New Rock ‘n Blues
releases and reissues

Trey Anastasio, same title, Elektra Records.

Trey Anastasio, guitarist with Grateful Dead sound-a-likes Phish, has delivered his first solo disc, one that incorporates funk, salsa and jazz influences. But due to Anastasio’s vocal resemblance to Jerry Garcia, the Dead comparisons will undoubtedly continue unabated. The material is listenable and occasionally edgy, but with little originality. Little Feat has treaded these waters for years already… and has done so with considerably more panache.

Jack Ingram, Electric, Lucky Dog/Columbia Records.

Jack Ingram mixes power pop, country and rock influences into a sound that echoes The Byrds, Big Star, Tom Petty and Steve Earle. Ingram’s lyrics deal with hope, love, loss of it and the desperation that comes from broken relationships. Standout tracks include the jangly rocker “One Thing,” the twangy “Everybody,” the boozy, slightly out of control “We’re All In This Together” and the rocking “I Won’t Go With Her.” Jack Ingram’s debut disc is a loose, honest collection of fine songs and inspired playing. Lucky Dog releases are available from Miles of Music, www.milesofmusic.com.

Radio Birdman, The Essential Radio Birdman (1974-1978), Sub Pop Records.

Shall we venture back to the heady days of ‘70’s punk rock for a few minutes? Like most countries, Australia had its own punk scene and among their musical exports was the short-lived Radio Birdman, a hard rocking, high-energy sextet that never really clicked commercially, but earned critical acclaim. With influences like 60’s garage rock, The Stooges, The Velvet Underground and The New York Dolls, Radio Birdman’s sound was a wild, non-stop extravaganza of pent-up punk tension and release. Some of it sounds a little dated in light of current trends in rock (most of which I’d rather ignore), but there’s no denying the joyous rock ‘n roll vitality here. Put it on and pogo. www.subpop.com.

Blues-A-Matic, The Big Bam, Whynot Music.

Blues-A-Matic is a hot, jump swing-Chicago style blues band that mixes the best of those genres into one exciting package. These are guys after my own heart; gray strands in their hair and beards—obviously mature, seasoned players who are a popular local attraction on their home turf of Winston-Salem, NC. There’s nothing earthshakingly original going on here, but it’s got a good beat and you can dance to it. Entertaining stuff… and reputedly recorded live in the recording studio with no trickery. Whynot Records, PO Box 10736, Winston-Salem, NC 27108.

David Zollo, The Big Night, Trailer Records.

David Zollo not only operates Trailer Records from his home in Iowa City, IA, but is also the premier artist on the label. Zollo sounds as if he numbers Rod Stewart and The Faces, The Rolling Stones, Humble Pie, The Byrds, Merle Haggard and Tom Petty as musical heroes on his latest outing. This is no sensitive singer/songwriter mush either; Zollo rocks out with only the occasional ballad to slow things down. Eric Straumanis, a Trailer solo artist in his own right, plays lead guitar, and Bo Ramsey, another Trailer artist and the coolest guitarist in the world, also contributes hot licks. Cuts like “Get Away” and “While You Undress” just burn. The Big Night is a killer. www.trailer-records.com.