”)

2. Richard Hell and the Voidoids, Destiny Street Complete (Omnivore Recordings)

Punk pioneer Richard Hell has been working for 40 years on a version of his Destiny Street album that he could be satisfied with. This fascinating and comprehensive 2 -CD set chronicles his journey. The collection includes four versions of the album: the 1981 demos, a remastered version of the original 1982 release, the 2009 Destiny Street Repaired, and the 2021 Destiny Street Remixed. (Remixed is also available as a vinyl-only release.)  After hearing all of the iterations I prefer the remastered original; give them all a listen and pick your favorite. (Favorite track: "Time" )

3. Pernice Brothers, The World Won’t End (Ashmont/Bandcamp)

For 20 years, this album has one of my favorite CDs. Back in 2001 in the US it was impossible to go to what was once known as a record store and buy a record; only CDs as far as the eye could see. In response to a query from Joe Pernice as to whether anyone would buy such a thing, 2021 finally saw an official release of the vinyl version of the album, The album has been remastered and it sounds even more wonderful. If you like great music, and if there are any copies left, you owe it to yourself to buy this. (Favorite track: “7:30”)

COMPILATION

Various, V4Velindre: Charity Mixtape for the NHS (Bandcamp)

This incredible collection of 50 tunes was compiled by Welsh journalist Kevin McGrath as a digital-only mixtape to raise funds for the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. The mixtape is made up of pop, folk, rock, rap, and soul; there are the last three winners of the Welsh Music Prize; and indie acts from across the UK as well as Italy, Finland, and the United States are represented. There are demos, remixes, unreleased tracks, and radio edits. There's a lot to discover and a lot to enjoy and when you buy the mixtape you'll be supporting a worthy cause. (Favorite track: “Yesterday’s Over [Tomorrow’s Where I Want To Be]” by Armstrong)

LIVE

Alex Chilton and the Hi Rhythm Section, Boogie Shoes: Live On Beale Street (Omnivore Recordings)

In 1999 Alex Chilton was asked to participate in a fundraiser in Memphis. Alex said he didn’t have any musicians to bring along so it was suggested he work with the Hi Rhythm Section. The result on this unissued live set, which includes covers of songs by The Supremes, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and KC & The Sunshine Band, is a marvelous feel-good collection. One of the wonderful things about this recording is, unlike his many covers albums, Chilton plays it straight on these songs and there is a real sense of joy in his vocals -- and the band rocks. (Favorite track: "Kansas City")