SPARKS

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
Album: The Difference Between Me & You
Released: September 17, 2018

I love looking forward to releases by artists that I like. I can get myself pretty worked up with anticipation and expectations. There is nothing quite like that first impression, how exhilarating.

However…I had none of that emotional baggage with the new one by Black Joe Lewis because I didn’t know there would be a new release! I wasn’t expecting a new release because the home page of his website doesn’t bother to mention it! Sure, the website had a new photo put up a month or so ago and I saw on his ‘tour’ page that there were upcoming shows but nary a mention of a new release….unless you went to the merch page.

Regardless, I found it and just in time to get acquainted with the songs before the show tomorrow at Cleveland’s Grog Shoppe.

Not familiar with Joe? This is the 6th release since 2007 and all have an R&B groove with some leaning toward funk or can even sound a tad punk at times. Black Joe gets lumped in with blues artists but that isn’t fair to his band, The Honeybears. I usually associate a jam element with blues and this band runs like fine oiled machine. Anyways, I discovered the band a little less than two years ago and consider myself a fan and the concert I saw the beginning of 2017 still burns bright.

I googled around a bit for info on the new one but all I can find are reviews written from the same press release. A little disappointing because his last release debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Blues chart. Am I surprised that an edgy release by a fringe artist is going unnoticed? How shocking!

However…I am here to spread the word so all is not lost! I’ll start by telling you the new one is produced by Stuart Sikes (The White Stripes & Modest Mouse). Having an experienced hand at the controls is a good thing as long as production does not over shadow the music. All is well here as the sound reminds me of a house band in a comfortable setting that is firing on all cylinders.

Surprises? Ha, I was walking around the house during the first listen and had to stop and do a double take…Yep, I was hearing Wilco’s ‘Handshake Drugs’. I really didn’t expect to hear a Jeff Tweedy song.

As far as everything else, it really is sort of unassuming but in a perfect way. The horns and keys fit the songs perfectly over various tempos as Black Joe shares his life stories. The hooks can be subtle and they lure you in closer and closer upon each listen. Seriously, I seem to discover something new with every listen which is good because releases I find instantly perfect tend to wear thin quickly.

My early favorites are ‘Culture Vulture’ and ‘No Rhyme Or Reason’….if you want high energy try ‘Girls On Bikes’, if you want a heavy handed groove try ‘She Came Onto Me’.

A very nice release by somebody I like and I can’t wait until I hear these songs live (tomorrow!).
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Billy, Don't Be A Porter

[MaelGirl]

[MaelGirl]

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears
Where: Grog Shop, Cleveland, Ohio
Tickets: $17

Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears are touring for their latest release, ‘The Difference Between Me And You’. Friday night saw Joe and his band make a stop in Cleveland along with openers Vug Arakas and Outside Voices. It is always a bonus when you can combine a concert with quality family time. Last night, Mrs. Buckeye and I were joined by our son-in-law and his twin brother for a night of music and camaraderie. This is at least the 4th concert in the last year I’ve seen with my son-in-law. I wonder if I get to keep him as a concert buddy if my daughter ever divorces him.

The Grog Shop is a near perfect club that holds around 400 people with almost no seating. It is simply a great sounding room with a bar at the back. This is my second time seeing Black Joe at the Grog Shop and about my 10th visit overall.

I have a question; why do opening bands sell their cds at shows? The answer is because Mrs. Buckeye will always buy one. On a positive note, I suppose that one of our many signed cds by bands that nobody has ever heard of might pay off if a member becomes a Senator or a serial killer or anything garnering notoriety outside the realm of music.

What’s the best part of a club show? I think the best part of a club show is that a premium place near the stage is earned by arriving early as opposed to arena shows where premium seats are earned by outbidding others for a golden V.I.P ticket. I love arriving early.

We were standing front and center at the thigh high stage when Black Joe Lewis plugged in his effect peddles and tucked a handwritten set list in front of the monitor. There was a buzz as the club neared capacity and anticipated the start of the show. Minutes later, Black Joe returned to the stage backed by his Honeybears (guitar, bass, drums, and two horns).

The band featured most of the songs from the recent release which was fine with me. These songs were built for the live performance. My favorites from the latest included 'Culture Vulture’ and ‘No Rhyme Or Reason’. One unexpected song that really took off in the live setting was 'Do Yourself In' which sounded like an anthem.

There just isn’t enough time to play all the older favorites but we did get to hear ‘Booty City’, Sugarfoot’, ‘I’m Broke’ and ‘Bitch, I Love You’.

When people talk about a ‘fat sound’ they are probably talking about the Honeybears. The dual horn attack is thick but it is the baritone sax that creates a warm hum. The guys mix up the types of horns a few times during the show but it is that fat sound that makes the impression. Actually, it is almost like three bands on stage at once. You have the horn section, you have the backbone of a simple drum kit and popping Rickenbacker and then you have the two guitar players trading licks. It all come together perfectly.

It was a bit disappointing that there was no encore but it in a way it was refreshing. How many times have you seen a band come out for an encore after a mediocre show with people already starting to head to the parking lot. Worse yet, a band withholds their most popular song until the encore.

The normal after show appearance at the merch table was delayed for at least 30 minutes but Black Joe eventually came out. This was the highlight of the night for me. I had taken a photo of Mrs. Buckeye and Black Joe Lewis together after the show we saw 18 months ago. Unbeknownst to Mrs. Buckeye, I had a 5’x7’ of this photo with me and after the show I had Black Joe sign it. Smiles by everyone.

Black Joe says a new album is already in the works and he hopes to visit Cleveland again next year. I’ll be waiting.
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Billy, Don't Be A Porter

[Buckeye Randy]

Artist: The Monkees
Title: Christmas Party
Release: October 12, 2018

It’s that time of year again. We all prepare for the witching season as Halloween is just around the corner. The crispness in the air and leaves changing colors not only means that little goblins will soon be upon us but it also means that it is time for the onslaught of new Christmas albums.

I think Christmas albums by rock bands have come a long, long way the last 25 years. There was a time when rock artists might throw out a Christmas single but they were waaay too cool to commit an entire album to holiday spirit. I think Manheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra had allot to do with changing the culture. These bands showed that there was an audience for a real union between rock and Christmas. Now we have Brian Setzer, Cheap Trick and Jethro Tull all releasing albums that stand up strong against their finest work. Some Christmas albums have a novelty feel (Twisted Sister) but even those can be fun for a couple weeks out of the year. Buyer beware! There are allot of Christmas releases that just aren’t very good!

Did you like the Monkees’ 2016 album, ‘Good Times!’? I thought it was really good so I’m excited to hear some new music by The Monkees. Peter Tork, Michael Nesmith and Mickey Dolenz are all present on this latest. Davey Jones is also present due to some vocal tracks that were rescued from the vaults.

Guest contributors (songwriters and musicians) include Paul McCartney, Alex Chilton (Big Star), Roy Wood, Rivers Cuomo (Weezer), Andy Partridge (XTC), Peter Buck (REM).

Early highlights for me are Davey Jones singing ‘Mele Kalikimaka’, Mickey Dolenz belting out the blues on ‘Merry Christmas Baby’ and also faithfully covering Roy Wood’s ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. Early lowlight is covering McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmastime’, the original version sucks!

Surprise track as far as style is ‘House Of Broken Gingerbread’. It is not festive at all but is in fact pretty edgy. Peter Tork sings ‘Angels We Have Heard On High’ backed by a ukulele arrangement. Cheesiest track is Michael Nesmith singing ‘The Christmas Song’…however, I’m a sucker for this song so it’s all good.

This is very listenable. There are enough solid songs to make it a worthwhile addition to any holiday collection or a great gift for somebody that doesn’t know The Monkees are still relevant. Well done.

1. Unwrap You at Christmas
2. What Would Santa Do
3. Mele Kalikimaka
4. House of Broken Gingerbread
5. The Christmas Song
6. Christmas Party
7. Jesus Christ
8. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day
9. Silver Bells
10. Wonderful Christmastime
11. Snowfall
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Billy, Don't Be A Porter

[Buckeye Randy]

Nominees for 2018 Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame. This is one seriously flawed group! A couple memorable songs do not make an artist HOF worthy.

There are a couple artists that have spent their careers in the spotlight of popularity (Def Lep, Janet Jackson) and I suspect they are slam dunks to get in this year.

IMHO, I've seen Rundgren 17 times live so I'm a fan and would like to see him in despite how obnoxious his fans are about the whole thing. I also like Roxy Music quite a bit so no problem from me if they get inducted. (can Mott The Hoople be far behind?)

Most of the other nominees are niche artist that have performed on the outskirts of the public eye. I actually don't have a problem with these types of artists if they are influential to a genre.

•Def Leppard
•Devo
•Janet Jackson
•John Prine
•Kraftwerk
•LL Cool J
•MC5
•Radiohead
•Rage Against the Machine
•Roxy Music
•Rufus featuring Chaka Khan
•Stevie Nicks
•The Cure
•The Zombies
•Todd Rundgren

I will say that I've been to the RnR HOF several times and it is a great way to spend a day.
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Billy, Don't Be A Porter

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

[MaelGirl]

[Buckeye Randy]

Unfortunately, I can't go to The Beachland on the 27th due to a previous concert appointment. I'll be spending Halloween with The Tubes in Akron at Tangiers.

This will be my third time seeing The Tubes ('79, '03, '18). The first was an arena show with support by Squeeze and April Wine. The last time and this time are at Tangiers which is a sit down dinner club.

Actually, I might not even be seeing The Tubes if my son's soccer team makes it to the district finals, Go Panthers!

Back to The Tubes. One of my favorite memories from around the time I graduated was riding around in my friend's Chevelle while he blasted an 8-track of 'What Do You Want From Live'. We were white punks on dope!

I actually think the credentials of The Tubes make them more qualified for the RnR HOF than several of the 2019 nominees. However, I will say that the music of The Tubes has not aged particularly well as far as classic rock radio.
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Billy, Don't Be A Porter

[MaelGirl]

Never really listened to the Tubes, guess I'll look them up on youtube soon. I do however like Squeeze! That tangier place looks so cute!! Akron has some nice places to visit that I feel many people don't realize.

So are you going in costume for Halloween show?

[Buckeye Randy]

[MaelGirl]

I wonder if he'll wear that outfit? lol!! Looking them up, I realized that I actually knew at least one of their songs from the '80's, "She's a Beauty". Very fun and so so '80's (which I love). Seems like it would have been in a silly movie during that decade, but I don't think I saw anything on their wikipedia page?

[Buckeye Randy]