Chris Stamey “Anything Is Possible”

Chris Stamey, a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist, and producer from North Carolina, has a long and illustrious history in indie rock, including co-founding the power pop band the dBs, playing with Alex Chilton, Jody Stephens’s Big Star Quintet, and recording with the Salt Collective. Stamey has also broadened his focus in recent years to encompass contemporary interpretations of the Great American Songbook and various other genres. This album mixes several distinct styles.

The glorious “I’d Be Lost Without You” opens things. Not your average Beach Boys pastiche, it’s given life through a variety of guest stars like Mitch Easter, Probyn Gregory, and Rob Ladd. And when the Lemon Twigs entered the picture with their harmonies, it grew into something more. The Twigs influence flows through a few other tracks, like the hopeful title track “Anything is Possible,” a powerful mantra that sticks. Next, it shifts to “After All This Time,” a lovely contemporary interpretation of a pop standard. “Meet Me In Midtown” has a Brill Building-style New York themed melody, loaded with character and nice flourishes.

The only cover here is of Brian Wilson’s “Don’t Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder,” given a more orchestral treatment. “Done with Love” is another pop gem that shows being burned by love can prove to be inspirational. Brian Wilson wrote the pinnacle of “teenage symphonies,” but Chris approaches the topic with an obviously adult perspective. Overall a great listen for the wistful and lovelorn. Highly Recommended.

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Willie Nile “The Great Yellow Light”

NYC rocker Willie Nile is survivor, and on his 21st album he starts our ride with “Wild, Wild World” a bouncy sing along on the precarious state of our planet with climate change, and inaction in Washington. Loaded with handclaps and amazing riffs, the bridge is very much like Cheap Trick. He then raises his fist in defiance with the strong anthem “We Are, We Are,” and keeps things rolling with boogie woogie rock of “Electrify Me.” These tracks are classic Willie Nile in fine form.

Things quickly slow down in tone and style on the very keltic folk of “An Irish Goodbye” with Paul Brady, and the title track is very much a story of Willie looking to the future generations with “wonder in her eyes, thunder in her heart.” On “Tryin’ To Make A Livin’ In The U.S.A.” to be honest, Willie sings “There’s nothing wrong with me a hit record wouldn’t cure” and “Fall On Me” is a great Dylanesque song of support. He closes it out with the patriotic “Wake Up America” and “Washington’s Day,” a solid message for the country to pay attention to what’s going on. Overall a solid effort with no filler and a worthy addition to his stellar catalog. Highly Recommended.

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