New Releases
Compiled by Maria Villafana
- The long awaited Eva By Heart, a second album from
the late jazz/blues vocalist Eva Cassidy, will
be distributed by Liaison Records in the Washington
area in mid-July. The 11 studio cuts, recorded between
1990-96, are a mix of traditional gospel songs and jazz
standards. The CD insert will include lots of photographs
of Eva and her art work. Cassidy died Nov. 2 from cancer
at age 33.
- Warner Elektra Atlantic (WEA) has picked up for distribution
Deanna Bogart's latest album New Address.
Lightyear, a boutique label under the WEA banner
dealing primarily with jazz and children's music, will
re manufacture and re-release in June.
- Steel Rails a collection of classic railroad
songs released on Rounder Records includes the
Johnson Mountain Boys burning up the Orange
Blossom Special. The wailing instrumental, featuring Eddie
Stubbs on fiddle, was recorded in 1988 at the quintet's
farewell concert in Lucketts, Va. The traditional bluegrass
group led by guitarist Dudley Connell ranked among
the top in its genre during the band's 10 year existence.
- Nils Lofgren released his first acoustic album.
Performing with brothers Tom, Mark and Mike
plus guitarist Paul Bell, Nils recorded Acoustic
Live at The Barns of Wolf Trap.
- Celtic Ruminations is The Flying Cows of Ventry's
debut CD The Cows, brothers Tim, James and Jeff Walthall,
have created an authentic-sounding album of traditional
Irish ballads. Produced by the Walthalls, the project
was recorded at Shuman Recording and includes guest appearances
by Bernard Argent and Barbara Ryan of the Celtic group
Iona.
- African, calypso, Afro-Cuban rhythms energize the African
Music Ambassadors' new album Dance to African Music.
Originally from Nigeria, the Ambassadors' mission is "to
help bridge the gap between African-Americans and Africans"
with music and its lively album of predominately original
material is designed to make feet want to dance. The project
was recorded by Barton Chew at Omega Recording
Studio.
- Coming full circle to the mode of singer/songwriter
John Jennings has released his first solo CD titled
buddy on Vanguard Records. Jennings' self-produced
effort has the same meticulous guitar work he has lent
to Mary Chapin Carpenter, Lyle Lovett and
Beausoleil. The soft-spoken performer has penned
several poignant songs including the gentle Do You
Want Me Now and a strutting, light-hearted number titled
Everybody Loves Me whose video can be seen CMT. The
album was recorded by Jennings and Bob Dawson at Bias
Recording.
- Astronomy Made Easy the Boud Deun's new release
on the Cuneiform label is definitely music for
the heavy thinker. The instrumental album is a fusion
of intricate progressions combining jazz, bluegrass, punk,
rock and classical music expertly executed at a lightening
pace. Engineered by Mike Davis, the album was recorded
at Inner Ear Studios.
- The Pat McGee Band has released its second CD
Revel. The pop/rock album is a soft blend of acoustic,
electric and percussive instruments with guest appearances
by vocalist Julie Murphy (Eddie From Ohio), percussionist
Gali Sanchez (Santana) and sax player J.C. Kuhl
(Agents of Good Roots). The project was produced by
McGee and engineered by Stuart Ridgway at Pyramid
Digital Productions and Cue Studios.
- Dave Sherman & the Nightcrawler's The First
Time, a raucous blues standards compilation, includes
an original rootsy tune I Wish You Would. The six song
cassette relies heavily on Sherman's meaty voice and Roger
Edsall's harp work. The project was recorded at Inner
Ear studio by Tom Carroll and Don Zientara.
- Beneath It All, a soulful jazzy creation from the
Michael Sheppard Group was released by Milesh
Records. Sheppard's voice pumps life into each of
the 10 love ballads, with an especially touching rendition
of Hendrix's Little Wing. Produced by Sheppard, the
album was engineered by Doug Johnson at Cue
Recording.
- Me'Shell Ndegeocello will be heard on the "Batman
and Robin" movie soundtrack compact disc doing a rendition
of "Poison Ivy." The film, staring George Clooney as Batman,
is due out in June.
- Guitarist Tom Principato has released Really
Blue on Voodoo Records. The album is composed mostly
of original compositions and Principato's guitar work
is expressive, spanning from the jazzy upbeat riffs of
Orbit to the mournful title cut Really Blue. Guest
musicians on the album include percussionist Gali Ricardo
Sanchez, bassists Jeff Sarli and Steve Wolf
and Joe Maher on drums. Produced by Peter Bonta
and Principato, the CD was recorded at Bias Recording
and Wally Cleaver's Recording.
- Adelphi/Genes Records, has released The Great
Medical Menagerist, a collection of Harmonica Frank
Floyd's work and Travelin' Man, songs by Roy
Book Binder. Originally recorded in 1972 and re-released
25 years later as part of Adelphi's Blues Vault Series,
Floyd's style blends the black and white country music
sounds of the 20s and 30s. Out of print since 1979, Book
Binder's acoustic blues album includes a bonus track Candy
Man.
- Love songs from the 60s, three volumes of Smooth
Grooves released by Rhino Records include Close
Your Eyes, a 1967 hit single for local crooners Peaches
(Francine Barker) & Herb (Herb Fame). According
to industry trade magazine ratings of the late 60s and
early 70s, Peaches & Herb consistently placed in the top
of the soul charts. Francine Barker left the duo
in 1970, and Linda Green became Peaches number
two. Late 70s hits for the new team included Shake
Your Groove Thing and Reunited.
- Armed with faith and song the Positive Flow Music
Ministry has set out to bring comfort to the flock
through its music. The family gospel group, started by
L.T. Bradley, Jr. and Larry Staples, has
released Praise The Lord, a 10 song cassette recorded
by Ray Tilkens at Ambient Recording. Harmonizing
on the mostly original contemporary gospel hymns are Valerie
and La Shell Staples, Anita Bradley and Rick
West.
- A delicate balance of power and sensitivity characterizes
Toshi Reagon's Kindness released on the Smithsonian
Folkways label. The modern blues stories sung in a
hybrid language distilled from funk, rap and folk show
Toshi's growth as a vocalist and songwriter. Engineered
by Jim Robeson at Bias Recording the solo
project includes a brief guest appearance by Bernice
Johnson Reagon.
- Early American Roots, a collection of instrumentals
from the time of the Revolutionary War, is the latest
album from the early music ensemble Hesperus. The
release traces the musical migration from England and
France and offers a glimpse of 18th century social life
in the American colonies. Hesperus is Scott Reiss
on recorders and hammered dulcimer, Tina Chancey
on viola da gamba and baroque violin and Mark Cudek
on cittern and baroque guitar. The album was released
on the Maggie's Music label.
- Praising God through song has been Virgil Taylor's
mission since 1988,he continues to broaden his ministry
releasing Lord, I Love You on Christ-Centered Records.
Accompanying Taylor on vocals are Jacynth Underwood,
Derek Spencer, Monica R.J. Bland and Thera
Bennett. Produced by Taylor and Corey Brooks,
the album was engineered by Les Lentz at Live
Sound Productions.
- Hey Norton'sLive in Concert at the Luna
Park Grille is a collection of rhythm and blues staples.
This workingman's band gives a heartfelt rendition of
Al Green's Can't Get Next to You and T-Bone
Walker's Stormy Monday. The album features band
members guitarist Tom Erbland, drummer Dave
Olson, bassist Hal Singer, sax player Charlie
Hastings plus lead guitarist Keith Grimes who
makes a special guest appearance.
- "The 13th Annual Mid-Atlantic Song Contest Winners'
CD" compilation offers a little something for everyone,
from country to jazz, hip hop to folk, the sampler runs
the gamut in genres and performance styles. Distributed
to interested music publishers throughout the country
by the Songwriters' Association of Washington, the winners'
sampler includes material penned by several area songwriters
including the catchy pop tune All the Same by Roy
Wright and the rootsy Morning's Over by Ted
Natale and Blue Yard Garden.
Seminars, Workshops, Conferences,
Showcases, Grants & Contests
Rescheduled
Music Meets Technology
The Washington Area Music Association (WAMA), the Washington
Area Lawyers for the Arts (WALA) and BMI are co-sponsoring
a seminar on the issues facing musicians in the Internet
era on Thursday, July 24. Online publishing and distribution
issues will be addressed as well as copyright considerations.
Registration begins at 7pm in the Georgetown University
Law Center's Moot Courtroom located at 600 New Jersey Ave.
NW. Early registration costs are $20 for WAMA, WALA and
DC Bar Section members, $25 for non-members and $10 for
students. To register or for more information contact WALA
at (202) 293-2826.
WALA Workshop
The Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts will be presenting
a workshop on Non-Profit Incorporation and Tax-Exempt Status.
The workshop will take place on July 16 at the Cultural
Alliance of Greater Washington, and costs $45. To register
or for more information contact WALA at (202) 293-2826.
Songwriting Workshop
The Songwriters' Association of Washington (SAW) presents
"The Craft of Songwriting" with special guest folk singer/songwriter
Tom Paxton on Sunday, June 29 at the George Mason University
Law School in room 304 starting at 2 p.m. Attendees will
be able to have one song critiqued during the three hour
panel at a cost of $5, plus an attendance fee of $10 for
SAW members and $15 for non-members. A lyric sheet must
accompany each song submission.
You're It!
The Organizational License Tag Program is calling
for entries for artwork to complement the theme "Washington,
D.C.- Alive With the Arts." The Commission is offering a
fee of $500 to the creator of the selected design. Deadline
June 30, 1997. For applications or information call (202)
724-5613.
Grants From DC
The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is now accepting
grant applications for fiscal year 1998.
The Grants-In-Aid Program offers fellowships to
individuals and general operating support to arts organizations
in the following areas: crafts, dance, literature, media,
music, theater, and visual arts. Deadline July 25, 1997.
The City Arts Projects offer funds for programs
that encourage the growth of quality arts activities throughout
the city, support local artists, and make arts experiences
accessible to District residents. Eligible projects include,
but are not limited to festivals, concerts, visual arts
exhibitions, and salary support to enhance cultural diversity
among the staffs of arts organizations in the District.
Deadline August 1, 1997.
The Arts Education Projects Program offers funds
for projects that provide training and exposure to the arts
to young people. Eligible projects include artist residencies,
workshops, arts curriculum development, arts projects in
all disciplines, performances, and organization-sponsored
arts education programs.
Grammy Showcase '98
Grammy Showcase '98 is currently accepting submissions
for its upcoming new talent search. Winners receive: one
week of recording time; a NARAS artist development grant;
passes to the Grammy Awards; your song on a compilation
CD; a video of your band.
To enter the showcase send one CD or cassette of original
music, containing at least three songs, one band photo and
biography plus contact information to Grammy Showcase, 3402
Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, Ca. 90405. For further information
phone 800-544-8991 or the web address
http://www.showcase.grammy.com. Submission deadline
is September 15, 1997.
Songwriters' Contest
The 14th Annual Songwriters' Contest sponsored by the Songwriters'
Association of Washington's (SAW) is accepting entries until
August 16. First and Second place winners will be selected
in 10 genres that include country, urban/hip hop, rock,
gospel and jazz. An overall Grand Prize winner and first
and second place runners up will receive cash awards. Contest
participation costs $17 for the first entry and $15 for
each additional entry, for details and submission form call
1-800/218-5996.
Songwriting Camp
The Nashville Acoustic Music & Songwriting Camp/a takes
place Sept. 1-6 at the Montgomery Bell State Park outside
of Nashville. The week's agenda includes technique workshops,
how to demo and pitch your songs plus private instruction
from the guest music staff. The $550 admission price includes
tuition, room and board. Call 615/292-0967 or email
NashCamp@aol.com for details.
CMJ Music Marathon
CMJ Music Marathon & MusicFest '97 is scheduled for Sept.
3-6 at the Lincoln Center in New York City. The college
radio programmer's convention will showcase 500 bands at
40 clubs plus present a multitude of educational panels.
Early registration is $160 for students and $300 general
before August 1, call 516/498-3150 for information. Bands
can apply to showcase prior to June 30, call 516/498-3117
for information.
Open Mics and Showcases
Music Americana
Dick Cerri's Music Americana Showcase is now taking place
at O'Brien's Pit Barbecue in Rockville. Every first Tuesday
of the month local folk and Celtic performers try out new
material and strengthen their skills in a relaxed and intimate
setting. Encouraged by Cerri's success, the 75-seat room
presenting folk, bluegrass and Irish music Tuesdays through
Thursday.
Tiffany Tavern
Open mic at Tiffany Tavern, a very friendly and comfortable
place on King St. in Old Town Alexandria. Monday nights,
8:30. Call (703) 534-4860 for info.
Six Degrees Showcase
The Six Degrees showcase, hosted by Lisa Moscatiello every
Tuesday at the acoustically splendid Courtyard Concert Cafe
in Falls Church, presents an eclectic mix of performers
stretching from Richmond country artist Janet Martin to
the acoustic art rock of Arcana. Moscatiello, who is trying
to increase the variety of genres at the diverse showcase
said, "I would like to see more jazz, alternative, world
music, etc." For bookings call Lisa at 301-270-1710.
Studio News
Lion and Fox Recording
Jim Fox recently produced the audio for "Marley Magic"
a double CD set and feature-length video tribute to Bob
Marley. Recorded live in Central Park by Fox on a 24-track
digital system and mixed at Lion and Fox's Studio A in Washington
D.C., the project includes performances by Ziggy Marley
and the Melody Makers, Rita, Julian, and Damian Marley.
Tuff Gong International will release the project for broadcast,
home video and CD.
Bias Recording
Jim Robeson has been working on six different projects
with Bernice Johnson Reagon. The founder of the a cappella
Afro-centric Sweet Honey in the Rock, Reagon's projects
include recording a selection of Laura Nyro songs with the
group. Also at Bias, Robeson completed a new album, "Caledon
Wood" for guitarist Al Petteway and Bob Dawson engineered
and mixed a new album for Bruce Gates' Jazz consortium.
Omega Recording Studios
Omega Recording Studios has been working on tracks
with Branford Marsalis and Buckshot LeFonque,
Charlie Byrd's new album for Concord Jazz,
and vocals for the upcoming Christmas release from the Richard
Smallwood Singers.
Visiting the studio for the WHFS Just Passing Thru series
were Mark Eitsel, Peter Buck of R.E.M., Fiona
Apple, Sneaker Pimps and Third Eye Blind.
Classified Advertising
- CD & CASSETTE DUPLICATION. Oasis Duplication,
Your LOCAL source. We offer honest pricing, top-quality
CD & cassette duplication, and personal assistance through
the life of your project. Oasis Inc., the most conscientious
name in duplication. (301) 345-6188; (800) 697-5734. email:
info@oasis.com. Web address: http://www.oasiscd.com
- REAL TIME CASSETTE DUPLICATION, 20 to 2000 tapes,
highest quality, low prices, fast turnaround. 100 c40,
hi bias chrome, case, assembly & wrap $180. Blue House
Productions 301-589-1001 or http://www.smart.net/~bluehouse.
- TAKAMINE ACOUSTIC/ELECTRIC GUITAR for Sale-
excellent shape, only several years old: NP-15C cutaway
with the renowned Takamine pickup; extremely popular band
and singer/songwriter guitar. Sells at Veneman for $1035,
my price $575. Casey (202) 273-2704.
- AL PETTEWAY ACCEPTING GUITAR STUDENTS: Premiere
solo guitarist, Al Petteway, has a limited number of openings
in his schedule for guitar students of all levels. An
award-winning finger-style guitarist and the coordinator
for Guitar Week at the Swannanoa Gathering, Al instructs
students in hour-long, one-on-one classes. Lessons will
be held in Takoma Park, MD on weekdays in the afternoons
and evenings. For further information and scheduling call
301-855-1319 or e-mail strings@erols.com.
- SINGER-SONGWRITER seeks musicians/band to collaborate/play
material- some covers, pop/country style. Call Heidi (202)
362-3113.
- FEMALE VOCALIST searching for pianist/arranger
for jazz and Broadway repertoire. Future gigs. Please
call Melinda at (703) 680-4017.
- LYRICIST looking for rock'n'roll band to use
songs. Call Karen at (301) 990-3482.
- SMOKIN' KICKIN' DRUMMER WANTED: National act
level group with serious industry interest. Styles Santana,
Sting, Doobies, James Brown. Pro gear, transportation,
and little time to learn the material. Vocal ability a
plus. (410) 789-9675, (301) 927-4543.
- FEMALE SINGER/SONGWRITER/GUITARIST in the pop/folk/country
vein looking for an acoustic/electric bass player for
gigs. Please call Julie @ 301-469-7359.
- DON'T DRINK THE WATER - unless it's been filtered
by The Natural Solution! High quality, low-cost home drinking
water and shower/bath filters. Not available in stores.
Why support a corporation? Buy from a musician and support
the arts. (541)-597-2839. Email:carolv@magick.com
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