Music Reviews

Rivers, Sam Trio – “Firestorm ” – [Rivbea Sound Company]

David Richoux   1/16/2005   CD, Jazz

Just a trio, you say – but when all 3 players are multi – instrumentalists of great skill this becomes a miniature big band! All kinds of flexibility with shifting combinations of reeds, strings, percussion and piano following squirty paths and furious sheets of intertwined improv – very driving, yet very beautiful results. This is all live recording with no multi-tracking but you might think otherwise. There are a few grunty/shouting vocals with not much word action, but mostly this is instrumental. Sam River’s liner notes give the best possible description of this incredible performance – all true!
Track 3 is a bass solo – all the rest are trio form. *review by David Richoux

Pocket Orchestra – “Imom Bilde ” – [None (It’s a Cart!)]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   A Library

We got this from Craig Bork This was recorded in a mobile studio, school bus converted, backed up to a garage in San Bruno. It was recorded sometime in 1980. Although the band had been together for 10 years it was recorded towards the end of its existence, although they played together in different forms for years after that. Tim Parr passed away around 1985, Tim Lyons died a few years ago.
Very fluid, cartoony, Zappa-esq, art-jazz-rock with lots of fun tricks going on. All instrumental. *review by Studebaker Hawk

Pocket Orchestra – “Pocket Orchestra ” – [Self Produced]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   A Library, CD

We got this CDR from Craig Bork (we have had “Imon Bilde” on cart for eons, he saw it listed on a KFJC playlist and sent all of what he had.) This was recorded in a mobile studio, school bus converted, backed up to a garage in San Bruno. It was recorded sometime in 1980. Although the band had been together for 10 years it was recorded towards the end of its existence, although they played together in different forms for years after that. Tim Parr passed away around 1985, Tim Lyons died a few years ago.
Very fluid, cartoony, Zappa-esq, art-jazz-rock with lots of fun tricks going on. All instrumental. *review by Studebaker Hawk

Pocket Orchestra – “Knebnagauge ” – [Self Produced]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   A Library, CD

We got this CDR from Craig Bork (we have had “Imon Bilde” on cart for eons, he saw it listed on a KFJC playlist and sent all of what he had.) Knebnagauge was the previous name for Pocket Orchestra (and is pronounced Neeb-Nah-Gawgh) This was recorded in a mobile studio, school bus converted, backed up to a garage in San Bruno. It was recorded sometime before 1980. Tim Parr passed away around 1985, Tim Lyons died a few years ago.
Very fluid, cartoony, Zappa-esq, art-jazz-rock with lots of fun tricks going on. All instrumental *review by Studebaker Hawk

Dolomites – “Lovely Day for a Hogshead Of.. ” – [Walking Records]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   A Library, CD

Pirates and Drunken Punk Irishmen are alive in the hills of Portland Oregon! This band of reclusive weirdoes have been stomping around the stranger bars and clubs in the Pacific Northwest for a few years (but there is very little known about them – even the best local Elvis impersonator stood in awe as they performed at a recent Oktoberfest). They look like a fine bunch of geeks but they sound much like the Pogues in top form. Cap’t Jack will love them dearly and I think many other DJs will hoist a glass to their rather unique take on an ancient musical art form!
Clean lyrics as far as my ear (and the lyric sheet) can tell – but the vocals are so rough sounding it would be hard to tell…
*review by Studebaker Hawk

Tiger Lillies, the – “Circus Songs ” – [Misery Guts Music]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   A Library, CD

Imagine if Tom Waits and Dame Edna somehow had a love child and he grew up to be a Contra Tenor (male soprano) singer and accordion player – well, this is what it might sound like…
Euro/Brit singer-songwriter Martyn Jaeques and two Adrians form the Tiger Lillies and they have been turning out a huge library of CDs in the last few years that have been almost totally ignored in the USA. This particular release takes us to a Circus that is more twisted and ugly than most Big Tops and Freak Shows, but there is somehow a sad respect for the mutants that run the show. There are a few obvious choices for over-the-top cover songs: Send In The Clowns, in particular but mostly these are originals. Track 3 has the only bad language, but this is very strong stuff in general – a very dark, dramatic and strange recording. *review by Studebaker Hawk

Davis, Sammy Jr. – “Yes! I Can (Vol One) ” – [Rhino Records]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   B Library, CD

Starting at the age of 2 and a half in 1928, Sammy Davis Jr. was almost instantly an incredible Vaudeville performer, dancing, singing, comedy, acting and becoming a big part of “American Show-Biz” for 64 years. This 4 CD set spans most of his adult career (from 1949 to 1988) with outstanding quality and variety. Even if you ignore the religion, politics and “Rat-Pack” environment that came later his lifetime you will have to agree that the guy had the chops! Jazz songs, Blues, Tin-Pan Alley classics, Broadway show-stoppers, ballads and Pop – many hits and award winning stuff here (and even the less well known tracks are moving!) Disc One covers 1949 to 1960 including some of his tracks from the film version of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess.”
My Hot Picks for this disc: #1, #7, #8, #15, #21but give the others a try as well. *review by Studebaker Hawk

Davis, Sammy Jr. – “Yes! I Can (Vol Two) ” – [Rhino Records]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   B Library, CD

Disc Two covers 1961 to 1965 – includes some of his most successful work. His long association with Frank Sinatra and the rest of the original “Rat Pack” leads to much more film work and international fame. His versions of songs by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse kept him on the top of the charts (even against the “British Invasion.”) Some of these tracks continue the jazzier feeling interpretations and some great duets. *review by Studebaker Hawk

Davis, Sammy Jr. – “Yes! I Can (Vol Three) ” – [Rhino Records]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   B Library, CD

Disc Three covers 1961 to 1978 (but mostly late 1960s) with a mixed bag of originals and adaptations: TV theme , show tunes and the infamous “The Candy Man”/”Mr. Bojangles” that have been staples of KFJC programming since I don’t know when… Not my particularly favorite era for Sammy but who can argue with success. (where is that picture of him and Nixon hugging, anyway?) *review by Studebaker Hawk

Davis, Sammy Jr. – “Yes! I Can (Vol Four) ” – [Rhino Records]

Studebaker Hawk   1/16/2005   B Library, CD

Disc Four is “live recordings” from 1959 to 1988 – includes some versions of tracks heard on Vol 1 thru 3. Sammy’s spontaneity, humor and style really come through in these recordings. Some tracks have somewhat smarmy introductions. *review by Studebaker Hawk