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The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn., Wayne Bledsoe column: The ones that got away in 2009Jan 08, 2010 (The Knoxville News-Sentinel - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- At the end of every year I realize just how many local albums I wanted to get reviewed before the year ended. "Edwin & Catherine," Rocky Wynder (order at 865-909-0267) How could it possibly have taken classic jazz man Rocky Wynder so long to release his first CD? Until the release of "Edwin & Catherine" the only documents of Wynder's talents were guest spots on albums by others and the good memories of hearing the now 81-year-old saxophonist perform live. Produced by Donald Brown (who composed the lovely title cut especially for Wynder), "Edwin & Catherine" is a showcase for Wynder's soulful style. Accompanied by some of the cream of the Knoxville jazz scene, Wynder delivers standards (including "Good Morning Heartache" and "I Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out to Dry" along with a couple of nice surprises. Wynder is an old school melody man. He plays smart and sweet. He's not out to shock the audience, but he's not pandering either. Wynder is a guy who revels in the tune. Listen to him swing on Tadd Dameron's "Our Delight," trading solos with trumpeter Vance Thompson and drummer Kenneth Brown. It's bliss -- and it's about time the joy that Wynder delivers was captured in a permanent record. "Smashed Hits," The Drunk Uncles (www. thedrunkuncles.com) You can almost smell the beer and feel the stickiness on the soles of your shoes from some joyously low-rent, lovable honky tonk when you crank up this new release by the Drunk Uncles. This disc comes complete with true beer joint ambience between country classics and oughta-be classic originals, including "Lately" and "Only Sad, Sad Songs Make Me Happy." Just before an absolutely on-the-money rendition of "On Tap, In the Can or In the Bottle" voices can be heard across the bar and there's commentary from an older gent who may not meet the musical standards of the group, but certainly fits the rest of the criteria to be in the band. There is nothing "pop country" here. Vocalists Jeff Barbara and Mike McGill would be run off "American Idol" with torches -- and bless them for it. Fiddler Gordy Gilbertson and steel guitarist Brock Henderson saturate every song with the sort of crying notes and solos that make faux country adherents cringe. And bassist Aram Takvoryan and drummer Eric Keeble sound like they could play a steady rhythm while avoiding flying bottles without even looking up. Forget the sterile studio. "Smashed Hits" puts you in the bar. It's nice to know it still exists. "Little Red Lung," Little Red Lung (www.littleredlung.bandcamp.com) I have no idea why vocalist/keyboardist/programmer Zoe-Ruth Erwin goes by the all-too-visual moniker Little Red Lung. What I do know is this five-track EP (available for free download at www.littleredlung.bandcamp.com) is an atmospheric beauty. "Bell Towers" is ominous and dramatic. "Share Yourself" has a sort of torchy Kurt Weill-like feel while the most powerful track, "Running," could've been on the jukebox in the "Twin Peaks" diner. Like the entire EP, it's melancholy and alluring. "Dixieghost," Dixieghost (www.myspace.com/ dixieghost) Dixieghost may be the best Americana act you've never heard of. Co-lead vocalists, guitarists Jason Hanna and Jay Allen, write terrific numbers, including a nice new murder ballad and the mournful "Sand In My Boots." And drummer Cory Mollenhour and bassist Justin Nix are secret weapons. Download it free at the band's MySpace site and see what I mean. Wayne Bledsoe may be reached at 865-342-6444 or [email protected]. He is also the host of "All Over the Road" midnight Saturdays to 4 a.m. Sundays on WDVX-FM. To see more of The Knoxville News-Sentinel or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.knoxnews.com. Copyright (c) 2010, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, Tenn. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |