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I
was at the Living Room, listening to an angel before me, and wondering
whether she was Crescent or Frost. As I'd discover after the set,
she was - rather, is - neither, as Crescent and Frost is
actually named after the Brooklyn streets where singer/songwriter
Maryann Fennimore and songwriting/guitarist collaborator Daniel
Marcus live.
Maryann
is not only lead vocalist in the band whose incarnation that night
included Rich Hinman on guitar and Jason Mercer on bass, but she's
also lead comedian. Her banter between songs, including tales
from the hair salon where she works, had the audience falling
off their chairs. In fact, with a face that appeared to carry
a permanent smile, it was hard not to giggle even as she was singing.
Actually, it was hard not to fall in love.
Drawing
on old-as-the-hills bluegrass, with touches of country and folk,
the music of Fennimore and Marcus is augmented by soulful lyrics
that reflect an upbringing in Pennsylvania, and current day life
in NYC. Indeed, "Pennsylvania" is the title track of
their 2003 release, and it's one of several standout tracks on
the offering. Others personal favorites being "Ghosts of
Indiana" and "Union Square."
And
there's more coming soon, as the duo are currently working on
a follow up album, working with co-producer Tom Durack. Word is
that the new (untitled) work includes several guest performers,
including Dan Reiser on drums, Kerryn Tollhurst on dobro, Chris
Brown on keyboards, plus bluegrass banjo legend Bill Keith. Catch
Crescent and Frost at one of their regular Living Room gigs, or
check them out online at www.crescentandfrost.com.
~~~~~
 "Grrrrr.
I am trying to restrain myself from a tirade - but you saved yourself
with the little Rocky Horror Picture Show comment - love that,"
was the email reply to the question I had posed to Tiffany Randol,
who fronts the very rocking Valeze. The question about
what other bands she would compare Valeze to seemed innocent enough,
but it seems it's an often asked question, and as it's not something
Tiff is really into.
Fortunately,
I had commented that her costume (actually, her performance) the
night before at Rothko - the newest club on the Lower East Side
- made me think of the rock opera, and that comparison found favor
with Tiff, who is happier to note some of her musical influences:
Marvin Gaye, the Supremes, Blondie, The Pretenders and Billie
Holiday.
Described
by the Village Voice as "dance-punk revivalists fronted by
a sassy female who have a song about a trashy girl who lives on
Bedford," Valeze was formed in June 2002, and now consists
of principal songwriter Tiff on vocals (and sometimes guitar),
Miles on drums, Joe on bass, James on keys, and new addition Alan
on guitar. On stage, the focal point is not only Tiffany's powerful
rocker girl vocal performance, but also her theatrical and usually
pretty damn sexy costumes - an aspect of the show that she clearly
takes seriously. For the Rothko gig, she was going for the handmade
puppet look, it seems.
For
the last few months, Valeze have been working hard on their first
full length album with co-producer Chris Goercke. As yet untitled,
it includes reworks of some of their "Come Undone" EP
songs plus several new tunes. Among the guest performers are Patti
Rothberg and Sean Altman on vocals and Joe McGinty on keyboards,
and while no release date has been set, Harris Radio is previewing
several tracks.
In
between the recording sessions, Valeze have also been organizing
their own showcase nights, called Circus. Designed as unpretentious,
fun gatherings to encourage a community spirit, Circus nights
combine bands, comedians, go-go dancers, burlesque acts, and more
besides. Recent nights have been drawing crowds of 250 plus. Check
out the video at www.valeze.net.
~~~~~
Watching
Mudville set up for the opening gig of their residency
at Piano's, I determined that if NASA had just half of the electronic
wizardry that this band has, it would have had men on Mars years
ago. There's no doubt about it, this outfit loves their gadgets
and the sounds they can conjure up from them.
 None
of which takes away from the talent of the band members, led by
the superb vocal delivery of sexy redhead Marilyn Carino and lush
bass lines of the geeky but cool Ben Rubin. Described by one reviewer
as Portishead pulled in the direction of classic West coast cool
jazz, their music has a distinct and earthy soul quality to it,
while many glowing press reviews compare Carino's voice to the
likes of Annie Lennox, PJ Harvey and Sade. Personally, I'd add
Kate Bush and Regina Spektor to that list.
Both
native New Yorkers, Carino and Rubin met while living and performing
in San Francisco. Together they put together the group Long Island
Lulu, which they brought back East to Brooklyn. Mudville evolved
from that combo, releasing its first self-titled EP in 2002.
With
the 2003 release of their first full length CD "The Glory
of Man is Not in Vogue," Carino and Rubin are now busy performing
live to promote it. A live album drawn from the Piano's residency
is also planned. Mudville is on the Web at www.mudvillemusic.com,
but they have to be seen live to be really appreciated.
Pete
Harris is a technology, publishing and marketing entrepreneur,
who founded Harris Radio as a response to the music being
played on corporate-controlled mainstream radio. Check out Scene
and Heard artists on www.harrisradio.com.
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