41 "All Skewed Up" (art zine)
42 "Sign Language" (poetry collection)
43"Don't Mess With Texas Music" - Vol. 2 (CD)
44 "The Addictions" (CD)
45"Violinland" (CD)
Review #41 10/04
Title: "All Skewed Up: Musings on coldhandsdeadheart and Selections from #1-14"
What is it? Anthology of zine drawings from the art zine coldhandsdeadheart
Technical Quality: Above average. Black and white drawings are clear and detailed - same with the written text.
Innovative Quality: Above average. Nice looking package has dramatic cover with assorted illustrations, and an attractive and handy 5 and1/2" tall by 8 and1/2" wide shape. Also note lots of variety in lettering in titles and text.
Review:
North Chili, New York Illustrator/zinester Mike Twohig has here assembled some of the best work from the first 14 issues of his art zine coldhandsdeadheart (CHDH). It covers his work for two and one half years beginning in 1999. In the intro he says he did much of his work at his 'drawing studio' Java Cafe. Each page has 2 drawings and/or commentary.
In the notes he talks about zines, his background with a degree in illustration, the evolution of CHDH, his drawing style and influences, etc.
"Overall, I'm interested in creating thought provoking original imagery. Something that one would not expect to see in mainstream society. I've gotten a lot of influence from subcultures based on interests like music (hardcore/ punk/metal/indie rock), art (low brow, graffiti, avant garde), and skateboarding... movements that have tried to be different..."
The art work is mixed. It ranges from not-too good graffiti scribbles to very detailed political art and poster design. The subject matter is almost exclusively portraits of real people - musicians, people in his life, and some political personalities. Though for me, some of his best work is in those few drawings of street scenes, or wild animals!
His worst work looks like so-so drawn gruesome teenage angst, similar to the caricatures on t-shirts or skateboards; his best work looks like political art that is as dramatic and dark as Kathe Kollwitz, with a frenetic style like Egon Schiele - all in a heavy jagged black line with rough shading.
This collection shows an artist improving more than accomplished. Yet the later work and his strongest work is a mix of words and drawing that would well suit black-and-white political illustrations or well designed posters.
I would think that his best efforts would be highly praised by any publisher looking for dark and dramatic illustrations that build on an often ironical line of text. Also it would work well for any music zine that wanted illustrations of musicians playing. And note, that of the 82 pages here the best drawings were often the cover drawings of each of the 14 issues.
Contact Info: Mike Twohig
m_twohig@hotmail.com
www.angelfire.com/ill/miketwohig
Overall Grade: 3.4 out of 10.0
Review #42 10/04
Title: Sign Language
What is it? Poetry collection of 54 poems (+ 2 illustrations)
by David S Pointer.
Technical Quality: Average. Comb binding Size: 81/2" x11"
Innovative Quality: Nothing new in the poetry, or the poetry forms here. Cover illustration OK but nothing special. Inside drawing of Fancy Firecloud playing guitar , a very attractive Native American woman , is quite charming.
Review:
"Poetry breaks some pencil lead and bread with some nearby Native Americans." - from "Poetry Rides Again"
This collection of poems is mostly on the Native American experience plus some poems on the Vietnam Vet experience. The dedication reads - 'For Native American Veterans'.
The collection opens with this quote from Cochise, "You must speak straight so that your words may go as sunlight into our hearts."
The best poems here do that. But many others are confusing to understand in every line. I found about a handful to be completely successful on all levels.
Of the other poems, many had very memorable lines or ideas or phrases; yet didn't quite work as a single complete poem - statement.
I looked at both what each poem said, and how it said it.
First - the poems are from the Native American view point or "America's Uauthorized Mmoirs" as the author puts it in "A Lewis and Clark Marker". The very serious tone - with not an ounce of humor - talks of major Native American concerns . Two of the main ones seem to be misuse of the land and the white man's hatred for and abuse of the Native American.
First the misuse of the land theme: "I ask myself "When will/the party stop?" But/ they keep slicing/and serving resources/as if catering/ for infinity." - 'Life Cycle'.
Concerns include: cows having replaced buffalo, the over use of water resources, the destruction of woodlands, etc. The poem "Indian Life Today: A Politician Explains the Issues" lists a litany of concerns of many Indian tribes including need for more health care, and social services.
On the theme of hatred for the Native American - nothing expresses it more succinctly than: "The Dead Indian Epigram: For many of our ancestors openmindedness often meant a head shot." Now as to how the message is said. For the most part the poetry is unrhymed prose chopped into lines. Unfortunately it more often reads like prose than poetry. And I miss that poetical feel in these poems. Much of the Native American classic poetry I've read (unfortunately it has not been a lot) has been quite original and soaring in its poetical illusions and poetical-ness. Though not a common occurrence, here, I did find a fine example in the poem titled 'II'. A hollow log/ gives many fine people/ a solid foundation.
Finally some poems were complete and standouts on their own. My favorites were "Grand River Grazing" where a water moccasin startles riverside fisherman, and "The Park Songs" a story poem of how a handicapped Native American bluesman charms a depressed child with his magical music. "... The/bronze bluesman put his 12-string/ in the case gently lowering/the cover as if it were the/lid on a mother's favorite/ music box. Then he walked/woodward in the applesauce/soft mud."
The work shows real talent, but the talent is not yet fully developed. And he has not yet formed a distinctive, one-of-a-kind personal style in his poetry.
On the other hand the wide range of subjects touched on here, give a good account of Native American life and philosophy.
Contact Info:
Indian Heritage Publishing
Attn: Louis Hooban
P.O. Box 2302
Morristown, TX 37816
The author points out that some copies of the book will be sent 'free of charge to reservations around the nation. Most of the proceeds will go to 'worthy causes' as defined by "Indian Heritage Council".
Overall Grade: 3.5
Review #43 11/04
Title: Don't Mess With Texas Music - Vol. 2
What is it?: 19 Song CD anthology of Texas Music with all proceeds from the CD going to the Texas Music Project and music education in Texas Public Schools (An admirable goal)
Technical Quality: Very high. High recording quality of all songs. Cover art average, but inside 18 page CD booklet with color photos and bios of all musicians, plus information on the TMP; is well done. Note - cellophane wrapping of this or any CD is unnecessary and wasteful.
Innovative Quality: Low. Nothing here that wasn't done first somewhere else. What this album does, at its best is perfect old styles - at its worst imitates them.
Review:
An anthology with this much variety and range of styles is as expected a mixed review with some standouts, and most average. Each song deserves mention.
1. Don't Let It Get You Down (The Crusaders) is a 70's soulful jazz instrumental with the best horn work on the CD and one of the best songs (1-4 stars with 4 highest) = 3+
2. Elvis (Pat Green) country/rock song is silly and not quite cohesive in the lyrics. Even notable side men, Willie Nelson and Ray Benson can't save it. = 2
3. Real Emotions (Los Lonely Boys) Santana imitators almost pull it off with great similar guitar
leads and sound, but song falls apart in the chorus = 3.
4. Never Look Back (Lauren Gifford) Eye candy Gifford has one of the best songs here - a jazz/
folk tune that seems passionate and honest = 3+
5. Everything I Need (Clint Black) Great country / rock voice does his own not-so-hot song = 2+
6. It's About Time (Terri Hendrix) Country/rap may be a little too cute in the lyrics but it’s a well crafted arrangement = 2.
7. Good Texan (The Vaughan Brothers) So-so offering from talented brothers that one would expect more from - even lead guitar is lame = 2
8. You're The Man (Barbara Lynn) Soul/rap song (her son the rapper) is just ok on all fronts = 2+
9. Wait For Me (Vallejo). Bland pop rock = 2
10. Crying As Fast As I Can (Trish Murphy) Beatle type love song is badly constructed and goes all over the place = 2+
11. Conspiracy Theory (Steve Earle) Soulful bass run, sweet background female voices, and gruff Earle all come together in perhaps the best song here. Lyrics challenge us by suggesting the conspiracies might be real! Lyrics, song, arrangement, and singers, all come together well = 4.
12. Dangerously in Love (Beyonce) Nice voice wasted on a whiney song. Better to look at her photo than hear this twice = 2
13. Just A Little Bit (Steve Miller) Above average song from a talented 70's rocker.
14 Sugar Mama (Bonnie Raitt) Great blues voice wasted on so-so song = 2.
15. I Can't See Texas From Here (George Strait) Pure country song has some of the best musicianship of the CD. Strait's voice is great, but without Texas in the title, the song would be worthless fluff.
16. My Sunday's Comin' Soon (Bobby Blue Bland) Old fashioned blues song is one of the standouts. Some things never get old = 3+
17. If I Had Possession Over Judgment Day (Eric Clapton - alias God). Clapton does a good version of the best song on the CD, Robert Johnson's blues song from 1936, though I would have loved to hear a lead in the middle - its like Jimi Hendrix just singing. Clapton cut loose when you get a good song like this! = 4
18. Streets Of Sin (Joe Ely) Good voice does a passionate , though sloooow song with a fine chorus. = 3.
19. Boogie King (Eric Johnson) Here's the best guitar of the CD - fast and crystal clear playing. But for Texas, land of so many great guitarists, its' only slightly above average. Song is a tribute to John Lee Hooker, but I'd rather he re-recorded the Hooker classic, Boom Boom Boom = 2+.
Overall on the negative side: too much generic musicianship with few standout performances, mostly poorly constructed songs with bland lyrics and forgettable tunes, and hardly a single hit here.
On the positive side: I wanted to hear 5 of the songs more than once, LOTS of star power, great vocals throughout, good arrangements, a nice sampler with a wide range of current Texas music and a worthy cause for the money collected.
Contact Info:
Texas Music Project
9999 Meadowbrook Dr.
Dallas, Texas 75220
Overall Grade: 4.2
Review #44 11/04
Title: The Addictions
What is it? 11-Song CD
Technical Quality:: Above average on music - playing and vocals, and CD cover art.
Innovative Quality: None. Nothing here done first in either music, lyrics, or performance. The sound is generic rock band sound throughout.
Review:
This is a hard CD to review because first of all it obviously took a lot of time to record - the sound is fine, the musicianship solid, the vocals, and their are two main vocalists here: Jason Richard, and Beth Richard, are all professional and well done. (I prefer her voice though both are first rate rock voices.)
Yet at the same time there is not one drop of individuality here. It is as if they wanted to copy every band ever recorded over the last 40 years, and blend them into one generic rock band sound. Also, though all are good musicians and energetic players, none of the band stands out for any reason. It's as if the producer is saying sound like everyone else when you play and sing.
"Kiss Me" is the best party song, "Alright" has the best lead guitar break, and "Early Morning" is probably the best song over all. But no song is completely successful.
I think they would have a great album here IF they called themselves the Generic Band, or the Sound Alikes.
ANY listener will see that everyone involved in this project , worked very hard. How about taking just as much time to find a hit song - a single hit - a well crafted memorable song with memorable lyrics from a seasoned songwriter.
IF the Addictions are just a party band that wants to sell a CD on the side -this if fine. IF they want to have a recording career - they need to get great songs from great songwriters - and go beyond technical excellence to some real innovative musicianship.
Contact Info:
www.theaddictionsmusic.com
www.electricfactoryrecords.com
Overall Grade: 2.5 out of 10.0
Review #45 1/05
Title: Violinland
What is it?: CD by a collection of musicians headed by Violinist Jennifer Bryan that mixes classical ensemble music with original contemporary songs and poetry.
Technical Quality: High. Good arrangements throughout, with the classical performances - first rate
Innovative Quality: Above average in these specifics: Mix of many types of music, classical Shostakovich quartet to original songs, plus poetry. Also an assorted group of artists performing and singing. Plus a notable cover with liner notes mostly in German!
Review:
Jennifer Bryan is a classical violinist that has mixed some of her classical music ensemble recordings with some new folk/pop songs performed by her and her friends, + a recitation of some poetry on one cut. Let's look at the contents:
There are 12 recordings with the first and the last the same song, 'Shadow on the Moon' an original folkish song about loneliness and comfort, that is a bona fide hit. It's composed by Mark Ambrose (also the guitarist). Jennifer sings lead vocal on the first version, Mark on the last. Both have somewhat weak (though precise) voices, (as do the other singers on the album) but otherwise the arrangements are first rate with guitar, base, and/or violin. This song with its catchy melody, and title line 'so you think you've got the only shadow on the Moon is quite memorable and is worth the CD by itself.
Next come 6 short piano/violin classical pieces by Jennifer on violin; and Deborah Austin on piano. The first two are by Fritz Kreisler, and the last 4 Hedley Cooper. These are recorded live, with polite clapping at the end - even a baby getting fussy in between two of the performances . All are nicely played. Note how sweet, emotional, and precise the high notes are on the violin.
Next comes a string quartet #8 of Shostakovich that can be summed up in one word - tumultuous.
Two almost-but- not-quite-as-memorable -as-the-title-song originals of guitar and strings follow, with a passionate love song, 'Tear My Thoughts' by guitarist Christopher Rhenquist, and a guitar folk/rock song, 'Perfect Criminal' by William Kelly. Then a repetitive rock instrumental built on a very strong drum beat, by Ambrose, that leads up to a short bit of surrealist poetry recited by Julie Buchsbaum, titled "Pink and Blue - The Astronomer' that starts off, "I eat stars, breathe stars, bathe in stars...." And finally the reprise of the title song.
Overall a good mix of styles with some well performed classical pieces, and some notable new songs all done by a group of assorted and talented musicians. This kind of ensemble project is a delight to hear over and over, with that title song hard to forget!
Contact Info:
Violinland
PO Box 1285
Mission, KS 66222.
Overall Grade; 5.1 out of 10.0
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