Make a gift of Vermont music this season
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Starline Rhythm Boys' "Masquerade for Heartache" |
Toolbox
By ART EDELSTEIN Arts Correspondent - Published: December 11, 2009
Christmas is soon upon us and Vermont-made music should be on your gift-giving list. The Times Argus reviews a good number of locally produced CDs each year and this year was no exception. The albums listed below should be available from local music stores or from the artist at their Web site (when available). Here's a list by category to choose from:
The Starline Rhythm Boys released their second "live" album "Masquerade for Heartache" on Cow Island Music (CIM014). This is a really good rockabilly trio in performance mode.
Montpelier-based Rusty Romance released "Roots 'n' Roll," a 13-song set of material that local fans should eat up. (www.rustyromance.com).
The Stone Cold Roosters issued another fine country album. Their second CD "Anywhere West" was an excellent sophomore effort by this country/Texas swing septet with a sense of humor (www.stonecoldroosters.com).
Two albums of primarily bluegrass music were released this year. The Bluegrass Gospel Project's "The Blue Morpho" continues the growing reputation of this fine sextet with a fine new female vocalist Colby Crehan. (www.BluegrassGospelProject.com).
Montpelierite Carol Hausner has been getting a lot of attention with her first album "Still Hear Your Voice," with its bluegrass leanings and her excellent vocals and new songs. (www.carolhausner.com).
Several singer-songwriter albums should grace your shopping list. John Gibbons' "Small Town Dance" is punctuated with bluegrass, country and acoustic songs. He writes of Vermont and other subjects (www.johngibbonsmusic.com).
Bow Thayer released "Shooting Arrows at the Moon." Better known for his electric sound in band recordings, this is an intimate, acoustic, and quieter release that showcases Thayer's fine songwriting ability (www.bowthayer.com).
Elle released her self-titled "The Best" this year. Formerly from East Montpelier, this U-32 graduate now lives in LA. This album should appeal to the 20-something you know.
Adrian Otterman from Orange released "Floating in the Whale." He's got a powerful voice to back up his creative songs. An electric album for those who want their music powered (www.OverOrangeHeights.com).
Josh Brooks from Addison County released "Lesson Learned." Brooks is a really good songwriter and this album with guitar and drums is heartfelt in its approach. (www.myspace.com/joshbrooksvt).
Karen McFeeters' "Here and Now" is the first album from this Burlington-based singer-songwriter. Her singing is lovely and the songs are of home and hearth with sympathetic production (www.karenmcfeeters.com).
Coco & Lafe released "Café Loco" and it is a sophisticated album. Coco once led The Lonesome Road Band and Lafe has been an upcoming singer-songwriter from Montpelier. Now relocated to Boston and the West Coast, this album keeps them close to their Vermont roots (www.cocolafe.com).
For more electric music we turn the Heckhounds and their CD "Bad Dog." This trio plays the blues and does it well. The music is raw and powerful (www.myspace.com/theheckhounds).
Mike & The Ravens issued "No Place for Pretty," a truly energized rock album by four guys who can collect Social Security. Check out this "grandpa rock" CD (www.muspace.com/miketheravensnow).
Myra Flynn looks and sounds like a "girl band" singer from the 1960s. On "Crooked Measures," this articulate performer delivers a set of intelligent songs with nice backup production. She's a comer (www.myraflynn.com).
Gregory Douglass released "Battler" and it continues his string of self-penned songs, which showcase his exceptional singing (www.gregorydouglass.com).
We have three instrumental albums to suggest this Christmas. Kilimanjaro, the longtime Vermont-based fusion jazz group, released "Homecoming." This quartet is world class and the music here is innovative (www.kilimanjarojazz.com).
Gordon Stone released "Night Shade." Stone, Vermont's banjo whiz, surrounds himself with nine other musicians on an album that varies from African themes to bluegrass. This is an eclectic selection (www.gordonstone.com).
Cody Michaels' "Winter Suite" is a solo piano album in the vein of George Winston. But Michaels is no clone and "Winter Suite" is a lovely CD (codymichaels.com).
In the traditional music category two CDs, "Mayfly" and Katie Trautz's "Remembering," are fine albums. Trautz, who runs the Summit School in Montpelier, plays on both CDs. On "Mayfly" she is joined by her musical partner Julia Wayne. On "Remembering" she is a soloist with help from Pete Sutherland, among others. These CDs will appeal to those who like old-time music done in a contemporary setting (www.mayflymusic.com).
In the ethnic vein, two albums were released. O'Hanleigh's "Farewell Roscommon" is the second album from this Irish-style group from Addison County. They write songs as well as play a variety of Irish-inspired instruments (www.myspace.com/ohanleigh).
"Twist of the Wrist" is VPR's Robert Resnik, with Elizabeth Thompson and Barbara Wager. The music ranges from older English songs to contemporary French melodies played on a variety of acoustic instruments including the hurdy-gurdy.
The Woods Tea Company released a DVD/CD package. "A Lively Evening with …" For fans of this longtime Vermont group, recently joined by East Montpelier's Patti Casey, this is a must for Christmas. Very entertaining in a live concert are they (woodstea.net).
History buffs will enjoy "Songs of Lake Champlain" by Robert Resnik and Marty Morrissey. This CD helps celebrate the Champlain quadracentennial and Vermont's involvement with the lake.
Big Heavy World took on a monumental project with the two CD "Thrufters & Through-Stones: The Music of Vermont's First 400 Years." The 41 tracks trace music from pre-European settlement to Grace Potter & The Nocturnals. It's an ambitious project (wwww.vmls.org).
Finally, the lone children's CD we received was "In a Tree" by Gigi & Joni. Vocals, guitar and violin by Joni AvRutick and Gigi Weisman grace this nice album of music for kids done in a relaxed low-keyed style.
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