Fallin' for Western New York/Exports

For those of you who have never been here before, let me tell you a bit about the Buffalo area.  To begin with, Buffalo stands at the gates to the rust belt.  It was a major manufacturing and port town for the Great Lakes at one time, standing at the Eastern Edge of Lake Erie and at the Southwestern corner of Lake Ontario.  The terminus of the Erie Canal can be found here, although no one seems to be quite sure where as various communities each lay their own claims.  It is a tremendous city for music and art, although these things are often well hidden from the national eye.  What we are most known for, perhaps, are copious amounts of lake effect snow and chicken wings (also known as Buffalo wings). 

The snow is a given, but that isn’t the whole story.  If you live in Buffalo or the towns north of it, snow isn’t a huge problem.   Our exposure isn’t much different, in general than anyone else living in New York State during winter.  It’s the towns and suburbs south of Buffalo that get walloped repeatedly in winter, at least until Lake Erie freezes over.

What perhaps gets lost in all of this is that the people of Buffalo are good people.  It’s a friendly place, and people here band together in times of adversity.  That’s not to say we’re perfect.  Buffalo has one of the lowest per-capita incomes in New York State, and has the distinction of being one of the most segregated cities in America.   What we haven’t seen here is the sort of flat-out racial strife and division that has been on display elsewhere.

Buffalo creates an environment for its citizens that are full of personal opportunity.  Music, arts, politics, professional sports and some wonderful regional food choices all come together to make Buffalo a unique place to live and grow.  For a long time, the youth of Buffalo mostly left to seek their fortunes elsewhere, but now the tide is turning.  Young people are beginning to flock here because of renewed efforts to revitalize the region.  Tomorrow appears to be set to be much brighter than today.

Speaking of Buffalo area youth who left the area to find their fortunes, today’s artist is a Buffalo native who has gone on to bigger and better things in New York City.  Jeneen Terrana is a singer/songwriter based in Queens with a golden voice and a heart to match.  I had the pleasure of catching her live show a few summers back at a Relay for Life event in Geneva, NY.  It was a light crowd in a small town, but Terrana held sway on stage.  Her rendition of “O Sole Mio” was so stunning that the other artists who had played that night all came out from behind the stage to watch and listen.  It was a moment.

Terrana has been busy the last several years, releasing several albums as well as hosting a cooking show, but something special has been going on with her music of late.  Terrana’s talent as a songwriter has been blossoming, and has become as formidable as her vocal talents.  Her latest EP, Fallin’ is a brief but substantial gem, a cornerstone in her development as an artist.  The EP opens with “Calling My Bluff”, a brilliant little vignette written from the precipice of love.  The song shows off Terrana’s vocal quality and color, as well as distinctive pop sensibility and polish.  This is an intelligent pop ballad with a mid-tempo gush you simply cannot ignore.  “Fallin’” is a heartfelt ballad that’s sweet but not saccharine.  There’s a distinctive poetry here that manages to be artistic yet honest, and Terrana brings it all from the heart. 

“No One Can Hurt You” is solid, a song of succor written with an attention to emotional detail that is stunning.  The maturity that shows through here is compelling.  “Fast Lane (On Your Way)” doubles down on this oeuvre, while proving Terrana’s penchant for catching melodies and vibrant pop songwriting.  Fallin’ closes out with a live version of Terrana’s “Bloody Valentine” recorded at The Palladium.  This is ear candy/filler for close fans, but it’s a solid close that gives you a sense of how Terrana’s sound carries in a live environment.

Fallin’ is too brief, but gives forth brilliant musical light while it shines.  I’ve been aware of Jeneen Terrana for a number of years now and always had great respect for her work, but Fallin’ definitively highlights an artist who has taken her game to another level.  Give it 5 stars.

Learn more at www.jeneenterrana.com.  In the mean time, wet your whistle with a listen to "Fallin'" live.  

Transitions, New Places and Garden Songs

Hello!

I haven’t seen you around here in a while.  In truth, there hasn’t been much going on of late.  Have a seat.  The table’s a bit dusty, but we’re cleaning up.

I started this blog seven years ago almost on a lark.  I was deeply involved in music from a young age, as a singer and performer; and as a fan.  This blog at first was a means to expand my exposure to music while giving back to the musicians who made it.  It became something of a mission and a joy; and then a burden.  At one time I was publishing up to three reviews in a day, and spending literally all of my free time doing so.  I built Wildy’s World up to the point where 500 visitors were passing through each day.  I was proud of that, but there was a price.  After a while it became something I had to do rather than something I wanted to do.  Then it became something I resented but still loved to do.

The culmination of all of this came in the last year.  In October I lost my mom after a brief illness.  It was a difficult process that involved making the sort of decisions that no one ever wants to have to make.  It threw me for a loop, and the desire to write about, or even listen to new music, came to a shattering halt.  That wasn’t the only effect, of course, but it’s the one that’s most relevant to this space.

So for a time, music became a burden.  I continued to communicate with musicians and accept submissions, all with the best of intentions.  But when it came time to write, I just couldn’t do it.  It wasn’t fun; the words just wouldn’t come.

Today I turn the page, and as I do the view changes.  I will continue to write my thoughts about music, but the formulaic reviews are mostly a thing of the past.  This space will truly be Wildy’s World from now.  In it I will talk about the world; whatever’s on my mind, really.  That will include music, including great new music from Indie artists.  I will continue to take submissions and spread the word about things that interest me.  I don’t promise to be here every single day, but if you’re interested, this is a place you can come regularly and find something new. 

Today is the first day of my 45^th year.  I suspect it will be an adventure.  Please feel free to join me.

In celebrating transition and change, I’d like to tell you a bit about Ron Hawkins.  As regular readers here will know I think Hawkins is the proverbial bee’s knees.  He’s somewhere between the Canadian version of Bob Dylan and Tom Waits.  His lyrical talent is prodigiously sublime; sometimes deep and occasionally profane but always entertaining.  Hawkins began his career as the co-lead of rockers Lowest of the Low.  It was a good start, as the band was inducted into the Canadian Indie Rock hall of fame.  The band has broken up or gone on hiatus several times, and Hawkins has always managed to remake himself, whether as a solo artist or with bands such as The Leisure Demons and The Rusty Nails, Hawkins has left an indelible mark on the Canadian Indie Music scene.

The most recent iteration of Hawkins’ muse comes in the form of The Do Good Assassins, a quintet consisting of Hawkins (vocals/guitar); Jesse Capon (drums); Alex McMaster (cello/keys/trumpet); Derrick Brady (bass); and Steve Singh (guitar).  Their latest effort is entitled Garden Songs, a collection of ten of Hawkins more thoughtful songs written over the years.  The album was recorded over the course of one week, and highlights Hawkins’ brilliance as a songwriter and lyricist.  It also shows off The Do Good Assassins’ ability to bring those songs to life.  Longtime fans of Hawkins will be familiar with tracks such as “Peace And Quiet”, “Small Victories”, “D.F.W.” , “Propellers” and “Rome”.  There are also some hidden gems here.  “Kingdom Of The Sun” is memorable, and “Saskia Begins”, an ode to a newborn child, is among Hawkins’ best songwriting. The recasting of “D.F.W.” and “Small Victories” particular stand out here, and listeners newly introduced to Hawkins will be stunned by what they hear.  Garden Songs is a must have album.  I’ll give it 5 stars, without reservation.

Learn more about Ron Hawkins at www.ronhawkins.com.  You can pick up the album from Ron’s online store at www.victimlesscapitalism.com.  Please be patient, because the initial demand for the album caused the first run to sell out.  They’ll have more soon! To hold you over, and pique your interest, check out this live performance of "Peace and Quiet", the lead single from Garden Songs.

Our discussion of The Do Good Assassins fit in with the reintroduction of the blog today. They also kick off a week (or so) of discussion of bands related to my adopted hometown of Buffalo, NY.  While The Do Good Assassins call Toronto home, the band (as well Hawkins over the years) have spent a lot of time haunting the clubs and stages of Buffalo over the years.  As a result they get honorary status.  In the coming days we'll also be talking about Buffalo native Jeneen Terrana, and current Buffalo bands Dirty Smile, Grace Stumberg and Bryan Johnson And Family.  After that we'll move on to new or recent releases by Rachael Sage, Seth Glier, Laura Joy and others.

Until next time.

Geneva NY Relay For Life - Free Concert Event July 28-29, 2012

Hey New York!  This July 28th and 29th there is an amazing musical event coming your way!  Geneva, NY will be hosting it's own Relay for Life event on those days, and Wildy's World, in conjunction with the American Cancer Society is presenting a free concert event in conjunction with the Relay that is not to be believed!  Check out the lineup!

Saturday July 28th, 2012
4:00 PM   - Bryan Johnson and Family

5:00 PM   - Atomic Solace

5:30 PM   - Christie Lenee

7:00 PM   - The Devyl Nellys

8:00 PM   - Jessie Kilguss & Radio Gold

9:00 PM   - Jennings

10:00 PM - HEADLINER - Rachael Sage

11:00 PM - Jeneen Terrana

Sunday July 29th, 2012
12:00 AM - All Star Jam

The jam will include several of the artists listed above, as well as one or two special guests.

All sets on Saturday are free and open to the public.  Individuals who want to stay on the grounds after midnight must be registered for the Relay for Life.  Special registration bracelets will be available on site for those who have not pre-registered.

All of the artists above are generously donating their time and talents to this year's Relay for Life.  As such, there is no charge, but donations to the American Cancer Society will be gladly accepted.  Additionally, attendees will be able to purchase tickets to vote for their favorite artist of the night.  The artist with most votes will receive a special award!

For more information on the Geneva Relay for Life, please check out the event website!  If you have specific questions about the musical acts, or would like to come and participate in the jam, please contact me at wildysworld@gmail.com, or via http://www.facebook.com/wildysworld. 

All press inquiries can be sent to Laurena Marrone of Grit PR, who has graciously donated her services to promoting the event!

And of course, if you'd like to donate to the Relay For Life as a sponsor for my team, the Cave Crashers, you can click on Wildy's personal page an select the 'donate on my behalf' button.  Any amount great or small helps us build toward a world with more birthdays!

Zaz - Zaz

Zaz - Zaz
2010, SIN

Zaz (née Isabelle Geffroy) has taken Europe by storm with her combination of jazz and modern Chanson.  The Francophile singer/songwriter earned Platinum certification in her native France, and Platinum certification in Belgium, Switzerland and Poland for her debut album, Zaz.  In 2011, Zaz sets her sights on America, a more challenging prospect considering all the songs on Zaz are sung solely in French.  A listen to her husky, dramatic alto will convince you, however; Zaz is her to stay.

Zaz opens with "Les Passants", presenting a stirring contrast between Zaz' intriguing, edgy voice and the almost lazy swing of the arrangement.  The vocal harmonies here are a pleasure to the ear; the instrumentalists top notch.  "Je Veux", the first single is a catchy number, with Zaz sounding like a cross between Fiona Apple and Jeneen Terrana.  This song spent nine weeks at #1 on the French SNEP charts, and it's easy to see why.  "Le Long De La Route" is driven alt-folk with a great melody that gets stuck in your noggin even if the lyrics are incomprehensible to you.  "La Fée" sounds eerily familiar, as if elements of America's "Sister Golden Hair" got caught in a time warp and ended up here.  The arrangement is lovely and haunting, with Zaz keeping the vocals low key in a fetching effort.

Zaz gets conversational on "Trop Sensible", which might work better for those fluent in French.  There's not a lot of spark in this one, however, regardless your primary tongue.  Zaz turns things around with "Prends Garde A Ta Langue", an incredibly catchy bit of soulful swing with hints of a big band sound.  The melody line here is absolutely infectious, and is wrapped up in an arrangement that fits it like a glove.  On "Ni Oui Ni Non", Zaz blends jazz and rockabilly in intriguing fashion, creating a song so virulently the catch the CCD might need to be dispatched.  Zaz' voice completes the intrigue, filling up with empty spaces within the arrangement with a sound so wonderfully nuanced and warm you might forget where you are for a moment.

"Port Colton" is a song of contrasts, exploring regret and sorrow in Zaz' wonderfully warm voice against the backdrop of an emotionally bleak arrangement.  Somewhere in the middle Zaz finds the beauty of human heartache, and compels the listener to feel, believe and understand the moment.  "J'aime A Nouveau" lightens the mood, a love song with a lighter feel and a swaying melody that says everything will be all right.  "Dans Ma Rue" is more of a jazz recitative, showing off Zaz' exemplary sense of melody and pacing in song.  Zaz closes out with a different sound on "Eblouie Par La Nuit", taking a foray into classic rock sound and expanding her vocal range in the process.  It's a very successful diversion that perhaps speaks of directions to come.

Listening to Zaz is something of a revelation.  The language barrier will likely be a difficult one to cross in the US, but Zaz' voice, penchant for British style melody and the quality of her songwriting might just make it work.  Zaz will certainly catch on in Canada, and an album of like quality recorded in English might just find Zaz conquering the US charts in time as well.  It's unfortunate that the U.S. tends to be somewhat closed to foreign language artists, because Zaz is a great album, pure and simple.  It certainly deserves to be a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Zaz at www.zazofficial.com or www.myspace.com/zazofficiel.  Zaz is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  The album is also available via iTunes.

Jeneen Terrana - See The Light

Jeneen Terrana – See The Light
2011, Bitesized Records

Jeneen Terrana is an integral part of the Long Island City, NY music scene.  A distinctive songwriter with flair, Terrana has been comfortable with her local status but has the talent to play much larger stages.  Terrana debuted in 2002 with Just Me, a highly personal collection of originals that showed a raw talent just beginning to come into its own.  Terrana’s 2008 follow-up effort, My Creation, featured the inspired instrumental work of The Howl Brothers, and won critical acclaim from multiple outlets, including being branded a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc.  Terrana returns in 2011 with See The Light, a more mature and airy effort than her previous two albums.

See The Light opens with “Benny’s In My Head”, a folk ballad with a soulful slant.  This is Terrana’s internal dialogue over the battle between heart and mind when finding herself suddenly in the midst of love.  This is a great piece of songwriting; Terrana has crafted a great arrangement that stays enough in the background to allow the story of the song to play out unfettered.  “I Laid It On Him” is a foxy bit of urban gospel blending jazz with a folk/storyteller pastiche.  The song is incredibly catchy with an almost swing feel to it at times.  “Raise Your Voice” encourages children to speak up from their well of idealism about the world; encouraging them to not be borne down by the cynicism of the world around them.  The song is well-written, and Terrana performs it with heart.  There is one moment, on the highest note of the song, where the vocals come off a bit shrill, but otherwise the performance is flawless.

“All Of You” is written from the midst of true, deep and abiding love; it’s an invitation to join her and be immersed in its waters.  Terrana calls on her heritage, infusing shades of an Italian folk style here.  “I’ll Always Be With You” brings a sort of Baroque musical theater feel to the table.  While the song itself is a love song in a fairly common style, Terrana breathes pleasant life into the genre.  “See The Light” and “At School” are solid album tracks that lead into the splendid songwriting that makes up “God, I Need Comfort”.  Terrana’s representation of one side of a dialogue or prayer is intriguing; full of dark, Mediterranean influences.  Terrana explores the darker side of self and the constant battle to be better than we really are.  The composition is gorgeous, with amazing harmony vocals.  “Never Go” is another meditation on love; on her desire for love to stay as it is forever.  See The Light closes out with “Time”, a gentle plea to time itself to slow down for her.  Terrana keeps things simple, allowing the simple beauty of the melody and the unbridled angst of the lyrics to shine.  It’s a stunning closer.

Jeneen Terrana shows a lot of musical maturity on See The Light while exploring the happier countenance of love.  She doesn’t get entirely way from the darker aspects of humanity, and often her best songwriting comes from those darker places, but See The Light is a strong transitional album.  It doesn’t have quite the urgent energy of her previous work, but shows an artist struggling to come to terms with her deeper self.  Terrana is a top-notch songwriting, and her voice is enthralling.  And while there are a couple of slow spots here, this is the album Terrana had to make next to continue to grow creatively and as a performer.  See The Light is highly recommended listening.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Jeneen Terrana at www.jeneenterrana.com or www.myspace.com/jeneenterrana.   See The Light is available from Amazon.com as a CD or Download.  Digital copies are also available from iTunes.

Review: Jeneen Terrana - Just Me

Jeneen Terrana – Just Me
2002, Bitesized Records

We previously reviewed the exquisite My Creation from Jeneen Terrana And The Howl Brothers. She must have liked what we wrote because she sent along her earlier album, Just Me. Terrana is based in New York City these days, but started out singing in her home town of Buffalo, NY. She has a disarmingly honest and personal songwriting style that will leave you on the edge of your seat. I was very curious to hear what Terrana was like before her association with The Howl Brothers. One word: Wow.

Just Me opens with Good Folks, a quirky and shadowy guitar based tune about keeping up appearances. More specifically, keeping up appearances for your parents when your world maybe isn’t quite what they might have imagined for you. It’s wonderfully well-written; an honest and distinct story song filled with gloaming shadows. Up next is Are You Still In, an amazing song about showing your true self to someone in a relationship. Are You Still In is a fearless baring of flaws that is not so much based in vulnerability but a pragmatic, “I am what I am, can you deal with it?” perspective. It’s a starkly honest and powerful song.

Someone Has Been Loving You shows the same fearless approach. Terrana is confronting a lover who has not been faithful in a candid and pragmatic fashion that is far more devastating than anger. The end result is not set in song, but the foundation has been irrevocably shaken from its moorings, and Terrana is almost clinical in the diagnosis. Up next is F*** You, perhaps the best kiss off song you’ll ever hear. Based in true events, Terrana is ruthlessly honest in a peppy country/folk format. I bet this song is a trip live in concert. Goodbye is a delicious little acoustic blues piece about getting out of a relationship that doesn’t give you what you need. It’s a nice change of pace and a more subtle take on the subject covered in F*** You.

Cutting The String once again goes to the topic of breaking away. One suspects that perhaps this album was written around the time Terrana made the break from Buffalo to New York City, as the theme of breaking up/breaking away and starting new runs heavily through Just Me (hence the title). Cutting The String is lyrically dense and confessional in nature, a rough musical sketch that is beautiful in its earthy simplicity. I’m Fine turns the corner on leaving; a hopeful declaration painted in gorgeous harmonies and a buoyant vocal line against a neutral-to-melancholy musical arrangement. Terrana closes out the CD with a stunning rendition of O Sole Mio, displaying a range and theatric touch different than that displayed in her own material. Goosebumps is the word.

In going back to the earlier disc in Terrana’s catalog I expected to hear a developing artist who would turn into the one we heard on My Creation. Instead we find an artist fully formed, striking in her candid and confessional songwriting. The voice is the same; wonderfully nuanced and subtle but capable of striking power and grace. Just Me is every bit as good as My Creation. The development seen isn’t so much a growth in skill or prowess but a widening of stylistic choices. Just Me is a Wildy’s World Certified Desert Island Disc, and Terrana is just the second artist to have two albums gain that distinction. Get this disc.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jeneen Terrana at http://www.jeneenterrana.com/. You can pick up a copy of Just Me at www.cdbaby.com/cd/jeneen.

Review: Jeneen Terrana And The Howl Brothers - My Creation

Jeneen Terrana And The Howl Brothers - My Creation
2008, Bitesized Records

New York City based singer/songwriter Jeneen Terrana is talented enough to be funny and still be taken seriously. Growing up in a Sicilian family in Buffalo, NY, Terrana was treated to an opera performance every Sunday after dinner by her grandfather. Terrana took a lot to heart from those performances, learning the person-to-person performance style that her grandfather imparted. She has translated that into an electric and engaging stage presence; writing and performing intelligent and witty songs with a distinct musical and melodic sense. Terrana's 2nd album, My Creation, features the incomparable Howl Brothers as Terrana's backing band. The resulting thirteen songs are a magical, musical tour de force you have to hear to believe.

Let's start with the voice. Wow just doesn't cover it. Terrana has this silky yet metallic vocal quality that can't be taught. She runs the gamut from beautiful balladeer to edgy alt-rock goddess and back in a single breath. Power, grace and deep hues are all part of the mix here. The Mountains is a prime example of this range as Terrana wrings every ounce out of the song. The Howl Brothers provide an amazingly balancing performance underneath, teasing the song out of its shell with playful licks and taunting musical drama. Terrana moves on both figuratively and literally with New Book in a bracingly honest resolution. New Book has this delicious blues undercurrent fed by the Americana/blues textures laid down by The Howl Brothers.

Terrana slows things down with Close To You, a sweet ballad sung against the backdrop of bare instrumentation. This is a diva performance. The song itself is amazing. I could even hear in my head the jazz arrangement that would turn this song into a standard. Terrana knows her theater as well as her music and takes this song all the way. Up next is Joseph Scott’s Turn On Your Love Light, a tribute to classic country with a modern twist. The Howl Brothers provide one of the tightest musical performances you'll hear on this one, and Terrana continues to stun and amaze as she spreads her wings and shows the breadth of what she's capable of. Life Goes On is a musical soliloquy about finding direction out of chaos. The song itself is amazing, although is a bit muddled on CD by the use of excessive reverb.

Terrana takes us to the dance floor with Something Sweet, a song made up of two cups of double entendre and a dash of spice. This is a classic song in the tradition of old-school country. Back in the day when innuendo needed to be buried deep in the lyrics it was an art form to push the envelope while staying within the rules. Terrana sings this one with a wink and a smile and a powerful vocal delivery you have to be in awe of. Bloody Valentine steps back to the 1960's in a dark minor key song that sounds like a pulp fiction outtake. Bloody Valentine marks one extreme in a performance that continues to expand the boundaries Terrana is willing to push. Vocally this is the most challenging and rewarding performance on the CD.

Train steps back from the brink of musical madness into a classic folk arrangement that's like a cool drink of water to clear the palette. Jeneen Terrana is sweet and vulnerable here in an honest, unguarded performance here. The Howl Brothers continue to impress by building both a musical and rhythmic tapestry to wrap around a song of sadness and loss. Money Tree is a step into rockabilly with guitar work reminiscent of Chet Atkins' distinctive style. It's a light moment that allows Terrana to have a little fun while The Howl Brothers get to play around in the background.

Beautiful Surprise is the most straight forward rock arrangement on the album. Melodically this is a beautiful ballad, although it doesn't play quite that way in the mix on the CD. I enjoyed it, but thought the guitar was mixed a little too high for my taste. Considering that and the use of reverb in Life Goes On are the only minor issues I could find on the entire disc I'd say it’s nothing to worry about. Little Fish is a sweet song with a powerful positive message that finds Terrana at her most personal and personable. Terrana's cover of Dolly Parton's Jolene is classic; even better than the original (sorry Dolly). The album closes out with the title track, My Creation. The song serves as epilogue and autobiographical soliloquy of hope and the power to change, and completes a primo performance from Terrana and The Howl Brothers.

Jeneen Terrana is a special talent, and My Creation is one of the most breathtaking introductions to an artist I've ever experienced. It makes me sorry I missed her debut in 2002. Buffalo, NY should be proud, and New York City music fans should make every effort to see and hear the musical gem playing among them while they can. If there's justice in the world of music, New York City won't be big enough to hold Terrana in the long run. Between her voice and songwriting talent, and the impresario backing band The Howl Brothers, there's nothing this musical outfit can't accomplish. My Creation is, without a doubt, a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island Disc. It's a classic album that deserves to be heard far and wide. What are you waiting for?

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Jeneen Terrana at http://www.jeneenterrana.com/. You can purchase a copy of My Creation at www.cdbaby.com/cd/jeneen2.