Jason Sinay - Ape & The Wall Of Questions

Jason Sinay – Ape & The Wall Of Questions
2011, Apus Maximus

Jason Sinay is a musician’s musician; a top-of-the line session player who has worked with the likes of Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Diamond, Dr. John, Neil Young, Keith Richards, Tift Merrit, Billy Preston and Ivan Neville (among others).  The seemingly natural born guitarist can play literally anything and play it well.  While Sinay has spent much of his career in the background supporting musical luminaries, he is also quite capable as a front man.  The point is proved on his second solo album, Ape & The Wall Of Questions.

Sinay opens up with a bluesy-folk take on the classic “Jack-A-Roe”.  Sinay’s voice is competent and clear, but it’s his subtly impressive guitar work that takes center stage here, evoking thoughts of such masters as Clapton and Knopfler.  “The Carney” commits to a relentless ennui, brought to life in a repetitive verse structure that is artistic and quietly alive.  The story/portrait here is intriguing, exploring the life of a carnival man.  Sinay paints in broad musical strokes, highlighting it all with country accents on guitar.  This is an outstanding piece of songwriting.  “Next Revolution” takes yet another turn, with Sinay offering up an Eagles-esque California Country style ballad.

“Santa Rosa” invokes thoughts of Tom Petty, both in it’s relentlessly Americana sound and even in the tones of Sinay’s voice.  This road song is all about getting back to the one he loves.  In spite of treading a musical trail that’s been covered thousands of times, Sinay manages to make it fresh and personal.  “I’ll Bring You Diamonds” finds Sinay throwing off melodic and understated licks that are right out of the Jimi Hendrix songbook.  All of this is done to the accompaniment of a sweet groove and a melody you’ll be humming/whistling for days.  On “Gimme The Time”, Sinay works out the kinks and wrinkles of a working class love song in no uncertain terms.  Sinay’s distinctive pop sensibility is dressed in Americana leanings, and the chorus is the sort that gets crowds on their feet.

“Love Minus Zero (No Limit)” is a deeply symbolic song about a love whose depths simply won’t be qualified in mere words.  This plays like an instant classic, as Sinay brings together all of the elements of a great song for five minutes.  “Hey Mama” is a solid R&B roots number that hearkens back to the early days of rock and roll.  This entertaining and danceable number sets up the closer, a rock and roll kiss-off called “Bertha”.  Sinay settles into a classic rock sound for his goodnight, perhaps coming full circle from his musical roots.

Some might listen to Jason Sinay’s Ape & The Wall Of Questions and assume that he’s just showing off.  Well why not?  Sinay is obviously a prodigious talent with a six string in his hand, and shows himself here to be more than a capable songwriter and vocalist.  Ape & The Wall Of Questions is a breath of fresh air, showing off a talent that is still growing and building.  Jason Sinay is an artist you’ll want to catch on to early and follow throughout what promises to be an exciting career.

Rating:  4.5 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more at www.jasonsinay.com. 

Review: Chris Kirby - Vampire Hotel

Chris Kirby - Vampire Hotel
2009, Chris Kirby

Newfoundland has long been a center for Celtic and Folk music; particularly string bands, but Motown and Rhythm And Blues aren't lost there either. St. Johns' Chris Kirby proved that with Chris Kirby on Rum & Religion in 2006, garnishing a #1 single on Canada's East Coast Countdown and being ranked as #7 on the top 20 Blues albums in 2006 by Terry Parsons' Blind Lemon Blues. A sophomore album is always a tricky proposition, but particularly so when your debut album was so well received. Kirby enlisted the help of former Big Sugar front man Gordie Johnson (Gov't Mule, Taj Mahal) to produce his latest effort, entitled Vampire Hotel. Vampire Hotel continues the hot streak for Kirby, producing a second #1 single on the East Coast Countdown within two weeks of its release (Don't Forget About Me). Let's see what all the buzz is about.

Vampire Hotel opens with Day Job, an amusing yet respectful take on the plight of all the weekend warriors out there trying to get their music career going while working a 9-5 job during the week. Anyone who's ever tried to be a working musician or anyone who's ever cared for one will find that this song hits home. It's delivered in a soulful, Rhythm N Blues package with a melody that will creep into the recesses of your brain and stay there for days. Come Clean brings faith and human nature together in messy fashion, contrasting what the protagonist knows he should do and what he does. This is a great rock tune with Funk and Soul sewn in the lining. Don't Forget About Me is the first single from Vampire Hotel and has already charted #1 on the East Coast Countdown. I can see why. Folks, this is what a #1 single sounds like. Great hooks, a melody that gets your attention and holds it, lyrics that saying something with more than a little bit of style and an arrangement that makes you want to dance until you fall down.

Heavy Rain takes on an earthy, blues-rock timbre, describing the aftermath of some tragic event; the narrator looks for deliverance in the form of rain washing away his sin. Heavy Rain details the internal conversation that leads to a confession, while the telltale heart of a dog chorus reminds him of his wrongdoing. This is an amazing bit of songwriting, entering Randy Newman territory for character development and placement in a song. See You Again is a good old-fashioned Rock N Roll courtship song, done is a style that would fit in anywhere from the 1960's to today. Don't be surprised if See You Again is the second #1 single from Vampire Hotel. Fool No More heads straight for the opposite end of the relationship cycle, kissing off someone for cheating and telling explicitly why in a tune that sounds like classic Motown/Funk. Entertainer Of The Year revisits the trials of being a bar musician; being limited in what you can play based on the clientele and how much wine/beer/whatever has passed under the bridge. It's the antithesis to Billy Joel's piano man and is extremely well done.

Identity Crisis finds Kirby digging into a plate of New Orleans-style Rhythm N Blues; the Zydeco seasoning is palpable and the songwriting is divine. Golden Year, on the other hand, takes on a vague Southern Gospel flavor in an ode to Christopher and Bridget on their fiftieth anniversary. I don't know whether this is a fictional couple of a real one, but the song is incredibly moving and has that inspired touch that suggests it's based on real life (which makes it even more ingenious if it's not). Kirby closes out with the title track, an amusing track about a place you might not want to be after dark.

Vampire Hotel is amazing. Kirby matches deft storytelling with dynamic and highly original arrangements that course with the essential spirit of Rhythm N Blues, Funk and Soul music for one of the finest all-around albums of 2009. Give Chris Kirby a little time and one big break and he's going to be a superstar. Kirby puts the listener in the middle of each tale, wrapping you in the velvet folds of story and song. Vampire Hotel is the sort of CD that the "repeat all" function was created for; a Wildy's World Certified Desert Island disc. Don't miss it. In fact, go get it right now. Go!

Rating: 5 Stars (Out of 5)

You can learn more about Chris Kirby at http://www.chriskirbyonline.com/ or www.myspace.com/chriskirbyandthemarquee. You can order a copy of Vampire Hotel, as well as his first CD, Chris Kirby on Rum And Relgion through IndiePool. I could not find an outlet for downloads. If you spy one on the net drop us a line!