Ben
Harper - Both Sides of the Gun
Jackie Greene - American Myth
Alexis Harte - Tumbling
Calexico - Garden Ruin
Reviewed by Kelly Ransford, KFOG Music Director
Double discs can be a tricky thing. There are times when you’re left wishing for more, and there are times when you’re left wondering why the artist insisted on doing more. When I heard the new Ben Harper double disc, Both Sides of the Gun, I realized that I hadn't given the Grammy award winner enough credit. Never one to hide his influences, Ben varies his sound from funk, rock, Eastern, jazz, crunchy to trademark sounds of Ben Harper; creating two discs which easily could have been released independent of each other but are more rewarding in one package.
One disc is Ben cutting loose with lyrics that are predominately politically driven. Fogheads will immediately identify with his apparent frustrations with the Katrina disaster and the lack of aid thereafter as highlighted in “Black Rain”, with the lyrics “You left them swimming for their lives / Down in New Orleans . . . You don’t fight for us / But expect us to die for you”.
The other disc, my favorite of the two, represents a much more intimate and introspective side of Ban Harper. It also balances out the political cynic with the poetic hopeful. Backed by a symphony quartet, this is the disc for your Saturday morning coffee and paper (because Sundays are spent with Acoustic Sunrise). “Morning Yearning” starts off with the promising thoughts of a better future “The world awakens on the run / And will soon be earning / With hopes of better days to come / It’s a morning yearning.”
Ben Harper balances two sides of human nature with Both Sides of the Gun – the frustrations of the world we’re faced with living in today and the constant hope that we’ll see a brighter future. Thought-provoking and musically diverse, you might consider saving two slots in your CD shelf for this one.
For more information on Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals
visit his website at www.benharper.net.
And, don’t miss the chance to see Ben live when
he visits the Bay Area on August 18 & 19th at
the Greek Theatre in Berkeley. Tickets on sale now!
Reviewed by Rosalie Howarth, Acoustic Sunrise Host
One of the greatest pleasures for those who love music is "discovering" a new artist. In radio there's no greater thrill -- and it doesn't happen often -- than throwing on a record by an unknown and realizing within moments that you've got something very special in hand. Those of us who "go back" remember hearing that first U2 album Boy in 1980 and becoming instant believers. It can actually be a physical sensation; for me it's a little goosebumps-thing along the forearms. I remember exactly where I was sitting when I first heard Coldplay's debut album. Upon first hearing KT Tunstall, my eyes were bugging out.
It's especially gratifying when it's a local artist and a young one; gives you a kind of maternal/paternal feeling. That's why when a Placerville boy, Jackie Greene, came and played a set in the KFOG PlaySpace in June 2003, we all left the room preaching the gospel. And he hasn't let us down since. He was only 23 then (speaking of 1980!), and yet he channeled the genuine bluesey folk-rock of a bygone era.
The first album, Gone Wandering, was an instant hit on Acoustic Sunrise. He survived the "sophomore curse" with Rusty Nails, and expanded his style and sophistication with Sweet Somewhere Bound. He's shown consistent upward evolution, which is the earmark of a long-term successful artist. Astonishing maturity he's always had. For this year's American Myth, Jackie assembled a crack band including Pete Thomas of Elvis Costello’s Impostors, and Steve Berlin of Los Lobos -- a highly respected producer who did a sterling job on the disc -- taking Jackie to another level in professional sound. It showcases his versatility, from swaggering rock to tender acoustic ballads. This is the album that'll dispel those inevitable Bob Dylan comparisons of the early days ("not that that's bad thing!"). It's the album that confirms Jackie's place as a major American roots-rock songwriter.
See Jackie live if you possibly can; everyone who does, goes and sees him again and again. The kid can play, he can sing, he can write, and he's grown from a taciturn enigma to a talkative entertainer onstage. I'm especially fond of the fact that he was born in my home town of Monterey . . . in 1980!
Don’t miss Jackie Greene when he kicks off the KFOG
KaBoom festivities on Piers 30/32 on May 13th.
You can pick up your copy of American Myth
in stores now. To find out more information on Jackie,
visit www.jackie-greene.com.
Reviewed by Renee Richardson, Morning Show Host & Local Scene Guru
You may already know Alexis Harte's music, having heard "Yellow Shoes" on KFOG's Acoustic Sunrise. Well, this nice young man is back with an album that is his best to date. It's called Tumbling . . . but more on that in a second.
Harte was raised in Berkeley, where music was always filling the halls of his home. Downstairs, his mom enjoyed her Carole King and classical records, while the upstairs boomed with the rock, soul and funk preferences of his older brother. In the attic, Alexis found a handmade guitar, an amp, and determination. I recently learned Harte has his masters in Ecology and Environmental Studies -- who knew this background would play out so nicely in World Class Rock!?!
From the first track, "Canary" -- which has a gritty feel and a bit of an island cha-cha thing going on -- to the simple, life-loving song "Junebug", Alexis' voice is layered with emotion, similar to that of Nick Drake or Cat Stevens. The only difference is that Alexis Harte seems to be, well, happier. "Red Balloon", possibly my favorite song on the album, has an upbeat rhythm with layered guitar work. It is, dare I say, kind of jam-bandy. And then "Young Arrow" comes along, where Harte nails the rootsy/Americana sound. If you like poetic storytelling, rich vocals, thoughtful lyrics and layered swirly melodies, you will totally dig Tumbling. The CD officially comes out on April 13th. Make it a point to find it.
For more information about Alexis, visit www.alexisharte.com. You can purchase Tumbling, at www.cdbaby.com.
Reviewed by Mike Powers, Sunday Night Jam host
Is it too early to start thinking about Foghead Favorites of 2006? Calexico
has already locked in one of my votes with their forthcoming release, Garden
Ruin. On their new album, this Tucson, Arizona band finds itself merging
together their multi-cultural roots of Tex-Mex and country with a strong
balance of rock and pop. The haunting strings and horns remain, but right
from the start, with the opening track "Cruel", Calexico strides forward in a heavier direction. Catchy songs like "Bisbee Blue" and "Lucky Dime" have you humming along, while the climactic buildup of "Deep Down" makes you realize that this is only the beginning of the next journey for Calexico. This is a band unafraid to seek out and build upon change.
Don’t miss Calexico when they visit Dave Morey and the KFOG Morning Show on April 11th. Their new album, Garden Ruin, is in stores April 11th too! For more information on the band, check out their website www.casadecalexico.com.
