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Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.

Future Wardrobe Summer Clouds?
My good friend Jonny Sanchez (who tunes my piano!) I first met as a founding member of Future Clouds and Radar -- and about the time the Summer Wardrobe's first record was being released. Recently I saw Robert (with Darin Murphy at the Mohawk) and Jonny (old FC&R photo from Ego's) playing on the same night for the first time in years -- but of course at different venues! Both of these creative guys have new records out with their bands, so it only makes sense to review both at the same time.


Future Clouds and Radar -- Peoria
There may be little more to say about the FC&R record, given the amazing writeup for the band in a recent Austin Chronicle -- but suffice it for me to say that Robert initially brought together a bunch of highly talented individual players and just let them grow into their roles in this band such that the sound has evolved organically over time. When Jonny left to focus on the Wardrobe, Robert just took over the lead guitar work. Josh Gravelin has given way to Joshua Zarbo who seems to have a light turned on as he plays his lines. Murphy took a brief leave of absence (I recall one night seeing Nina Singh on drums) but is back with his great voice and steady beat -- and the beautiful (and preggers) Hollie Thomas continues to bring that same mystique to the keyboards that I recall from her Halloween performance at the American Legion Hall a couple of years ago. Kullen Fuchs shows up when he can to add ambience (that is, trumpet, various keyboards, accordian, and whatever fits the mood).

To the fray. On the surface, the lyrics here speak of mortality -- the Chronicle's Austin Powell says the album brings "into question the worthiness of mortal accomplishment and mainstream acceptance." He also shows us a possible why -- Harrison's break from live music after the demis of his former band Cotton Mather. How can you live when your music, your very soul, is smothered or, worse, ignored? What makes your life worthwhile -- the recognition by others of your contribution, or is the experience of co-creating with the Eternal One enough?

"The Epcot View" -- "this dream's a self-made light show where some dark prince shall exhort us into battle licking the bones of his very last foe..." We are talking here again about the thane of transcendentalism whose house studio (the Star Apple Kingdom, same as the record label) is Harrison's version of Walden Pond. Old Edmund Ruffin is a real historical figure -- an ardent supporter of secession who took his own life after the war ended. Harrison grew up in Alabama (aka the Heart of Dixie) ... at a time when the longing for the Old South was still passionate. Or, in other words, if the product of our life is meaningless (or even negative?), what then do we do next? Thankfully, Robert's answer was to get up and get going again.

And why not? "Feet on Grass" suggests that, "they're gonna round us up and embezzle the loot, throw every model citizen under the jackboot -- and they'll shoot!" [Can anyone say, Ohio National Guard?] You have to resist the death culture! "Mummified" is a powerful description of the frustration of creation not recognized -- "beneath the ground, but I'm alive, I see you and I'm mummified." And, yes the music has an Egyptian flavor. "18 Months" continues the theme -- "I spent 18 months buried alive...." But the energy has returned, and you know we are talking past tense .. as he urges us to "feel my breath, join my fight." Anyone thinking of giving up? Play this record and dance all night to it -- this is good therapy. The anti-Jim Morrison.

"The Mortal" is a warning -- "the bereaved were so praised that idols were made and we all crawled like dogs straight from cradle to grave." Rather, we should "let each kingdom crumble until the one will shall be done .. that's the work, that's the real work." And the music here is a solemn march -- that extends into track 7. "Follow the Crane" is Robert talking to himself, "You're back. You took a break, follow me down right past the world right to here, a home where love can never sleep." And so he did -- and we are all enriched by that journey.

Now I got down to the Saxon for the band's CD release party and saw them again this week (without Kullen) at the Mohawk. Both sets were awesome -- and the band opened for Alejandro Escovedo at Antone's this week as well. Lots of songs from the double album from two years back that was so well received -- and I still kick myself for missing the show with the Tosca strings and East Side Horns and who knows what all else (at the Parish). Whenever you need to get outside the drudgery of everyday and remember your dreams, go see Future Clouds and Radar -- and tip the band extra well. They are MUCH cheaper than your shrink!

The Summer Wardrobe - Cajun Prairie Fire
Hidden in the crevices of the CD jacket to Cajun Prairie Fire is a tall tale of the Cajun Ocotillo Sundown and his travails and travels out west from the land of crawfish. There is real truth somewhere within these stories, and yet the discovery is less important than the music itself. Jonny Sanchez and his bandmates -- Marty Hobratschk (bass), George Duron (drums), and John Leon (pedal steel) once again have brought joy to the hearts of their fans with eight songs straight from Jonny's own journey [including a well placed cover of Roky Erickson's "Mine, Mine Mind"]. Mark Addison is also back as producer, and on occasion live (as for example at Lovejoy's one fine October night) one might find Kullen Fuchs or Claire Hamilton joining the band to liven up the sets. I have even see Addison himself on stage (at a most memorable show at Ruta Maya when Leon was otherwise engaged).

The combination of Sanchez's own guitar virtuosity and Leon's flexibility on the pedal steel join to create a unique sound -- with lots of reverb, lots of crescendos, and lots of bravado. Now the band has been playing most of these songs for quite a while -- and so for me the CD itself has some familiarity. But this music just does not get boring -- or old. I mean - "Baby Let's Switch Graves" and "When You Died" -- this is after all an imagination up there with that of the afore-mentioned Robert Harrison. And just as serious a guy underneath it all. Every Wardrobe show is a blast -- and one may wonder whence the lion and the witch.

"Highs in the Mid-90's" IS new for me -- gritty and rough, with the line "good wasn't good enough" to get us thinking. Over six minutes long, much of which is blazing guitar! "Ocotillo Sundown" is as smooth as silk, with lots of pedal steel, as Jonny sings that "everything revolves around the hammer and the sickle" (see liner notes). "Cajun Prairie Fire" is luscious, psychedelic music, with Duron's drums creating lots of space for the twin leads -- and what leads! "Is this a dream? Is this a lie? (followed by another one)? Is this the end?"

Gotta quickly mention the artwork on the jacket -- by Victoria Renard (who also took the photos for the band). Lots of symbolism -- some palm reading notes included. "Graves" is like New Wave power pop with a driving beat and very singable lines that you can dance to (while switching graves, what better than to dance on them?). I think David Bowie would want to cover this one. "Venus of the Merchant Marine" is also new to me -- starts off as a march (amazing how both these bands are feeding off the same themes while being so distinctly different at the same time). Lots of power chords make this a very rich number -- with a pungent lead line as the chorus (who needs words?). I am thinking velvet cream cake. With sorbet or better yet, gelato. And espresso. And moonlight.

The subtle shift into "When You Died" leads to an opening shocking statement -- just who are we talking with here? By this time, of course, who cares what Jonny is singing about -- you are so mesmerized by the music. But then again it IS Elevators music -- 6-1/2 minutes of pure acid rock. And after all, Jonny and the guys DID serve as Roky's backing band for the past year or so (including last Halloween in Hollywood). "One Longtime Feeling" opens with Jonny on acoustic guitar and nothing else, adds quiet drums, and then the pedal steel (and a subtle bass) -- this is the song with the best connection to Sparkle and Fade and the feel of the band's debut CD. You will have to buy the CD and read the liner notes (sorry, guys, downloading will just not do!) to get the band's own take on this song and its relationship to the saga of Ocotillo Sundown the Cajun revolutionary ... but all the clues are in the song itself and its impact on our souls.


The Flanfire Follies

Hilary for President!

Someone Old, Someone New,
Someone Borrowed, and No One Blue!

Tahni and Emme Lou

This week's Austin Chronicle features stories on Austin's young musical talent (the under 18 set). Flanfire, meanwhile, has been tracking the career of an even YOUNGER future star, Emme Lou Handal -- and earlier this week the 8 year old singer and actress blew away an audience ostensibly at Stubbs' to hear songs from her mom Tahni's (here on piano, but usually on electric guitar) new CD. Emme Lou, who last summer was a featured performer at the Zachary Scott's Summer Theatre Camp, calmly went back to her normal child's life after her too-short performance -- and yet you can tell from her swagger on stage she's already a pro.

Mom Tahni, meanwhile, has a new record -- To Kiss You -- that is the best of the three she has done since moving to Austin with Emme Lou and her faithful dog Annie six years ago (has it been that long?). Her first record, done with Woody Russell, was sweet Americana; her second, produced by Dony Wynn, was dramatic and intense. This record is just first-rate American pop -- produced by Kelly Donnelly (who is currently working with Eric Johnson) and featuring John Lockhart and Bobby Mack on guitars, Stewart Cochran and Mark Goodwin on keyboards, Vance Abeyta and Donnelly on bass, Kevin Hall on drums, and Brian Andrew Lee, Korrinne Billiat, Tina Allen, Mark Chandler, and Jayson Hoyt on backing vocals.

Tahni as a teenager was lead guitarist in an all-girl metal band that hung out with the likes of Ratt and Poison (and some bigger names as well). She still has her chops, but left the lead playing at her CD release to Julius Manno (once named Austin's best guitarist by Z-ROCK); Abeyta held down the bass, Cochran was on keys, and Sam Pulley played the drums. "Shooting for the Moon," the first cut, is a remake of an older Tahni song about moving to Austin, but with a new twist. The title track is a gentle ballad about seeking a new and deeper spark in an old flame -- as "I'm running out of time, and I miss you oh so bad, what I wouldn't do to kiss you."

"Roll the Dice" is the rockiest cut here -- features a heckuva guitar solo! "Been a loner all my life, that's the way it is...." "For the Last Time" is my favorite (though I also really like "That's Who I Am" and "This Time Around," which reminds me of Pat Benatar). I have to say just how much I like the backing vocals throughout this recording, and here again Tahni has written great vocal arrangements. "I wanna go out with you tonight, I wanna make everything all right ..." This is a great pop rock ballad -- deserves a duet with fellow Italian Jon Bon Jovi or Joe Perry (you get the idea!). [But locally, why not Craig Marshall?] TURN UP THE VOLUME!

Maybe Austinites will naturally want to check out "No Work Today" - a catchy tune about a sunny day with clouds that roll on by -- "drive up the coast, wind blows in my hair, if you see me hanging around I'll see you there...." EVERYBODY will want to join in on the chorus! Sheboygan fans will love this music! And then there is "Heartache," another ballad ... reminiscent of a Kacy Crowley tune. The last song, "In the End," was recorded at Church House with Cochran on David Boyle's 1913 baby grand -- this is a lament about a loss of a friend. "You never know what you will get, but if you listen you will find your way ... you never know what you find in your condition, might as well be blind ..."

Jodi Adair in Wonderland!


Jodi Adair flew away from New Caney, Texas, at age 18 and went to Europe, and just kept on traveling. Not that long ago she landed in Austin, to be taken in by such friends as Carolyn Wonderland, Karen Deschamps, Shelley King, and a host of others. Jodi is a singer, a songwriter, an artist and a poet -- and a story teller with a childlike quality and the overflowing love given to her by her man Jesus! I met Jodi months ago, but only recently got to hear her songs -- and find out just how much she is loved by so many of my dear friends.

Take Gregory Truett Smith -- whose upcoming project is to paint the Book of Revelation and who has been churning out amazing art for as long as he has had fingers. Flanfire has Smith's Humpty Dumpty in the Southwest on his kitchen wall -- and is in awe of the works he had recently on display at Thunderbird Coffee. One popular piece is the poster art for Carolyn Wonderland's "Miss Understood World Tour" - here she is an angel of light. Another is Courtney Audain, whom Jodi chose to produce her record after hearing what he had done for Steve Carter's wonderful "In Love Again." Then there's my dear friend Kris Brown, on stage on bass, and Cole El-Saleh on keyboards with Carl Ryals on drums. And, who else but Carolyn on trumpet (her new 1920 model), her hand-made mandolin, and of course guitar? Later, the fabulous LZ Love joined in on "Chauffeur Blues," which featured solo verses by all three of these God-loving dynamos.

The evening at the Amsterdam (which HAS to be the best new music venue in town!) began with a soaring solo set from Aimee Bobruk, whose bright-eyed mom was in the house shaking a leg and spreading joy all around. Aimee brought lots of energy to her set, including playing to the dozen or so folks sitting outside (through the window glass) in the smoking section. The crowd swelled for Jodi to standing room only -- some had surely come to hear Carolyn play, but this was the newcomer's night -- and the real coming out party for the Amsterdam.

You meet Jodi and you feel the love. She reminds me so much of Donna Fargo -- a country girl with a big white Ford truck and an even bigger dog -- but a HUGE heart! So when she opens her set with "Sunshine "Worry 'Bout the Weather)" you feel you are in church (and you are, of course), and then when she continues with "Let Me Love You," the answer is a resounding YES! But back to the record. Jeffery Bouck is on drums, and W. C. Clark gets the lead guitar on "Bad Man Blues." My buddy Oliver Steck blows his horn on "Praise," an honest to God worship song, and Price Porter is on pedal steel on "Daddy Was Gypsy." Otherwise, Carolyn and Kris Brown split electric guitar leads, El-Saleh provides keyboards and even "strings," Audain adds just about everything else, and Jodi provides the songs, the voice, and the joy.

"Devil's Beating His Wife" is just Jodi and her acoustic guitar -- the way she plays Wednesday afternoons 4:30 till 6:30 pm at Mesa Ranch (south) -- and look for Jodi at the Hole in the Wall on Sunday, November 2nd -- a MUST ATTEND SHOW! But back to the show - and the CD. As noted, "Bad Man Blues" is just hot stuff! "Wild Fire" and "Cabin Fever" are songs I will not easily tire of hearing -- "Lessons Rough" is very different from the rest of the record, reminds me of Raina Rose. But then "Daddy Was a Gypsy" has that pedal steel and that story about "a pretty Texas queen" who stole daddy's heart and about the girl who also became a gypsy who "settled down easy" after traveling the land -- and yet this is also a song of praise. Indeed, Jodi's myspace moniker is "The American Gypsy."

"I Love You More" is an amazing song about faith in the faithless -- shows Jodi's range both vocally and emotionally. Gotta love Cole's piano here (and Courtney's organ adds). "Spoiled Child" is an edgy number -- "what makes you think you matter to me?" "I'm just a spoiled child out there in your world," Jodi sings -- and you know she is being honest even with herself. Now my pal Gregory beamed when Jodi started singing "Big Texas Smith," but I suspect the song is about a blacksmith ... this one features Kris Brown on dobro slide guitar and Jodi's own rough-hewn acoustic guitar and the story of a man whose legend might rival Paul Bunyan or Big John.

Majoring in Paul Minor!
Paul Minor has had a long, interesting career in the Austin music business -- all the way back to his high school daze. He also has a Master's degree in conflict resolution -- practical stuff for a bandleader.

For nearly a decade he hosted the Rock and Roll Free for All at the Hole in the Wall, giving space for such bands as Spoon, Fastball, Rilo Kiley, the Scabs and You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead (and countless others). I personally know little of this history -- and only very recently have I focused in on the man some have dubbed the "urban cowboy." I DO remember the buzz over the release of Paul's earlier solo CD, but never actually listened to the songs or even caught a live show. So I come to his new CD, "The Marfa Project," as a newcomer to Minor Productions -- except that my pal Bryce Clifford highly recommends his new roommate and his music.

The other night at the Hole in the Wall began with a hot set from Sheboygan -- which I totally missed in order to hang out with my friend Esther as her brother Josh's band The Afters played at Momo's Club. I HATE to miss Sheboygan sets! But Rusty and Cory hung out all evening, and Cory even got up and sang with Paul and the band -- Jeff Johnston on bass, Gary Newcomb on pedal steel, Austin Jenkins on guitar, and Steve McCarthy on drums. [Mind you, David Beebe (also bongos and harp) and Wayne Duncan split the drumming on the CD, which also featured Adam Bork on keys, Michael Crow on Moog, chimes and trumpet, Chip Dolan on piano, organ and accordian, Matt Hubbard on piano and organ, Mario Matteoli (also at the show) on guitar and mandolin, and Gergory Smelley on bass (along with JJ, who also played saw and chimes).]

I gotta say that my early favorite here is "Windmills," a real folk song about hanging out in the Texas Hill Country ... sampling the grapes at the Luckenbach vineyard, stopping beside an old windmill and took a few pictures ... but this song is really about the joy of togetherness now lost. "Here I Am" sings of a two-lane road that opens up my mind and lightens up my load. Love the keyboards on this one. "Lord Help Me" also reaches back into the depths of the author's soul -- it is an all out moan that comes from Minor's childhood days in inner city Houston. I would love to hear Ben Harper get hold of this one -- with the Blind Boys of Alabama (for example).

The CD opens with "Devil May Care," a song that Fastball ought to record! It could be their biggest hit since "The Way." The bridge is especially memorable -- "I'm just another disappointed soul without a clue." Another favorite is "Afterthought," which opens with that anthemic strum and then the haunting harmonica ... that makes you beg for the lyrics to begin. And so we get, "I lost my mind with my heart's assistance," and "I put you before me as an afterthought." I hear this song live with a big organ solo and maybe even a falsetto vocal -- this is another ditty just waiting to be covered by a major artist. Minor makes it wistful ... but you really want to have this lyric and the melodies burn deep into your DNA.

"Slow Burn" is maybe the most Dwight Yoakum song here, a real honky tonker. And, yes, Bandstanders, you can dance to it. But then, "Lettin Off Steam" is more George Strait -- the boys in the band just lettin' off steam. "Out of My System," cowritten with Matteoli, is the bounciest tune on the record. "Lucy" shows yet another vocal style, closer to Jimmy Buffett (with bongos yet). The final cut, "Live and Breathe," is another traditional ballad, and the more I listen the more I like Minor doing this type of music (kinda like McGuinn with the Byrds singing Dylan). And, as noted, his songwriting provides great opportunities for some of his pals.

The third band on the Friday night bill was the Brothers Lazaroff, which still hails from St. Louis even though Brother David has lived in Austin for a number of years. Brother Jeff (the one with the beard THIS week!) brought down Grover Stewart (drums), Teddy Brookins (bass), and Scott Bryan (guitar) to join Austin's Lindsay Greene (keyboards this time) and Gary Newcomb (pedal steel) -- with Elizabeth McQueen joining in on vocals at their Jo's Sinners Brunch show on Sunday. I LOVE THIS BAND -- and they have just about finished their second CD ... which they will likely debut on their next trip to A-town!

Left - Josh Havens of The Afters; right - Juan Gutierrez of The Century at the Hole in the Wall.

Earlier at the Hole I caught up with Juan Gutierrez, who played an acoustic set with guitarist David Jimenez (who also sang an amazing version of "Satisfied Mind") and bassist Dan White. Juan handed out a demo with eight songs, including new versions of "Gold Mine" and "Fools Gold." Nice stuff!

On Wednesday I got over to the new Mesa Ranch for Happy Hour with Jodi Adair (CD release October 25th at the Amsterdam -- see below -- featuring Carolyn Wonderland on guitar and Kris Brown on bass!) and stuck around for a wonderful set from Jon Emery and Karen Mal (with the amazing Steve Carter sitting in for three songs). I like this venue -- comfortable environs and tasty morsels -- and I was thrilled to see the new, funkier Karen, one of Austin's most beautiful people inside and out.

Kim Deschamps is playing Tuesdays at the Amsterdam (8th and Colorado) -- the food is good, the beer is cold (though I had a bottle of wine that evening), and the ambience is Austin! Yup - that's Leeann Atherton blowing the harpoon with Tony Velasco on bass and the very handsome Perry Drake on drums.

Finally, kudos again go out to Sideshow Rob Cooperman (the guy needing new jeans) and Monte Peck from Shut Up and Sing -- who ply their trade every Sunday evening at The Dirty Dog and again on Thursdays at Waterloo Ice House at South Park Meadows. These guys are keeping alive that great tradition of song sharing out in public -- and providing really talented people opportunities to make new friends here in Austin. And Oh, Yeah, I ran into Izzy Cox on Sunday at Jo's -- she has another new collection of murder ballads and more about ready for the world -- just got back from another tour and ready to sing her guts out for the folks here in town.

A Double Dose of Gentleness: Dana and Eleanor!