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JUNE 2007 ISSUE #96 
Jerry
Lee Lewis If you ever needed any visual proof that Jerry Lee Lewis was one of the more important artists from the early rock era, look no further than this short but sweet DVD from Time Life. What this disc lacks in quantity (there's only 12 songs and one medley, timing in at 71 minutes) it makes up for in quality. The performances range from the 50s into the 70s, at the point where Lewis had crossed over into country music. The early footage is fiery and wild, much like you'd expect. A 1958 live take of Breathless from The Dick Clark Show is especially cooking, with the crowd of clean-cut teenage kids looking on with a bit of confusion while Lewis rips through the song like a raving lunatic. One disappointing section comes with two tracks taken from the Dewey Phillips' Pop Shop in 1957. The songs are obviously lip-synced and the sound is choppy, yet to its credit, the clips still hold some historical value at the very least. The real treasure here is the six songs from a performance on a British TV show special in 1964. By this time, Lewis' popularity was on the wane in the US, but still a hot commodity in England. The intensity of the performance grows with each tune, and the kids go wild as Lewis turns on the madness. At one point they surround his piano and go ape while he bangs away at the keys. By the end of the set, he's on top of the piano shaking his hips with the crowd of teens are in a frantic state. This is great stuff, and worth seeking out just to see this performance. The last bit from the 70s is taken from the cheesy Pop Goes The Country television show. The only highlight is a five song medley with Mickey Gilley that slowly picks up steam into a real barnburner, when some of that old Lewis magic kicks in. By the end of the medley, he's up on his feet playing the piano like a man on fire once again. The DVD ends with a so-so interview from the early 90s. By this point, Lewis was way past his prime and a little long-winded in the interview. Interesting stuff, but somewhat of an anti-climax after the fireball we've witnessed from decades before. MISH MASH Mandate: Shake, Baby, Shake
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Carrie Biell
When Carrie Biell begins to sing, her voice grabs your attention completely. With a slight raspy twang delivered in a half-whisper, Biell commands attention with subtle quirkiness. While it's not a particularly beautiful singing voice, it is striking in its uniqueness. Biell's music style fits well with her voice, sort of an alt-country sound that is understated and simple. Steel guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass and drums meander along in no hurry, laying down a quiet and steady pace for Biell to paint her melancholy vocal pictures. MISH MASH Mandate: Melancholy Country
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Tangria Jazz
Group
Hailing from the Bay Area with female drummer Sheryl Mebane as its leader, the Tangria Jazz Group bases its sound in classic bebop jazz with a modern twist. The approach is laid-back with a light soul jazz groove, at times reaching towards acid-jazz in rhythmic flavor and attitude. Mebane is the group's leader/composer, watching over her group with loose reins, allowing them to venture out and experiment within the confines of the classic jazz trio. Bassist Justin Hellman and keyboardist Simon Rochester skillfully play their way through the tunes, interacting with Mebane beautifully throughout the album. The group is tight, and it is obvious that they have found the true spirit of jazz in their midst. MISH MASH Mandate: In The Groove
Just when you thought that the days of great, smart-aleck power pop were long gone, the Action Painters have breathed new life into our old and missed friend. This is indie college slacker rock at its finest, complete with sloppy droning guitars and whiny vocals that are mad at everything and nothing at the same time. The band conjures up everything from the Buzzcocks to Big Star, leaning heavily on attitude all the while. There's a touch of 80s New Wave in the addition of synths, but the main attraction is the ever-present full-tilt guitar. Rock on. MISH MASH Mandate: Poppy Power Gene Butler Band Concrete Country Vavv Records 10 song CD
The name Concrete Country rings true with this seriously countrified album from the Gene Butler Band. This isn't the slick pop country of the mainstream, this is the classic gritty country you'll find in the dives on the outskirts of a small town. Butler sings with a gravelly tone, rough around the edges, and thankfully lacking that faux overstated drawl of the Nashville pretty boys. The music is simple and straightforward, falling back on the tried and true progressions and sounds of yesteryear, borrowing just enough from the blues to add a little soul to the mix. Gene Butler Band Website Stages Self-Released 11 song CD
MISH MASH Mandate: Progressively Independent Limbs Website Glen Helgeson Distant Borders Revisited World View Music 12 song CD
© 2007 Mish Mash Music Reviews, All Rights Reserved
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