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Flanfire (Duggan Flanakin) is bringing LIFE to Austin music -- and telling the world how sweet it is!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
More Whitmore, Please! 
Until this past week, I always thought of Eleanor Whitmore as Bonnie Whitmore's older sister, long-time environmental activist, and exceptional fiddle player for Slaid Cleaves and more recently Bruce Robison (and sometimes Kelly Willis). Last week at the Red-Eyed Fly, Eleanor had an out-front rehearsal for her big coming out party on March 12th at Antone's, where she will play fiddle and mandolin -- and guitar -- and unveil songs that like an X-ray machine) let you see deep inside her heart and soul.
Until this past week, I always thought of Eleanor Whitmore as Bonnie Whitmore's older sister, long-time environmental activist, and exceptional fiddle player for Slaid Cleaves and more recently Bruce Robison (and sometimes Kelly Willis). Last week at the Red-Eyed Fly, Eleanor had an out-front rehearsal for her big coming out party on March 12th at Antone's, where she will play fiddle and mandolin -- and guitar -- and unveil songs that like an X-ray machine) let you see deep inside her heart and soul.
Eleanor and Bonnie Whitmore at the Fly.
Eleanor is also linked (on and off stage) to Chris Masterson, the Austin-based guitarist who just replaced Brad Rice in Son Volt (as Brad moved up to play with Keith Urban, Chris moves on after four years with Jack Ingram) -- and the March 12th show will feature Chris, Eleanor, and Bonnie (playing bass, cello, and her legacy Gibson guitar that her folksinger dad Alex gave her for Christmas -- Eleanor got the old Martin). But back to the Fly -- where the Whitmores were filling in for longtime pal Kathleen O'Keefe (who even showed up "On My Best Behavior").
Bonnie has a bunch of new songs, too -- including "Colored Kisses" and "Love Too Sweet" (both are on her myspace page), "Katy Kaboom," and "Discovery of the New" -- apparently she writes her best songs when she leaves the country, and if these are any indicator, she ought to travel more. The two sisters are also beginning to collaborate (after a lifetime of fighting over just about everything), and one of the first blessings for their fans is "Better Off." Eleanor's songs included "Leave It All Behind," "Blown Away," "I Never Needed You Enough," and the amazing "Coffee in the Rain."
Well, of course, the sisters sound great together -- Eleanor taking the high notes and Bonnie the lower ones -- and of course both play wonderfully. But what struck me was the honesty -- Eleanor just comes at you with her big eyes wide open in childlike confession mode as though the songs are just pouring out of her heart. Bonnie (who recently chopped off a few inches of her curly hair) has been talking about moving to Nashville, but maybe this is the better path. Her own songs are getting better, her vocals are made even sweeter with Eleanor's harmonies and solos, and yes they are playing at ANTONE'S in their own show (okay the EW BF). IMHO, Nashville will always be there, but there may never be a better chance to take this show on the road. If the Ginn Sisters can do it (and for that matter those gals who hang out with Natalie Maines), there is surely room for the curly-haired golden girls whose mom the opera singer drove all the way from Denton to hang out at the Red-Eyed Fly and listen to death metal booming into the bar from the atrium out back. At least I hope so.
Later on Thursday, I stopped by Flipnotics (missing Stefanie Fix's set -- darn it!) but did catch the first three rounds of Mo Pair, Idgy Vaughn (speaking of naturally redheaded murder ballad singers who OUGHT to have been at the Dead Sweethearts Ball on Saturday -- but I digress), and host Johann Wagner. This unlikely trio was putting on a joyous show before an enthusiastic audience -- and providing lots of interesting banter. Mo is one of those old-school folkies who collects good songs from people who were passing through; Idgy killed with "Mister Wrong" (which is FAR BETTER than the Ellen DeGeneres movie of the same name), and Johann I hope to catch in more detail when he hosts Raina Rose on March 1st.
Bonnie has a bunch of new songs, too -- including "Colored Kisses" and "Love Too Sweet" (both are on her myspace page), "Katy Kaboom," and "Discovery of the New" -- apparently she writes her best songs when she leaves the country, and if these are any indicator, she ought to travel more. The two sisters are also beginning to collaborate (after a lifetime of fighting over just about everything), and one of the first blessings for their fans is "Better Off." Eleanor's songs included "Leave It All Behind," "Blown Away," "I Never Needed You Enough," and the amazing "Coffee in the Rain."
Well, of course, the sisters sound great together -- Eleanor taking the high notes and Bonnie the lower ones -- and of course both play wonderfully. But what struck me was the honesty -- Eleanor just comes at you with her big eyes wide open in childlike confession mode as though the songs are just pouring out of her heart. Bonnie (who recently chopped off a few inches of her curly hair) has been talking about moving to Nashville, but maybe this is the better path. Her own songs are getting better, her vocals are made even sweeter with Eleanor's harmonies and solos, and yes they are playing at ANTONE'S in their own show (okay the EW BF). IMHO, Nashville will always be there, but there may never be a better chance to take this show on the road. If the Ginn Sisters can do it (and for that matter those gals who hang out with Natalie Maines), there is surely room for the curly-haired golden girls whose mom the opera singer drove all the way from Denton to hang out at the Red-Eyed Fly and listen to death metal booming into the bar from the atrium out back. At least I hope so.
Later on Thursday, I stopped by Flipnotics (missing Stefanie Fix's set -- darn it!) but did catch the first three rounds of Mo Pair, Idgy Vaughn (speaking of naturally redheaded murder ballad singers who OUGHT to have been at the Dead Sweethearts Ball on Saturday -- but I digress), and host Johann Wagner. This unlikely trio was putting on a joyous show before an enthusiastic audience -- and providing lots of interesting banter. Mo is one of those old-school folkies who collects good songs from people who were passing through; Idgy killed with "Mister Wrong" (which is FAR BETTER than the Ellen DeGeneres movie of the same name), and Johann I hope to catch in more detail when he hosts Raina Rose on March 1st.
Queens of the Carousel: Suzanna Van Tassel, Karen Poston; Howdy, Beth and Silas of Love Gone Cold; and Leo Rondeau.Unlike Idgy, I DID get out to the Carousel Saturday night -- absolutely the COOLEST place in Austin when it is full of happy, rowdy music lovers having a hoot and two hollers. Teri Joyce, Jim Stringer, Lisa Pankratz and the rest of the Dead Sweethearts Band puts on this annual Valentine's show that always packs the house. I could not stay that long (but hung out with Brennen Leigh and Leo Rondeau, whom I had visited the evening before during Leo's strong set at the Hole in the Wall). But I DID get to visit briefly with two of Austin's country music queens -- Karen Poston and Suzanna Van Tassel of the Hummingbirds. I am told that later on Suzanna turned in the performance of the evening!
[Note to self: Get thee out to see Love Gone Cold for a full set next time -- they followed Leo at the Hole on Friday -- Howdy on bass, Beth on fiddle and guitar (she's from Alaska), and Silas on guitar and mandolin, and one of those new-fangled but old-fashioned looking mikes that picked up both vocals and both instruments (not the bass, of course) and sounded H-O-T. Great bluegrassy feel that puts this duo on a par with Gillian and David in the level of intensity at the very least. Gotta see 'em -- maybe on Monday night at the revamped "Scoot Inn" (now the sister venue of the Long Branch).]
My destination for the latter part of Saturday night was Trophy's, where Grub Dog was hosting a roots rock revue that featured Bryce Clifford, Grub Dog playing in about three bands (including the Modestos), the real Bill Davis, and Slowtrain. Highlights included the fact that original Black Water Gospel drummer Andy Morris and Crawling with Kings' keyboardist (and guitarist) Doug Walseth joined Bryce and bass playeer extraordinaire Zach Firnhaber for a very high energy (but all too short) set that showcased the lovely Darlene on fiddle on the final song. And Slowtrain was just ON -- maybe it was the great sound 
work, but Adoniram Lipton and Brett Staggs have NEVER (to me at least) sounded better singing together. And this was at TROPHY"S! 
Miss Darlene and Doug Walseth join Bryce Clifford onstage. Miss Betsy holding court at Trophy's. And Juan Gutierrez and Black Water Gospel play at Momo's February 24th -- along with the Band of Heathens.
