The Kurt Baker Combo and The Lowlands

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Kurt Baker Combo

The Kurt Baker Combo “Muy Mola Live!”

Other than the New Trocaderos, singer Kurt Baker offers up a smokin’ live album recorded at Salty Peet’s Rock Shack in Kenosha, WI in June of 2014. He has some of album faves like “Weekend Girls”, “Partied Out”, “Everybody Knows”, and “Don’t Go Falling In Love.” In addition the band covers some 60’s classics like “Love Potion No. 9” (Searchers), “Cry For A Carajillo” (Beatles), and “Don’t Look Back” (The Remains). Since Baker has moved off to Spain, we miss him here and this is likely the closest you can get to a Kurt Baker concert now. And if you order from Kool Kat Musik, you’ll get a bonus track: a cover of “Nothing But A Heartache” (Mainstream).
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Kool Kat Musik | Amazon


Lowlands

The Lowlands “The Whale”

If you like beautiful indie rock arrangements then let me direct you to Seattle’s The Lowlands. Led by songwriter Tom Rorem with a deceptive soulful calm bubbling under the surface storm of piano keys on “Passionate Soul”. I’m reminded of Seth Timbs band, Fluid Ounces or Ben Folds with a lot less sarcasm. Lots of details fill out the story of “Captain,” about a doomed airliner and the meaning of life, using a jaunty piano meter and rich harmonies. It ends with a superb guitar and piano combo, and you’ll find many songs here just rock out in the last half, as “Dust” is another example.

“Hands and Feet” is another example of rich infectious melody that’s impossible to ignore. While not every song is classic, the skill and musicianship here keep these songs from getting predictable. Rorem’s clear vocal is compelling, even on the dry title track. Overall, this short album does just enough to add it to my recommended list.
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Congrats Ringo: You’re in the Rock and Roll HOF all by yourself.

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Yeah, say what you will about Ringo but he was the most influential drummer of all time. Before him, you couldn’t even remember a rock drummer by name. When you are learning about drum fills and technique, you don’t start with Neal Peart (Rush) or even John Bonham (Led Zepplin). The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will honor the Beatles drummer with the Award for Musical Excellence on April 18 during induction ceremonies for the class of 2015. Patrick Berry at Salon.com has this great article about the many ringed one.

Celebrate Record Store Day!

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Looking to find a local record store? Search here!

DEALS! Kool Kat Musik Celebrates the long weekend with a big sale from 4/17 to 4/19!
10% OFF all NEW CDs, MAGAZINES, AND IN-STOCK VINYL listed in the POWER POP/ALT COUNTRY ONLINE STORE and 20% OFF all USED CDs.
Visit www.koolkatmusik.com
Rough Trade: On April 18th at 12:30 p.m. we’ll be cutting a record live with Sondre Lerche at the Rough Trade store in Brooklyn. It’s a thrill to be a part of Rough Trade’s fantastic Record Store Day event, and we hope you can be there.
Vagrant Records is pleased to announce four vinyl releases exclusive to Record Store Day on April 18, 2015. All on 180g, Vagrant will be releasing The Hold Steady’s two classics Boys and Girls in America and Heaven Is Whenever, as well as Blitzen Trapper’s Live Harvest and Justin Townes Earle’s Live At Grimey’s. Visit Vagrant

The Grip Weeds “How I Won The War”

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The Grip Weeds

The Grip Weeds “How I Won The War”

Going way back to the roots, the Grip Weeds were named after John Lennon’s character Private Gripweed from the 1967 film How I Won The War. Using the movie’s anti-war theme as a starting point, they signed with Jem Recordings and put out a masterful concept album, thanks in large part to lead singer/drummer Kurt Reil , his wife guitarist Kristen Pinell, his brother Rick Reil and bassist Dave DeSantis. The band doubles down on the rich psychedelic prog sound that started with Strange Change Machine.

The prog-pysche rock starts with the colorful title track, a combination of explosive melody lines with a drum-reverb drenched guitar chorus. A mix of The Byrds, Yes and Cream all wrapped up in one. “Rise Up” is a rougher garage approach, Kurt’s aggressive lead vocal is contrasted by the bands smooth harmonies.

Although there is a lot to go through (17 monster tracks) the jangling hooks are all over “Life Saver” and the dream-like “Other Side Of Your Heart.” You’ll get more familiar Grip Weeds buzzing guitar sound with “Force of Nature,” and Kristin get to sing lead on the mid-tempo “Over and Over.” We also have a nice tribute to the band’s first signed label “Rainbow Quartz.” The band also throws in a few instrumentals to pad things out, but we do close with a great cover of The Beatles’ “The Inner Light.” I always look forward to the Grip Weeds music and this album is pure shock and awe. Highly Recommended.
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Grip Weeds Direct | Amazon

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhyaFZez1Us

George Usher & Lisa Burns “The Last Day of Winter”

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George Usher

George Usher & Lisa Burns “The Last Day of Winter”

George Usher is a veteran unsung rocker who was dealt a near fatal illness that sapped his strength and ability to even play a few years ago. Using his time to write songs, he was met by friend Lisa Burns and eventually they decided to collaborate on this album. Aided by a top notch studio team; guitarist Dave Schramm (The Schramms), bassist Sal Maida (Sparks), producer Pau Naumann, and engineer Eric Ambel (Del Lords, Nils Lofgren, solo) both George and Lisa pour out their collective hearts here.

“Wake Me When Tomorrow’s Here” has that fantastic Usher jangle and although Lisa’s gentle vocal dominates most of the compositions, George is content doing the backing vocal.  “Depression Glass” continues to set the mood, almost like a country ballad, about the fleeting time we all have. “Lost In Translation” features Lisa’s soulful croon similar to a Stevie Nicks, with its melancholy folk pop. Next we get a big standout in “My Precious Wisdom,” George sounds a lot like Stephen Stills here with a wonderful piano melody  played by Dylan Maida. “The Ferryman’s Name” is another standout, with jangling goodness and one of the better duets on the LP. The subject of mortality is common in music, but here Usher sings from the first hand experience that’s sure to resonate with listeners. After a long cold winter, this is a perfect document by two talented musicians.
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