Review: Mason Daring - Mason Daring

Mason Daring - Mason Daring
2009, Daring Records

Mason Daring has held a significant place in the music world since his entry in the 1970's. From his early performances at Boston's Bull & Finch (later Cheers) to touring with Jeanie Stahl to having his songs recorded by artists such as Rita Moreno and Ruth Brown, Daring has seen all sides of writing and performing. His score work for the films of John Sayles have gained him additional acclaim, and his Daring/Rounder Records has been a significant contributor as well. After so much success, Mason Daring returns to his roots with his self-titled album, revisiting many of his songs that have been made famous by others and offering up his own interpretations.

Mason Daring opens with perhaps Daring's best known composition. Travelin' Man was made famous by Ricky Nelson and still gets regular airplay on Oldies stations. Daring's voice isn't as pretty as Nelson's, but there's an awkward authenticity here that works well. The song itself is a classic, of course, showing a distinctive ability for both lyrics and melody. Too Much is a love song that's a bit off the beaten track; sounding like a classic. Baby Blue and Funny are both outstanding and presented in Daring's off-center yet intriguing voice. Daring saves his best for last on the album, however, with the final five tracks representing some of his best work.

Dixie Taps is set in a strong Americana arrangement. The soaring theme is theatrical in nature and reverberates in your brain. Only For You was my personal favorite. Written in Dixieland style, it's almost as if Daring transports the listener back in time for this musical experience. People Are Talking, likewise, is an incredible piece of songwriting. The melody here sings itself into your consciousness; the lyrics are intelligent and moving. I Be Blue follows the progress from impotent rage to sadness in a great story song that's something of a surprise stylistically but works as well as any other song on the album. Daring closes out with Soldier's Lullaby, a poignant and touching close to the album that's as apropos for today as when it was written.

Mason Daring is a brilliant composer, and it's interesting to hear him offer his own interpretations of his songs here. Mason Daring is a treat for the ears. While Daring's voice might sound like most anyone on the street, the life he breathes into these songs can only come from a creator.

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Mason Daring at http://www.masondaring.com/ or www.myspace.com/mdaring. You can download Mason Daring through Daring’s website using the Nimbit application or from Amazon.com.

Review: Roy Jay - Lucky Guy

Roy Jay - Lucky Guy
2009, Terrapin Records

Roy Jay put off music for twenty years while life ensued. A successful entrepreneur, Jay came home from a concert one night, sat down at his computer and ordered a guitar. Tired of his workaholic lifestyle, Jay channeled those tendencies into his music; playing six days per week and enrolling in Berklee School of Music's online program. Jay initially set out to record songs he could gig with, but found kismet with producer Chris Seefriend (Quincy Jones, Rosanne Cash), who seems to have brought out something more in Roy Jay. The result is Jay's debut CD, Lucky Guy, which features influences as distinct as Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Jimmy Buffet and the Grateful Dead.

Lucky Guy is an interesting and at times trying album as it appears Jay hasn't figured out who he is or wants to be musically. Lucky Guy opens with the title track, sounding a bit like a cross between Ricky Nelson and Jimmy Buffet. The low-key vocal line provides a laidback feel to the disc. Subway Ride clocks in at nearly 7:30 minutes and mixes elements of traditional Classic Rock and Psychedelia. In And Out Of Dreams is an esoteric and intelligent love that's perhaps a bit too much of each to connect with a majority of listeners. Mungo Jerry finds Guy revisiting his Buffet theme; it's a bit too derivate to sound like anything other than a tribute. Prettiest Girl In Wal-Mart is a fun tune that explores unrequited love in Sam's place and the unexpected consequences. This is an upbeat and fun track with a definite novelty tune air. Other highlights include California Grey, Time's Page and Wrinkle Your Dress.

Roy Guy just didn't pan out the way I'd hope from his promotional materials. Guy is a decent songwriter but perhaps just doesn't sell the material well. His vocal approach is laid back and unenthused and doesn't help to bring the listener in the way it might. Lucky Guy is a pleasant listen but doesn't leave the listener with any real compulsion to keep coming back.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Roy Jay at http://www.royjaymusic.com/ or www.myspace.com/royjaymusic. You can purchase a copy of Lucky Guy at www.cdbaby.com/cd/royjay.

Review: Spring Creek - Way Up On A Mountain

Spring Creek - Way Up On A Mountain
2009, Rebel Records

Something special happens when Appalachian bluegrass hits Rocky Mountain air, how else can you explain the burgeoning neo-traditional bluegrass scene out west? It's hard to think of a band that better personifies that scene than Spring Creek. Based in Lyons, Colorado, Spring Creek is the only band to ever win the band competition at both the Telluride and RockyGrass Festivals in the same year. 2009 sees the release of their label debut, Way Up On A Mountain, featuring 8 original songs and covers of Bill Monroe and Ricky Nelson.

Spring Creek establishes the framework early with My Love Is Way Up On A Mountain, going traditional hard and early. The musicianship here is top notch, and the harmony structures are impeccable. Fingerpickers will be highly impressed by both the technical and expressive qualities of the guitar and banjo work. Another Lonesome Night, featuring Jessica Smith on lead vocals, sounds like something you might have heard on the Grand Ol' Opry. Smith's voice has a distinctive edge to it that makes her instantly memorable, but there isn't a voice here you couldn't spend hours listening to. My favorite song on the disc is Tangled In The Pines, with its wonderfully dark shading and traditional sound.

Spring Creek takes a trip down instrumental lane with a touch of Jazz on Cuba Vera Swing before blasting off into Try And Catch The Wind, perhaps the highest energy song on the disc. Lonesome Town is a sweet and sentimental song with a 1930's vocal group touch. The instruments are mostly background as the full quartet shows off their impressive pipes and ability to harmonize. Slow Down is a up-tempo waltz about taking things slow. The song is very intelligently written and hits a less-is-more vibe on instrumentation that is delightful. Be sure to check out the rip-roaring dueling violins on In Despair, 'Til You Come Back To Me and Drivin' Me Crazy.

There has been something of a Renaissance in Bluegrass music the past few years, and a lot of bands are rediscovering the joys of back porch picking styles, but few have done so with the energy, talent and pure joy of Spring Creek. Way Up On A Mountain is not only a great introduction to Spring Creek but to Bluegrass itself. This one's going to end up on a lot of year-end lists, and might even have an award or two in its future.

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Spring Creek at http://www.springcreekbluegrassband.com/. You can purchase a copy of Way Up On A Mountain through Amazon.com, or download it through Amazon MP3.

Review: Rhett May - Calcutta Boy

Rhett May - Calcutta Boy
2008, Rhett May Music

Music's Prodigal Son, Rhett May, has come home. After three decades climbing Jacob's Ladder in the corporate world, this Calcutta, India born, Australian based rocker has returned to music. Formerly of the Flint Stones, one of India's most popular pop groups at the time (and catching the eyes/ears of George Harrison and Apple Records), May followed as part of a series of popular Australian Garage bands (Oz, Shakespeare Sarani, Prodigy and Lucifer). Influenced by Carnatic and Hindustani musical traditions as well as the pop music of the time (The Monkees, Cream, Hendrix, Ricky Nelson), May developed a musical style that was all his own. Now, with longtime collaborator James Payne, May returns to the music scene with the four song E.P. Calcutta Boy.

Calcutta Boy opens with There's A Little White Powder, a song that tackles cocaine addiction. The song has a strong pop feel to it and sounds like something that might have come out of England in the early 1990's. Lyrically the song is a bit awkward at times, but there's a definite quality to it that would play well in a dance club. African Queen has a unique sound, opening with some unusual harmonies and a standard yet catchy dance beat. The vocals are mixed too low here, being swallowed up by the electronic instrumentation. Have Your Arms Been Missing Me suffers from a similar problem. The vocals are essentially buried under the music. The musical arrangement is pleasant and somewhat catchy but is also fluff, to speak plainly. Mirror Mirror is the most musically interesting piece on Calcutta Boy, but the mix here again undervalues the vocals. The Calypso arrangement is fun and carries the song for the most part, but doesn't entirely save the song from itself.

Rhett May has a definite pop sensibility in the music he writes. His melodic creations are generally interesting and catchy. Lyrically he's awkward at times. The real problem with Calcutta Boy is the mixing. Vocals are buried within or underneath instrumental parts, making it very difficult at times to really get what May is singing. At the end of the day Calcutta Boy is an interesting listen, but probably not a regular one.

Rating: 2.5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Rhett May at http://www.rhettmay.net/. You can purchase a copy of Calcutta Boy at www.cdbaby.com/cd/rhettmay2.