Celebrating The Arrival of The Beatles at JFK Airport

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[cycloneslider id=”honoring-beatles-50th-anniversary” fx=”fade” timeout=”5000″ speed=”1000″ width=”600″ height=”400″ show_prev_next=”true” show_nav=”true” hover_pause=”true”] I was very lucky to get into the ceremony celebrating the arrival of The Beatles at JFK Airport in 1964. The NY news media was there in force as they met with Beatle fans and other dignitaries at the event in the famous TWA Flight Center, a building that Port Authority Executive Director  Pat Foye described “painstakingly recreated” as a symbol of the early sixties “jet age.”

The one official getting most of the attention was Gary Millar, the Lord Mayor Councillor of Liverpool (UK). I also met Billy J. Kramer, a British Invasion/Merseybeat singer who often opened for the Fab Four in those early days. A commemorative plaque was unveiled for the occasion, and the Beatles cover band Liverpool played a few songs in advance of this weekend’s Fest for Beatles Fans. Check out Liverpool’s performance embedded on the last slide above. (Note: Keep your mouse pointer in the slide area to view the video without interruption.)

Glen_BurticI was fortunate to do a mini-interview with Liverpool lead singer/guitarist Glen Burtnik. It was pretty cool even though I was “winging it.” Glen was very friendly and approachable, he’s worked alongside Marshall Crenshaw in Broadway’s Beatlemania and mentored Graham Alexander. We started talking before I even got his full name!

Jeremy Messersmith “Heart Murmurs”

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I’ve followed Minneapolis singer-songwriter Jeremy Messersmith’s musical career from way back, and each new album shows improvement and growth, but now with Heart Murmurs I can say he’s hit his stride. Like Elliot Smith, Messersmith’s always been a master of melancholy melodies. But here he gives us an album that’s thematically well rounded about every aspect of heartbreak, from beginning to end. The glorious sound is to imagine Paul Simon as the leader of Coldplay.

Starting with “It’s Only Dancing,” about the tension of that first dance at a prom, the dense chords echo through your head. Next the single “Tourniquet” is an awesome earworm that lingers long enough for you to sing along. Sung with wistful elegance, “Steve” is told from the perspective of the best friend with a secret crush. “Ghost” is another heavy beat gem about leaving the past behind, contrast that with the acoustic desperation of “I Want To Be Your One Night Stand.” Each song builds with great atmosphere, “Bubblin'” and “Hitman” are another perfect tandem of mature orchestrated pop (my favorites here).

Producer Andy Thompson helps keep the arrangements clean and crisp, and accented with orchestral instrumentation that rounds out each mini drama. Overall, a creative triumph that deserves a spot on my top ten album list for 2014. If this doesn’t get the name of Jeremy Messersmith out there to the ears of the hoi polloi I don’t know what will.

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Sidewalk Atlas and Fab Claxton

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Sidewalk Atlas “Stealing Time”
Combining a love of The Beach Boys, Ben Folds, and the Flaming Lips with a huge variety of genres makes this debut from Sidewalk Atlas a hidden gem that deserves your attention. The Philadelphia-based project created by Danny Greene, collaborates with about 19 other musicians to create a concept album somewhere between The Pet Sounds Sessions and Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots.

The slow piano and clarinet builds into a full overture on “At Least We Are Here Together” then on “Stealing Time” the electric guitars chime in like The Apples in Stereo. Another gem “Margot” is a delightful melody about a quirky girl who has a radiation accident (“You might be nuclear!”). The piano ballads are heartfelt, like “City’s Not Enough” including elegant string accents and some experimental compositions like “Terra Calls Me Back” need a few listens to appreciate. The Bandcamp download is at a “name-your-price” point. Danny is an up and coming talent, we can’t wait to see what’s next.

CD Baby | Amazon

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Fab Claxton “Spazzamatazz”
Fab Claxton is the lead singer of The Marvelous Beauhunks, and here his solo doesn’t fall to far from the Beauhunks, perhaps with a touch of Southern Culture on The Skids guitar, and a Chili Peppers attitude. Spazzamatazz is a compilation of Fab Claxton’s first two EPs – ‘Ramalama Sasquatch’ (released February 2012) and ‘Amped Up Real High’ (released September 2012).

Turn up the volume and enjoy the howlin’ on “Tried To Meet You Halfway” and thick bass on “These Bones (Really Get Around).” Once again, the Bandcamp download is at a “name-your-price” point.

CD Baby | Amazon

The Harmalators and Dott

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The Harmalators “Sweet As A Flower”
From Santa Rosa, California the twin brothers Marlon Kay (bass guitar) and Norman Kay (lead guitar, keyboards) have a sound based on classic power pop influences like the Beach Boys, Ramones and Traveling Wilburys. Opening with the rousing organ theme “Tell Me Love Me” it has a bit of 50’s styled echo and a catchy chorus. Next “She Brings Out The Best In Me” is another good simply written mid-tempo melody.

However the lyrics could use some work, like “Is She Real” which has a chorus that simply repeats the title over and over. In the case of “Real Good Music,” the harmonies are very much in the Brian Wilson style and it makes up for the sparse wordplay. The title track “Sweet As A Flower” has the brothers harmony synced up, but the last track “I Am With You All The Way” is a pretty loose performance (almost too loose). I liked the music, and hope The Harmalators continue their musical development.


Thistime Records (Japan) | Itunes | Amazon

 

Dott “Swoon”
Dott are from Galway, Ireland and play happy, harmony-driven garage pop. The band is led by songwriter Anna McCarthy (vocals/guitar) with Laura Finnegan (bass/vocals) Miriam Donohue (guitar/vocals) and Tony Higgins (drums).  McCarthy creates a  great impression with the hook-filled “Small Pony,” sounding very much like a modern update of the early ’60s girl groups (The Shangri-Las or The Ronettes). The simple guitar-bass-drum instrumentation with those harmonies are extremely effective.

“Rain Day” is another highlight, with a rich harmony-filled chorus, and the slow guitar strum and vocal phrasing of “TEFL” is similar to The Mamas and The Papas. The up-beat party atmosphere of “Leave Tonight” and “Start All Over” is just infectious, with some surf music influence similar to Laurie Biagini. And darker compositions like “Cherry Blossom” mix those sunny vocals with a Nancy Sinatra “Boots Are Made For Walking” attitude. No filler here as each song delivers. Highly Recommended.

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Magic Brothers and Andy Klingensmith

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Magic Brothers “The Magic Line”
Another gem from the UK that needs to be discovered; The Magic Brothers are Daniel “Woody” Woodgate and his younger brother, Nick. Both were part of the legendary UK band Madness (Woody, the drummer and Nick, wrote songs) but they let their power pop freak flag fly here. “Always Be With You” starts us off as richly dense melody that recalls both ELO and Madness with blaring horns and “Ooh La La” harmonies.

“You Don’t Have To Hide Your Love Away”is a lovely mid-tempo ballad that’s pitch perfect and the atmospheric “The River” has a pristine guitar solo after the main chorus. Many songs looks back on childhood, and the melodic tone is similar to Supertramp or Squeeze. “Tysea Hill” and “Smile” are also great tracks amongst many good ones. Each song is a vignette that fits neatly alongside one another. Technically this is a 2013 UK release, but seeing how it’s gotten little press here I’ll count it as my first top ten candidate for 2014, because I believe in the power of Magic (Brothers).

Amazon

 

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Andy Klingensmith “Bright Again” EP
The soft baroque sounds of Andy Klingensmith are back. “Bright Again” starts with simple guitar, Jay Gummert on woodwinds and Riley Smith on drums, it starts as a light folk anthem that builds nicely to a harmonious pop crescendo. “No Control” and “Oh Miss No Name” boasts even better harmonies, following a template similar to Crosby, Stills & Nash or The Lovin’ Spoonfuls. Then the simple slow “The Parade” floats in like a lost Simon and Garfunkel classic. There is definitely a growth spurt musically here, as Andy’s compositions and harmonies gradually get more complex — and I can’t wait for the next stage. Another bonus is that this album is on Bandcamp as a “Name-Your-Price” point. Enjoy.

CD Baby | Amazon