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Flanfire (Duggan Flanakin) is bringing LIFE to Austin music -- and telling the world how sweet it is!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Leah and the Zegernauts --
And Still More Leah! 
Leah Zeger; Jim Foster. Below: Jenifer Jackson.
Leah Zeger; Jim Foster. Below: Jenifer Jackson.I first met Leah Zeger at a Hudsons' CD release party at the Cactus Cafe. I learned that this fiddle player was also once the youngest violinist to be hired by the Austin Symphony (a joy to her cellist dad and violinist mom, whom I met at Leah's gig at the Elephant Room with her hot jazz quartet, the Zegernauts (Jim Foster on guitar, Jacob Jaeger on drums and vocals, and Kris Wade on upright bass).
The set started slowly with some great standards (Lullabye in Birdland, I'm Beginning to See the Light) and the bossa nova number "Waves," which sounded like cherry liqueur. By this time I realized this violinist was maybe an even BETTER jazz vocalist -- as she interpreted Stevie Wonder's "Golden Lady." Jacob closed the set with a vibrant "Take the A Train." Foster was a joy on guitar -- that cat can play, and Wade had the even bigger Cheshire cat smile all night long -- he was having FUN!
By this time, Austin newcomer Alyse Black (a hot songwriter, winner of a Billboard award for original jazz song) had joined the party (as my guest). Leah opened set 2 with Fritz Kreisler and then Czardas (showcasing her violinist chops), then switched to two of her own compositions wrapped around "Cry Me a River." "The Day Before" was in a minor key (meaning sad?), but "You Ain't Got Status If You Ain't Got Me!" sparkled so much that men swooned and women marveled at Leah's chutzpah! And that one was only about a week old!Alyse and I split great company in order to catch MOST of Jenifer Jackson's wonderful folk-rock set at Flipnotics (backed by all three members of the Gary Newcomb Trio, aka the Breathers minus Claire Hamilton -- Gary on pedal steel and guitar, Billy Doughty on drums, and Brandon Gonzalez on bass). Jenifer was sounding like Signe Anderson and the very early Jefferson Airplane as she gave us great songs one after another. Favorites include "After the Fire" and "Summer's Over," but this is poetry and beauty that was warmly received by a full house.
Tuesday I stopped by the Scoot Inn just long enough to be totally STUNNED as Steve Bernal was holding forth solo on cello before about three dozen music freaks sitting in rapt silence. Bernal, who will be part of the Aimee Bobruk CD release on March 4th, closed with his own "Dunes" and somebody's "Something in the Way She Moves." Had to run, though, to catch Joanna Barbera and her new acoustic set -- with Ann Elizabeth Sauder on vocals and holding some drum-like instruments, Kyle Clayton on standup bass and vocals, and fellow About Blank veteran Danny Anderson on guitar. From "Red Roses" to "December," the first four songs just flew by -- and then Joanna slipped off the stage as Ann (who also sings lyric opera) broke into "Summertime," jazz style, yet ending with her wailing away in an upper register that sent goosebumps down most of our spines.
Okay, both these women are beautiful -- and they can sing. But they are also hilarious up there -- sort of a musical (but then they did some of those shows, too) Xena and Gabrielle, right down to Ann's bad jokes. I will forever be greatful to Jennifer Leonhardt for insisting that I go with her to see Joanna about a month or so ago. Of course, it helps a lot that Kyle and Danny's band About Blank is one of my favorite Austin jazz groups!
Wednesday began at Ruta Maya (eclipse, anyone?) for a fat set by The Summer Wardrobe that showcased songs from their forthcoming album -- and Jonny Sanchez' amazing electric sitar. It is always a great show when Sally Crewe is in the house -- Kullen Fuchs, too! After a few oldies but goodies, Jon and John and George and Marty moved on to a subset that included "Ocotillo Sunset," "When You Died," "Baby Let's Switch Graves" (the boys HAVE been performing as Roky Erickson's backup band), "One Longtime Feeling" (so smooth!), and the 15-minute finale, "One More Try," which again proves that only a few (SW included) can get away with it.
Then it was over to the Hole in the Wall to catch the last (and reportedly better) half of a set from American Graveyard (Country Joe and the Fish on steroids) and all of what has to have been Chris Brecht's best set ever. And why not? Start with a rhythm section of Billy the Outlaw Doughty and Bobby Daniel (whom I had seen on Tuesday along with gunslinger Brad Rice just after their set with Amy Cook), add in the amazing Hammond B3 (and harmony vocals) of super Matt Mollica, toss in some great guitar licks (and cool threads) from Gordy Quist (the Heathen), and then to make the recipe just right, just convince violinist/fiddler/superwoman Leah Zeger to join the band even though she has never heard the music before.Chris is still just teasing us with songs from his forthcoming CD, "Not Where You Are," due out in MAY!!!! But what songs! And what great solos and harmonies -- and a great crowd, too! From "Night Highway 99" to "Absinthe Highway Blues" to "Lost Highway" to the grand finale -- all 17 verses of "Get There by Train," this young Colorado native who "played cards with the devil" has all of the verve of a young Rob Zimmerman but with a grace that the Hibbing hero rarely exhibited. [Chris seems always totally aware of his audience and draws energy as fans respond to his band and his songs.] I could not stick around to catch the Gary Newcomb Trio (love those guys -- catch them next time) -- but even without the Lonesome Heroes (making folk music in Memphis), this was pure joy all night long!
One more note -- Friday at Cafe Caffeine some of Austin's younger professional musicians will put on a show for those wise enough to be there, and then on Sunday it's crooner Craig Marshall unveiling his own new CD at Antone's opening for Bruce Smith and his great dance band.
Flanfire -- Bringing LIFE to Austin music.
