Laurel Canyon Back Porch Variety Hour gets legs(?)

I loaded slide shows up on YouTube to go with the 12 segments of our Laurel Canyon Back Porch Variety Hour.

I promise, we have no intention of pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. We’re just having fun, keeping the juices flowing. It’s a chance for me to put out some whimsical material, for Amy to do some whimsical singing, and for our production-mate John Grimshaw to practice voice over & editing. (Plus, he wrote the show’s best song: “Call Me Darlin’”)

Well, wouldn’t you know it? The LCBPVH ended up with a listing on the Old Time Radio web site. And the whole “cast” gets mentioned. Ozark Otis, TC Ragstix, Tracy Dixon, Bill Heathrow, Sammy Levine…

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Laurel Canyon Back Porch Variety Hour

It’s the Laurel Canyon Back Porch Variety Hour!

Yes, I was honored and humbled to be a part of this event, hosted by Bill Heathrow & Sammy Levine. Nostalgic western sounds, corny country humor, Hokie Okie presentation. A real hootenanny! (Whether it’s a put-on or the real deal, I’ll never know, but I don’t think it matters.)

I shared the stage with TC Ragstix, Amy Wray, Tracy Dixon, and those crazy bastards from Ozark Otis & the Oxnard Eight.

We played a few of my new songs, and one by the great Duke Wray. We’re keeping our creative hands busy between projects, and having fun.

Check it out!(Click the play button at the bottom left of the photo.)

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Northwest Indie Music puts “Villain” in top 10 of 2011

I’m glad I still qualify as a Northwest Musician, so I could be reviewed by a young man named Andrew Fickes of Northwest Indie Music.

Andrew says: “Villain” is hands down among the top 10 releases of 2011.”

Villain has been reviewed more than any I’ve released so far. Most of the reviews are kind, some glowing. None, so far, are blanket pannings. But I am truly glad that Andrew likes it, because he’s one of the few critics who pays deep attention to the story-writing. Most critics talk about the “sound.” They refer to content only in passing. And this, in some way, tips off the lack of time and attention lent to the material. Read more »

Italian Shipe Review still untranslated

I love getting reviews from overseas in European languages, because the suspense lasts while I seek a translation into English.

Recently, a new online friend from Italy posted a review of Villain on his blog: Resto in Ascolto. Admittedly, I already know I’m in friendly territory here, ’cause we’ve communicated back and forth by personal e-mail, and he has said some nice things. But I am fascinated by the whole idea of language, dying to know how he describes my music to his fellow countrymen.

First, I scan the review in the original language, trying to decipher as best I can. (I took French for 5 years, and studied Old English, so there are some European words whose meaning I can guesstimate. I enjoy this linguistic exercise.) So far, I see the phrase “album dell’anno.” If this means “album of the year,” I’m going to faint. And when I wake up, I’m sending him flowers.

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Shipe #1 ahead of Radiohead!?

I have Lord Litter to thank for spreading my music around Germany. The result: “Love Belongs to Everyone” hit #1 on Radio Marabu Hot Rotation, in the company of Radiohead and R.E.M. (I’m stoked, because I am fans of both, leaning in either direction–folkrock & artrock. It is to the credit of my producer and friend Ehren Ebbage that this song is suitable for such company.